With an increasing number of “homeless” students in Ada County, Assistance League of Boise found a way to support these students who have little or no parental support and who are experiencing various living situations to survive and still attend school. Our program works through the school districts’ social workers who have identified certain enrolled students as homeless unaccompanied youth (HUY), a federal government designation.

Students identified receive a rolling duffel bag (“indie”/independent) filled with personal hygiene and household items. Food and gas vouchers are also provided to assist. The indie bag allows these students to pack up these items plus their own additional personal items as they move, if necessary, to different living situations (i.e., from a car to a friend’s couch).

Purchase and preparation of these bags is provided by the Assistance League of Boise volunteers; however, the bags are given to the school districts and are distributed at the discretion of the social workers.