TVCRC History...

While working for a community agency in Caldwell, Jette Rogers and Virginia Palmley recognized the frustration and confusion people often feel when trying to find help for their situation. The two women wanted to provide an information and referral service that was efficient, effective and free to the general public.

In 1992, when they established TVCRC as a non-profit, all volunteer organization, they couldn't have imagined it would become such a vital link between clients and agencies, or how it would grow to include all of southwest Idaho.

The 35 page directory Jette and Virginia put together for their own use is now more than 200 pages and considered a "second Bible" by hundreds of caseworkers throughout the Treasure Valley and elsewhere who depend on its wealth of over 1200 listed services to help them link their clients to the assistance they need.

Briefly and accurately described as a telephone referral service, the spirit of TVCRC is so much more:

TVCRC's trained volunteers are available 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, focusing on using the human touch to assist each client in a caring, friendly, and effective manner to find the agencies and organizations that meet their needs. Utilizing up-to-date information and the experience to determine both immediate and long-term needs, the volunteers provide referrals to agencies/programs that can enable clients to take charge of their own destiny.

TVCRC is unique in that the organization has no paid staff. Jette Rogers and her staff of dedicated volunteers operate on a shoestring budget. The telephone line listed for TVCRC is forwarded each working day to the home of one of several volunteers. Primary funding sources are sales of the annually updated referral directory and an Information Fair held in April of each year at O'Connor Field House.

The TVCRC Information Fair brings together agencies and organizations from throughout southwest Idaho and helps not only to educate the public about what services are available, but also allows participating agencies to network with one another as well as to promote their services and recruit volunteers.

Also known as "The Red Book", this referral directory published annually by TVCRC lists human services in the Treasure Valley that are free or provided on a sliding scale basis. At present, proceeds from the sale of this directory constitute the largest percentage of the organization's operating capital. Each year at the TVCRC Annual Information Fair the newest edition of the referral directory becomes available, a very hot commodity for the participants and visitors. Much effort goes into every edition, which is available for a purchase price of $25.00 plus tax.