The Community Unbound Project (CUP) is a collaborative project between Boise State University and Tidwell Social Work Services & Consulting Inc. that grew out of an event held in November, 2014 called the African Culinary Heritage Conference. The committee is dedicated to providing venues for cross-cultural education and contact that promotes understanding, healing and community building in the city of Boise, Idaho. Last year’s event included a free conference at Boise State and a dinner fundraising event the following night focused on African food, fashion, dance and music. The proceeds from this first event were contributed to three aspiring entrepreneurs who wanted to begin their business at the Boise International Market.
The Arab World in Idaho: Food, Innovation & Culture
- Conference in the Student Union Building at Boise State, 10/09/2015
- Dinner Fundraising Event that evening on the 17th floor of the new Zion’s Bank Building in Boise
- 2015 Outcomes — Financial support for Healing & Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC-Boise).
For more information: tidwellservices.com
HROC-Boise
HROC-Boise plans to offer workshops in the Boise area. The workshops give participants a focused period of three days in which to learn about trauma, something which might not happen otherwise. They learn how healing benefits not only individuals, but the individuals’ families and communities as well. People from different sides of conflicts and different backgrounds learn how much they have in common as a result of having suffered traumatic events. The HROC model relies on the wisdom of workshop participants; lectures are kept to a minimum. HROC is accessible to people of all educational levels, including people who are illiterate.
HROC helps rebuild communities by developing grassroots leadership. Often, follow-up gatherings and Community Celebrations are offered after several HROC Basic Workshops have been held in a community so participants can re-connect and share post-workshop experiences. Celebrations also encourage buy-in from community leaders. At each workshop, facilitators look for participants with leadership skills and compassion who might be effective “Healing Companions” or HROC Facilitators.
Healing Companions attend a (roughly) five-day training on listening compassionately and guiding people through their own personal trauma healing journeys. Healing companions help reduce isolation and build peace in their communities. Participants with strong leadership and presentation skills may be invited to a two-to three-week HROC Facilitators Training. In this intensive training, participants study all aspects of the Basic Workshop, then co-facilitate an actual Basic Workshop under supervision in a local community. Typically trainee facilitators co-facilitate three or four Basic Workshops under supervision before they become actual facilitators. There are no formal educational requirements to be a facilitator; some of the strongest facilitators have little or no formal education.
For more information contact Kathy Railsback at
AFRICAN CULINARY HERITAGE EVENT OUTCOMES: November, 2014
Vision/Purpose
Creating a community that supports mental and emotional well-being of its members includes a tapestry of important interconnections. Having meaningful, rewarding work, good food to eat and people who care about us are three key components of that tapestry. In an effort to support the weaving of this tapestry in Boise, we invited people to support this community building effort through submission of project proposals, volunteerism and donations.
The Event
The event occurred on the coldest, iciest Saturday night of the winter. Yet, despite this challenge we enjoyed a sold out crowd and sadly had to turn people away. This was a multicultural gathering of people for dinner, prepared by a variety of chefs from around the world, with global entertainment offered by people living right here in Boise, Idaho.
Outcomes
Three grants were awarded to aspiring entrepreneurs who have since opened their businesses at the Boise International Market. Additionally, one woman who prepared food for the Taste of the Nations at the Conference has since opened a restaurant in Pocatello, Idaho.
JBR’s BBQ (Boise International Market)
The restaurant is open 7 days a week at the Boise International market. Drop by and try it!
“The Grand Opening was a very powerful and gratifying realization of my business plan and overall vision for my business—I would not have been able to open for the Boise International Market’s Grand Opening without the African Culinary Heritage Committee grant.” Ryan Hansen, (208) 585-1065,
C3 Hair & Beauty Supplies (Boise International Market)
“With the long exhausting days of brainstorming, and extended sleepless nights [I] am proud to say I launched my business on April 23 of 2015. I would like to extend my gratitude to the organizers of the African Culinary Heritage event and Tidwell Social Work Services for making it possible for me to open my own business.” Charlotte Chabuka, (208)863-9008,
Nubian Market (Boise International Market)
“…my desire is to be self-sufficient and a role model to my children, as well as encouraging and empowering other women on believing in themselves and building self-confidence.” Khamisa Fadul, (208) 409-5834,
