La Posada Inc

In 1982, the Diocese of Boise asked Father Juan Garatea who asked Sister RoseMary Boessen, RSM to help him start the Guadalupe Hispanic Center in Twin Falls, Idaho. Twelve years later, when Father Juan was reassigned, Sister RoseMary wanted to remain in Twin Falls and continue with immigration assistancec and expand the social services to the Hispanic community. In 1993, she formed La Posada Ministry under the auspices of her religious order, the Sisters of Mercy. In 2004, La Posada was incorporated as an independent public charity whose mission is to work with our communities to provide assistance to those less fortunate in south central Idaho and northern Nevada. To this end, La Posada, Inc. provides immigration assistance within immigration law, counseling, emergency assitance, low-income taxpayer clinic, notary services and Spanish and English translations. Although La Posada's primary outreach is to the Spanish speaking immigrant and migrant worker community, its services are available and provided to anywone who comes in and is in need of assistance.

Through our Immigration Program our staff provides reliable, efficient and affordable immigration assistance to over 1200 individuals seeking our services annually. Each client we serve requires different information and documentation, this being said; some cases take up to 3 years to resolve while others may take a few months. Through our efforts we see many families reuntied after years of separation, heads of households remaining in the United States to support their families, and young undocumented youth obtaining their first legal job providing the first stepping stone needed to build a bright future.

Our Mercy Pantry received over 2,000 requests last year for social services. Our main focus is to help stabilize households with one time emergency assistance with utility and/or medical bills, assist with temporary housing for families that have lost their homes or are in transition to building a stronger future for themselves, and to provide basic food essentials, clothing or household items.  Families receiving rent assistance, temporary housing or utility assistance exhibit a positive change in their well-being due to burdens being alleviated. Individuals begin taking action for their circumstances. Our assistance and guidance provide families with the foundation to understanding the importance of financial independence. Simple behavioral and financial choices lighten the burden of food insecurity and homlessness.

Our Low Income Tax Clinic assists over 1500 clients annually.  Our clinic educates immigrants about their rights and responsiblilities and represents low income taxpayers in controversy with the IRS and the Idaho State Tax Commission. Our Tax Clinic is also an IRS certifying acceptance agent for Individual Tax Identification Numbers. Through the  educaion we provide many more foreign agricultural workers will apply for H-2A Visa's, allowing a foreign national entry into the U.S. for temporary or seasonal agricultural work. Additionally, because our clinic does not charge for their services, referrals received from clients, agricultural based businesses, and other tax professionals will indicate that our clinic is truly making an impact assisting immigrants, foreign workers, low-income clients and for those who do not speak English.

We believe that each individual seeking our services is a direct reflection of the outstanding ministry of La Posada.