WCA Spring 2026 Newsletter

SPRING 2026

TAKING TAKING

Flight

24-HOUR DOMESTIC ABUSE & SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE

208.343.7025 720 W. WASHINGTON ST. BOISE, IDAHO 83702 208.343.3688 WCABOISE.ORG

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO On April 6 I stepped into the role of CEO at the WCA, and I couldn’t be more honored or excited.

To lead an organization with such a longstanding legacy of purpose, leadership, and community impact is both humbling and deeply meaningful. I’m incredibly grateful to the Board of Directors for their trust, and to the many leaders, staff, and supporters who have built such a strong and compassionate foundation.

I especially want to recognize Bea Black, whose leadership over the past 18 years has shaped WCA into the vital organization it is today.

Working alongside her has shown me what true leadership looks like, grounded in purpose, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping individuals reclaim their sense of self-worth and possibility. I am pleased that Bea will continue to support our organization through the next 2 months in an executive advisor role, enabling us to approach this period of transition with both strength and grace.

As I begin this next chapter, I’m especially looking forward to connecting with our dedicated team members and the broader community. There are several opportunities in April and May to meet directly with me through our community connection sessions, for which you can RSVP here: April 28: Telaya Wine Co., 4.00pm April 29: A’tavola, 8.30am April 30: A’tavola, 10.00am May 13: A’tavola, 8.30am May 14: Telaya Wine Co., 4.00pm I am also excited in April to recognize our dedicated volunteers at our volunteer appreciation event on April 21st. Between April 2025 and April 2026, our volunteers volunteered 7500 hours which is the equivalent of 3.6 full time staff members. Without them we could not do the work that we do to allow everyone to thrive in safe, healthy relationships.

I will also be out in our community on April 29, partcipaiting in several events for Denim Day, which is part of Sexual Assault Awareness month. More information on how to participate in this month’s awareness activities can be found in the following pages.

I look forward to connecting with you all, cheers to the days ahead!

Laura Honn, CEO

WCA ANNOUNCES LAURA HONN AS NEXT CEO The Board of Directors of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) announced that Laura Honn, a dedicated member of the WCA’s executive leadership team for six years, has been named the organization’s new CEO. Laura will be succeeding Bea Black, who announced her retirement in 2025 after serving as WCA CEO for 18 years.

This decision was made thoughtfully by the WCA Executive Committee, with deep care for the WCA’s mission, its staff, and the future. Laura has served most recently as Director of Revenue and Outreach, as well as supporting the agency’s client-facing community services teams. Her commitment to providing safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault has shown up in her work every day for the last six years.

“After an extensive and thoughtful search, we are thrilled to welcome Laura Honn as WCA’s next Chief Executive Officer,” said Jess Flynn, president of the WCA Board of Directors and a member of the CEO search committee. “Laura has spent six years as a key member of our Executive Leadership Team — helping build the strategies, relationships, and resources that sustain this organization’s mission every day. As funding landscapes shift and the demand for our services grows, we needed a CEO with both the vision and the grounding to lead through that complexity, and we are confident Laura is that person. We also want to honor the extraordinary 18-year legacy of Bea Black, whose leadership has made WCA the respected, resilient organization it is today.”

Laura’s commitment to human services-based leadership began in the United Kingdom 18 years ago as Operations Manager for youth protective services at the Salford Foundation, where she gained experience in domestic violence and sexual assault work. Upon moving to the United States in 2015, she continued to expand her operational leadership experience as Campus Director of Lake of the Woods and Greenwoods Summer Camps. In 2020, Laura joined the WCA as Philanthropy Manager. She has also served as Associate Board Member of Lincoln Park Community Shelter in Chicago, and more recently as Past President of the Wild Hearts Idaho Board of Directors. In 2024, Laura was a recipient of the Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished Under 40 Award.

“I am delighted that the WCA Board of Directors selected Laura Honn as the WCA’s new CEO,” said Bea Black, who will step into the role of Executive Advisor during the transition process. “Having worked with Laura for the past six years, I know she is passionate about our work and is committed to ensuring a future for our organization and team that will result in expanded opportunities for service and advancement for team members. Her resilience and problem solving skills are exceptional and so critical, particularly for non-profits. The challenges we face these days are usually unexpected and come without warning.

Being able to pivot and adapt are abilities that she has demonstrated from very early on in her tenure at the organization. Her background, familiarity with the WCA’s work, as well as commitment to our staff and community, make her a great choice for the WCA. I look forward to celebrating the success of the WCA under her leadership in the years to come.”

Laura will officially begin her tenure as CEO on April 6, 2026, at which time she and Bea will continue to work closely to ensure a smooth transition. For more on Bea’s retirement, visit wcaboise.org/beablacklegacy.

BEA BLACK AWARDED WITH KEY TO THE CITY OF BOISE

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean presented the Key to the City to retiring WCA CEO Bea Black on Wednesday, honoring Black’s tireless commitment to serving the community’s most vulnerable populations for nearly two decades.

Mayor McLean was introduced by incoming WCA CEO Laura Honn, who stressed that Black’s commitment to the WCA has left “an extraordinary foundation” for the WCA to build upon in its next chapter. “She has shown me that our work is not only about providing safety,” Honn explained, “but about helping individuals reclaim their sense of self-worth and possibility.”

The award was presented as a surprise at the end of the organization’s annual luncheon which celebrates women who excel in their fields of industry and business.

“It’s very rare that I find myself speechless,” Black admitted to the room of nearly 700 longtime supporters of the WCA, “all I can say is anything I have done in these last 18 years…is because of the good works of others.”

Bea is leaving a legacy of leadership on domestic violence issues and will remain committed to helping the community in other ways. She is excited to join her husband in retirement and to spend more time with her growing number of grandchildren.

“Keeping this a surprise from Bea was, frankly, ambitious—her investigative skills rival the FBI,” said Breanna Young, Philanthropy Manager, “but all of the careful coordination and secret planning was absolutely worth it, just to make sure she felt as deeply appreciated, celebrated, and loved as she truly is.”

DENIM DAY IS APRIL 29TH! Join millions of people across the world who will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence.

Denim Day is recognized on the last Wednesday in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began in 1999 after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court to overturn a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove them, thereby implying consent.

Following the reversal, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.

Since then, what started as a local event to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a worldwide movement.

LEARN MORE & RSVP!

NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT

My name is Kayla Leicester, and I serve as the new Residential Services Manager with the Women's and Children's Alliance.

Originally from Wyoming, I relocated to Idaho three years ago and earned my Master's degree in Management and Leadership in May 2025. In my role, I oversee residential programming and am committed to fostering a trauma-informed, supportive environment for both clients and staff. I am passionate about building strong teams, promoting a culture of trust, and ensuring every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered on their path towards healing and stability.

IDAHO GIVES IS ALMOST HERE!

LEARN MORE

We’re looking for peer-to-peer giving teams for Idaho Gives!

Contact Zoe at znewman@wcaboise.org for more information.

CORPORATE PILLAR NEWS In February we hosted our annual Journeys in Motherhood Conference celebrating the nurturers in our community by providing speakers, breakout sessions, lunch, and opportunities to network. Thank you to our Sponsors for supporting this event and providing such great resources to the attendees!

Since last quarter we’ve gained two new Corporate Pillars: please welcome Frontier Credit Union and Water, Civil, and Environmental, Inc. to the Program! We are excited for what these partnerships will look like over the course of the next year.

An enormous shoutout to Regence BlueShield for being Honorary TWIN Chair! They hosted a lovely TWIN Reception where 2026 TWINs and Forever TWINs got to network and mingle.

Our 2026 Tribute to Women & Industry Awards Luncheon saw 41 participating organizations nominate 51 leaders in our community, and we hosted over 700 attendees! Thank you to all our Corporate Pillars for nominating such amazing women and congratulations to this year’s Honorees!

- Lindsay Greene, Corporate Partnership Coordinator

VOLUNTEER CORNER Volunteers help expand what is possible in all of our programs. We currently have volunteers in Court Advocacy, Childcare, stocking shelter with needed items, making calls, assisting in the lobby, events and more! We could not do this work without the incredible support of our volunteers.

“I volunteer because I have experienced what domestic abuse can do in my family.

Encountering someone who really needs are help and being able to give them encouragement means the world to me.” - WCA Core Volunteer

“Some days are harder than others in the courtroom. Sometimes the rulings don't turn out as you'd expect. When that happens, sitting with the petitioner and reviewing their next steps is real work. Helping with safety plans, getting them legal aid, or just being an ear and a shoulder is so meaningful to me. I really feel in alignment with the WCA's mission when I'm helping.” - WCA Court Advocate Volunteer

Volunteers contributed 7,500 hours to the WCA from April 2025April 2026. That’s the equivalent of 3.6 full time staff members!

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS BENEFITTING THE WCA!

PIECES OF HOPE AT STINKER STORES Pieces of Hope is happening now!

Join Stinker for a meaningful fundraiser to support victims of abuse. Every donation, every share, and every conversation helps bring hope, healing, and real change to those who need it most.

We’re honored to partner with incredible organizations doing life-changing work: • WCA • Nampa Family Justice Center • Advocates Against Family Violence (AAFV) • Rose Advocates • Family Service Alliance • The Advocates • YWCA • Rise Up 2Thrive (RU2T) Be a piece of hope. Donate at your local Stinker Store, share, and stand with us in supporting survivors and building a future free from abuse.

NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT Hi, my name is Julie Baker and I am the new Case Management Manager at WCA. I just started on February 2nd and I am so glad to be here!

I recently moved to Boise from Texas and I love it here. I really enjoy the seasons and all the possibilities for outdoor activities year round. It also provides new opportunities for photography, one of my hobbies.

While living in Texas I worked at a non-profit for 30 years. Most of that work was case management, working with transition aged youth aging out of the foster care system. I worked with the Foster Care Transition Services for 20 years. We assisted them with securing housing, employment, furthering their education, as well as anything else they wanted to work on using a client-centered, strength-based program.

I love working at the WCA! On my first day it felt like home. I’m working on familiarizing myself with how everything works as well as building a case load. I’m really looking forward to working with my clients and helping them find safety, healing and success from domestic violence and sexual assault. I have a great team to work with and I’m happy to be here during some exciting changes and growth for the agency.

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS & SUPPORT THE WCA!

REQUEST A FREE PRESENTATION FROM THE WCA OUTREACH TEAM!

Fill out our interest form at wcaboise.org/presentations