Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services is a collaboration of people of faith and people of conscience who have joined together to shelter and serve individuals and families with children who are experiencing homelessness in Boise, Idaho.
Beginning in 2005, Interfaith Sanctuary operated an emergency winter shelter for two seasons and served over 700 men, women and children. In the fall of 2007, Sanctuary was able to purchase a 10,200 sq. foot building in downtown Boise and open for year-round shelter and supportive services on November 1, 2007. In the first year of operations, Sanctuary served almost 1,000 individuals. Nightly averages range from 130 to 145 and have reached as high as 160.
Our partners include El-Ada Community Action Partnership, Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, The Interfaith Alliance of Idaho and the Interfaith Religious Leaders Network, Catholic Charities of Idaho, and Corpus Christi House.
Our Values
Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services (ISHS) has adopted the following values to guide our work.
Dignity and Respect: ISHS recognizes and respects the inherent dignity, and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of society.
Compassion: ISHS seeks to understand each person in his/her environment, meet individuals where they are, and assist them in realizing their inherent potential toward health and happiness.
Diversity: ISHS believes in the high value of diversity. Diversity is desired in our organization; its presence leads to greater knowledge, understanding, and peaceful coexistence of all members of the human family.
Community and Collaboration: We are social beings who depend on community for survival and well being, just as the community depends on its individual members. ISHS promotes this interdependency to better the community and its members.
Integrity: ISHS is committed to a core set of values. These values are reflected in the direction, programs, and daily decisions at ISHS.
Vision and Leadership: ISHS can see a better life, for even the most downtrodden of our society. Through committed leadership, ISHS works to make this vision a reality.
Holistic Partnerships: Through carefully nurtured relationships developed in the community, ISHS and its partners are able to assist people in bettering all aspects of their lives.
Human Investment and Personal Goal Attainment: ISHS seeks to assist people in self-growth and self-determination through access to knowledge, support, and essential services.
Interfaith Cooperation: ISHS is made up of people of faith and people of good will, creating a balanced and harmonious cooperative from which to provide a unique response to homelessness. In this harmony, each faith and belief system is equally valued.
How You Can Help
Interfaith Sanctuary is a true community effort and has only been possible through the generosity of many individuals, businesses, and organizations. If you would like to be involved with Sanctuary, there are many ways to lend your support:
1. Volunteer: Sanctuary has 4 paid staff and schedules 50 community volunteers each week to operate the shelter. Opportunities to check in guests, provide hospitality, help clean in the mornings, and provide support to our residents are available. Click here for more information.
2. Donate Supplies: Sanctuary has needs each week for donations of food items, cleaning supplies, and paper products. Donations are accepted each night between 6:30 pm and 10:30 pm at the shelter. Daytime appointments can be scheduled upon request. Click here for our master supply list.
3. Make a financial donation: Most of our operational funds currently come from private donations. Our current cost of providing shelter and supportive services for one individual per night is $6.00. One-time or automatic monthly donations are accepted online through Network for Good or Click and Pledge. Interfaith Sanctuary is a 501 c3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
