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For two years, Interfaith Sanctuary has responded to the crisis of homelessness in Boise by providing winter shelter in churches. While this effort has resulted in more than 400 people per year being sheltered (75-100 per night), it has been an insufficient response.
Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services, Inc. announced the purchase of a 10,200 square foot building, located at 1620 River Street at a press conference on Wednesday, September 5. Interfaith Sanctuary will operate three separate shelters in the building to serve: single men, single women, and families. In the near future, supportive services will be provided that are designed to afford people who are homeless with pathways out of homelessness, including daycare/preschool, job training, adult literacy, mental health counseling, and drug/alcohol counseling. These services will be offered through a collaborative partnership with social service providers such as Catholic Charities of Idaho and Terry Reilly Health Center.
The loan for the purchase of the building is being provided by a collaboration of faith leaders from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, Presbytery of Boise, Episcopal Diocese of Idaho, Cathedral of the Rockies, and First Congregational Church of Boise, in cooperation with Idaho Housing and Finance, Inc. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Idaho was instrumental in facilitating the loan process and is a central financing partner of Interfaith Sanctuary, along with the Islamic Center, Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, and other faith communities in the Treasure Valley.
Interfaith Sanctuary will closely coordinate services offered with other shelters in town so that a seamless system of services is offered to the community. To this end, Interfaith Sanctuary leadership has met with the leadership of the Rescue Mission to begin planning services.
“Our current plan is to open this facility on November 1, 2007 to families, couples, single women and single men. We will be inviting the community to join our volunteers at several work days to clean, paint and prepare our new home for our November opening. As in the past we will be relying on our hundreds of volunteers and many community donors to staff and provide food and shelter for our guests.” - Ed Keener, Board President
“We fully support this effort by Interfaith Sanctuary, and we thank the many volunteers who have helped make the shelter a reality. Although our Ten-Year Plan to Reduce and Prevent Homelessness is not quite finished, we know that it will have a heavy emphasis on the ‘Housing First’ model – placing homeless individuals and families in long-term supportive housing. …However, the plan will also recognize that we currently do not have enough shelter beds in Boise to meet demand. This facility will go a long way toward responding to that need. Therefore, the City of Boise has awarded $37,000 in operating funding to Sanctuary to help pay for staffing this facility.” - Mayor David Bieter, City of Boise
Sister Arlene Ellis for Bishop Mike Driscoll
“Today, we stand in front of a building that evidences God’s love for His people and His faithfulness in answering prayers. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise is thrilled to participate in the loaning of funds to Interfaith Sanctuary so that this building may be opened to people who are homeless and in need of shelter and supportive services. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our brothers and sisters of many faiths – Mormons, Jews, Muslims, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, Hare Krishna’s, Baptists, Lutherans, and others – in ensuring that Interfaith Sanctuary continues to be able to shelter and support people who are homeless.” – Bishop Mike Driscoll, Roman Catholic Diocese
…Share your bread with the hungry. Bring the poor, the outcasts, to your house. When you see them naked, clothe them; And from your own flesh and blood don’t hide yourself.
Then your light will burst through like the dawn; then when you need healing it will spring up quickly; Then your own righteousness will march ahead to guard you. And a radiance from the Eternal One will reach out behind to guard you. Then, when you cry out, the Eternal One will answer; Then, when you call, God will say: “Here I am!” – Isaiah, chapter 58
“Interfaith Sanctuary is an answer to Isaiah’s plea…to care for our brothers and sisters on the streets. The prophets remind us, again and again, that our piety is pure hypocrisy unless our faith is translated into action. Thanks for the very hard work of many people of faith, from many different traditions, through Sanctuary we now have the opportunity to do our part to help clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and break the yoke of homelessness and poverty.” – Rabbi Dan Fink, Congregation Avahath Beth Israel
“All of us at the Boise Rescue Mission are pleased to have another partner in serving homeless people in the city. The numbers of people facing homelessness continues to grow and having an additional 100 beds available here will relieve pressure on both the Rescue Mission’s shelters and staff and our homeless guests who need to know that safe, clean shelter will be available. The Mission will continue to offer our full support to the staff and guests of the Interfaith Sanctuary shelter group.” – Rev. Bill Roscoe, Boise Rescue Mission
