What's New - Sanctuary
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Visit the Interfaith Sanctuary's website http://www.interfaithsanctuary.org/
November 27 - at least through Christmas
Sanctuary is now located at the Carnegie Public Library Building VIEW MAP (owned by St. Michael's Cathedral) on 8th & Washington Street.
Hours are 7:00 pm - 7:00 a.m. Guests can arrive at the shelter site no earlier than 6:45 pm.
Interfaith Sanctuary gets respite with use of historic building
Idaho Statesman - Nov. 28, 2006
Read other articles about the history of the Interfaith Sanctuary ->
August 8, 2006
On December 3, 2005, concerned members of various faith groups held an Emergency Summit on Homelessness. The purpose of this gathering was to address the urgent need to provide shelter for those living on the streets during the winter months. It was at this time that SANCTUARY was born. Sanctuary opened its on Dec. 8th at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. During those early days, we provided shelter and food for approximately 30-50 men, women, and children +each night. On Dec. 26th Sanctuary moved to a new facility at 1317 W. Jefferson St. Since that time we have been providing service to over 75 people a night (often times having to turn people away because of the lack of space).
Because Sanctuary was created as a Winter Emergency Shelter only, it closed its doors on Friday, March 31st. Overall, it provided shelter, food, and various other services to over 300 different individuals. 70+ volunteers from a variety of denominations and faith traditions dedicated their time and energy each week to this effort. Even though the doors have closed, however, doesn't mean the problem of homelessness in Boise has disappeared. The urgent need to continue advocating for the homeless is just as great as ever. The Interfaith Sanctuary Executive Council continues to work in this area by:
1) Seeking non-profit status as an incorporated entity.
2) Working with the El-Ada Community Action Partnership and the City of Boise to purchase a building to serve as a year-round homeless shelter.
3) Developing a plan for providing various "wrap-around" services to the homeless community.
We are committed to offering safe shelter for our homeless brothers and sisters in Boise. If you would like to be part of this important effort or would like more information on how you can financially support Sanctuary, please contact Marcie Wilske at Catholic Charities of Idaho, 345-6031, ext. 107.
An Emergency Gathering on Homelessness will be held on THURSDAY, APRIL 6TH at the Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue (11 N. Latah St., Boise) from 6:00-9:00 p.m. All community members, houses of worship, service agencies, city, county, state elected officials, and concerned citizens are invited to join us as we discuss how we can continue to serve the most vulnerable citizens in Boise. For more information on how you can be part of the Sanctuary effort, please contact Marcie Wilske at Catholic Charities of Idaho, 345-6031, ext. 107.
Sanctuary is made possible by the following organizations:
First Congregational United Church of Christ , Episcopal Diocese, Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise, LDS Church , Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Hare Krishna Temple, Metropolitan Community Church , Knights of Columbus , Capitol City Kiwanis, Trinity Fellowship, Ahavath Beth Israel Synagogue, United Methodists, Church of the Brethren, Cole Community of Christ, Soka Gakkai Buddhist Temple, Shepherd of the Valley ELCA, Non-denomination Church , Ilowan’s Healing Teaching Temple, Community of Christ, Intermountain Fair Housing Council, SHIP/ Second Chance Building Materials Center , The Interfaith Alliance Idaho , Catholic Charities of Idaho, St Vincent de Paul, Corpus Christi House, St Mark’s Food Bank, Idaho Food Bank, Idaho Voices for Diversity, Idaho Legal Aid Services, ICAN, Boise Resource Group, Center for Spiritual Living, King of Glory Lutheran, St. Stephen's Episcopal, St. John's Cathedral Food Bank and parish community, St. Mark's Council of Catholic Women, Albertson's, Inc., Guho Construction Corporation, El-Ada Community Action Partnership, St. Paul Baptist Church, ….And the list continues to grow!
Email Pam Baldwin at pbaldwin@rmci.net for more information regarding adding your group.
Media Attention:
"Boise's Sheltered Future"
Boise Weekly (April 12, 2006)
"Finding Sanctuary, After "Sanctuary"
Boise Weekly (April 5, 2006)
"Winter shelter closes, leaving fate of Boise homeless unknown"
Idaho Statesman (April 2, 2006)
"Sanctuary On the Up and Up"
Boise Weekly (Jan. 25, 2006)
"Boise planning commission approves permit for downtown shelter"
Idaho Statesman (Jan. 23, 2006)
"Sanctuary shelter needs volunteers, donations"
Idaho Catholic Register (Jan. 16, 2006)
"Will Rainford: See for yourself: Sanctuary for Boise homeless is a miracle"
Idaho Statesman (Jan. 5, 2006)
"Tent City Out; Sanctuary In"
Boise Weekly (Jan. 4, 2005)
"Cold Weather Camping"
Boise Weekly (Dec. 7, 2005)
"12:15 p.m. 'Sanctuary' group will open temporary homeless shelter tonight; will seek city permission to put up five tents on synagogue grounds"
Idaho Statesman (Dec. 8, 2005)
"Location Announced for "Tent City"
KBCI 2 (Dec. 8, 2005)
"Homeless tent city location revealed"
KTVB (Dec. 8, 2005)
"Interfaith group plans to pitch tents for homeless"
Idaho Statesman (Dec. 9, 2005)
"Group will look for building Downtown to house homeless"
Idaho Statesman (Dec. 10, 2005)
"Organizers Say 'Sanctuary' Is Thriving "
KBCI 2 (Dec. 12, 2005)
"Tent City Gets Ditched; New Shelter in the Works?"
Boise Weekly (Dec.14, 2005)
Related Stories
"Dozens gather to remember homeless friends, family who died in 2005"
Idaho Statesman (Dec. 22, 2005)
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