Member Highlight: Interfaith Sanctuary

Boise, Idaho's Interfaith Sanctuary is an overnight shelter that serves 164 men, women and families with children each night. It was created in 2005 by an assortment of faith-based organizations united in one common goal: Alleviating suffering and sheltering people who had no home and were forced to sleep on the streets of Boise.

​Since then, the shelter has transformed into a vibrant and proactive advocates for the most vulnerable citizens of the city, extending their services beyond just providing a shower, clean bed and a hot cup of soup. A big part of this growth in supportive services is thanks to a forward thinking dedicated staff who has made key community alliances with Boise State University and local businesses which has dramatically changed the outcome for many who enter Interfaith Sanctuary.

Interfaith Sanctuary has grown and added a children's playground and a scheduled kitchen installation for 2017 through private donations and key fundraising events for the last 11 years.

Thanks to fundraising events like the Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza, a local phenomenon that sells out every year one that Boiseans always look forward to, as well as the McCall Jazz Festival, has offset the hard costs of running the shelter which is often at capacity nightly.

​Interfaith Sanctuary's original intentions remain the same, but the programs and supportive services have been greatly refined and improved to create what Boise State University President Bob Kustra has described as "his learning shelter" where guests can work to change their situation for the better with thoughtful case management, tireless advocacy and simple human kindness.