Word on the Street Issue 23, July 2022

Interfaith Sanctuary is kicking off a capital campaign to raise construction funds for its new shelter on State Street and is inviting the community to get involved this September. The organization plans to raise $4 million to complete construction on schedule. Called “Put Your Name Here,” the campaign is one Executive Director Jodi Peterson-Stigers hopes will welcome community members to join the push for a better, safer, more dignified shelter for residents of Boise experiencing homelessness.

The campaign will be one of the most important the organization has ever done – in 2020, contractors gave Interfaith Sanctuary a construction cost estimate of $65 per square foot, pricing the remodel of the former Salvation Army building at $2.5 million. Since then, supply chain issues and inflation have caused that estimate to nearly triple. 

“We know all of the different people who support the shelter care about particular pieces of the project. For some it’s that we keep families together and for others it’s that we have on-site recovery and mental health programs. What matters to you matters to us, so we want to give you an opportunity to help us create those spaces,” Peterson-Stigers said. 

“If you care about families and you want to put funding toward a family room, the capital campaign will allow you to do that. You can sponsor a medical dorm or a single room for men and women. If the programming matters most, you’ll be able to put funding toward making sure that we have on-site classrooms and space for artists. This campaign allows you to put your name where it matters most.”Interfaith Sanctuary will post more information at www.interfaithsanctuary.org this summer. Although the campaign begins in September, Peterson-Stigers said anyone is welcome to schedule a meeting to discuss how to get involved. Reach her at jodi@interfaithsanctuary.org.