By Steven F. Scanlin, MSW, JD
Director of Project Well Being, Nicki Mortensen-Alverez , opens the door of the current River Street shelter to welcome guests in.
My name is Steve Scanlin and I am one of the first Interfaith Sanctuary volunteers. Well, in some ways maybe the first volunteer. Let me explain.
A group of interfaith individuals and churches had been planning for a new homeless shelter for months, or even longer. They had planned to open it on a temporary basis at First Congregational United Church of Christ on or about December 5, 2005. John and Jane Post had volunteered to be the first facility managers for the new shelter.
It was the Advent period, an important time for most Protestant (and many other Christian) churches because it is the beginning of the Christmas season, the busiest time of year for most of them. It was no different at First Congregational. However, because of their commitment to social justice they went ahead and offered their facility.
Because I was a member of that congregation, Jane Post called me at my law practice about 2:30 p.m. on December 5, an extremely cold day with mid-afternoon temperatures well below freezing, close to eight degrees Fahrenheit. She asked me if I had a key to the church. I replied that I did. She then asked me to go open the church and put on the coffee because there were people already trying to get in. I said that I would.
When I got there shortly after that, there were a couple people at the front door and I let them in. The woman had just had brain surgery and needed to get indoors ASAP. The next person in the door was a guest from another shelter I assumed, named Squirrel. He informed me that he was the Head of Security and would be doing perimeter security around the outside of the church. I told him that was fine with me and to come in for coffee if he needed some.
Next was an inspector from the Boise Fire Department who after inspecting the building informed me that there were five or six infractions which included out-of-date fire extinguishers and burned out exit lights, but that since the mission we were on was so critical that they would let us open if we fixed the deficiencies ASAP.
And then we were off and running.
Around 8 p.m. we were in full speed mode and had staff and guests bustling around. That first night we had around 45 guests, the men were in the Church Fellowship Hall and the women, children and families were in the Fireside room, a smaller but cozy place next to the Fellowship Hall. By then I was worn out and left the place in the hands of the managers and the very able staff (and security).
I was just happy to be able to help that couple and others come in from the cold that day and that night and experience what so many others had prepared so well to have made it happen there. Interfaith Sanctuary has been open every single day and every single night since that cold day.
I returned the next day and many days after that and was amazed at how well it was all planned out. The LDS churches had provided sleeping mats, pillows and quilts. The Hari Krishnas provided lots of nourishing (but vegetarian) food. We probably had the healthiest shelter meals in the nation. The Christian Scientists provided fruit, and the list goes on and on. The Catholic churches provided leadership staff, financing and much other assistance. The Jewish Temple and the Unitarian Universalists were also very involved. It was the most amazing collection of religious collaboration and coordination I have ever seen, and I have been a member of a religious group my entire 80-year-old life.
I later served as an Interfaith Sanctuary volunteer for many years, including being the relief night manager for Jane Sorrells when it moved to the Carnegie Library building (courtesy of the Episcopalian Diocese), then I think to the Presbyterian Church, then to a semi-permanent facility and then to the present location. There may have been other locations, it was a busy and buzzing time.
I have done everything from feeding paralyzed guests, helping with medical issues as a former Navy Hospital Corpsman and even breaking up some disagreements before it got physical. Mostly, I have just been near the front door to help out where needed. During Covid, I took a leave of absence and have been on the sidelines ever since.
It was one of the greatest honors of my life to have been a part of the founding of Interfaith Sanctuary Homeless Services. I don’t take any credit for it at all. I was “just the guy with the key who let people in!”