News

Breaking New Ground: Learning as we Build

Following the Idaho Supreme Court’s decision regarding our State Street Shelter’s Conditional Use Permit, we want to share where we stand. While this setback has challenged us, we remain committed to providing our vulnerable neighbors with safe shelter and vital services as they work to rebuild their lives. We believe our community deserves full transparency about our next steps, and we’re ready to share our path forward.

Shopping at Costco after Telling My Second Husband I’m Leaving Him

By Liza Long You are here for cat food I tell myself, remembering How he forgot to buy it. Every choice seems impossible: This cart, or that one? But there is only one kind Of cat food at Costco—no Choice, the sweet absence of Impossible decisions. I try to be kind When busy people cut […]

Little Beginnings

By Gerri Graves “Parents are the bones on which children sharpen their teeth.” – Peter Ustinov I heard this recently and thought… “How freaking accurate is that?” We romanticize the idea of becoming parents. How we’ll love them to bits, and they’ll return that love three fold, no questions asked. No hoops to jump through, […]

Gypsy and Lessie – A Story of Pure Kindness

By Jodi Peterson-Stigers Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., a group of people gather at The Phoenix to work on Word on the Street. These meetings are filled with collaboration, storytelling, and a shared sense of purpose. Newcomers are always greeted warmly, with an opportunity to share their stories and connect with the […]

Revolutionary King

By Nate Dodgson Monday, January 20th, marks Idaho Human Rights Day- a state holiday commemorating the life and legacy of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as recognizing all impactful strides accomplished within the diversity and unity amongst humankind. Those who wish to promote the spirit of a harmonious future are […]

Volunteer Spotlight: Martin Mayo

By Amanda Niess In the late summer of 2022, Martin Mayo and his wife made a decision that would impact countless lives in the Boise unhoused community. Having moved from Houston, Martin and his wife were searching for a meaningful way to give back to their new community in Boise. While they initially considered hospice […]

The 19th Annual X-treme Holiday X-travaganza at Treefort Music Hall!

By: Jodi Peterson-Stigers Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 . . . What do you get when you add: 19 + a bird, a duck and a music hall together? This year, Curtis and Jodi Stigers are teaming up with The Duck Club to bring Interfaith Sanctuary’s beloved Holiday Event to Idaho’s newest […]

A Day With Torat Tzedek

Rabbi Dan Fink – Interfaith Sanctuary Board Member Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 . . . Today I had the deep privilege of working with my friend, classmate and colleague, Rabbi Arik Ascherman and his organization, Torat Tzedek (Torah of Justice), helping Palestinian farmers Mohammed and Fayek with their olive harvest in […]

The Healing Practice of Gratitude

By Molly Balison Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 . . . I got used to waking up with anxious knots in my chest caused by the combination of stress, sleep deprivation and tightness in my back. I started the day frustrated and exhausted and plowed through the mental piles of work I […]

NOVEMBER POETRY CORNER

Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 . . . LOST HERITAGE By: Julie Loomis I wonder how it feels, to feel the wind, as it sings. The ancient voices grow strong. The drums beat brings, The dancers are ready for the hunt. The music flows through your body, excitement will build, as we […]

Cricki Movie Review

By: Chris Alvarez and Nicki Vogel “One Life “ The movie was an amazing movie! I’m Critter and I’m Nicki and we’re: CRICKI MOVIE REVIEWS! CRITTER: We were told to watch this movie by a really really good friend and, like everytime someone suggests a movie, you sort of brush it off and get to […]

From Unhoused to Housed Through the Continuum of Services

By Molly Balison Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 … Viola Crowley never expected to be forced out of her home. In the blink of an eye she found herself bouncing between her daughter’s house in the day and Interfaith Sanctuary at night. Five years of homelessness led her to the resources that […]

The Adult/Child Syndrome

“The Thoughts of a Homeless Child. Part 2” A continued series of the jumbled and articulate thoughts of a nineteen year old. By: Shyloh Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 … Recently I wrote about reclaiming youth and growing up too fast. Today I want to write about something else. I don’t know […]

Diwali

By: Gerri Graves Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 … A Hindu festival of lights. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It’s celebrated for 5-6 consecutive days during the month of October and November, starting on a moonless night. It encompasses decorating homes […]

Bringing People Together: Chief Dennison Pays a Visit to WOTS

By: Molly Balison and Amanda Niess Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 … Chris Dennison sat down with the WOTS Editorial Team last month to share what he learned from his 20 years as a police officer. He opened up about the challenges both police and community members face, and how we might […]

A True Hero

By: Gerri Graves Word on the Street Issue 49, November 2024 … Editor’s Note: In honor of Veterans Day WOTS is rerunning this story to remember our dear friend and Veteran, Paul Gilbert. One day a year, our nation remembers our fallen. Names of wars from a not so distant past. Heroic stories told by […]