News

A Month for Safety and Support

By Rachel Sheldon, Patient Navigator, Terry Reilly Health Services Each year in October, we recognize people affected by domestic violence and remind them they are not alone. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, domestic violence happens in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or […]

You Didn’t Have It Bad

By Haley Marie Word on the Street Issue 48, October 2024 . . . “You didn’t have it as bad as you thought you did Haley” Is that why my friends tell me my childhood was definitely not normal? Is that why I have to completely manipulate my own brain to be a great mom […]

Midnight Morning

By Eli Settlemire Word on the Street Issue 48, October 2024 . . . Having spent my first year at Interfaith Sanctuary working the Graveyard shift, there are many things that can make anyone’s heart race. The thing that stands out as something truly unnerving to me was how alone it can feel with only […]

Taking Care Of Papa

By: Kory Jones Word on the Street Issue 48, October 2024 . . . I’ll start from the beginning. I was 16 and I decided to go live with my grandparents because it was better than being homeless with my mom. So I went to my grandparents and went back to school. Everything was fine […]

There Was A Time In My Life Where Darkness Defined My Existence: Chapter 2

By: SherryJo Crandall Word on the Street Issue 48, October 2024 . . . On May 19th, 2003, I entered another dark period of depression when I was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. I spent four days in the hospital dealing with the pain. During this time, they found a mass in my […]

The Adult/Child Syndrome

“The Thoughts of a Homeless Child. Part 1” By: Shyloh Word on the Street Issue 48, October 2024 . . . Growing up “too fast” is something I’ve worried about for a long time. I’ll be nineteen in a few weeks and I feel like I’m turning forty. I’ve been through more than a lot […]

OCTOBER POETRY CORNER

Word on the Street Issue 48, October 2024 . . . EMPTINESS By: Julie Loomis I wander through a house, can’t find my way out. Panic sets in and I run, my heart beating as I scream. Lost in a empty house, my agony echoes through; Long hallways lead nowhere, I don’t know what to […]

SAMHAIN

By: Gerri Graves Word on the Street Issue 48, October 2024 . . . End of Harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. Feasts, offerings and celebratory bonfires (used as a sort of cleansing). The veil between the underworld and our world is thinnest on the 31st and 1st of […]

TWO YEARS HOUSED

By: Viola Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . I moved into my trailer 2 years ago this month. I was previously homeless for 5 years. Bouncing around from friends, family, motels and shelters. I was housed in Seattle but left my apartment because my ex was stalking my apartment and […]

Interfaith Sanctuary Capital Campaign Receives Major Boost with $3 Million in Donations

By: Jodi Peterson-Stigers Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . Interfaith Sanctuary’s capital campaign for their new shelter on State Street has reached a significant milestone with the receipt of two $1 million donations, plus an additional $1 million matching gift. The Tom and Mary Tomlinson Family Foundation has just announced […]

HOMELESS AND MENTAL ILLNESS

By: Julie Loomis Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . Yes I am still here and still homeless. This was a rough month for me. My meds were lost and most were replaced. My antidepressant, sleep meds and heart meds were too expensive to replace so I slowly went downhill. I […]

September Poetry Corner

Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . A SUPERNOVA By: Lord DeadEyes Burning, Sparking, and Flaring brighter than A Supernova, My Heart Beating faster than a Twin Turbo, being hit Harder Than a Solar Flare during a Solar Storm during the Sun’s tantrum. While I’m Sitting here silent, I burn brighter […]

WHISPERS OF TRUST

By: Shyloh and Koriandr’ Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . Walking two different journeys holding hands side by side. Two beating hearts bleed the same type of life. You threw me the buoy to stop me from sinking, you’re helping me rapidly change my thinking. We were born forced to […]

EYES AND EARS: CHOOSING RECOVERY

By Eli Settlemire – Interfaith Sanctuary Staff Member Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . Author’s Note: Eyes and Ears is an insider perspective article piece from a member of Interfaith Sanctuary’s team that has served the community of Boise with Interfaith for over a year. The goal of this section […]

Overdose Awareness Brought Into the Light

By: Molly Balison Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . On Saturday, August 24, Interfaith Sanctuary guests trickled through the doors of the Phoenix Building for the #TogetherWeCan Community Overdose Awareness Event. Central District Health brought the idea to Interfaith Sanctuary to observe International Overdose Awareness day to provide a space […]

Hope on the Horizon: Boise Pride Pays a Visit

By: WOTS Staff Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . Boise Pride Festival’s Executive Director, Donald Williamson and Senior Director, Clinical Learning & Student Services at St. Luke’s, Sara Gibbons, visited our WOTS Editorial Meeting last month to discuss available resources for our LGBTQ+ guests and the upcoming Boise Pride Festival. […]