News

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. […]

NEVER TOO OLD TO COME HOME

By: Viola Crowley Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . I have three girls ages 28, 24 and 19. Recently my youngest moved home. There were many reasons why she wanted to come home. Bad living situation, too finish high school, safety and security to gain her independence to be on […]

MABON

By: Gerri Graves Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . Second Harvest. Autumnal equinox…..days of equal light and dark. Festivities include feasting with family and friends, gratitude for what the earth has gifted and honoring Demeter and Persephone- the balance between light and dark. Symbology includes apples, gourds, grapes and wine. […]

There Was A Time In My Life Where Darkness Defined My Existence: Chapter 1

By: SherryJo Crandall Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . There was a time in my life where darkness defined my existence. I felt like I was being swallowed whole and there was no one to help me. That is often how people who commit or attempt suicide feel. They often […]

MY FRIEND MADDY’S RECOVERY

By: Julie Loomis Word on the Street Issue 47, September 2024 . . . Maddy started her journey into sobriety as Mathew. He was an alcoholic and was found covered in bugs almost dead. In the hospital, Mathew was told he had advanced liver disease from all the years of drinking. He could quit drinking […]

We Are People First

By: Julie Loomis Word on the Street Issue 46, August 2024 . . . This is continuing with my friend Nicky and Kendall. Actually this is more than the few I know, hundreds of homeless get ill or injured every year in Boise. A downtown hospital has been difficult with pain treatment. This year, four […]

August Poetry Corner

Word on the Street Issue 46, August 2024 . . . How life is, a pitiful state. It gives no reason, to mess around with fate. It’s a web of loneliness, with a black widow at bay. draws you slowly in, you become its prey. In a dark corner, your life’s blood is drawn. You […]

Terry Reilly Tips

By: Kayla Gaffney || Licensed Master Social Worker || Terry Reilly Health Services Word on the Street Issue 46, August 2024 . . . If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. Lao Tzu Change is an inevitable part of life, and while it can often seem daunting, it […]

My Daddy

By: Viola Crowley Word on the Street Issue 46, August 2024 . . . My daddy was a special man. You see, I was adopted at 8 months old because my mother was not capable of taking care of my brother and I. My mother was their daughter and they were biologically my grandparents but […]