By Molly Balison
Anastasia Parkinson never expected to be dropped off at a homeless shelter as a 20-year-old woman. Her father’s distaste for the race of the man she chose to date boiled over into rage that led him to kick his daughter out. The young woman moved to Boise to reconnect with her family, not be distanced even further from them.
She spent the next nine years at Interfaith Sanctuary. In those early days, Anastasia didn’t feel safe or supported. “We didn’t have lockers outside where we could keep our belongings safe, we didn’t have a security desk where we had to go through a metal detector which also keeps us safe. People used to be able to do whatever they wanted to,” she said.
Her hope was renewed when she met Jodi Peterson-Stigers, a passionate volunteer who made Anastasia feel seen. Jodi started the Interfaith Sanctuary House Band — a space for guests to share their voices through music. Anastasia, raised in a church choir, found healing as the lead singer. Project Sing was like her therapy where she could engage with other music lovers, sing her heart out and let her worries slip away during their one hour rehearsal.
“[Jodi] started changing my life then without even knowing how much it meant to me and the other guests here that were in the band and our community would need it,” she said.
The House Band’s story was even covered by Fox9 after a performance with jazz musician Curtis Stigers at Interfaith’s Extreme Holiday Extravaganza. For a time, it seemed like things were turning around.
But addiction still loomed. Parkinson battled with substance use that cost her years with her family. Holding back tears, Parksinson said, “Looking back at pictures and not seeing me in them motivates me, because I want to be in my family’s lives…I want a good, quality life and drugs and alcohol do not help with your health by any means – they destroy your body.”
After five years of sobriety, she relapsed. “Everything piles up. You either get through it or give in,” she said. At her lowest, she learned about Project Recovery, Interfaith’s on-site addiction recovery and mental health program designed to provide a safe, supportive environment where participants can heal, stabilize and rebuild their lives.
Project Recovery was different from any other program because it wasn’t run by people who only studied addiction — it was built by those who had lived it. Terrance Sharrer, the program’s director, was once unhoused himself. With a master’s degree in Health Sciences and a minor in addiction studies, Sharrer brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the program. “I know the science,” he said, “but what people really want to hear is that it’s going to be okay.”
Each morning at 10 a.m., Sharrer leads a recovery group from a portable classroom lined with motivational mantras and practical tools. He teaches guests to recognize triggers, offers compassionate support, and helps them rebuild from relapse without shame. “We’re unconditionally here for people…” Sharrer said, “They’re here at the shelter for a reason. It’s usually a traumatic reason… And we’ll help them every step of the way. We’ll help them for life.”
He encourages his programmers not to dwell on their mistakes, but to lift their heads and reconnect with the reasons they chose sobriety in the first place. Many are surprised when they come to Sharrer, honestly admitting they’ve slipped — and he doesn’t kick them out. Instead, he reminds them that recovery isn’t a straight path. He believes in second chances. More importantly, he believes in the people who show up every day, trying.
“Watching him not give up on people in my program who have slipped time and time again, but they still keep coming because they really want sobriety. Seeing how he handled it was an inspiration for me to still stay strong,” she said.
She returned to the emergency shelter to get back on her feet before moving into her own place. In the six years she spent away, she rented a house, held a job, paid her own bills, and learned to enjoy her own company. In March 2024, she landed back at Interfaith Sanctuary to regain stability. “Most people don’t realize everyone is just one paycheck away from being homeless,” she said.
In May 2025, Anastasia entered Renaissance Refuge, a faith-based outpatient treatment center, where she’s involved in a 8-10 month program with the end goal of having a job and a place to live. While she’s missed by her Interfaith community, they’re proud of how far she’s come.
“I have a fighting chance now,” she said. “We have opportunities to get jobs, get better, and not be stuck in addiction — all because of Jodi.”
Anastasia’s story is still unfolding. But now, with a strong support system and hard-won self-belief, she’s walking forward — one hopeful step at a time.
Even though she felt defeated from messing up time and time again, her hope was restored when someone cared enough to give her a second chance. When given the opportunity to better herself, she rose to the occasion. Her story continues and each step will hopefully lead her to a life of health and happiness.