Word on the Street
Word on the Street is a collection of personal narratives, artwork, and poetry published by guests at Interfaith Sanctuary and Shelter in Boise, Idaho. It addresses the stigma of homelessness in and its material consequences for the population. Word on the Street represents the voices of Boise’s homeless community as a counter narrative against misrepresentations of themselves and a call for connection.
Its purpose is to bring awareness to the voices of homeless individuals and hope for motivating others through change. This paper is compiled and maintained by Project Well-Being, a day program, at Interfaith Sanctuary and Shelter.
If you have a story about how homelessness, mental health and lack of resources affect you, please feel free to send them to wordonthestreet@interfaithsanctuary.org. If you would like to help the homeless, or fund this paper, please feel free to contact us.
Read the latest Word on the Street:
A shelter full of hope and second chances
In the past year our shelter has not grown any larger but our ability to serve our guests in more meaningful ways has grown in leaps and bounds. Witnessing the daily shelter activities designed to bring safety, stability, employment and wellness to our guests is inspiring.
Where are they supposed to go?
Word on the Street gives voice to a community that has decisions made around them, about them and against them, with little time spent by the decision makers talking to them. Stories from individuals experiencing homelessness can facilitate deeper learning about social justice issues by putting a face to them. Policy affects people.
Blankets of Hope
Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is for you is that you don’t know how great you are and can be. How much you can love. What you can accomplish and what your potential is. You be you and it will be better.
Art gets personal
Interfaith Sanctuary launches #GetToKnowMe campaign in anticipation of World Homeless Day. Interfaith Sanctuary is excited to partner with local photographer Matthew Wordell for #GetToKnowMe – An Art Exhibit.
Community Highlights
Team Interfaith Sanctuary – The Night Shift
Local leader visits Interfaith Sanctuary
We are grateful for our local community leaders.
New beginnings and second chances
Michael is committed to sharing his story so that we can improve this system, so the next person being released from prison has an easier time finding their way back.
The stigma of homelessness
People spend their lives tearing each other down destroying each others careers, reputation, and metal health. Society creates an expensive world with sky high rents, pricey automobiles and services that not all can afford. We live in a world where how much you earn is more important than treating another person fairly.
Where can you find Word on the Street?
Limited print copies of Word on the Street are available at:
The Record Exchange
1105 W. Idaho St.
Downtown Boise Public Library
715 S. Capitol Blvd.
Downtown Boise YMCA
1050 W. State St.
Recovery for Life
8950 Emerald St. #178
Corpus Christi House
525 S. Americana Blvd.
The District Coffee
219 N 10th St.
Americana Pizza
304 S Americana Blvd
Neckar Coffee
117 S 10th St.
Interfaith Sanctuary
1620 W River St.
