MERIDIAN, Idaho — The Faces of Hope Foundation announced Thursday that its Meridian location will open on Thursday, Jan. 25, after receiving an eviction notice from their downtown Boise location one month prior.
“It is in the best interest of victims and Ada County taxpayers that the Foundation vacate the FACES building by January 30, 2024,” read the eviction letter signed by the Ada County Board of Commissioners.
On Dec. 15, the Faces of Hope Foundation was informed by Ada County, which owns the building, that their lease term was being terminated because the foundation had allegedly not signed the FY2024 License Agreement despite several months of discussions.
“Instead of signing the Agreement, as has been done for many years, the Foundation instead requested multiple significant changes to the Agreement, which signal a clear indication that the Foundation has made the decision to move away from the integrated partnership,” the letter stated.
The FACES Victim Center in Boise has provided resources to victims of trauma for 17 years.
To clarify, the victim center will continue to operate with partners like local law enforcement and medical groups to provide forensic exams and medical services. The Faces of Hope Foundation will simply move on to the new Meridian location.
The Ada County Victim Center is located at 417 S. 6th St. in Boise.
In a news release from Faces of Hope, representatives said the new Meridian office will provide services such as counseling, case management and legal support services for crisis victims escaping abusive situations.
"Faces of Hope has grown immensely to ensure we can help every victim who reaches out for help," said Paige Dinger, Executive Director of Faces of Hope. "Half of our clients live in west Ada County and those residents deserve better, easier access to services that can help them move forward with tools that give them help, hope, and healing."
The foundation said they are the only resource in the Treasure Valley that provides that type of immediate crisis care for free.
Dinger said in a letter to KTVB that the Faces of Hope Foundation provided services to 1,366 unique clients in 4,820 visits. Visits include but are not limited to counseling, legal advocacy and receiving support resources.
The Faces of Hope Foundation explains they address six types of abuse and neglect: domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, stalking, human trafficking, and child abuse.
Services will be available to residents of Meridian, Kuna, Star, Eagle and west Boise.
Some services offered by the Faces of Hope Foundation:
- Advocates meet victims and help determine what services the client needs.
- Emergency services such as housing, clothing, new prescription glasses, lock changes, unmonitored cell phones, transportation and food.
- Counselors to meet with clients for up to 8 weeks.
- Attorney services addressing clients' legal needs, such as family law issues, child custody and civil protection orders.
- Case managers to help victims become self-reliant.
- Hope's Closet and a diaper bank.
"We are pleased that Faces of Hope Meridian will provide the supporting services to the residents of Ada County to help ensure the ongoing safety of abuse victims as they work through trauma," Meridian Mayor Robert Simison said.
Faces of Hope said support services will be available at the Meridian location Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and that a "blue light phone" will be located outside the office, which connect victims with emergency services after operating hours.
Victims may call (208) 986-4357 for assistance. Starting Thursday, Jan. 25, Faces of Hope Meridian will be operating at 1850 S. Eagle Road, Suite 100.
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