BOISE, Idaho — At least 58 women and children will be able to sleep in a bed tonight, instead of on the streets, their car, or even a mat on the floor. The Next Step Transitional Living Facility at City Light Shelter for women and children Program Director Jennifer Gilley said they have seen a spike in people needing their services.
"There's always an influx, and we will always make room. This is definitely going to help. It's going to ease the pressure. I don't think it gets everyone off of mats. No, I think we've still got some on mats, but as soon as we a bed opens up, we transition them out and and there's just, there's always a need, but we always have room," Gilley said.
The City Light Shelter is a part of the Boise Rescue Mission, and is for women and children. The transitional facility is across the street and is where the 58 new beds are stacked. Gilley said the shelter helps the women every step of the way.
"They're immediately hooked up with a case manager, and we're working on next steps. So we're connecting them to resources, CATCH and different housing. They're applying for housing. They're working. We get them working, we start saving programs. We just kind of come around them as a whole, and case manage them and help them get right back in to the community," she said.
So far this year the shelter has transitioned 296 people. Gilley said the mission is to restore faith, hope and family.
"With all of the programs that we serve, with all of the individuals, it's a case-by-case scenario," she said, "and we meet them where they're at. So it is a mission, and we are mission workers. We just love what we do."
Gilley added that the shelter is always looking for employees, volunteers and donations, especially food donations. She said what they do is about love and hope.
"You're not alone. There's help, there's hope, right with it, we need hope, so we want to share the hope," she said.