Boise State University’s School of Public Service will present Interfaith Sanctuary with the 2018 Commitment to Idaho Award in a ceremony scheduled for 4-6 p.m. May 8 in the Simplot Ballroom of Boise State’s Student Union Building. The ceremony is open to the public.
The Commitment to Idaho Award, now in its third year, recognizes individuals and organizations committed to improving the lives of Idahoans. Interfaith Sanctuary, a downtown Boise homeless shelter, serves up to 160 people of all genders, races, religions and sexual orientation, as well as families with children, by providing safe overnight emergency shelter, and practical and supportive services to transition out of homelessness. The shelter was chosen for the award from among dozens of individuals and organizations nominated by the public.
“Interfaith Sanctuary is well known throughout the Treasure Valley for providing a warm meal and safe shelter for hundreds of Idahoans every day,” said Corey Cook, dean of the School of Public Service. “But many might not realize the wide range of vital supportive services they offer to help their guests on the road to self-sufficiency, or that they are known nationally for their innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Beyond addressing the immediate needs of people in crisis, Interfaith improves the lives of individuals and families by treating them with dignity while working with them to find creative, long-term solutions to their challenges. The entire Interfaith community exemplifies a deep commitment to Idaho.”
Dottie Stimpson also will be posthumously recognized with the Enhancing Public Discourse Award for founding and guiding the City Club of Boise. Stimpson, who passed away in October 2017, founded City Club in 1995 after concluding that Boise needed a venue where its citizens could learn about and discuss important issues of the day in a non-partisan, civil manner.
“Dottie recognized that we would benefit from an informed and civil discussion of issues in a respectful forum,” said former Idaho State Rep. Wendy Jaquet. “Her founding of the City Club was inspired.”
Previous Commitment to Idaho award winners include U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson for his work securing National Wilderness protection for the Boulder-White Clouds (now known as the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness), and former state legislator and educator Bruce Newcomb.