BOISE -- The Boise Rescue Mission is scheduled to open its new emergency shelter for women and children on Wednesday.
The new City Light Home for Women and Children couldn't come at a better time. For the past three months, the shelter has served between 20 to 40 more people than they have beds for.
"I love it," said Debbie.
"It is beautiful, isn't it," said Rev. Bill Roscoe.
Debbie and Valrie, who did not want us to use their last names, are loving the new emergency shelter for women and children.
They are just two of the thousands of women who have turned to the Boise Rescue Mission for help over the years. Debbie has been homeless since March.
"I had lost my job and made some bad decisions money wise. It was a whole brand new situation for me," said Debbie.
Debbie is part of the fastest growing population of homeless people over the past decade, and the number continues to grow.
As of end of October, City Light had served about 2,337 women and children so far this year. Last year, they served 1,569.
"Like myself, some of us have just been dealt a bad blow and need to make a new start and others, for whatever their reasons, they just need a fresh start," said Debbie
Most women, like Debbie and Valrie, sleep on bunk beds while others are on mats on the floor. The mission hasn't had enough beds to keep up with the need until now.
They converted a warehouse that will provide the extra space they've desperately needed. They will now have 58 new beds, along with spacious new bathrooms and laundry facilities.
Debbie and Valrie love the openness and the bright colors of the quilts. They can already picture the women settling in.
"We're sisters and we just back each other up and bare with each other, and hold hands and cry and laugh with each other," said Debbie.
"It's an opportunity to grab somebody else's hand who is kind to you and actually pull yourself up out of whatever circumstance you find yourself in," said Valrie.
The shelter officially opens at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
KTVB is partnering with the Boise Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army and the Idaho Food Bank to make this upcoming holiday season a "Season of Hope" for families struggling in the Treasure Valley.
We invite you to partner with us.
Watch for more information in the coming days and weeks on NewsChannel 7 and KTVB.COM.
