Our Doors Are Open

A Message from Bea

Executive Director, WCA

March 17, 2020

WCA Boise: Our Doors Are Open

With a vision dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals thrive in safe, healthy relationships we find that our mission becomes even more important for those we serve in the face of a natural disaster or pandemic.

To that end – I want to assure you that critical services to clients will still continue without interruption:

• Our hotlines are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week for anyone to call from anywhere. Domestic Abuse Hotline 208-343-7025 / Sexual Assault Hotline 208-345-7273
• Our emergency and transitional shelters will continue to operate with trained client advocates there to support our residential clients
• Our Crisis Center, located at 720 W. Washington, will continue to be open to those needing to talk to our Crisis Case Manager or receive information about our services
• Our Court Advocate staff located at the Ada County Courthouse will continue to assist those seeking civil protection orders while complying with any Ada County recommendations and restrictions (Update 3/27/20): The Ada County Courthouse will be closed to the public and our court advocate team will be providing filing assistance at the Crisis Center 8:30 a.m. to 4 P.m.

Research shows  that home is not always safe for everyone. Incidences of domestic violence rise after natural disasters, most likely because perpetrators have increased access to their families and support services break down. I want to reassure our commitment to everyone’s safety while ensuring we are able to continue providing services that are needed by our clients – in these times more urgently than others.

In addition to ensuring we are here to continue serving our clients, because of our dedication to providing a safe environment for our clients, staff, volunteers and visitors we have taken the following steps:

• Following the lead of Boise Mayor Lauren McLean that all non-essential events or gatherings be cancelled or postponed for the City of Boise through April 10, we have also cancelled all volunteer shifts, community events, non-essential meetings, presentations and are evaluating functions daily to encourage social distancing.
• We have significantly enhanced our cleaning and sanitation efforts on all client and staff touch points, including restrooms, meeting rooms and employee break areas.
• We have discontinued accepting donations to our Thrift Store and closed it to the public until further notice.

We have modified the way we will deliver some of the services we provide to reduce in-person contact, but will continue to provide the services to those who need us. We have moved to telephonic case management, counseling and court advocacy appointments. Our crisis center will remain open at our Washington Street location and walk-ins will be managed in a controlled portion of the building with a modified process to protect the health of everyone.

We have plans in place for our shelter campus and are and will continue to follow guidelines from government agencies and our public health partners, including the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Idaho Central Health District Department.

We hope these measures give you peace of mind as you come to the WCA, now and in the future. We will continue in our mission of providing safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault.  Please feel free to reach out to me or Julie Eng, HR Director, with any questions.

Thank you for your continued support through this trying time in our community. We are accepting donations of new items from our Wish list for our clients and our shelter campus.

Sincerely,

Bea Black
Executive Director