New Shelter Groundbreaking

WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING OF NEW SHELTER

BOISE, ID – On April 7, 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance’s new shelter. Donors, board members of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) and Boise City Council members were there to celebrate the groundbreaking.

The new shelter will consist of 16 transitional units as well as office and storage space. There will be eight units per floor with shared living room, dining, laundry and kitchen facilities (with a double set of appliances) on each floor. Each unit has an adjoined full bathroom. ADA (compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act) units will be available on level one.

To fund the project, the WCA Board undertook a $1.8 Million dollar Capital Campaign, beginning in April of 2015. Funding for the project is almost complete, with just over $150,000 left to reach their goal.

Executive Director of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance, Beatrice Black, kicked off the ceremony by talking about the impact this development will have on the community. “Finding safe, affordable housing is difficult for our clients and these additional transitional housing units will give them more time to work with our Case Managers to find a safe, affordable option.”

Many local organizations played a role in developing this project. Partners in the project along with the Women’s and Children’s Alliance include: Gardner Company, Engineered Structures, Inc. (ESI), Babcock Architects and many corporate organizations that have contributed to the capital campaign.

“We believe strongly in their mission to provide ‘safety, healing, and freedom’ to women and children throughout Idaho. We are proud to do our part in building their new shelter,” stated Neil Nelson, President of Engineered Structures, Inc.

Breaking Ground Photo (Left to Right): Bev La Chance, WCA Deputy Director; Beatrice Black, WCA Executive Director; Darrel Anderson, WCA Board President; Scot Ludwig, Boise City Council Member; Brad Smith, Babcock Architects; Bill Bodnar, WCA Board Member; Debbie Wachtell, WCA Board Member; Neil Nelson, ESI.

About the WCA

The Women’s & Children’s Alliance provides safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault. The WCA operates secure shelters and provides professional counseling, legal advocacy, crisis services and case management to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. For more information, visit www.wcaboise.org.