Former shelter guest returns to Boise WCA staff

The Women's and Children's Alliance in downtown Boise is serving its clients with renewed internal energy after a former resident returned to work as staff. Chloe Thompson, who sought shelter at the organization at age 8, is now helping others navigate the same path. The WCA, formerly the Women's and Children's Alliance, provides services to individuals who have experienced domestic abuse or sexual assault.

Thompson described the night she and her mother fled their home. She was eight years old when she opened a bedroom door and saw her mother being attacked. After her mother told her to run, Thompson said she ran over and got on top of the attacker. He threw her off, causing her to hit her back against a bed frame. She then grabbed the house phone and threatened to call 911. When the man moved toward her again, she and her mother ran out the back door and drove away without packing any belongings.

The pair arrived at the WCA after a period of living in fear. Thompson said she felt an immediate sense of peace upon entering the building, a feeling she said she had never experienced before. They stayed at the shelter for approximately three months. During that time, they received counseling and support. Thompson's mother learned skills to help them rebuild their lives. The WCA currently serves around 4,000 people per year, according to CEO Laura Honn.

Honn noted that keeping these services available requires substantial resources. She stated that federal funding for domestic abuse services continues to decline. This funding supports a range of programs, including safe shelter where clients can stay for up to seven months. Honn said the organization provides wraparound services, such as counseling, case management, and financial empowerment, while clients reside in their safe.

Thompson said the help she received made a lasting impression. Years after leaving the shelter, she returned to the WCA to work there and give back. She said she wanted to contribute to an organization that completely changed her life. The experience also prepared her for future decisions. Thompson is moving to New York City, a step she said she could not have taken without the groundwork the WCA provided for her and her mother.

The organization's website lists additional resources for those seeking help. Honn emphasized that the declining federal funds make it particularly challenging to maintain the current level of service. Thompson’s story illustrates the long-term impact of the shelter's program on individual lives. The WCA continues to operate in downtown Boise, offering a place for people to find safety and build new futures.