Most homeless people are either temporarily homeless, as the result of a crisis such as loss of a job, or persistently homeless, due to chronic disabilities such as substance abuse and mental illness. The persistently homeless present our society with one of the most vexing, difficult and expensive problems to solve. Their chronic disabilities render many of them unemployable, except for occasional day labor jobs. Observing the situations that homeless people are forced into, Tim Cooper, the former Hyde Park Mennonite pastor, gathered a group of people to address the conditions that homelessness forces on people. The dream of the group was to open a “catholic worker” hospitality day center that offered a comfortable place to sit, rest, read, or visit while providing the basic necessities for maintaining personal dignity. Realizing that there was no place in Boise where these services were offered, the group opened Corpus Christi House in December 2003.
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
Corpus Christi House is an inter-denominational community of people inspired by the belief that all people are deserving of dignity, acceptance, and the basic needs of life. As a faith-based organization, we are committed to putting into practice the works of mercy as instructed in Matthew 25:31-46, “As often as you served one of these, the least of my brothers and sisters, you were serving me.”
MISSION
The mission of Corpus Christi House is to offer hospitality and services to those in need in the city of Boise.
GOALS
- Deliver to the homeless, poor and disadvantaged the virtues of hospitality, friendship, and love, in God’s image.
- Deliver care and compassion today, so as to grow hope for tomorrow in the lives of the less fortunate.
- Help those who are able to get back on their feet.
- Provide services with the intent of easing the burdens of homelessness.
