WCA serves 4,000 clients annually as federal funding for domestic abuse support declines

Chloe Thompson, now an employee at the Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA) in Boise, Idaho, is preparing to relocate to New York City. She attributes her ability to make the move to the foundational support she received from the organization when she was eight years old.

Thompson arrived at the WCA shelter with her mother after fleeing a domestic abuse incident. The pair stayed at the facility for approximately three months. During that period, they received counseling and case management while Thompson’s mother learned practical skills to rebuild their household.

WCA CEO Laura Honn stated that the organization serves roughly 4,000 individuals annually. The nonprofit provides a range of services, including safe shelter where clients can stay for up to seven months, along with financial empowerment programs.

Honn noted that the organization faces financial pressure as federal funding for domestic abuse services continues to decline. She explained that these funds are necessary to maintain the full scope of wraparound services, which include counseling, case management, and financial support for residents living in the safe shelter.

Thompson returned to the WCA after leaving the shelter to work for the agency. She said she wanted to give back to the organization that changed her life. Before her departure, she described the peace she felt when first entering the facility as a child, a sensation she had not experienced before.

The WCA, formerly known as the Women's and Children's Alliance, operates in downtown Boise. The organization provides services to people who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault. Thompson said she and her mother left the WCA with no possessions other than the car they drove in.

Honn said the declining federal support makes it challenging to keep services available. The organization continues to operate its shelter and support programs while managing these resource constraints.