Before connecting with CATCH, Melissa and David had experienced periods of homelessness over the past 13-14 years. Originally from Oklahoma, the couple moved to Boise 20 years ago on a whim after throwing a dart at a map. They traveled around to many different locations over the past 20 years, but found themselves drawn back to the community of Boise. Most recently, they experienced homelessness when their disability income wasn’t sufficient to keep up with rising living costs, coupled with a domestic violence incident. They were initially skeptical about reaching out to CATCH, but their case worker, Hillary’s, non-judgmental, compassionate, and patient support changed their perspective. Together, the three of them worked on securing stable housing which was critical for Melissa and David’s health needs. Through the Linda Fund, they were able to pay the deposit and first month’s rent for their apartment, providing them with the boost they needed to get into stable housing they can maintain. Melissa remembers the day they received the keys to their new apartment as an overwhelming experience, when they finally felt they could slow down and catch their breath. Now settled in their new home, Melissa and David have been able to re-establish daily routines, like their morning coffee, and look forward to celebrating holidays together. They are grateful for CATCH’s support and want to encourage others experiencing homelessness to utilize the organization’s services, as they believe CATCH goes “above and beyond” to help people.
Before CATCH
Originally from Oklahoma, Melissa and David first found themselves in Boise 20 years ago after throwing a dart at a map. When they arrived they fell in love with the community, access to the outdoors, and the smaller city atmosphere Boise had to offer.
Over the past couple decades, they have experienced homelessness off and on for about 13 years. Recently, when their disability income wasn’t sufficient to cover rising costs of living, coupled with a domestic violence situation with Melissa’s family, David and Melissa began experiencing homelessness again. Without a safe and stable place to rest, they found themselves living unsheltered.
“You carry your lives on your backs,” Melissa shared. “That was hard. Anytime we went anywhere, we were constantly judged.”
Despite what they were facing, as best friends and partners, they maintained a long-time morning ritual: having a cup of coffee together to start the day.
“It was like a sense of stability in our hearts because we’ve always had coffee together,” Melissa shared. “His backbone kept me strong. He wouldn’t let me give up, and there’s a lot of times I just wanted to give up.”
When asked about their time experiencing homelessness in Boise, David shared the most difficult part was the way that they were treated by people during everyday interactions, mentioning the harsh looks and the discomfort of others interacting with them was “alienating.” It was during this time that they heard about CATCH.
During CATCH
“At first, we kind of fought ourselves on it because we weren’t ready to accept our situation,” Melissa shared. Worsening health conditions made seeking support urgent. “But when our health conditions got worse, we had no choice. We didn’t want to die in a shelter.”
On the same day they walked into the CATCH office they were paired with their caseworker, Hillary. Over about a month of working with Hillary, they started to build a relationship where they felt like “she understood totally where we were coming from.” David and Melissa describe Hillary as compassionate, understanding, and patient.
“Since day one when I met them they showed motivation and were going to be housed somewhere we just didn’t know when. They showed up to every appointment with a positive attitude and ready to work to get housed. They did all the work,” Hillary shared. “All I did was stand alongside them and were ready for any hurdles we had to jump through.”
Melissa and David shared that the day to receive the keys to their new home couldn’t come fast enough. Through the Linda Fund, they were able to pay the deposit and first month’s rent for their apartment, providing them with the boost they needed to get into stable housing on April 15, 2025.
“If it wasn’t for the Linda Fund, we would never have been able to do this this quickly,” Melissa said.
The moment they opened the door to their new apartment, “it was like a sigh of relief, tears of joy.” David shared that when he stepped into their new home, he had just one word in mind: “wow.”
“It was a relief, like the weight was taken off our shoulders,” Melissa remembered. “We were able to sleep really well that night. It was just exciting.”
After CATCH
At CATCH, we have a tradition that when someone “graduates” into housing of their own, they are invited to our office to ring a bell, signifying their accomplishment and paving the way for staffwide celebration. Melissa and David were invited to ring the bell over the summer.
“We were both excited to go,” Melissa recalled. “I had tingling through my body because I was so excited. That was the final step.”
Each of them grabbed the bell’s string and rang it together, signifying the unique power of their partnership. “We figured this is a new beginning for us,” Melissa shared.
When asked about what life looks like now, they shared that not having to worry about carrying your life in a backpack, and having the space to actually relax have been some of their biggest points of joy. They both enjoy spending time outside and cooking at the community grill in their new apartment complex.
With stable housing, they now have the privacy and security they need for medical appointments and procedures, something that felt impossible during their time experiencing homelessness.
“My hope for The Mahan’s is that they enjoy their new place and can have some peace now being housed,” Hillary shared. “Now they can get some medical stuff done and be able to heal in their home.”
Today, they still have their morning cup of coffee together, but now they can enjoy this ritual in the peace and privacy of their own home. These quiet moments together are when they can make plans for the future and reflect on how far they’ve come.
“We’re actually able to sit still and make those plans now,” Melissa shared.
Community Support
Now, David and Melissa share about the support CATCH offered regularly. On the day we talked, they shared that just that morning they had interacted with a woman experiencing homelessness who they had known prior to becoming housed and sent her CATCH’s way!
When asked about what they would like to share with supporters of CATCH’s mission, they shared that the non-judgemental support they received through the Linda Fund was a boost of support on their journey home.
“Those are the people that gave us the strength to keep going,” Melissa shared.