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Shelter finds new facility for a growing need

Aid For Friends shelter in Pocatello has helped people get back on their feet for decades. Unfortunately, their building is small and old, but that’s about to change.

“We have helped thousands of people. But, we’re seeing numbers like I haven’t seen,” executive director for Aid For Friends, B. J. Stensland said.

Stensland has helped people get back on their feet for years, but she says this past winter was tough due to their lack of space at their current facility.

“Just since January we’ve seen overflow conditions. But, we couldn’t do it until the opportunity was here,” Stensland said.

That opportunity is a new facility to house struggling people. The new Aid For Friends Shelter will take over the old Pocatello City Hall building. Community members and sponsors gathered in the new facility Thursday, showing their support for the big move.

“When you look at the numbers for how many people go through that shelter and stay in it each night, it’s just without question. The need is here,” vice president for Housing Support Programs, Brady Ellis said. “We’re really happy to be able to be in the process of the new shelter.”

The new shelter still needs some work. However, local contractors are aiding the process to make this new shelter the best it can be. “Because we all deserve that. Everyone deserves a house. Everyone deserves a home. Everyone deserves respect,” Stensland said.

Aid For Friends still needs donations for some construction. If you’d like to help donate to the cause, you can click an

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