about SHIP

Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnerships (SHIP), is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of persons in recovery from substance abuse through housing, jobs and peer support. In 2006, Ship served 245 residents with clean and sober housing. Sixty-nine of the residents were recovering meth addicts.

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In May of 2006, SHIP opened its first therapeutic community, an intensive program that assists persons in early recovery in making the lifestyle changes needed to sustain their recovery. SHIP now has three therapeutic communities (two for men and one for women), five clean and sober houses, and one relapse house in its continuum of housing. SHIP is also working to add Alcohol and Drug free rental housing to its services.

In May of 2005, SHIP opened the Second Chance Building Materials Center in Boise’s Linen District to create jobs and fund the expansion of treatment options. The Center employs many of the current and/or former residents of SHIP housing. The store was one of five companies to win Boise’s 2006 annual EnviroGuard Pollution Prevention Award because of its mission to reuse and recycle.

Center employees also do deconstruction services for building contracting and remodeling projects and re-manufacture recycled materials into new products, including custom sheds and playhouses.

In addition to housing and jobs, SHIP provides case management and PEER support. SHIP's goals are to get clients to build confidence to accomplish long-term recovery and be successful. View 2nd Chance Triad

Melanie Curtis

Melanie Curtis is executive director of Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnerships (SHIP).

Melanie received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Boise State University in 1986 and her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver in 1990. Throughout her career, Melanie has exemplified excellence in social work practice, making exceptional contributions to meeting the childcare and housing needs of low-income Idahoans. From 1990 to 1995, Melanie focused her efforts on the childcare needs of very-low-income families, developing and implementing the United Way Child Care Scholarship Program and implementing the Idaho Child Care Program for Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties.

Beginning in 1996, Melanie turned her attention to the housing needs of vulnerable populations, serving initially as Program Development Specialist and Homeless Programs Coordinator and as Special Needs Grants Coordinator for the Idaho Housing and Finance Association and later as Resource Development Specialist for the Boise City Ada County Housing Authority. In 2000, Melanie’s work was recognized by a Department of Housing and Urban Development of Best Practices Award for developing collaborative partnerships through the Continuum of Care process.

Melanie started the first Idaho Oxford Clean and Sober House in August 2001. In 2004, Melanie was the National Association of Social Workers Idaho Chapter Social Worker of the Year.

In 2007, Melanie was one of the Boise award winners of the Women's and Children's Alliance Tribute to Women in Industry.