In 1986 the city of Denver had an especially cold winter. The city reached out to a variety of organizations looking for help in sheltering the homeless during thees cold nights. The congregation of Central Presbyterian church answered the call.
Not only did they shelter the homeless during that winter, but they took on the mission of providing safe space for the unhoused men of Denver all year round. In the early 90’s , to receive additional outside funding, Central transitioned the shelter into its own non-profit organization.
Over the years the shelter has been called by several names; Central Shelter, New Genesis and now Heartbeat Denver Working Men’s Program. But it’s basic mission has remained the same:
To help men transition out of homelessness into a self-sufficient, independent lifestyle as productive citizens. In addition, to help men transition from Incarceration back into a law abiding life style of self-sufficiency.
We do that by providing a Safe, Clean and Sober environment.
This Shelter has been continuously operating in the lower level of Central Presbyterian Church since 1986.
The very difficult circumstances during and immediately following the COVID 19 pandemic, the shelter, at that time known as New Genesis, fell on financial hard times. In February 2023 the shelter emerged re-energized with a new name, new management and the renewed commitment to help the unhoused men of Denver.
In 2024 we started doing business as Heartbeat Denver Working Men’s PROGRAM. This slight change was done to reflect our new emphasis. Although we still provide shelter to those who need it …too many men were being directed here with the expectation that we would admit anyone who needed shelter. Although we take in the majority of those who come here, we reserve the right to test for drugs and alcohol and reject those who fail the test.