Our Program is based on what we believe are the fundamental pillars of success. Proven through years of experience and successful outcomes from other organizations such as Step Denver, who is close partner of ours.
- Sobriety
- Work
- Accountability
- Community
Our Program is based on the same fundamentals but we are different in our approach and we cast a wider net across the homeless population to bring more men off the street and out of the Justice System into a supportive environment for Growth, Sobriety and Purpose.
There are many pieces to solving the puzzle of homelessness. It starts by recognizing there is no one solution that fits all. Every person arrives from different directions to a homeless position.
- Most arrive from addiction….drugs or alcohol
- Some by circumstances….eviction, divorce or abuse
- Others by mental health issues or crime and conviction
A successful outcome from being unhoused is eventually having an independent lifestyle of sobriety, employment, purpose and community.
Our Approach
Our Approach is to try and reach each individual where they are when they arrive at our door.
We treat everyone with respect and believe every man can better themselves with the right attitude and support. We will help anyone who wants to help themselves. We try to find out what goals they hope to achieve. It could be learning a skill for long term employment, simply staying sober, saving money for a car or independent housing….whatever it might be we will help them develop a plan to reach their goals.
65%
Join our program upon arrival
40%
who join the program are still here after 4 months
46%
Men who stayed with us more than 4 months in 2023 found appropriate housing
Phases of the Program
Orientation
When someone first enters the Shelter. Together we fill out an INPUT FORM both for us and the HDMIS.
We show them around and go over the House Rules and Resident Responsibilities, assign a bed and a locker. We also give them a Bin and Bedding to use during their stay with us.
We discuss our program and talk about their situation and what their goals are.
We do an internal assessment of their status and how much support they need from us.
Do they have proper identification such as a drivers’s license and/or a Social Security number.? Do they have a cell phone? Do they have job?
Why are they here? Do they have any addictions?
Sobriety is mandatory and Employment is the next thing we focus on.
Employment
This is key to our clients long term success. Some men come to us with a job, some come already working with a temp agency and many come with no job at all. Our goal is to get everyone a job….then a good job…. and then a better job. So far in the first half of 2024 it has not been difficult to find work for anyone willing to put in the effort to look. As long as they have to proper identification and are without physical or mental limitations, Denver has many opportunities for good entry level employment.
Once employed we work with our partners to help our clients get additional training to get jobs that provide a path for advancement and higher incomes. This is a big step and is harder for some than others. The educational backgrounds of some residents limit their opportunities and we work with them to get enough training in specific areas to find good jobs beyond minimum wage.
Besides our in house employment services we have 3 preferred partners to help our residents get to the level of better jobs: St Francis employment services, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Denver Works all provide excellent support for advanced employment opportunities.
Skills Training
Twice a week provide classes in learning important Life Skills that will help prepare the men for life beyond the shelter. Classes include:
Financial Skills
- Budgeting
- Banking and credit card skills
Cleanliness
- Personal Hygiene
- Personal space and organization
Nutrition
- How to eat right
- Healthy and inexpensive choices
Self Esteem
- How to tell your story
- Positive mental health
Tenant Responsibilities
- What it takes to be a good tenant
- Housing applications
Transition
After the men have been here for an appropriate amount of time and completed much or all of the life skills training we start talking very specifically about moving on from our Program.
Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals
Creating a support network
Preparing for the next step
What are your appropriate housing options
And finally finding sustainable housing for them.
Interested In Joining Our Program?
Give us a call or send us an email to learn more.
Stories of Hope
- Jose’s Journey of Hope
Jose Gregorio Parada Hernandez traveled from Venezuela to the United States. He was given an opportunity for a life free from repression, fear and a lack of basic human rights. - A Wise Decision for Teddy
Teddy Wise walked out of those prison gates for the last time. Being fed up of being fed up wasn’t a clíche to him anymore.