“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” -Matthew 7:7
For 134 years, the Mission has worked diligently to end homelessness, one life at a time. With your support in 2025, we continued to help those in need open new doors and pursue brighter futures!
Or keep scrolling to see the impact you’ve made in our community.
Abel
New Life Program graduate, sober, employed, and housed
Abel
New Life Program graduate, sober, employed, and housed
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the New Life Program for providing a nurturing environment and ample time, spanning eight months, for my transformation and liberation from 24 years of addiction, self-sabotage and destruction. I commend the unwavering dedication of my clinician and chaplain who courageously allowed God to work through them, imparting wisdom that refined and transformed my life and empowering me to emerge as a faithful and anointed servant of God.”
Abel
A Key In Every Hand
Exiting homelessness is hard work. Some doors open and some doors close along the way. At the Mission, we are working hard to help each person who is willing take their best next step that leads to a house key in their hands and tools for lasting stability in their pockets.
Randy’s Journey
The Keys to Our Work
Denver Rescue Mission is changing lives in the name of Christ by meeting people at their physical and spiritual points of need with the goal of returning them to society as productive, self-sufficient citizens.
Through the power of Christ, work to bring an end to homelessness in Metro Denver and Northern Colorado, one life at a time.
Emergency Services
Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable
Rehabilitation
Equipping men through a life-changing program
Transitional Programs
Transitioning people into stability
Community Outreach
Providing essential needs for daily life
Speak Truthfully
Speaking hard truths: first to ourselves and then into the lives of the people we serve and systems we engage within
Work Holistically
Recognizing that we are complex beings who require complex solutions (biological, psychological, social, and spiritual)
Engage Mercifully
Loving our neighbor as ourselves, without judgment
Believe in Miracles
Believing that all lasting growth and healing depends upon the miraculous work of God
The Keys to Our Work
Denver Rescue Mission is changing lives in the name of Christ by meeting people at their physical and spiritual points of need with the goal of returning them to society as productive, self-sufficient citizens.
Through the power of Christ, work to bring an end to homelessness in Metro Denver and Northern Colorado, one life at a time.
Emergency Services
Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable
Rehabilitation
Equipping men through a life-changing program
Transitional Programs
Transitioning people into stability
Community Outreach
Providing essential needs for daily life
Your Generosity Is Key…
60,644
Volunteer Hours
1,202,334
Meals Served
266 Change Makers (long-term volunteers) provided consistency for our guests.
Your Generosity Is Key…
60,644
Volunteer Hours
1,202,334
Meals Served
266 Change Makers (long-term volunteers) provided consistency for our guests.
To Unlocking Change…
40,691
Donors
301,740
Pounds of Clothing Donated
260
Vehicles Donated
$214.03
Average Gift Amount
To Unlocking Change…
40,691
Donors
301,740
Pounds of Clothing Donated
260
Vehicles Donated
$214.03
Average Gift Amount
You Were the Key to Impact
627
Individuals Obtained More Stable Housing
11,561
Unique People Served
454,080
Nights of Shelter
1,120
Guests at 48th Engaged with Case Management
604
Individuals Obtained or Improved Employment
406
Participants Created a Budget
260
Individuals Connected with Mental Health Care
294
Individuals Obtained an ID
“Most guys come in here, and they’ve had that door slammed in their face so many times. Why would you want to open it again? You don’t. It takes the staff, like here, to say, ‘Just give it one more try. Don’t give up.’” -Joe, Shelter Guest
A Key Isn’t the Goal — Stability Is
Charlie
Eleven years after graduating from the New Life Program:
“I was just broken. I really didn’t have God in my life. The Mission was where I came to know Him, where I went from hopeless to hope. Now, I’m 13 years sober. My wife and I have owned our home since 2020. We have the security of being home—this is my home. I still have the same job as I did when I left the Mission.
I still have the car they gave me when I graduated. And I’m just furthering my relationship with the Lord, getting to know Him better. I walked into the Mission with nothing, and this is what God’s grace has done for us.”
Lindsay’s Family
A year after leaving the Bridge program:
“You helped us get into our own apartment. For somebody who has extreme anxiety issues, I can finally relax. I was pretty sure I was going to die on the streets, and now I know I’m going to die comfortably in a home. It was very hard to keep nutrition and hydration levels up on the streets, and the Mission probably extended my life span by about 15 years.
That is invaluable whenever it comes to time with family. We are also now debt free, I am fixing to be a peer recovery specialist and I recently hit 20 years sober.”
While we are blessed to help people find stable housing now, the ultimate goal is to see people stay housed well after using our services. People like Charlie and Lindsay are examples of how homelessness can truly end, one life at a time.
When One Door Opens, Change Happens
James
Complex Case
- 138 Unique Complex Case Guests
- 46 Obtained More Stable Housing
Kalina
Bridge Program
- 242 Households Served
Lloyd
New Life Program
- 98 New Life Program (NLP) Graduates
- 93% NLP One-Year Success Rate in Housing
- $20.67 NLP Average Starting Wage
Why They Knocked
on Our Door
“I was born blind . . . and faced six months of homelessness on the streets.” -James
The Key to Their
Success
The Mission’s Complex Case Management team helped James go from shelter to the Bridge program at The Crossing. Within five months, James was in independent housing.
“We had an eviction note and had to get out right
away.” -Kalina
Her family of six joined the Mission’s Bridge program and nine months later, they moved into more stable housing.
“I struggled with addiction for 20 years . . . my kids calling morgues to look for me was the wakeup call I needed.” -Lloyd
He joined the Mission’s New Life Program and a year later, he graduated, moved into housing and became a peer coach for others in recovery.
Why They Knocked
on Our Door/The Key to Their Success
“I was born blind . . . and faced six months of homelessness on the streets.”-James
The Mission’s Complex Case Management team helped James go from shelter to the Bridge program at The Crossing. Within five months, James was in independent housing.
“We had an eviction note and had to get out right
away.” -Kalina
Her family of six joined the Mission’s Bridge program and nine months later, they moved into more stable housing.
“I struggled with addiction for 20 years . . . my kids calling morgues to look for me was the wakeup call I needed.” -Lloyd
He joined the Mission’s New Life Program and a year later, he graduated, moved into housing and became a peer coach for others in recovery.
Support, Revenue, and Expenses
Statistics reflect fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance recommends giving to organizations who spend at least 65% of their total expenses on program activities. Last year, 83% of our expenses were in program services.
Download our audited financial statement at DenverRescueMission.org/Financial-Accountability.
What’s Next
Denver Rescue Mission is at a key moment of innovation to meet the changing dynamics of homelessness in our region. We are working on new solutions.
Some of the work we have started that will continue to have long lasting impact into the future are:
- A new homeless resolution center that is under construction in Fort Collins, which will open in late 2026, impacting men and women in that community.
- A Prevention pilot program that we launched in October 2025 in two public schools, which will continue to grow and build to help hundreds of families over the next several years.
- A new strategic plan which is planned to start in 2026. The initiatives in the plan will have a far-reaching impact for years to come. There are five key areas of improvement to tackle over the next ten years, and we look forward to sharing more with you as we move forward.
Strategic Plan 5 Pillars
Culture
Including safety as well as staff support and retention
Prevention
Stopping homelessness for families before it starts, beginning with two pilot schools and adding more each year
Housing
Including permanent supportive housing creation and expanding or renovating current facilities
Dignity
Including more dignified shelter, safety and paid workforce development programs for our guests
Sustainability
Including increased donor revenue and developing alternative revenue streams
Letter From Our CEO
Have you ever wondered if you are making a difference? There is so much to do, and it can seem like we are not making a difference. But the truth is, we are—all of us. I know you are making a difference through the support of Denver Rescue Mission.
You made a difference in the life of a guy named Abel. He struggled with addiction for 24 years! I know you made a difference in his life because he graduated from our New Life Program.
He is sober and started an apprenticeship program as an electrician. He told me that he was going to see his 25-year-old son and his grandchild. His son only knew the version of Abel who was addicted and hopeless. Abel told me he was so excited for his son to see him now—sober, employed and housed. Through your support of DRM, you made that life change possible.
I also know you made a difference in the lives of so many children. I know this because we see it every day. Last year we put up a gratitude tree in The Crossing that in part provides transitional housing and programming to families with children. Anyone could pick up a paper leaf and write down what they are grateful for and attach it to the tree. Here are examples of what some children wrote:
- “I’m thankful for my family, school and God for giving us food and a roof over us.”
- “I’m grateful for being warm and safe and not alone.”
- “I am thankful for my mom, dad, teachers, and most importantly, God.”
You are making a difference, because this would not be possible without your prayers and financial support.
Last year, 627 individuals obtained more stable housing. The journey out of homelessness started with a meal, safety, warmth, a bed, and someone to walk along the journey with them. You were the key to this impact!
Thank you for making our work possible. The need is literally greater than it has ever been. But we are all making a difference through the power of Christ, one life at a time!
Grace and peace,
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
Senior Leadership
Rene Palacios, Vice President of Programs, Denver
Sean Morrow, Vice President of People and Culture
Micaiah Parreco, Executive Office Manager
Seth Forwood, Vice President of Programs, Northern Colorado
Dennis Van Kampen, President/CEO
Ashley Irwin, Interim Chief Operations Officer
Brad Jessen, Vice President of Development
Tracy Brooks, Chief Programs Officer
Listed left to right
Board of Directors
Cathy Goss, Chair | Finance Committee
Rich Carvill, Vice Chair
Leif Houkom, Treasurer | Finance Committee
Dustin Hailey, Secretary
Kreg Brown, Finance Committee
Pamela L. Coe
Jon Gettings
Jonathan Holmes
Stuart Pattison, Finance Committee
Mauri Resseguie, Denver Rescue Mission Young Professionals
Tom Tucker