Dear Friends,
Can you imagine becoming a caregiver at just 12 years old?
In this newsletter, you’ll meet Cai, whose childhood was shaped by caring for her mother—a weight no child should have to bear. For years, she coped in unhealthy ways, leading her to struggle with addiction. I think about my own daughters at that age—playing sports and making plans with friends—and I’m reminded how different one childhood can look from another.
Her story reminds me of Ruth from the Bible. After Naomi lost her husband and sons, Ruth made the remarkable decision to stay faithfully by her side, saying, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16).
Like Ruth, Cai carried a deep sense of loyalty and responsibility for those she loved.
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
And just as Ruth and Naomi found hope through God’s provision, we remain committed to walking alongside the women, families and men who come to Denver Rescue Mission seeking help and healing.
At The Crossing, those in our Bridge program find support, encouragement and caring people to guide them on the journey forward. That journey is rarely easy, but it is always rooted in hope.
The DRM journey over the last 134 years has also brought times that are not easy. Recently, we had to make the difficult decision to close Harvest Farm, the northern Colorado location for our recovery program. This is a choice that hurts our hearts yet is vital to our long-term ability to help more people, more effectively. Current participants are receiving support from our case managers to find a place to continue their recovery, including the option to transfer to The Crossing.
We remain deeply committed to serving northern Colorado with the new Homeless Resolution Center in Fort Collins, which is currently under construction and expected to open in early 2027. This state-of-the-art center will have dorms dedicated to recovery with licensed clinicians so that we can maintain the legacy of fostering recovery from addiction.
Even in difficult transitions, God’s faithfulness continues to shine through. As He has for so many years, He provides for every step ahead. Thank you for standing with us, praying with us and continuing to care for our neighbors experiencing homelessness during this journey.
Grace and peace,
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
This post is part of June’s Changing Lives Newsletter. This month, we’re sharing Mira’s story of finding safety and community with the help of the Complex Case Team in: No Longer Invisible.
