Our Impact Beyond Denver

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. -Ephesians 3:20

Denver Rescue Mission’s impact extends far beyond Metro Denver’s city limits. Did you know we are helping men experiencing homelessness and addiction in Wellington and Fort Collins as well?

On a busy corner in Old Town Fort Collins stands a 5,240 square-foot building with decades of history formed within its walls, and currently serving as a shelter for those experiencing homelessness— or better known as, Fort Collins Rescue Mission (FCRM).

For more than a decade under the umbrella of Denver Rescue Mission, FCRM has served as many men as possible, reaching capacity almost every night. And the heartbreaking reality is that our staff had to turn away men more than 1,200 times last year because of this.

“The city of Fort Collins came to us with the opportunity to acquire what was then called Open Door Mission, which had been here 27 years,” Former President/CEO, Brad Meuli, said. “For a long time, we wanted to be able to expand and do more. There’s a great need, and this facility really just does not meet the need anymore.”

Despite its limitations, FCRM has made a bigger impact than its outside facade might suggest, becoming a place of refuge for thousands of men in Northern Colorado over the years.

“We’ve always been about so much more than meals and shelter,” said Director Paula Ordaz. “We get to see lives changed because of the services we offer to anyone who has the need and the willingness to plan a path out of homelessness.”

Changed Lives Like Kevin’s

For 20 years since the age of 14, Kevin struggled with addiction. After a traumatic experience in his childhood, he turned to alcohol to cope with the pain. That later spiraled into consistent instability in housing and employment.

He lived with his grandmother until her passing in 2012 and spent the next 10 years experiencing some of the effects of homelessness—cold, hunger and loneliness.

While his days were spent struggling with alcoholism, his nights were spent sleeping on the streets with nothing but a sleeping bag, sleeping at friends’ houses for short periods of time or taking shelter at Fort Collins Rescue Mission.

“The worst feeling is not having a place to stay,” he said. “I would drink and, it’s sad to say, but that would help me get through the night. It was rough. It’s not something I got used to but accepted it and just had hope that it has got to get better than this. That’s kind of what kept me going and wanting to succeed.”

Wanting to make a change and feeling like he had nowhere else to go, Kevin went to FCRM. He not only received a reserved bed and warm meals but experienced a community and the love of Jesus like he never had before.

The Mission’s reserved bed option helped Kevin find a job, get an ID, save money, and move into more stable housing. “It made me want to do better for myself, and the Mission made that possible. It gave me structure and stability and made me realize I can do it,” he said.

Today Kevin works at Fort Collins Rescue Mission as a Community Life Coordinator. “I’m working proof that there is hope for us. To help our guys get back out of it, that’s something that I’m going to be a part of,” he shared.

And Kevin is not the only one: last year, more than 160 men moved from homelessness into more stable housing after working with Fort Collins Rescue Mission and its New Life Program at Harvest Farm.

We are in the final push of a More Than… capital campaign to build a new homeless resolution center in Fort Collins for up to 250 men with expanded services that can help double or triple the number people out of homelessness

Fort Collins Rescue Mission Current Building

2021

Fort Collins Rescue Mission (FCRM) reopened downtown, providing 24/7 services for the first time for up to 89 men, with Catholic Charities focusing on serving women.

2020

FCRM shifted its services to the Blue Spruce Temporary Shelter in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing beds for up to 150 men.

Unrenovated Fort Collins Rescue Mission building

2012

Denver Rescue Mission (DRM) took over a ministry for those experiencing homelessness in downtown Fort Collins and renamed it. We renovated the building and began providing meals and shelter for up to 80 men and women.

1988

DRM acquired a farm in Wellington, Colorado and renamed it Harvest Farm, which continues to provide rehabilitation for up to 72 men at a time in our New Life Program.

These numbers are staggering, and we feel their weight daily.

547

unsheltered individuals in Larimer County*

34%

increase since 2020**

35%

increase in 1st time homelessness

*Common Sense Institute 2023 Report on Homelessness in Fort Collins

**2020, 2023 Point in Time (PIT) surveys

How We Plan to Do More Than… Ever Before in Northern Colorado

Cafeteria

Mats

Bunks

More Than… A Bed

FCRM currently only has room for 89 beds, all cramped together, whether men are there for one night, have a reserved bed or have other specific needs. Our new homeless resolution center will have 250 beds (almost triple the men we can help!) and need-based dorms for:

Veterans
Those in recovery
Those who work a night shift and need to sleep during the day

More Than… A Shelter

FCRM currently only has one and a half rooms to serve as a space for intake, case management, staff meetings, offices, volunteers, donation storage, and outside providers. Our new homeless resolution center will have several spaces dedicated for these resources, which will offer more:

Privacy
Safety
Access to services

More Than… A Path to Walk Alone

We offer unconditional love to our guests, as Jesus taught us to do. Our calling is to meet every guest exactly where they are and walk with them out of addiction and homelessness. This is something that won’t change with our new homeless resolution center, but will be amplified through: