For 133 years, the Mission has helped countless individuals and families overcome hardship, find recovery over addiction, reunite with family, and build new beginnings. We take heart in our goal to end homelessness, one life at a time
Thank you for believing in and supporting this work. As we reflect on this past year, we are humbled by each testimony of incredible hope. You helped change lives in 2024!
Or keep scrolling to see the impact you’ve made in our community.
Mission
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.
What We Do: Core Strategies
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
Vision
Through the power of Christ, work to bring an end to homelessness in Metro Denver and Northern Colorado, one life at a time.
How We Do It: Christ-Centered Approach
Engage Mercifully
Loving our neighbor as ourselves, without judgment
Work Holistically
Recognizing that we are complex beings who require complex solutions (biological, psychological, social, and spiritual)
Speak Truthfully
Speaking hard truths: first to ourselves and then into the lives of the people we serve and systems we engage within
Believe In Miracles
Believing that all lasting growth and healing depends upon the miraculous work of God
574
households obtained more stable housing
Because of You…
We Expanded Our Youth Center
In addition to our Youth Room, we now have the Skyline Room for teens as well as the Sunshine Room for ages four and under at The Crossing.
“Art contributes so much to an atmosphere of safety, and that is such a key part to have in our youth rooms. Interning at the Mission is really special because you can use the things that you’re good at to contribute to the people there.”
-Annie Hill, Spring 2024 Intern and Artist for Skyline Room
64,069
Volunteer Hours
Served Double
the Number of Kids
“How I came about knowing you guys started professionally through the SSA Group. I have a very soft spot for homelessness, especially the youth. What you guys do at the youth level is super important to what these kids are going to do when they step outside your program.
What you do needs to be entrusted, whether it’s by big companies like SSA or personally, through families like us. If we don’t do our jobs, you guys aren’t capable of doing yours.”
Nathan Brandt, from SSA Group—Donor and Sponsor of the Sunshine Room
302
Change Makers (Long-Term Volunteers)
11,589
Unique People Served
493
Participants Created a Budget
53,576
Donors
$187.24
Average Donation Size
224
Individuals Connected with Mental Health Care
Guests Were Cared for During a Heat Wave
“You guys posted something on Instagram the week of the heat wave, and if I can help, I’m gonna help. I ran to Costco, filled up my trunk with 960 bottles of water and drove it to the Mission. As a society, we have to help each other. When I arrived, everybody was super grateful. I felt like at least it’s something that we can do to help them, to give them some relief, something to cool off.”
Fatima Mayorga, Volunteer
Mentors Made a Difference
“My strength is working with kids, so even though it wasn’t necessarily my comfort zone, I felt like the Lord was saying to apply to be a mentor. Michael was my first mentee, and it was a great experience. A lot of it is just being available, listening and praying together. My family considers him part of our family now. He graduated from the New Life Program at The Crossing, and we still talk almost once a week. I’ve encouraged him, and he has been speaking at church and sharing his story. Michael and I are two sinners saved by grace, who God has brought together to help each other.”
Ben Zastrocky, New Life Program Mentor
Because of You, Our Guests…
Create Joy
“You see people who’ve been closed off start to be a part of conversation. I’ve had guys say, ‘I wasn’t so sure about coming, but I’m really glad I did.’”
Angie Tims, Associate Director of Homelessness Resolution, about a weekly art collaborative for guests at 48th Avenue Center
Find Healing
“COVID came; I went to the doctor, but he told me that I had ovarian cancer, stage four. I could not work anymore. I told my family, and they just left me. I had no place to live. I was alone. I came to the Mission and walked up to the counter with tears in my eyes, and I said, ‘I need somewhere to stay.’ I knew it was the place that I needed to be to heal.”
Nancy, Former Bridge Program Participant
Restore Relationships
“I’m thankful for my sobriety. With sobriety comes family, my kids, stability, and happiness.”
Lisa, Former Bridge Program Participant
Choose Recovery
“My dad died when I was 13. When I was 18, I got some money, and I blew it all right away. I bought myself a truck and I was living out of it. I ended up becoming really depressed and my truck got vandalized. I stayed on the streets for months. Since I came into the program, I notice more confidence, just an all-around healthier mental and physical version of myself. I give thanks every day for being in recovery and for the changes that God has helped me to make.”
Vince, New Life Program Graduate & Recent Homeowner
1,020
Guests at 48th Engaged with Case Management
389
Households Served Through Transitional Programs
293
Individuals Obtained an ID
104
New Life Program (NLP) Graduates
80%
NLP One-Year Success Rate in Housing
$22.19
NLP Average Starting Wage
Because of You, Our Staff…
Help Those with Complex Needs
Read more about how our Complex Case team is addressing complex needs here.
“A guest was referred to the Complex Case team by a Peer Navigator who had built rapport with him. He took a leap of faith in Jesus and in the Mission’s staff to help him. Now after six months he is stably housed and says he’s never looking back.
Madelyn St Clair, Associate Director of Complex Case Team
74
Unique Complex
Case Guests
18
Obtained More
Stable Housing
Offer a Safe Space
“Peer Navigators are now holding process groups for our shelter guests at 48th. They are utilizing their peer navigation certification training to help guests discuss their homelessness experience in a safe setting.”
Jonathan Soweidy, Director of Housing Stability
Continuously Improves Programs and Services
“By integrating a psychosocial questionnaire into the intake process, the Intake team provides valuable insights that ensure participants are matched with work readiness roles that align with their strengths, needs, desires, and long-term career aspirations. Previously, participants were assigned to departments solely based on availability. Since implementing our personalized approach, we’ve seen a reduction in transfer requests and complaints from both work readiness supervisors and participants.”
Michael McCarthy, Director of Risk Management
350 Individuals Obtained or Improved Employment
Provides Meals with Dignity and Grace
“We served over one million opportunities to see the face of Jesus with each meal. Loving those who society may see as ‘less-than’ is bold. I have seen so many lives changed by these simple daily acts of grace.”
Kevin Baker, Director of Food Services
1,237,402 Meals Served
Sets the Example
“EVERYONE who tours our shelters cannot help but comment on how clean they are, and the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment uses us as the example to aim for.”
Cale Johansson, Director of Custodial Services
Embrace Community and Collaboration
Harvest Farm enhanced support for men with severe and persistent mental illnesses by incorporating psychiatrist services and medically assisted treatment (MAT).
“Bill faced a history of severe childhood trauma. He was also managing type one diabetes and was on 15 psychiatric medications due to frequent stays in various mental health hospitals. Our psychiatric nurse practitioner worked closely with him to address his needs, including reducing his medication load. By the time Bill graduated from the New Life Program, he had successfully discontinued all medications, secured employment, saved over $6,000, received a vehicle from the Mission, found his own apartment, and decided to accept Christ.”
Kyle McPherson, Director of Residential Programs
37.5%
Increase of Graduates*
93%
Of Full Capacity
*Number reflects comparison to Fiscal Year 2023
Shows Up Despite Hardship
“48th Avenue Center has experienced individual traumatic events, but I have witnessed individuals quickly seek to support, protect, care for, and be compassionate to their fellow teammates.
Our team decides to boldly return to work with a heart that is committed to bringing true compassion, results and love to a community that is severely broken in our world.”
Jason Bryant, Director of Community Life
Provides Opportunities with Vehicles
“I watched Vince come here as a last resort. He got one of our cars and is still driving it today. The pure joy on his face when he got his car was PRICELESS. He bought a house in Strasburg; I’m proud to say he is my neighbor.
Vince was able to use the Mission as his backbone of success and his love for God has bloomed into a full-on relationship.”
Eddie Culpepper, Senior Fleet Mechanic
245 Vehicles Donated
Works Together
“The guest services department at the Lawrence Street Community Center decided it was time to strengthen their collaborative spirit with other departments. They envisioned training that would foster teamwork by inviting other departments to come learn how the guest services department works.”
Sherry Mowery, Guest Services Lead
Gives Second Chances
“Zac graduated from the New Life Program at Harvest Farm and in three months he thought he could be a ‘social drinker.’ He called me after he started drinking and was bold enough to put his pride aside. He wanted to be held accountable, wanted to be better moving forward in his life. He came back into the program where he had a better grasp on what he wanted to accomplish. It took him knowing that his relationship with God had to be strong and to put himself on the back burner, to fix the thing he struggled with for so many years. Now he is working and knows his limits on work-life balance.”
Darrol Telck, Livestock Coordinator
104
New Life Program Graduates
Support, Revenue, and Expenses
Support/Revenue
53.4% Individuals
29.2% Program Service Contracts
11.3% Corporations, Foundations & Churches
3.4% Other Income
2.7% Legacy Gifts (Estates)
Expenses
82.7% Program Services
13.6% Fundraising
3.7% General Administrative
Statistics reflect fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
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
Looking forward into 2025, we plan to…
Launch a Prevention and Diversion Division
We will seek to identify and work with families and children who are not currently experiencing homelessness but are on the edge. The goal is to help keep them from ever becoming homeless.
Improve Safety and Security
We will continue to improve safety and security for our staff, volunteers and guests. Strategies include facility changes, enhanced safety and security measures, more training, and much more.
Work Towards a New Shelter in Fort Collins
It is our hope and prayer that in 2025 we will be able to complete the fundraising for and break ground on our new homeless resolution center in Fort Collins! We will also explore opportunities to expand to other areas within the Denver Metro and northern Colorado.
Explore Partnerships
We are exploring partnerships in becoming permanent housing providers and enhancing workforce development opportunities for our guests.
Letter From Our CEO
In the book of Philippians, Paul begins with, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
I, too, thank God for each of you. Because of you, last year more people left homelessness for more stable housing through the Mission than ever before. More people left addiction, attained and maintained jobs and grew in their faith in Jesus.
God has sustained this ministry for 133 years, and we could not do this work without you. Last year, as for many years, we continued to serve men, women, families, and children in many ways. We served double the number of kids, spurring the growth and enhancement of our Youth Center programming, which included the addition of two age-specific rooms for ages zero to four and for teenagers.
Those we serve are people made in the image of God, and they are loved, valued and far more than the worst thing they have ever done or the worst challenge they have ever faced. This past year we formed a Complex Case team where we have successfully worked with those with the most complex needs in our community and helped them into more stable housing.
Jesus says that when we feed anyone who is hungry, when we invite in anyone who is a stranger, when we care for anyone who is sick, when we clothe anyone who needs clothes, that in a mysterious way we are actually doing these unto Him. This is why we serve anyone who comes to our door, and we do all we can to help them leave homelessness forever. This is why we share the love and hope of Jesus, because every single human being matters to God, so they matter to us.
Thank you for making our work possible! Thank you for making our community better! Thank you for helping us in our work to bring an end to homelessness, one life at a time!
For God’s glory,
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
Senior Leadership Team
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
Tracy Brooks
Chief Programs Officer
Seth Forwood
Vice President of Programs,
Northern Colorado
Ashley Irwin
Vice President of Operations
Brad Jessen
Vice President of Development
Kirk LaPoure
Chief Financial Officer/Vice President of Finance and Administration
Rene Palacios
Vice President of Programs, Denver
Micaiah Parreco
Executive Office Manager
Lili Tran
Chief People and Culture Officer
Board of Directors
Cathy Goss, Chairman
Richard Carvill, Vice Chairman
Scott Harris, Treasurer
Dustin Hailey, Secretary
Jon Gettings
Jonathan Holmes
Leif Houkom
Mauri Resseguie
Tom Tucker