A cold front has moved in to Denver, and forecasts show some snow falling today.*
While the past few weeks of fall have been beautiful, winter is coming.
Denver’s first freezing temperatures have come in October every year for the last decade, except for in 2020, when it came as early as mid-September. This year, we finally hit freezing temperatures overnight last week on October 25.
Whether it snows or not though, cooler temperatures always bring greater risk for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
A Refuge from the Cold
The Mission shelters hundreds of people every night of the year. It is truly lifesaving during the winter months.
“It’s a humbling experience waking up and it’s 37 degrees with water dripping on you because you left the window open of the car you’re sleeping in.” -Andrew, Mission shelter guest
By the end of 2023, evictions in Denver were at an all-time high. This year, the city’s Department of Housing Stability is predicting over 15,000 evictions by the end of the year, 20% more than the record set last year.**
More evictions means more people will be looking for help, which means we’re likely to see increases in neighbors arriving at our doorstep for help.
“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm…”
-Isaiah 25:4(a)
Ending Homelessness, One Life at a Time
Although meeting basic needs like emergency shelter and daily meals is necessary, simply providing meals and shelter is never the goal. The ultimate goal is to see families and individuals thriving and providing for their own housing. So, while we do address the most basic needs of neighbors struggling in our city, we also work holistically to help end homelessness in the lives of the people we serve:
Community Outreach
This November, our Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box program will provide more than 3,000 turkeys and Thanksgiving meal boxes to families in need, easing some of the pressure on their expenses this time of year.
Oftentimes, a single major emergency is what can send a family spiraling into homelessness. Job loss, unexpected medical bills, urgent car repairs, and more can disrupt the delicate balance for people living on the brink of homelessness.
And year-round, we offer a food pantry and clothing to families and individuals in need at our Ministry Outreach Center. These help people focus their income on critical bills while receiving needed food and clothing from the Ministry Outreach Center, so they can stay housed longer.
Transitional Programs
For those who do fall into homelessness despite having income, our Bridge program helps them rebuild their lives from the ground up. Hosted in our largest facility, The Crossing, Bridge seeks to empower families and individuals with the skills, time stability they need to transition out of homelessness.
This year, we’ve also partnered with the City of Denver to provide Emergency Family Shelter for families experiencing urgent shelter needs. While our congregate shelters are for men only, families who qualify for emergency family shelter can also find stability at The Crossing, potentially joining the Bridge program if their situation allows.
Rehabilitation
Men experiencing homelessness and addiction find hope for the future in our New Life Program. In the program, participants find structure, stability and a drug- and alcohol-free place to build new skills, habits and relationships. The New Life Program operates out of The Crossing in Denver and Harvest Farm up in Wellington, CO.
Partnerships Help Prepare for the Cold and Flu Season
Cold and flu season always seems to arrive without warning, and it’s the same for our neighbors on the street. In fact, it’s an even greater concern.
“People experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to illnesses due to malnutrition, inadequate hygiene, and compromised immune systems,” says Michael McCarthy, Director of Risk Management at Denver Rescue Mission. “And they often face barriers to medical care, making preventative measures like vaccines critical.”
That’s why we partner with health departments in Denver and Larimer Counties to provide vaccinations for all our guests and program participants, as we move into the winter months.
“Our guests are generally under-vaccinated and may be more susceptible to severe illness if they do catch the flu or COVID,” says Rene Palacios, Vice President of Programs at Denver Rescue Mission. “To make sure our guests have a safe place to escape the cold this winter, we are working out processes to help ensure that our shelters are being utilized well during the winter months. We are also coordinating with the City of Denver as they prepare to open other shelter options for the winter. And we’ve replaced the outdoor heaters in the courtyard at the Lawrence Street Community Center, a daytime safe-space for our homeless guests.”
Ensuring access to vaccines also promotes health equity, addressing disparities faced by marginalized communities.
“Congregated living conditions, like those that exist in most shelter environments, can increase the risk of infectious disease transmission, simply because you have so many people in close proximity,” says McCarthy. “So, vaccinated guests help minimize the spread of diseases, protecting not only themselves but also others in our community, including our staff who interact with guests daily.”
Your Partnership Keeps People Safe On the Coldest Nights
Please continue to pray for new staff to fill our open positions as we move into the winter months. “Our services are so important because people experiencing homelessness are at a much higher risk of frostbite, hypothermia and even death during the winter,” Palacios says.
Your support offers so much more than a warm bed and a meal. Basic services that save lives on the coldest nights are necessary, but they are just the foundation for deeper change.
Your support goes further at Denver Rescue Mission and helps end homelessness, one life at a time. Please help a neighbor find warmth and hope today.
Help Neighbors Stay Warm and Healthy
Please help today to provide basic needs and life-changing programs for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Learn More
Want to learn more about the dangers of the cold and how your support saves lives and provides opportunities for change? See how You Save Lives On the Coldest Nights by partnering with us in Denver and in Northern Colorado through Fort Collins Rescue Mission.
*Forecast from 9 News Denver: https://www.9news.com/article/weather/forecast/denver-front-range-colorado-weather-forecast/73-62561776-a0cd-44b1-a9c7-18072b56759d]
**Evictions Reach Record Highs: https://www.foxnews.com/media/denver-colorado-evictions-reach-record-levels-second-year-row
