June 30, 2010

Catholic Charities collaboration with partners increases services to homeless in Fort Collins

By Julie Filby

Agencies in Larimer County, including Catholic Charities, have combined efforts to extend the services available to an increasing homeless population in Fort Collins.

With no agency providing year-round services to meet daytime needs, the overall needs of the homeless have not been met. Although winter or severe weather services have been available for 10 years—from November to April—funding and locations have been tentative and year-to-year.

“A gap in services exists for this population in the community,” said Glenn Good, regional director for Catholic Charities-Larimer County. “And a longterm solution was needed.”

Conservative estimates indicate there are at least 2,000 men, women and children in the town of 137,000 that do not have a permanent home.

For the last two winters, Catholic Charities collaborated with local churches to provide daytime services and shelter. Shelter was provided in church gymnasiums, while Catholic Charities delivered meals, an average of 40 per day last winter. They also referred guests to local agencies for health, employment and housing issues.

When the program ended in March 2009, a committee formed to identify a longterm solution and to secure funding. The committee included representatives from Catholic Charities-Larimer County, United Way of Larimer County, CARE Housing, Inc., Larimer Center for Mental Health and individual citizens.

“I’m very pleased at the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that exists among all the partners,” said Gordan Thibedeau, president and CEO of United Way of Larimer County. “This really is a community effort. All of us are looking at ways we can serve the population, it’s remarkable.”

As a result of the committee’s work, Catholic Charities and the Larimer Center for Mental Health will expand collaborative efforts by making the most of their existing locations.

Catholic Charities operates The Mission, an overnight emergency shelter and soup kitchen. The Larimer Center for Mental Health operates the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center, a service center owned by United Way that provides counseling and resources to the poor and homeless.

Renovations at both sites will allow them to consolidate existing services, thus increasing future opportunities.

“This partnership will result in improved effectiveness in serving people,” Good said. “As well as being substantially less expensive than constructing and operating a new building.”

Renovations totaling nearly $30,000 at the Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope are expected to be done by Aug. 1. This will allow Catholic Charities to provide services at the site from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. daily and relocate their Emergency Assistance and Senior Outreach programs currently housed at The Mission.

By freeing up space at The Mission and expanding their living room area by 300 square feet, the shelter will be able to accommodate homeless clients during the day. Although additional funding is needed for these renovations, it is hoped the expansion can be completed by November.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the United Way of Larimer County and the Larimer Center for Mental Health to be able to increase our service capacity to the homeless and those in need in Larimer County,” said Stephen Carattini, chief operating officer for Catholic Charities for the Denver Archdiocese.

The committee identified two local family foundations through United Way to help fund the renovations: the John J. and Irene A. Connor Foundation and the Patricia McLean Foundation, along with a challenge grant of $50,000 from local businessman Brian Soukup.

“This support enabled construction to begin at the facilities,” Good said. “And to support some of the ongoing operating expenses.”

Catholic Charities-Larimer County serves more than 13,000 people annually. Most are served by The Mission in Fort Collins: 60,000 meals were served there last year and temporary shelter provided to nearly 700 people. They also supported about 700 seniors in Loveland through outreach programs.

United Way was formed in 1887 in Denver by a local priest, two ministers and a rabbi to help fund local charities and coordinate relief services. Last year United Way of Larimer County raised $7.5 million for the local community.

Catholic Charities-Larimer County
For more information or to donate
Online: www.ccdenver.org
Phone: 970-484-5010
Mail: 460 Linden Center Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524