Father Woody’s legacy: a haven of hope

Day shelter named after Denver’s champion of the homeless celebrates one year in new facility

By John Gleason

A year ago, a crowd gathered on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Lipan Street in Denver to help dedicate the new Father Woody Haven of Hope, a day shelter for the homeless operated by the Franciscan Friends of the Poor. 

On Oct. 17, Haven of Hope marked its one-year anniversary in the new facility with a ceremony that included a blessing for the homeless and a special steak lunch for those in need.
The shelter has a kitchen and serving area for meals, six private showers, phone and Internet access. It also offers assistance with rent and utilities, laundry and transportation. The staff is able to distribute over-the-counter medicine and provide information about other resources such as employment.

Since last October, Haven of Hope has served more than 8,000 meals a month, provided over 12,000 showers, distributed more than 20,000 pieces of clothing, washed more than 7,500 loads of laundry and provided over 500 haircuts.  

“New guests walk in everyday…people who have lost their homes, their jobs, their dignity,” said Cass Cronan, the shelter’s executive director. “We see people who are frightened and don’t know what’s going to happen next.  At least at Haven of Hope, they’ll be assured of getting their next hot meal.”

Outside on the sidewalk a group of 100 men and women wait to go into Haven of Hope.  Sharing a laugh or a cigarette, they listen patiently while Jesuit Father John Waters gave the blessing.

“We open our hearts to God for the favors that are showered upon us,” the priest said. “When we became God’s children he gave us the riches of his grace.  We open our hearts to God for the favors that are showered upon us. This anniversary is a very good start.  Let’s see how many more we can celebrate.”

The shelter is named in memory of the late Msgr. C.B. Woodrich, a life-long advocate of care and service to the homeless.

“We are here to serve,” Father Woody would often say, “not to judge.”

Haven of Hope traces it’s beginnings to 2003 when a group of volunteers began preparing hot meals for the homeless from a tiny kitchen in a small house on the corner of Seventh and Lipan. Word spread quickly among the homeless and it became apparent the old house couldn’t keep up with the need.  Through the work of volunteers and benefactors, adjacent property was purchased and a new facility was constructed and opened in 2007.  Cronan said that it is truly astounding how the need for services provided by Haven of Hope continues to grow.

“In all of 2006, we provided around 25,000 meals,” she said.  “Today, our meal service has now grown four-fold.”

Inside, the people take their seats to be served. On the menu today is steak and baked potato, salad and bread.  At one table a woman named Shel stirs sugar into her tea.  She said that Haven of Hope has always been there for her.

“I’ve had some days when it’s the only meal I eat,” she said.  “The sign on the door says it all—hope.”

Talk across the tables runs the gambit from families to jobs to the Denver Broncos.  Coming together is more than just a meal.  It’s a chance to talk and support each other.

Dan Hopkins, a member of the shelter’s board of directors, said this has been a good year in that there was assistance available for those who needed it.

“But the flip side is that it shows that there is such a tremendous need to serve the homeless,” he said.  “The numbers continue to grow, the economy has had a big impact on that and we’re grateful that we’ve had the donations that allow us to help.”

In the back of the dining room two men sit next to each other.  When their lunches arrive they empty one plate of food into a plastic sack and share the other. 

“We’ll eat the other later,” said one man, who didn’t want to give his name.  “We like coming here.  For us, it’s the Brown Palace.”

By noon, the line is gone and the dining are is thinning out.  Throwing their trash away, the men and women leave, thanking all those who’ve taken time out to serve.  Another day, another meal at Father Woody’s Haven of Hope. 

Cronan said that each day she spends at the shelter to serve those in need is a blessing.

“In the last six months we’ve had more than 1,900 people,” she said. “We try each day to make it feel like a community where all are welcomed.  From there we go forward to see what other help we can give to them.”