AN INVESTMENT TO TRANSFORM LIVES
The first building in the nation constructed specifically to serve people experiencing homelessness, Samaritan House has been a safe refuge in downtown Denver since 1986. Since that time, thousands of people have been served and found safe shelter, nutritious meals and robust support services at Samaritan House. Today, our focus is primarily on serving women, families and veterans who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Our population has evolved, our mission has not.
Of course, this leads to practical challenges in our 30+ year old building. That’s why Samaritan House is undergoing much-needed renovations. Some of our updates are relatively simple: freshly painted walls, new bunkbeds, lockers, mattresses and welcoming furniture throughout the building. Other updates are more structural: we’ve added power outlets and reading lights for each bunk, upgraded the HVAC system and bathroom facilities and increased the number of rooms available on the family floor. Of course, these changes have only been possible because of the kindness of people like you who saw the need and responded generously.
The renovation to repair and restore is nearing the finish line. We are adding a freight elevator, which will allow for more efficiency between our busy warehouse and kitchen, which currently serves more than 2500 meals a day. This operation provides three hot meals 365 days a year, not only at Samaritan House downtown, but across the Samaritan House community of shelters and feeds the women, families and veterans in our care. We also provide meals to children in Catholic Charities’ seven early childhood education centers. With these renovations, we will be able to serve upwards of 1 million meals a year.
Of course, the renovation doesn’t stop there. We continue to focus on infrastructure, updating technology and making the building as efficient and welcoming as possible. We are also incorporating Trauma Informed practices that make the building more inviting to our guests, bringing dignity to their stay.
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we have raised $4.8 million of our $6.25 million goal to complete these renovations. So many of you have stepped up with an extra donation to Catholic Charities for this capital campaign and we are eternally grateful.
We are almost there… and prayerfully ask for your help to get us over the finish line. Donations are being accepted now on our website at ccdenver.org, by calling 720-799-9311 — or by contacting one of our philanthropic advisers to discuss how your generous gift will make a difference in the lives of so many.
Catholic Charities of Denver and Samaritan House. Supporting neighbors. Transforming lives.
LIVES REBUILT AND RESTORED
AT OUR SHELTERS...
Shelter Nights
Provided
Beds Each Night
in Denver
Volunteer Hours at Samaritan House
Average Cost Per Meal at Samaritan House
THE NEED
Samaritan House, at 2301 Lawrence St. in Denver, requires significant capital improvements to continue its mission of serving those in the greatest need. Goals include:
Expanding…
- Dining facilities to include a separate family section
- Expanding number of beds to serve more women, a growing homeless demographic
- The number of rooms available on the family floor from 21 to 25
- Resources by adding a dedicated training room for both staff and clients
- By adding a job service training center and more case management offices
- The ability to better serve women with dignity by upgrading additional bathroom facilities
Updating…
- Patio and recreational space
- Our chapel, the holy heart of Samaritan House
- Playground equipment with new shade shelter
Upgrading…
- Intake center
- Childcare and teen rooms
- Computer lab facilities
- Family community room
THE NEED
Samaritan House, at 2301 Lawrence St. in Denver, requires significant capital improvements to continue its mission of serving those in the greatest need. Goals include:
Expanding…
- Dining facilities to include a separate family section
- Expanding number of beds to serve more women, a growing homeless demographic
- The number of rooms available on the family floor from 21 to 25
- Resources by adding a dedicated training room for both staff and clients
- By adding a job service training center and more case management offices
- The ability to better serve women with dignity by upgrading additional bathroom facilities
Updating…
- Patio and recreational space
- Our chapel, the holy heart of Samaritan House
- Playground equipment with new shade shelter
Upgrading…
- Intake center
- Childcare and teen rooms
- Computer lab facilities
- Family community room
FAQs
Renovations at Samaritan House are part of a three-year project that will make major modifications and upgrades to the entire facility. The renovation of the family floor expanded the number of rooms by four for a total of 25 rooms or a 16% increase in the number of families that Samaritan House can serve at any given time. This included the addition of a few rooms able to accommodate larger families. Family common areas, including a computer lab, playroom for children and space for teenagers, were modernized to improve the experience of all families participating in the program. The aging building is receiving upgraded utilities and HVAC systems, as well as a training room for staff and clients. The Samaritan House renovation work on all three floors should be completed by early 2022.
Samaritan House, providing 25 extended stay rooms for families, sees a constant need with multiple families calling in each day trying to find a safe place for their family. In the 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, Colorado was found to have the third highest rate of unsheltered homeless families in the country at 32 percent, a rate considerably higher than the national average. Due to rising housing costs and other factors, Samaritan House staff report they see that it is becoming more difficult families experiencing homelessness to find housing which is in turn increasing their length of stay at shelters and keeping limited shelter spaces filled longer.
Samaritan House Family Services is an extended stay program in which families and individuals experiencing homelessness receive support for their basic needs as well as set and make progress on holistic goals in an individualized case plan spanning categories such as income acquisition, health, self-care, and finding stable housing. Participants can attend a range of life skill classes such as money management and parenting, bring their kids to activities such as crafts classes and birthday parties, and make use of on-site services to receive counseling, apply for disability, or acquire full-time work. Partnering with a case manager from their first week in shelter, participants are empowered to determine the trajectory to resolve their homelessness, are supported throughout their stay with budgeting assistance and regular follow-up to ensure sustained progress, and are connected to wrap-around services in the community to the end of meeting their needs and finding stable housing.Individuals and families can stay at Samaritan House for up to nine months in the extended stay program.
FAQs
Renovations at Samaritan House are part of a three-year project that will make major modifications and upgrades to the entire facility. The renovation of the family floor expanded the number of rooms by four for a total of 25 rooms or a 16% increase in the number of families that Samaritan House can serve at any given time. This included the addition of a few rooms able to accommodate larger families. Family common areas, including a computer lab, playroom for children and space for teenagers, were modernized to improve the experience of all families participating in the program. The aging building is receiving upgraded utilities and HVAC systems, as well as a training room for staff and clients. The Samaritan House renovation work on all three floors should be completed by early 2022.
Samaritan House, providing 21 extended stay rooms for families, sees a constant need with multiple families calling in each day trying to find a safe place for their family. In the 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, Colorado was found to have the third highest rate of unsheltered homeless families in the country at 32 percent, a rate considerably higher than the national average. Due to rising housing costs and other factors, Samaritan House staff report they see that it\'s becoming more difficult for homeless families to find housing which is in turn increasing their length of stay at shelters and keeping limited shelter spaces filled longer, unable to accommodate other families.
Samaritan House Family Services is an extended stay program in which families and individuals experiencing homelessness receive support for their basic needs as well as set and make progress on holistic goals in an individualized case plan spanning categories such as income acquisition, health, self-care, and finding stable housing. Participants can attend a range of life skill classes such as money management and parenting, bring their kids to activities such as crafts classes and birthday parties, and make use of on-site services to receive counseling, apply for disability, or acquire full-time work. Partnering with a case manager from their first week in shelter, participants are empowered to determine the trajectory to resolve their homelessness, are supported throughout their stay with budgeting assistance and regular follow-up to ensure sustained progress, and are connected to wrap-around services in the community to the end of meeting their needs and finding stable housing.Individuals and families can stay at Samaritan House for up to nine months in the extended stay program.
SUPPORTNG NEIGHBORS. TRANSFORMING LIVES.
PARTNERING WITH YOU TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED
Craig Saeman
Chief Development Officer
720-799-9222
CSaeman@ccdenver.org
Tim Urban
Philanthropic Advisor
720-799-9258
TUrban@ccdenver.org
John Neal
Philanthropic Advisor
720-799-9251
JNeal@ccdenver.org
Kate Crisham
Philanthropic Advisor
720-799-9296
KCrisham@ccdenver.org