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homeless mother and daughter

FOLLOW UP PROGRAM

The staff at SHH continues to support former residents, rejoicing in their successes and encouraging them during their crises. The Follow-Up Program offers furniture/household goods, monthly newsletter, emergency food, problem-solving, advice and resources, as well as holiday help.

The formerly homeless families and single women who receive services through this program belong to low-income communities who continued to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic. SHH distributes emergency food boxes, cleaning supplies, birthday bags for children and bus tickets for transportation to access medical care, mental health services and housing appointments throughout the year.

In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, our Follow-Up Program assisted 1,138 individuals; 295 families with 710 children and 133 single women, sustained their housing, increased their stability, and remained shelter-free.

SHH intentionally engages women in phone conversations as they call for shelter. We listen to them explain their situations, answer questions, and suggest viable resources for shelter. Our team provides critical support and referrals to help each navigate their personal crisis in real time.

Four single women were sheltered in HOUSING THROUGH HOTELS this year. Two were referred to us by a former resident who belongs to the Follow-Up Program, when she noticed the two sisters staying in their car near her apartment. One moved into Section 8 housing, and one rented a basement apartment. One is receiving supportive housing in our Transitional Housing Program, while one chose to live in her car following her hotel stay, rather than moving to a congregate shelter that had space for her.  

Resources are thoroughly vetted, and services verified to ensure client access. Women were encouraged to make use of the VI-SPDAT (Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool) administered by Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Family Promise, and Salvation Army. The Vi-SPDAT survey assesses and identifies the housing needs of those experiencing homelessness: client-centered results may lead the most vulnerable clients to housing through Denver’s ONEHOME.

As trust relationships are formed with callers, women share more details about their situations, allowing us to provide referrals to local food banks including those through Denver Urban Ministries, MetroCaring, the City and County of Denver’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Weinberg Food Pantry through Jewish Family Services.

SHH also provides food, delivering to women with disabilities in difficult situations. The Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) which helped cover rent as far back as April 2020, Northeast Denver Housing Center’s Rental and Utility Assistance Program, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Charities has provided rental assistance to help families remain in their homes. Referrals to Mental Health Center of Denver, Access Behavior Health, Stout Street Clinic and Denver Health helped women address mental and physical health issues. 

Many women who call us for shelter are escaping domestic violence. These women can be referred to Roots of Courage through Family Tree (formerly known as Women in Crisis), SafeHouse Denver, Gateway Domestic Violence Services and Hope House Colorado for safe shelter. Referrals to Crisis Center and Rose Andom Center provided additional safety, support, and services to help domestic violence victims heal their families and rebuild their lives.

Clients receive information to access hotel vouchers provided by the City and County of Denver through the Volunteers of America. If SHH is the best option, they are provided safe shelter in HOUSING THROUGH HOTELS. SHH has negotiated (skyrocketing) room prices for sheltering in hotels, as needed.

Single women and families can receive information for agencies providing shelter to match their particular needs: Access Housing, Samaritan House, Family Homestead, Comitis Crisis Center, Family Promise, Almost Home, House of Hope (for families); Samaritan House, Samaritan House 48th , Gift of Mary, Comitis Crisis Center (for single women); Sinton’s Sanctuary (for women 60+), and the Delores Project (for women and transgender individuals).

Family receiving toiletries
Family receiving food donations
Mom & daughter receiving donated gifts
Child in housing

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