Empowering clients to escape homelessness

凯特·布兰尼夫

As summer envelops northern Colorado and many COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, residents crave a semblance of normalcy.

For Fort Collins-based 在归途上的联盟, a non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness, normalcy means overcoming the unique health challenges brought on by COVID-19. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed our health-care system’s inequities,David Rout说, executive director of 在归途上的联盟. “我们面临的挑战, and other agencies’ challenge, was keeping people safe and healthy while empowering people to escape homelessness and 前进 with their lives.” 

在归途上的联盟, originally 十大娱乐彩票平台less Gear, began as a volunteer-run organization created by retired Fort Collins resident and avid outdoorsman Ken John, who collected donated outdoor gear for residents living on the streets.

The organization grew, 增加外展, distribution programs, and assuming operations of the Murphy Center for Hope, a day center housing over 20 agencies that assist people struggling with homelessness.

Presently serving about 5,000 clients annually, 在归途上的联盟 collaborates with other agencies to provide basic needs, 病例管理, 房屋位置, employment services, and connections to health services.

Responding to COVID-19

在COVID-19, the organization helped oversee a regional response to the virus, deploying relief funding to new programs that helped keep people safe and alive.

First, they reconfigured the Murphy Center to meet COVID-19 health protocols. When cold weather hit, they set up outdoor tents, 加热器, and hand-washing stations, accommodating nearly 45,000 check-ins throughout 2020.

下一个, 在归途上的联盟 teamed up with the Health District to create COVID-19 Isolation/Recovery and Quarantine sites in Fort Collins and Loveland. The sites provided safe, 舒适的, socially distanced indoor shelter for unhoused Larimer County residents to recover from COVID-19 and quarantine if they were exposed or had symptoms.

在归途上的联盟 prioritized COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as they became available, educating clients about their importance, and providing easy opportunities to get vaccinated.

最终, over 300 individuals and families secured housing in 2020 through 在归途上的联盟—a new record.

“For many of our clients, it’s a lack of affordable housing combined with low wages,帕姆·布鲁尔说。, development director for 在归途上的联盟. “If you have other barriers, 喜欢离婚, 家庭暴力, 或者失业, housing stability is almost impossible.”

Add to that a lack of family or community support, and it’s easy to see how many fall victim to homelessness.

Brewer explains that some of their clients escape homelessness fairly quickly, with light touch services like rental assistance or finding a second job.

But for those with more substantial barriers, like senior citizens, or people with mental health or substance use disorders, 事情没那么简单.

“People who are homeless suffer from chronic health conditions, mental health issues, and substance use disorders at rates beyond the population at large,罗特说。. “更重要的是, there are limited health resources for people who are homeless, and countless barriers preventing regular access.”

So, while life moves forward for northern Coloradans, 在归途上的联盟 resumes its work providing access to services and interventions that empower thousands of people to survive, 前进, 并蓬勃发展.