The Boulder Bridge House and homelessness in Colorado

Note: These are neither Boulder Bridge nor Ready to Work views. These views reflect time in Colorado at Denver Health, Denver Cares, Denver TRT, Denver Veteran homeless services and SATP, Step13, Ready to Work, the Denver Salvation Army, the Samaritan House in Dever, and the Denver Rescue Mission.

The Bridge House mission is to address immediate survival needs of homeless individuals and provide resources which lead to employment, housing, personal stability and healing. The program was built with a “Work Works” philosophy, providing for the immediate of homelessness to have a place to live away from the streets and a very comprehensive and practical approach in getting the homeless reintegrated into society. The terrible thing about discipline and tough-love shelters (with or without) is that they are not prepared as they transition away from homelessness. In many cases, such as the “5 points” Denver Rescue Mission, Samaritan House, Step 13, and Salvation Army, is that the resident might not graduate from the program with the tools and resources to be a part of society outside of their walls of safety. As an example, Step 13 on Larimer Street is in the middle of a bar district. If you believe that “triggers” exist for the sober individual, imagine kicking a resident out in the brutal cold of a Colorado winter, right into a place that the struggling alcoholics might encounter. And, if you also prescribe to the idea of alcoholism as apart of the “disease model”, then they may not be ready, or lack willpower, to not relapse.

Currently the Boulder Bridge House has started a shelter combined with their work program that is quite unique. I was told that there are only “four” of these Ready to Work programs in all of the United States. The program at first sounds like the “housing first” model or maybe even the New Genesis program, but it is not.

There are a few unique factors that make this program successful where others have failed.

NO such thing as “one and done” like other programs in Colorado. The Samaritan House, Step 13, Salvation Army, and the Denver Rescue Mission all have the “one and done” no tolerance policy in place, so if you mess up, you must pack and leave the programs. The Boulder Bridge House Ready to Work program does NOT do this. Many of the residents who live in this facility are felons that come direct from prison or jail, and many residents are simply homeless individuals who can’t seem to shake the homelessness, thus they turn to substance abuse, using drugs or alcohol to cope. The case managers never kick anyone out if they have a relapse, because relapse is often something to happen, and many of the residents just find it hard to function with others again. They have a mentor program. Lots of individuals in Boulder county are mentors to help guide any resident who wants to work in any particular field, at no cost. This is not like the “AA” sponsor. Homelessness makes it very difficult to apply for jobs, so the Ready to Work program has its OWN work program, so the residents will have no problem getting work and start earning money. There are classes that teach job skills, budgeting, and they require a minimum of %30 saved each month. Their employment specialists are networked and will be hard at work in the communities getting you the job you want. Temporary place to live, while they work on finding you long-term housing. Nearly ALL of the residents who are in this program can live in the facility for one year, and with the help of the community, if your situation needs, they can help pay your rent for up to 2 years. The building holds up to 40 residents. The Bridge House program also runs a kitchen which allows resident immediate job placement if they are interested. Their Community Table Kitchen offers culinary arts training and so much more. Food is FREE. All of the food is donated daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ready to Work provides a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless individuals [1]. The Resource Center makes services for homeless individuals more accessible & effective. The current residents are: Veterans

Over 13% of residents are veterans who have served our country, but who are struggling to stay on their feet. Many are not getting the benefits they are entitled to under law. We help veterans to process the paperwork so that they can receive the medical and financial assistance they deserve.

Women

Approximately 30% of the people that walk through our doors are women. The issues homeless women face around safety and security are different from those facing men.

Have mental health problems

There are estimates that nearly 40% of the homeless population suffers from some kind of mental illness. The Ready to Work program leaders see this statistic reflected in our clients, most of whom either don’t know they are ill or are unaware of services that can help them. The program has a mental health outreach worker who meets with people one-on-one. They also have group counseling through their weekly HOPE Group. We provide funds for psychiatric prescriptions and work with their partners at Clinica and Mental Health Partners to get people the services they need.

Though anyone can come from out-of-state, local Boulder, Colorado residents make up a large part of the residents at Bridge House. While many people think the homeless population flocks to places like Boulder for services, a large majority are locals. A full 60% of their residents are originally from Boulder County. The staff and program managers work hard to instill a sense of community at Bridge House for all their clients. They have regular holiday gatherings, art classes, and regular meetings with clients to gather feedback and suggestions.

The number of people seeking our services continues to grow every year. In addition to the chronically homeless, we are seeing a significant number of newly homeless that have lost businesses, homes, and families in the economic chaos. In addition, we have more families coming to Bridge House and our evening dinners than ever before; at least one family with children per week.

At the Resource Center (job assistance), they provide opportunities for each person to find his or her path to self-sufficiency. But no path is the same. The try and customize their program to a wide variety of people, from all walks of life. Everyone is welcome and the Bridge House goal is to connect every person with the services they need. The number of people seeking Bridge House services continues to grow every year. In addition to the chronically homeless, they are seeing a significant number of newly homeless that have lost businesses, homes, and families in the economic chaos. In addition, we have more families coming to Bridge House and evening dinners than ever before; at least one family with children per week.

At the Resource Center, they provide opportunities for each person to find his or her path to self-sufficiency. But no path is the same. A wide variety of people, from all walks of life. Their published data made available to the public shows data from 2015.

Overall Bridge House data reveals:

1,730 individuals came to Bridge House and Resource Center for case management services They successfully connected 81 people with housing either through transitional programs or through rent assistance They helped 139 of their residents get jobs They provided over 4,163 case management appointments for clients to access benefits such as food stamps, AND, SSI Their Ready to Work employment program shows:

13 graduated the program and 7 have found employment 44 are still working into 2016 $312,665 in earned revenue 90% attendance rate The Ready to Work House and Employment Center opened in August 2015 at a new facility that was donated. Purchased and renovated by Bridge House, this community houses 44 individuals working in the Ready to Work program. Ready to Work is Bridge House’s employment program that provides paid jobs, vocational training and support services to individuals re-entering the workforce and stable housing. Ready to Work is raising eyebrows due to their quality and high retention and graduation data. They have a simple but effective work program [2] without any bureaucracy holding them back, because they are funded primarily by private donors. Ready to Work operates two businesses – a landscaping and supplemental sanitation service with contracts with City of Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks. Their residents get paid, transitional work as a stepping stone to mainstream work with the daily work assignments options in landscaping or food service offer: 16 positions, expanding to 48 Up to 29 hours a week, $8.23 hr for 4 months, raise to $9 hr The assistance in building a resume and get references. Back to that thing about being a felon. If you are a felon or just got back in the community after doing time in prison or jail, then you know that getting reliable reference can be extremely difficult. And an additional aspect that can’t be understated is that they provide you access to clothing suitable for interviewing and for their jobs. So, basically they provide everyone:

Community living for 48 people 38 men, 10 women (male/females in the same building, with the men residing on the 2nd floor and the women on the 1st floor.) Paid work for up to 29 hours a week 3 meals a day (from donors and Community Kitchen) On site laundry A Computer lab, and library 24/7 access to staff or volunteer support Build rental history Room and board of 1/3 of income up to $60 per week Sobriety required (must submit to random a breathalyzer or urinalysis) Pass health screening (if you come in “hot” for a substance, they may require you to be at detox a few days, so you are not disqualified for being admitted) Earn and save money (minimum %30) They work hard to keep this program going, so they want you to succeed, they merely ask a commitment to 9 to 12 month program, and are required to obtain employment after 7 months working with their Ready to Work crew. Many of the staff there were homeless at one point, so they are very knowledgeable about the struggles someone homeless might encounter. An Ecopass during paid employment phase. That Ecopass alone is worth over $1,000 and is provided immediately so resident can ride any RTD bus or RTD lightrail with no restrictions. In essence, free travel to anywhere in Colorado with that pass. Samaritan House Shelter in Colorado on Lawrence Street and their opinions [3]

Footnotes [1] Ready to Work Reviews [2] Ready to Work Program [3] The Samaritan House, Homeless Shelter in Denver, Review

Denver Donate 2029 Larimer Street Denver, Colorado 80205

Boulder Bridges 4747 Table Mesa Drive Boulder, Colorado 80305

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