When a fire unexpectedly broke out in the kitchen at Fort Collins Rescue Mission on August 23, 2025, the immediate concern was, “Where are we going to find the space to shelter our guests now and into the winter?”
Without hesitation, we worked with the city to open the Mason Street winter overflow shelter early. While this provided some relief, it still meant 89 fewer beds than a typical winter, as in previous years both shelters operated simultaneously during the coldest months.
Although this winter season was warmer than most, the loss of shelter space left our unhoused neighbors facing increased uncertainty about where they would rest each night.
Between August 23 and December 21, 2025, we were forced to turn away men 1,089 times.
With fewer beds available, guests were placed on a lottery system to determine if they would have a place to stay. This left many, like Gary, wondering each night what their circumstances would be:
“You’re a wreck. All you can think about is, ‘Am I going to get in? Am I going to get in?’ There was one night a staff member said, ‘You didn’t get in the second pick,’” Gary, a guest at Fort Collins Rescue Mission, recalled.
“And I thought, ‘Well, that’s it.’ I found myself on a corner asking, ‘Where am I going to go?’ I ended up finding a piece of cardboard to sleep on.”
With the current Jefferson Street location unavailable and our new homeless resolution center still several months away from being completed, all our staff could think about was finding a safe space for our guests.
From December 22, 2025 to April 6, 2026 we operated an overflow shelter at Harvest Farm, providing:
- 40 additional beds
- 3,418 nights of safe sleep
- 7,361 warm meals
But the overflow shelter became much more than just a place to sleep.
“I called it my country retreat,” Gary said. “It was nice being out there watching the sunset—it felt peaceful. I noticed a lot more people opening up there… I met more people than I would down here.”
Our frontline staff saw it too: “Everything, from the atmosphere to the mindset of the guys, shifted,” Jonine Yunt, Community Life Coordinator at Fort Collins Rescue Mission, said. “Being out in the country air, they loved stepping outside at night and looking up at the stars. I think it brought a real sense of peace, especially knowing, ‘Hey, I didn’t get turned away tonight.’”
The Harvest Farm overflow shelter met an unexpected and urgent need this winter. And as it closed its doors on April 5, it left behind something lasting: a season marked not just by hardship, but by dignity, connection and peace.
Your Support Is Saving Lives
This overflow shelter was possible because of your generous donations and quite literally saved lives. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and compassion.
Continue to make a meaningful impact now and for generations to come by investing in our new homeless resolution center!
