Dear Friends,
“Who is getting upstream?” That is the question a room full of homeless service providers was asked several years ago by a major community leader.
I was working in another city leading another rescue mission. I took that question to heart. What if we could get upstream? What if we could prevent homelessness for families before it starts? What if we could keep children in a stable home instead of a shelter or in the back seat of a car? We know at least 50 percent of the adults experiencing homelessness we serve report their first homeless experience as a child. What if we could break the cycle?
That question led us to develop a Prevention program in partnership with public schools in my former city eight years ago, and now here in Colorado. Why public schools? The schools are great at identifying families in crisis. When a school identifies a family at risk of becoming homeless, they refer them to our caseworkers who have been specially trained in prevention. From there we do all we can to not only make sure the family does not enter homelessness but also does not end up in this situation again. This happens through immediate help and connection to ongoing resources like budgeting classes, more job training, etc.
We launched pilot programs in October 2025 with two school districts, Jeffco and Poudre. In the first four months we prevented 65 families—130 children—from becoming homeless!
In the first four months we prevented 65 families—130 children—from becoming homeless!
The average, one-time financial help for a family is just over $2,900. That is far cheaper than working with individuals and families once they become homeless. You will read a powerful story about one of the first families we helped. The vast majority of our help is through one-time rental assistance because the family is going through a temporary crisis that could force them into homelessness.
The average, one-time financial help for a family is just over $2,900. That is far cheaper than working with individuals and families once they become homeless.
Our plan is to add two more school districts this year and, within five years, work with at least 50 percent of the schools in Colorado as well as develop a church-based program. If we do this right, years down the road there will be far fewer people experiencing homelessness because we stopped the cycle for children.
Our vision statement is: “Through the power of Christ, work to bring an end to homelessness in Denver Metro and Northern Colorado, one life at a time.” Prevention is one of the many ways we are working toward that vision. With your help we can expand the Prevention program and keep families together and out of homelessness! The answer to the first question is: we are getting upstream through the power of Christ and with your help and support!
Grace and peace,
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
Download Full Newsletter
- Meet Our First Prevention Family
- The Mission in My Words: Nicole Reichelderfer, Prevention Case Manager
- Letter From Our CEO
