The Mission to Find a Home – Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund [SPECIAL SERIES]

Wooden tables and chairs fill a spacious room. A young man smiles as he watches a movie playing on the TV. Two people play a board game while intermittently sipping drinks from mugs.
Inside The Mission homeless shelter in Fort Collins, a group of about 40 overnight residents with diverse backgrounds, histories and aspirations eat their nightly dinner with gratitude. For them — some who once had prosperous careers — homelessness has become a reality.

"Some main factors of homelessness include divorce, loss of jobs or life-changing events,” said Patrick Tutt, shelter staff coordinator at The Mission. “Many (people) are already on a thin sheet of ice and then lose all their assets."

Catholic Charities Northern-The Mission is one of several nonprofits that receive funds from the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund.
About 120 people filter through the two homeless shelters in Fort Collins each day for afternoon meals. Lunch is open and free to anyone, even those who are not in long-term residence at the shelters.
Seth, a 21-year-old who has been homeless for three years, said he feels a cultural disconnect about the homelessness pervasive throughout society.

"The homeless are actively trying to fix their lives," he said.

David, 48, has stayed at the shelter for three months as part of their savings, housing and employment program. He said he spends eight to 10 hours per day searching for jobs, filling out applications and making job-related phone calls.

"I have learned through this (homeless) experience that I can live in every condition. I went from earning $27.50 an hour to nothing, but I still (have) got the important stuff," David said.

The shelter seeks to eliminate the usage of drugs and alcohol among its residents. According to Tutt, each overnight guest must pass a Breathalyzer test in order to stay there.
According to Tutt and the residents, the temporary homeless and chronically homeless differ in that the temporary homeless actively seek jobs leading to homes, while the chronically homeless prefer to be homeless.

"A lot of our clients don’t adhere to social norms," Tutt said. "As part of their continuous stay, they have to come nightly to be guaranteed a bed."

The shelter finds that Fort Collins residents tend to be willing to share the responsibility of helping the homeless. Tutt says he has heard very few reports of discrimination in Fort Collins. The homeless notice the same general perspective from the community. Despite what Seth and David pointed out to be inaccurate stereotypes, they feel Fort Collins is filled with generous people.

"I often never get to see who donates camping gear or food, but gracious people are the biggest help," Seth said.

Ultimately, the homeless hold aspirations for a better life. Seth hopes to attend college. David simply hopes to continue to embrace his new perspective of viewing the glass as half-full.

"I think you’ll find many of the people here just want to share their story," Tutt said. "They appreciate just having someone to listen."

-Courtesy of Krista Gertig - Krista is a Colorado State University student who wrote this story on behalf of the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund.

Since its founding in 2007, the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund has raised over $333,000 to support health and human service agencies in Larimer and Weld County. With matching funds provided by El Pomar Foundation, every dollar grows by 33 percent. United Ways of Larimer and Weld County cover all administrative costs for the campaign, meaning every dollar donated goes directly to the recipient organizations. This year’s recipient agencies include: Catholic Charities of Larimer County, Catholic Charities of Weld County, Connections for Independent Living, Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park, Food Bank for Larimer County, Greeley Transitional House, House of Neighborly Service, and Weld Food Bank. For more information, please visit www.nocoemptystocking.org.