The Resource Center, a new facility that opened in Grand Junction in January, has seen an influx of people seeking shelter and services since its opening. The center provides a safe and comfortable place for the homeless to stay, as well as access to health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and other resources.
A one-stop shop for the homeless
The Resource Center is a collaboration between several agencies and organizations, including HomewardBound of the Grand Valley, Mind Springs Health, the Grand Junction Housing Authority, and the Department of Human Services. The center aims to be a one-stop shop for the homeless, offering them a variety of services under one roof.
The center has 80 beds for emergency shelter, which are available from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day. The center also has 40 beds for transitional housing, which are reserved for people who are enrolled in programs that help them find permanent housing and employment. The center also has a day center, where people can use the bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, computers, phones, and lockers.
The center also has a health clinic, which is operated by Mind Springs Health and the Marillac Clinic. The clinic provides primary care, dental care, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment to the homeless. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
The center also has a resource room, where people can get assistance with applying for benefits, finding housing, getting legal help, and accessing other community resources. The resource room is staffed by case managers from the Grand Junction Housing Authority and the Department of Human Services. The resource room is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A positive impact on the community
The Resource Center has been well received by the homeless population and the community at large. According to Greg Moore, the executive director of HomewardBound, the center has served more than 500 people since its opening, and has helped more than 100 people find permanent housing.
Moore said that the center has also reduced the number of homeless people camping in public places, such as along the riverfront and in parks. He said that the center has also reduced the number of calls for service from the police and the fire department, as well as the number of visits to the emergency room by the homeless.
Moore said that the center has also improved the quality of life for the homeless, by providing them with a dignified and respectful environment. He said that the center has also helped the homeless improve their health, their self-esteem, and their hope for the future.
A model for other communities
The Resource Center is one of the first of its kind in Colorado, and has attracted the attention of other communities that are looking for solutions to homelessness. Moore said that he has received inquiries from Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and other cities that are interested in replicating the center’s model.
Moore said that the center is a result of a strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as the faith-based and nonprofit sectors. He said that the center is funded by a combination of grants, donations, and contracts from various sources, including the city, the county, the state, and the federal government.
Moore said that the center is a testament to the compassion and generosity of the Grand Junction community, which has supported the center with volunteers, supplies, and donations. He said that the center is always looking for more partners and supporters, as the need for the center’s services is growing.
Moore said that the center is a positive example of how a community can come together to address a complex and challenging issue, such as homelessness. He said that the center is not only a shelter, but a place of hope and opportunity for the homeless.
