The Resource Center in downtown Grand Junction is a place where people can access various services and connect with local organizations. Since its opening in December 2023, the center has seen a steady increase in the number of visitors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A one-stop shop for community needs
The Resource Center is a collaborative effort of several agencies, including the Grand Junction Housing Authority, the Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, the Mesa County Workforce Center, and the Grand Junction Police Department. The center offers a range of resources, such as housing assistance, food pantry, laundry facilities, showers, computer access, job search, mental health counseling, and more.
The center’s director, Jennifer Kirkland, said that the center aims to be a one-stop shop for people who need help. “We want to make it easy for people to find what they need, whether it’s a place to stay, a meal, a shower, or a referral to another service. We want to be a hub for the community,” she said.
A surge in demand amid the pandemic
Kirkland said that the center has seen a surge in demand amid the pandemic, as more people are facing challenges such as unemployment, homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health issues. She said that the center serves about 200 people per day, up from 150 when it first opened.
“We have seen a lot of new faces, people who have never been in this situation before, who have lost their jobs, their homes, their savings, and are struggling to make ends meet. We also have seen a lot of people who have been living on the edge for a long time, who have been pushed over by the pandemic,” she said.
Kirkland said that the center tries to meet the needs of everyone who walks through the door, but sometimes the demand exceeds the supply. She said that the center relies on donations and grants to operate, and that the pandemic has affected the availability of funding and resources.
“We are always looking for more support, whether it’s financial, material, or volunteer. We are grateful for the generosity of the community, but we also need more help to keep up with the growing demand,” she said.
A positive impact on the community
Despite the challenges, Kirkland said that the center has had a positive impact on the community, both for the people who use the services and the people who provide them. She said that the center has helped many people find stability, dignity, and hope in their lives.
“We have seen people who have moved from the streets to permanent housing, who have found jobs, who have improved their health, who have reconnected with their families, who have regained their self-esteem. We have seen people who have overcome their challenges and achieved their goals,” she said.
Kirkland also said that the center has fostered a sense of collaboration, compassion, and community among the staff, the volunteers, and the partners. She said that the center has created a culture of respect, kindness, and empathy for everyone.
“We have seen people who have become friends, who have supported each other, who have learned from each other, who have grown together. We have seen people who have made a difference in each other’s lives,” she said.
Kirkland said that the center is more than just a building, it is a home for the community. She said that the center welcomes anyone who needs help, and anyone who wants to help.
“We are here for the community, and we are here because of the community. We are all in this together, and we are stronger together,” she said.
