IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENVER RESCUE MISSION OPENS SHELTER ALL DAY

DUE TO COLD WEATHER Shelter Beds and Overflow Cots Available for Homeless Men

Monday, January 31, 2011 – With Denver’s extreme cold weather conditions, the Denver Rescue Mission’s Lawrence Street Shelter, 1130 Park Avenue West, will keep its doors open all day starting at 11:00 a.m. The Mission’s Lawrence Shelter works closely with other human service providers including St. Francis Center, the day shelter in downtown Denver at Curtis and Park Avenue West, which remains open until 6:00 p.m. each evening. St. Francis is already full today, and the Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Shelter has opened the doors all day starting at 11:00 a.m. When the temperature drops below 40 degrees or will be below 40 degrees during the night, the Mission activates the Cold Weather Plan which includes beds for 300 men - 200 beds in the dorm room and 100 emergency overflow cots in the chapel. This plan will be in place through April 1, 2011.

Normal Cold Weather Schedule through April 2011 listed below. Today the Lawrence Street Shelter and bathroom facilities will be open all day beginning at 11:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. Breakfast 12:00 p.m. Lunch 6:00 p.m. Bed check-in and chapel open for outside guests to sit 7:30 p.m. Dinner 8:00 p.m. Cots placed in chapel 9:00 p.m. Bed – 200 dorm beds filled, 100 overflow cots 10:00 p.m. Doors closed for the night

Current Needs: Coats, gloves, scarves, hats, and water proof boots - Drop off items at 1130 Park Avenue West any time. More information on ways to help at www.DenveRescueMission.org.

In partnership with providers listed above, Denver Department of Human Services (DDHS) and Denver’s Road Home (DRH) also has its Cold Weather/Emergency Shelter procedures in place. Denver has opened an additional overflow shelter at the Salvation Army Crossroads shelter for men, 1901 29th Street, Denver, 80216; The Delores Project for women; Urban Peak for youth; and a local church to provide additional shelter. Anyone needing shelter should contact Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 for shelter times and availability. Additional Information for Single Women Seeking Shelter at The Delores Project (not a DRM facility) Overflow procedures for women will follow regular procedures expected by The Delores Project intake staff. Women must call 303-534-5411 at 11:30am and again at 5:45pm to determine if there is an existing or overflow bed available and go through the intake process with their staff. The Delores Project will take up to 15 women in their overflow area. DPD or Outreach staff may bring a woman to the shelter any time during the night and The Delores Project staff will accommodate. ABOUT THE DENVER RESCUE MISSION Since 1892 the Denver Rescue Mission has been meeting the needs of the poor and homeless through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional and permanent housing, and community outreach. For more information visit, www.DenverRescueMission.org.

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Contact: Greta Walker

303-618-4004

Alexxa Tavlarides

720-201-2776