IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENVER HOMELESS INITIATIVE REACHES MILESTONE

AHEAD OF EXPECTED GOAL 1,000 Strong and Growing

Denver, CO (Feb. 9, 2012) – The Family & Senior Homeless Initiative (FSHI) reached its goal of helping 1,000 families

and seniors into permanent housing three years ahead of schedule. In 2005, Mayor John Hickenlooper, now Colorado’s

Governor, started a comprehensive 10-year plan to end homelessness. The Family & Senior Homeless Initiative which

pairs mentors from the faith community with homeless families was adopted into the plan known as Denver’s Road

Home.

The collaboration is between the Denver Rescue Mission, Denver’s Road Home, the Clergy Council, and hundreds of

mentors from 325 congregations around Metro Denver, including churches, synagogues and mosques. Through

concentrated efforts of these organizations, 3,328 individuals have been helped through FSHI.

The FSHI model has been implemented by 26 cities in the following states: Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho,

Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Denver’s Mayor Michael B. Hancock supports the Family & Senior Homeless Initiative and continuing efforts to end

homelessness in Denver.

“Over the past 6 years, it’s been incredible to see congregations come together to embrace families and seniors in need,”

Mayor Hancock said. “To deliver a world-class city where everyone matters, it’s vital to keep the momentum going

towards tackling the issue of homelessness in a comprehensive manner.”

The Family & Senior Homeless Initiative matches mentor teams from the faith community with homeless families or

seniors to provide the first month’s rent and deposit, as well as mentoring, with the end goal of sustainable permanent

housing. Mentors provide physical, relational and spiritual support over a period of six months. Eighty seven-percent of

families and seniors who have been mentored remain in housing one year later.

Currently there are over 11,000 homeless individuals in Metro Denver, the majority is families. With more work to be

done, the new goal of the Family & Senior Homeless Initiative is to place 1,500 families into housing by 2015.

Contact:

Alexxa Gagner

720.201.2776

Aneta Storvik

720.333.3071

FSHI Family Story:

Deja is a single mother of two little girls. She’s experienced the inconceivable pain of losing her newborn son. She’s experienced being homeless in Denver.

Three months in the hospital after her son was born premature led Deja and her husband to lose their jobs. After the death of their son, they stayed in shelters and motels moving from place to place, working when they could. When their

marriage fell apart, Deja had nowhere to turn.

After living in motels for over a year, she is moving into her own home. The Family & Senior Homeless Initiative

provided her first month’s rent and deposit and a mentor team from Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church. She is

currently employed with the ultimate goal of going back to school and working in the medical field.

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 programs, permanent housing assistance, and community outreach. For more

information visit, www.DenverRescueMission.org.

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