[CPN] New women's shelter opening tonight

 

		PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release   Friday, Nov. 30, 2012
	Denver Human Services Jamie Bradley or Revekka Balancier, Denver’s Road Home, (303) 808-7437 or (720) 641-3026 Jim White, Volunteers of America, (720) 299-0222     New women’s shelter opening tonight   Denver - Denver’s Road Home is opening a cold weather emergency overnight shelter for single women tonight at the Minoru Yasui building located at 303 W. Colfax Avenue, in partnership with Volunteers of America. The shelter will provide up to 50 mats and remain open nightly from 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. through April.   “With the onset of cold weather, we have seen an increase in the number of homeless women seeking shelter,” Bennie Milliner, Denver’s Road Home executive director said. “In response to this need and based on discussions with shelter providers, Denver’s Road Home has arranged to open the Minoru Yasui shelter until a more permanent shelter location can be identified.”   “We are honored to be a part of this life saving service which is so needed.  The Volunteers of America have been serving women in need for over 116 years. We are currently sheltering 254 women and children every night of the year,” said  Dianna Kunz, President of the Volunteers of America Colorado Branch. “This project is a living example of our Founders Charge to us, ‘to go wherever we are needed and to do whatever work comes to hand.’  We will do our very best to insure these women find a warm, safe and caring environment within the walls of this shelter.”   “We are thrilled to have the expertise of the staff at the Volunteers of America on-board to manage this shelter,” Milliner said.   Additionally, single women may also access shelter at The Delores Project, Capitol Hill United Ministries Women’s Homeless Initiative, and when the Minoru Yasui shelter fills to capacity, women will be issued a motel voucher for overnight stay. Motel vouchers are issued at Denver Human Services, Samaritan House and Denver Sheriff’s Office.   The cost to operate the Minoru Yasui shelter is estimated to cost approximately $100,000, which Denver’s Road Home will fund.   People in need of shelter are encouraged to call Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 for shelter information.   ###   About Denver’s Road Home Denver’s Road Home is a citywide initiative to end homelessness in Denver. Now in its eighth year, Denver’s Road Home partners with providers and the community to help homeless men, women and children.  The organization funds substance abuse programs, mental health programs, emergency shelter, housing, outreach, prevention, employment services and many other programs geared at helping the homeless. To learn more, visit www.DenversRoadHome.org.   About Volunteers of America Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through more than 30 distinct human service programs throughout the state of Colorado, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 200,000 Coloradoans each year.  For more information, visit www.voacolorado.org.