Colorado Springs Survival Manual

Purpose:
This directory is intended to be a reference for homeless people, and those serving them, to the major sources of help in the Colorado Springs area.  We welcome suggestions, corrections, additions and criticisms of these listings.  Please contact us at 636-3633 or hobomatt@aol.com .  Some opinion is mixed in here, this is intended to guide the user in considering these resources.  The opinions are those of the Avenues of Escape website administrators. 
A current (updated monthly) copy of these resources is available at www.homelesscs.org, for viewing or download.

211
This region now has a 211 service.  Based in Pikes Peak United Way, it provides a comprehensive telephone/online referral service. Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm.  Up-to-date information on these and MANY more referrals.  Emphasis on health and human service organizations.  Dial 211, or (from payphones) 955-0749 or 877-488-9742

You are not Alone
People who have been homeless for a while are very familiar with “who does what” in our community.  If you are needing this help for the first time, it is REALLY helpful to work with a case-manager.  These people can help you locate, access and use these resources in the best manner. You can find case-managers at E.S.M., Salvation Army Shelter, Marian House Soup Kitchen and Community Action Agencies.  Please, if all of this is new to you, there IS help out there! As Colorado Springs begins the “Five Year Plan to House Every Citizen”, the emphasis is shifting from “helping people STAY on our streets” to “helping people permanently EXIT homelessness”.

Shelter
New Hope Center (formerly Red Cross Shelter),  709 S. Sierra Madre, 578-9190.  Open 24/7 (for those who need to stay in during the day)  Emergency shelter for men, women, and families.  Children under 18 (on their own) not admitted. 210 beds. Good picture ID required, if no ID, go to Police station for a referral. Police referral needed for all between 10pm and 5am.  When near full, people are placed on “stand-by” and wait until the 10pm bed count for empty beds (they ‘most always get in). If you have ANY question as to a person’s eligibility to stay there, call first.  Zero tolerance for violence, drugs or alcohol – backed up with breathalyzers and urine screening.  People are allowed to stay two weeks without case-management; length of stay is open-ended when working with “resident advocates.” Services include breakfast and dinner, laundry, the “Child Care Center  During the winter, they let “over-nighters” stay from 9pm to 7am. These are people who, while usually  barred from using the Shelter, are allowed in when it is 32 degrees or colder. A small number of people are totally banned.  If any question – CALL FIRST!

Winter Warming Shelter
New Hope Center  578-9190.  November to April (approximately).  Opens when the temp drops to 32 degrees or lower, or there is a heavy storm. No extra services – strictly a survival aid. No drunks allowed (and they Breathalyze)– and Detox can be “on divert”. Being inebriated with no housing option during cold weather could be a life-threatening situation!

Interfaith Hospitality Network,  329-1244.   For homeless families with children. The families are put up at various churches for a week or so. Meals and other support provided.  Often full with a waiting list.

Bijou House, 411 W. Bijou,  635-5078.  An 11 bed “house of hospitality”.  Men and women, no children.
Residents are expected to negotiate an “agreement” in order to stay. This details what they need to accomplish to move up the ladder of self-sufficiency.  Usually full, with a waiting list.

Springs Rescue Mission.   The Rescue Mission does not offer emergency housing at this time.

Veterans’ House (The Crawford House)  415 S. Weber. 15 beds for homeless vets that are in a program with the V.A. . To access: Jack Freeman, 667-5588 - 8 to 5, Monday to Friday

Center for Prevention of Domestic Violence (TESSA), 633-3819, 24 hours a day.  If the need for housing is related to domestic violence, there may be room at the Safehouse or in motels that work with the Center.

Alano Houses  520-1732  or info@alanorecoveryhomes.org   Two  Men's Houses, one Women’s House  and a Family House  $350.00/month, food & hygiene supplies not included.  "A 12 Step Sober Home, not a treatment facility” Residents are expected to be “working the 12 Steps” and to have a sponsor.  Curfews and restrictions on visitors.

Bridge House,  2649 Yampa Street.   635-0855 (Mon-Fri 9am to 4:30pm)  Run by the Salvation Army  8 beds. 3-month commitment required. Attendance at Chapel on Sunday and Bible study on Thursday required.  Must be referred by an agency or a pastor.  $250/month rent. Assistance in finding a job.

“Liza’s Place”  7 beds  Focuses on women leaving  the streets, jail or prison.  “Problems with alcohol/drugs is a given.”  232-3568 or 573-7305 for more information. $300 a month or day-by-day rent and board.

Youth   Urban Peak, 423 E. Cucharras.  630-3223.  205-7129 afterhours crisis.  20 bed shelter for “youth” 15-21 (“to”21). 10 female. 10 male beds.  Complete array of “leave the street” services

Sacred Heart “Lord’s Dinner” 2030 W. Colorado Ave.,  633-8711. 6pm on Sunday
 (a “minor” /prayer or sermon).

Colorado College Sunday Soup, 1010 N. Nevada Ave.,  389-6000.  2-4 Sunday afternoons

Salvation Army “Homeless Soup Run”   DSS Parking lot Spruce and Kiowa,  5 pm, Mon thru Friday
Hot meal from the Salvation Army mobile canteen truck (no sermon).

Springs Rescue Mission, 5 W. Las Vegas (west of Nevada Ave),  632-1822.  Evening Meal at 5pm,
Mon thru Saturday (preceded by sermon).

Westside Cares, 1930 W Colorado Ave., 389-0759.  Screening/intake/referral for several Westside food banks.  Mon thru Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm; Thurs evening 5 to 7

Northern Churches Care, 4210 Austin Bluffs Pkwy   277-7470  Mon 4-7pm. Weds 9-noon commodities only. Thurs 9-12, 1-4, Fri 9-noon

Salvation Army, 908 Yuma,  636-3891,  Emergency food   9am to 11:30, 1 to 3:30  Mon to Friday;

Crossfire Ministries  307 N. Union  447-1806  Tues though Friday 10:30am to 4:30pm

Ecumenical Social Ministries   201 N Weber,  636-1916.  9 to 11:30; 12:30 to 3pm, Monday thru Friday

Silver Key Emergency Pantry.  2250 Bott Ave, 632-1521 Groceries for those 60 and older.

Westside Cares, 1930 W Colorado, 389-0759, 9:30 to 12:30,  Mon thru Thursday. Thurs Eve 5-7pm  By appointment

Northern Churches CARE  4210 Austin Bluffs Pky  277-7470  Mon 4 to 7pm, Thurs-9 to noon,1 to 4pm, Fri 9-noon. 

Ecumenical Social Ministries, 201 N. Weber,  636-1916,  9 to 11:30, 12:30 to 3pm, Mon to Friday

Salvation Army, 809 Yuma, 636-3891, 9am to 11:30, 1 to 3:30 Mon to Friday

Community Action Agency,  722 S Watsatch, 471-7870, 8 to 4:30, Mon thru Fri. Rent help only to “outside the city”, they refer to ESM for in-town rent needs.  They do help with utilities and gas money for city residents.

Billie Spielman Ctr  25 N. 20th St (Westside residents)  385-7930.  Food, utility, other emergency aid.

Elks’ Trimble Fund, 634-7360 El Paso County residents only.  Will help with buying glasses, dentures and the like.  Many agencies help with application form. Leave a message on their recorder.

County DHS “Diversion” Program  105 N. Spruce  444-8174, 444-8203  7:30 to 3,  Mon – Fri.  An “once-in-a-lifetime” grant to get a family (must have dependent children) through a crisis and avoid going on welfare. Medical expenses, car repairs, home repairs and the like. Taking this grant “locks the family out” of accessing any other welfare benefits for a year so “family stability” is a must. County residents only.

Housing Access,  ESM, 201 N. Weber, 636-1916, 9-11:30; 12:30 to 3pm. Call for appointment with Bill DeGuchi.  This program offers up to two month’s rent help to move into housing from a “homeless situation”.  Families or individuals must have employment and other “success indicators” to qualify.

Healthcare
Peak Vista Community Health Centers (CHC), 2828.International Parkway, 632-5700.  It is a huge community-health facility with sliding scale fees.  Intake registration appointments vary upon demand, however they are always open for pregnant women, children and senior citizens.  Call to find out current intake possibilities.  If you qualify for Peak Vista's Homeless Program, you can go directly to that clinic (see below).

Peak Vista CHC Homeless Clinic, 722 S. Wahsatch, 471-2789.  “For homeless people only.”  Must meet HUD criteria for “homeless” (streets or shelter) to qualify.  Open:  Monday  - Friday 8am- 5 p.m. with varying clinic times for medical and dental.  Call or drop in for information. Women’s Clinic 4th Tuesday of month 8-12 (appointment only).  Comprehensive primary health services for those who qualify. Clients can access the all Peak Vista CHC services though the Homeless Clinic. Dental services for homeless are co-located at the Homeless Clinic.  Showers are available for any homeless person.  As of December 1, 2004  services formerly called "Respite Center" are co-located within the Homeless Clinic.

Peak Vista CHC Dental Clinic - 2828 International Circle, 475-0783.  A full spectrum of dental services are available. Call for appointment and information.  Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus accepted.  If you are homeless, you will qualify for basic (extraction, mostly) services through the Homeless Clinic (see above).

Peak Vista CHC Senior Health Clinic - 2858 International Circle, 632-5700.  Serving individuals 65 years and older.  Accepting new patients.  Medicare, Secure Horizons, TRICARE for Life

Peak Vista CHC Immediate Care Clinic, 2502  E. Pikes Peak,  632-6363  8am to 9pm, Mon to Fri. Sat 9-5, Sun 10-3. Patterned after Emergi-Care “Doc-in-a-box” clinics.  Sliding scale ($5 to $30 )  Minor injuries and illnesses only.  Same day appointment system. They suggest calling right as they open to insure getting an appointment on that day.  NO prescription help or refills.  Medicare/Medicaid accepted.

Hospital Afterhours Clinics
These operate like “emergency rooms for minor illnesses and injuries”. No-one is turned away for lack of money.  Memorial After Hour Clinics, 2502 E. Pikes Peak Ave.,,  365-2888. Also 8890 N. Union (Briargate)  11am to 11pm  Closed holidays. You can make appts. “For complaints you would take to a Dr’s Office”.

Penrose Main Clinic. Part of their Emergency Room, with shared staff. 2215 N. Cascade Ave, 776-5644.
5pm to 10:30pm, Mon to Fri; 10am to10:00pm Sat, Sun and holidays.
Penrose Community Clinic, 3201 N. Academy 776-3152. Part of Emergency  Room with shared staff. 5pm to 12pm-Mon to Fri; 10am to 10pm, Sat, Sun and holidays.

Peak Vista CHC Homeless Outreach Van, Welfare parking lot at Spruce and Kiowa, next to the Salvation Army food Canteen truck.  5:30pm Thurs afternoons. Staffed by Greg Morris of the CHC Homeless Clinic.  Limited supplies of medication.  Sort of a triage clinic, much of what they see, they refer to the Homeless Clinic or elsewhere for further care. Free.

Marian House SET Clinic, 14 W Bijou,  At the Soup Kitchen, open during noon meal (11:30 to 1pm) Monday thru Friday.  Over-the-counter remedies and basic prescription drugs, socks, toiletries, minimal “hands-on” care.  Some days, a doctor is present who can write prescriptions for non-controlled meds.  They can help fund the filling of prescriptions.  Closed for a number of holidays.

SET Family Clinics, 328-0908 all are 5:30 to 8:3 0 pm, $10 fee, Call for appt at all of them. Staffed by nurses, sometimes doctors. Limited services.  Now entirely based  at St Francis Hospital Institute and Pikes Peak Aves.  Open Mon, Tues, Weds and Thurs evenings.  No insurance/low income Call to make appointments.

County Health Dept Outreach  578-3179  Mike Plunkett  8 to 5, Mon to Friday. T.B. testing, HIV, Hep C testing and access to Drug Clinic.  Mike can help a homeless person “Fast-track” through various Health Dept agencies.  A tetanus shot, every ten years, is a very good idea for those “living rough”; this is where you get them.

Emergency Rooms
Penrose  Main, 2215 N. Cascade Ave.,  776-5333;  Memorial, 1400 E Boulder,  365-5221.  If it IS an emergency, these are where you go.  If you can’t obtain care elsewhere for “routine” healthcare, these, unfortunately, are also where you go.  A “last resort”, they are required by law to provide care to all who need it. Long waits, especially for minor problems and huge bills are part of using ERs for routine healthcare – try all the others first!

Ecumenical Social Ministry, 201 N Weber St.,  636-1916,  9-11:30; 12:30–3pm Mon-Fri.  Will help fill a prescription once every six months. They won’t help fill some Rx’s from other agencies, like Pikes Peak Mental Health or Community Health Center.

Tri-Lakes Health Advocacy Partnership, 4210 Austin Bluff Pkwy,  488 8639  Mon 4-7, Thurs 9-noon, 1-4,   Will help fill a prescription once every six months.  Help with Rx Assist Programs.  They won’t help fill some Rx’s from other agencies, like Pikes Peak Mental Health or Community Health Center.

Prescription Assistance Programs
Most of the drug companies have programs that provide free medication for indigent people.  These meds are limited to “maintenance” types of drugs.  Usually, a 90 days supply, with refills. Is given.  The application forms range from very user-friendly to very complicated. Some take your word for everything; others require a lot of supporting documentation.  A doctor must sign the applications and the drugs are often shipped to your doctors’ office. The process takes about a month before the meds arrive.  There are people who will help clients apply for this:  If you are a Community Health Center client –they will do this for you  (632-5700).  There are Penrose/St Francis “Pastoral Nurses” at various agencies around town that will help. They are available on various days and hours ( 1 to 3 times a week).  They are at:  ESM – 636-1916, Tri-Lakes CARES-481-4864, Northern Churches CARES- 277-7470, Westside CARES- 389-0759.
 A couple of helpful websites:  www.needymeds.com   &  www.rxassist.org .

Eyeglasses
ESM (636-1916), the Homeless Clinic (471-2789), the Marian House SET Clinic (475-2097) all assist people to access eye exams and glasses, mostly though the Elk’s Trimble Fund.

V.A. Outpatient Clinic,  25 N. Spruce,  327-5660. 8 to 4, Mon thru Fri.  Medical help for vets.  Must be registered with the V.A., by appointment only.
 

Emergency Rooms: Penrose Main, 2215 N. Cascade Ave., 776-5333; Memorial  1400 E. Boulder, 365-5221.If someone really needs to be admitted to one of the three local inpatient facilities, both the major hospital ERs have staff social workers that will work very hard to find a solution to this need.

Pikes Peak Mental Health,  (several locations)  572-6330.  8 to 5, Monday thru Friday  Centralized appointment/intake office.  This is where one sets up non-crisis out-patient appointments.  Most of the time: “No self-pay or uninsured people are accepted”  They are working to expand services to the uninsured.  

Ecumenical Social Ministries,  ESM and Pikes Peak Mental Health are planning a grant-funded program to provide some mental health services (including medications!) to uninsured/indigent people in need.  Hopefully this will be in place in mid-2006.  For more details, call ESM at 636-1916.

Pikes Peak Mental Health, Homeless Outreach Team, 635-2257(Leave a message) or 572-6200-ask for “Community Outreach”.  Varying hours, Monday thru Thursday.  They “fast-track” SOME  homeless people with mental health issues into the PPMH system.  Due to funding cuts, they are giving priority to the “sickest of the sick”. They take referrals from the Shelter, Soup Kitchen and other homeless services.

Vet Center  416 E. Colorado Ave  471-9992 8am to 4:30pm, Mon-Fri.  Counseling and guidance for all veterans.  Bring your DD214.

V.A. Clinic,  25 N. Spruce  327-5697  8 to 4, Mon thru Fri.  Mental health services for vets. Must be registered with the V.A., by appointment only.

Haven House,  111 N. Walnut  578-1181 Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri: 10 to 5; Closed Thurs; Sat, 12 to 5; Sun 1 to 5.  Drop-in, support groups and educational groups for people with mental health issues.

Dental Care
Peak Vista Community Health Center Dental Clinic  2828 International Circle. 632-5700 Mon-Fri., 8 to 5 (12-1p lunch) A payment WILL be required.

KIND Kids in Need of Dentistry  825 E. Pikes Peak Ave (St Francis Hosp.) Mon-Fri.  8 to 5 
227-1018 or 877-544-5463 Dental care for kids 17 and under.   There are charges of  $20 + 10% of “normal dental charges”.  Must have proof of  household  income. Serving Southern Colorado.

Legal Help
Colorado Legal Services  (Legal Aid Society)  471-0380  617 S. Nevada Ave. 8:30 to 12, 1 to 5, Mon-Fri.  Legal assistance for the indigent.  Consumer and family law. Housing issues. Medicare/Medicaid law.
Income maintenance (food stamps, welfare issues)

El Paso County Jail  2739 E. Las Vegas  390-2000   If you are missing a friend…..

Drug/Alcohol Treatment
Detox (The Lighthouse)  115 S. Parkside 572-6340  Drug/alcohol abusers combined with the mentally ill in one facility. They can be on “divert” (full). This means: being intoxicated with no place to go inside could be a life-threatening situation.  They  use the “medical model”, with a nursing staff, which means medication to control withdrawal symptoms is available there. This is the entry point to the no/low cost drug/alcohol treatment system in town.  Both “treatment” and “shelter” options are offered.

Full Circle Alternatives  - Closed at this time.

Alcoholic Anonymous  573-5020  Central Service Center. 8-5 Mon-Fri   Ans. Service other hours.  Call to talk with an A.A. member and for the location of over 200 meetings a week.

Salvation Army ARC Program  501 S. Weber  473-6161.  24 hours.  A six month residential work-based program for men only.  No charge to client.

Mc Masters Drug Clinic  578-3150.  301 S Union Blvd.  8 to 5, Mon to Thurs, 8 to 4 Friday.  Part of the Health Department.  Out-patient only, therapy for any drug or alcohol addiction. They have ended the methadone program – they refer to Western  475-7052 (a for-profit clinic).

Victory Outreach.  218 Spruce St.  227-9797 (house)  Office Tues to Friday, 9 to 5  447-0000 or 477-9301
Christian Recovery Program.

Veteran’s Administration   25 N. Spruce,  327-5697, 8 to 4, Mon thru Fri.   Access to drug and alcohol treatment for veterans.

Soup Kitchen, 14 W Bijou,  475-2347.  10:30 to 1pm.  Provides coats, hats, socks,  gloves for the asking.

Springs Rescue Mission,  5 W Las Vegas,  632-1822.  Clothing issued 1:30pm to 3:45pm Weds & Fri

Billie Spielman Center 25th St. (Westside residents only)  385-7930  “Clothing room” Call first

Northern Churches CARE  4210 Austin Bluffs Pkwy  277-7470  Mon 4-7, Thurs 9-11:30 and 1 to4,
They will provide a voucher to allow the person to go shopping at Good Will.

Crossfire Ministries  307 N. Union   447-1806   Tuesday to Friday 10:30am to 4:30pm

V.A.  Clothing, hygiene items, boots, blankets/sleeping bags for vets registered with, and referred by, the V.A.s Homeless Vet Program ONLY.  Call 677-5588 for info on what they have and when to get it

Dress for Success  2220 E. Bijou  (Womens’ Resource Center)  471-3170 8-4:30 Mon-Fri  By appt only..  Clothing for women who are seeking professional employment.  Also resume help, interview coaching. Women only

Pregnancy/New Baby Support
Life Support Center 228 N. Cascade 866-6445  9 to2 pm. Mon-Fri  Supplies formula, diapers, baby and maternity clothing, bassinets, and other baby needs.

Seniors
Silver Key  2250 Bott Ave., 632-1521. 8 to 5, Mon thru Friday. Very effective services to our elderly  (age 60 and up).  One of the main reasons why there are few homeless elders in our community.

Youth
Urban Peak  423 E. Cucharras 630-3223  205-7129- afterhours crisis  Programming targeting homeless youth (15 up to 20 years old). 20 Bed shelter (10 female/10 male).  Staff available 9am-5pm; Monday to Friday

“Get-Off-The-Street” Programs
These refer to agency programs designed to help homeless people acquire the skills and resources to escape the unhealthy homeless lifestyle.  Most, if not all of these, make the assumption that substance abuse and/or mental illness is a large part of the problem.  As noted in the introduction, there will be fewer “no-strings hand-outs” in our community in the future.

Solid Ground at Ecumenical  Social  Ministry, 201 N Weber St., 636-1916. Operated out of ESM and at the Soup Kitchen, this one-man operation works with people “living on the streets.”

Springs Rescue Mission,  5 W. Las Vegas,  632-1822.  Operated by the Rescue Mission.  GED studies, Print Shop training, Life Skills training.  Available to both those enrolled in the year-long Mission Rehab Program and anyone else who wants to “get off the streets.”

Victory Outreach.  218 Spruce St.  227-9797 (house)  Office Tues to Friday, 9 to 5  447-0000 or 477-9301
Christian Recovery Program.

Salvation Army ARC 501 S. Weber  473-6161  A six month (or more) residential program designed to “remake lives.”  Strong spiritual emphasis. Work-based (starting with sorting clothes in the warehouse).  Men only.

Bijou House  411 W Bijou 635-5078  Residents are required to negotiate an “agreement” with the house supervisors, detailing what needs to be done in order to continue to live there. Everyone is expected to be moving (quickly or slowly) along a path towards self-sufficiency.

V.A. Homeless Veteran’s Program.  25 N. Spruce  667-5588.  Register with Jack Freeman to enter the “Intensive Outpatient Program” run by Dr. S. Kidd. This is a one month outpatient program. Inpatient substance abuse treatment can be arranged for at out-of-state V.A. facilities.  Mental & medical health, life skills, job skills training.  There is housing at the 15 bed Crawford House for these clients.

Urban Peak  423 E. Cucharras 630-3223.  205-7129- after hours crisis  Programming targeting homeless youth (15 up to 20 years old). 20 Bed shelter (10 female/10 male).  Help with reconciling with families or with emancipation process. Food, clothing, and healthcare for adolescents. Help with getting ID/birth certificates.  Assistance with employment.  GED completion help.  Drug/alcohol treatment through McMasters.  Staff available 9am to 5pm; Mon-Fri.