FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Who are "the homeless"?

There is no one typical person or family that becomes homeless; the circumstances of each person’s life are uniquely theirs. The four main reasons why people become homeless are loss of job, domestic abuse, mental health problems, and increased rent. In some cases, substance abuse is a factor, but it is not the primary cause of homelessness.

In 1990, a survey conducted in the Denver metro area found that 85% percent of people who were homeless were single adults and 15% were in family units. Today the trend has significantly changed: 40% are single adults and 60% are parents and children in families.

One lost paycheck, one catastrophic event, and becoming homeless can and is a reality for many.

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How is St. Francis Center different from other shelters for people who are homeless?

While we work in partnership with a number of other shelters in Denver, we differ in many ways:

1. We serve both men and women. Other than showers, we do not separate individuals. Couples and families can remain together while visiting SFC.
2. We are open during the day, when most other shelters are closed. This is extremely important when the weather turns cold and the people who are homeless have nowhere to go to keep warm.
3. We provide resources to help people stay in touch. They can use our phone and address, as needed. This is helpful, particularly as our guests look for jobs. Potential employers now have a way to reach guests, as do family and friends.
4. We provide assistance with housing and health care.

We offer a way to help men and women transition out of homelessness and back into society.

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What services does SFC offer?

St. Francis Center offers a variety of services to guests of the shelter:

• separate showers for men and women (soap, shampoo and towels are provided)
• newer or cleaner clothes can be earned by helping with some chores at the Center
• storage facility for one bag
• access to phone for local calls
• use of St. Francis Center’s address and phone number to receive mail, stay in touch with family, or for job or house hunting
• a message board posts guest names if they have a message
• access to day labor jobs
• mental health, veterans' assistance, and medical assistance on designated days
• access to a caseworker who helps with a variety of needs
• assistance with housing

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How many people does SFC help on a daily basis?

Currently, St. Francis Center serves a daily average of more than 700 people, the majority of whom are looking for a safe place to rest and refresh themselves. Many also take advantage of the varied services and programs that are available. We know the total number of people who come to SFC because everyone who enters the building must sign in at the reception desk, but we don't keep a separate tally of each person who takes a shower, stores belongings or uses the message and mail service. In some cases, we do keep records. We know that a daily minimum of 35 people seek employment through the Employment Program, 40 people receive emergency services and case management through our Social Services Program, 20 people visit Nursing Services and 10 people are helped by the mental health counselor. In addition, we serve 42 people daily in our Housing Program.

While these numbers represent the individuals who directly use our facilities, there are hundreds of friends and family members who benefit from our services as well. If SFC guests did not have free access to SFC phones and the use of our address and mail service, it would be virtually impossible for them to reconnect and communicate with their loved ones.

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I’ve been trying to locate a family member/friend who became homeless; what can SFC do to assist me?

St. Francis Center provides its guests access to a telephone, message board and mail service to assist them in staying in touch with loved ones, friends and potential employers.

The telephone is available to any guest who asks to use it for local phone calls. SFC’s mailing address is also available to guests to use as their mailing address.

Should a guest’s Family or Friend call or send a letter to the guest, SFC Staff and Volunteers will post that guest’s name on a Message Board. In order to pick up message or mail, a guest must provide a photo ID. Phone messages are kept for ten (10) days; mail is held for seven (7) days after which it returned to the sender.

SFC only provides the opportunity to stay connected; however, it is up to the guest to initiate and maintain contact with others.

If you would like to leave a message for a guest (or potential guest), use one of the following methods:

Phone:	303.297.1577
Mail:	2323 Curtis Street
	Denver, CO 80205

Due to computer limitations, we are unable to accept email messages for guests at this time.

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What happens if a guest’s needs cannot be met by the services that St. Francis Center offers?

St. Francis Center provides a number of services and programs. However, we realize there are some guests who need services that we do not provide. We work collaboratively with a number of other organizations that provide services to people who are homeless in the metro Denver area and can refer our guests to alternative resources when necessary.

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