COVID-19 November Update
With temperatures dropping and snow falling, St. Francis Center’s Day Center continues to provide guests with a safe, warm place to spend the day. We’d like to update you on how SFC will be handling both the colder days and the state’s increase in COVID-19 cases.

In all of SFC’s departments (Day Center – Employment – Housing – Outreach), staff and volunteers continue to follow the recommended CDC COVID-19 protocols. As guests enter the Day Center, SFC staff take temperatures and hand out masks, as needed. The Day Center is also following social distancing recommendations and is allowed to have 115 guests in the shelter at any one time. The Day Center is following a one-in, one-out policy for guests and brings them their mail and hot coffee while they wait in line to enter the center.

With the state-wide peak in COVID-19 cases, SFC has had one staff member test positive. SFC has taken the necessary precautions to ensure that others who have come into contact with that staff member have also been tested and are remaining home if symptomatic.

With fewer people allowed in the Day Center, SFC is working with partner agencies throughout the city to expand the number of overflow shelters for men, women and families to get out of the cold, social distance and receive support services.

SFC 37th Anniversary Gala Update and Other News
SFC would like to thank all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, staff and guests who joined us for the virtual 37th Anniversary Gala we held on October 29. Nearly 400 people attended via Zoom. Together SFC supporters raised more than $150,000 for programming throughout SFC! The generosity of our community always encourages us and makes the work of SFC possible. If you were not able to join us for the Gala, you can watch it on the SFC YouTube channel here.
SFC is also greatly encouraged by the passage of the 2B ballot measure, which will increase funding for housing and homelessness services in Denver County. Thank you to everyone who sees the need and answers the call to address it by supporting funding for more affordable housing and support services in city.

The SFC Outreach team, a group of staff whose jobs are to develop relationships with unsheltered community members on the streets of Denver in order get them connected to support services, is also celebrating their recent move from the SFC 2323 Curtis Street offices to recently updated offices on 2314 Broadway. From these offices they continue to be centrally located as a resource to serve those in Denver needing shelter and support.
(Some of the Outreach team posed outside their new location.)
Colorado Gives Day 2020
As the holidays approach, so does the giving season. This year Colorado Gives Day is December 8. We would be honored to have you consider giving to SFC on this day. Each donation given to SFC on Colorado Gives Day helps SFC receive a greater proportion of the incentive funds for non-profits. You can schedule your donation for December 8 here.

How You Can Help
  • If you’re a volunteer at the day center and are not able to cover your volunteer shift, please contact Ellie at ellie@sfcdenver.org or email your day of the week (i.e. Monday@sfcdenver.org.)
  • We need healthy, dedicated people to volunteer at the day center so that we can continue to provide care and support to our guests. If you are would like to volunteer please sign up at http://tiny.cc/ohmglz
  • Financial support during this outbreak is essential to continue our mission. Monetary donations provide us the flexibility to expend resources where they are needed most.
  • IN-KIND SUPPORT

As the situation develops and changes, we will be providing updates. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Andrew Spinks – Director of Development at 303-244-0745 or email at andrew@sfcdenver.org

We also want to thank all of our volunteers who show up every day to work along-side our staff to provide safety, warmth and kindness to all of our guests. Because of COVID-19, we are continuing to expand low-risk volunteer opportunities. One lower-risk opportunity, which is a particular need during the holidays, is helping sort donations in the back of the Day Center.