The new emergency shelter (courtesy Echo Architecture) The trees are beginning to change color, and there’s a nip in the air at night. Ready or not, fall and winter are quickly approaching, bringing freezing temperatures and harsh conditions. This translates to extreme danger for our homeless neighbors, who can quickly develop hypothermia and frostbite. They desperately need a warm, safe place to shield themselves from the cold. And they need it quickly.To serve the needs of our homeless neighbors, we are planning to add a 150-bed emergency shelter before the frigid temperatures hit. “We feel that pressure because we want to make sure that we’re able to serve as many people who need shelter as possible come those colder temperatures,” said Travis Williams, Chief Development Officer at Springs Rescue Mission. With the addition of this emergency shelter, we are able to provide more than 54,000 bed nights (annually) for the Colorado Springs community. Adding 150 beds brings our grand total of beds to 450, which is an increase of 50% in our ability to shelter people.

The new emergency shelter will operate similarly to the current shelters, which are closed during the day for cleaning and service. Guests will continue to have access to the Samaritan’s Kitchen for breakfast and dinner, as well as the Resource Center during the day for meetings with Client Navigators. The new shelter will be located in the current Supportive Family Services building, which is being moved to a different building on campus. “It won’t be easy, but we need to do it,” Williams added.The services and opportunities we provide to our struggling guests are made possible because the amazing people of Colorado Springs care about their less fortunate neighbors.Learn how you can get involved and help us meet the growing needs of people struggling with homelessness, poverty and addiction.