Colorado Safe Parking Initiative

In our recent newsletter, we introduced you to a family we were able to help get through a challenging time after the loss of their siblings and their home. Unable to find shelter that would accommodate their dogs, they had to take shelter in their vehicle. Fortunately, one of our SafeLots was there when they needed safety and support. Please read on for more of their story.

Keeping Family Together — Colorado Safe Parking Initiative Five sisters pooled their resources and lived together in Brighton, a community they had been part of for more than 30 years.  Then sadness struck four times. They lost three siblings in a short period of time and without their combined income, could no longer pay the rent on their home.&am

Hot off the press (so to speak) is our latest CSPI Newsletter. If you don't already receive our quarterly newsletters via email, you can find it here: https://www.colosafeparking.org/press-releases-1

If you'd like to receive our periodic emails and updates, DM us to add you to our mailing list or just click "Join Our Email List" at the top of the Newsletter page.

With the extreme heat facing SafeLot Parkers this week, we hope to collect some items that will make the temps more bearable and keep folks safe. If you can purchase a handheld fan or windscreen shade from our Amazon wish list, the CSPI community would be grateful.

Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2KFDTKVWUUXG5/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

We always appreciate donations (it's not too late to give for our summer funding drive!), which help us respond most flexibly to Parker needs.

Donate here:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

Or, you can purchase service station gift cards, then mail to:
CSPI
c/o Barton Institute
1114 W 7th Avenue, Suite 215
Denver, CO 80204

Rochelle found herself facing homelessness after a stroke left her unable to work, and then unable to afford rent. After a year living in a Denver shelter, she got back on her feet and began volunteering, connecting homeless people with valuable resources. In the process she realized that shelters were not for everyone and created CSPI with Chelsey Baker-Hauck.

Almost four years on, the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative has helped 644 people sleep in a safe place and 36% of exiting households find a new home.

Without funding from other caring people like YOU, CSPI cannot continue this valuable work. Please donate today at:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

This is a time for renewal, and as we reviewed what CSPI has achieved in the past four years since opening the first SafeLot, we have learned what works best and have renewed our commitment to community members who are experiencing homelessness and living in their vehicle. Generous donors make all this work possible. Can you help give someone a chance to put down roots by donating to CSPI?

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

What makes SafeLot parkers Josh and Jessica so special? They care and work to make a difference for others, even while struggling themselves. During our bi-annual fundraising drive, please consider demonstrating YOUR generosity by donating to CSPI. Every dollar raised is critical to making sure our program continues to meet the increasing needs of people living in their vehicles.

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

Every night, CSPI works with more than 110 people and families like ‘Steve’ across metro Denver – those who have lost their home and resort to staying in their vehicle while they work for new housing. And we need YOU to share our hope and build a better future for hundreds of people every night. Join our summer fundraising drive, and donate today!

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

CSPI is pleased to be presenting at the National Vehicle Residency Collective's online summit this weekend. Registration is free. Find out more about the event and detailed agenda here:

https://vehicleresidency.org/events/vehicle-residency-summit/2024-vehicle-residency-summit

CSPI is honored to have received $50,000 from Metro Denver - a unique fundraising collective supporting organizations that are striving to create transformational change within our community. We are humbled to be in the good company of other well-deserving non-profits striving every day to make our community better for all residents.

Pictured: Rochelle Brogan, Co-Founder, CSPI and Terrell Curtis, Executive Director, CSPI)

We are thrilled to have received $20,000 from Broomfield Community Foundation. This will go a long way toward helping us provide personalized case management for Parkers at the three SafeLots operated by the dedicated church volunteers in Broomfield.

SafeLot parkers have access to basic hygiene services and a safe place to park. Yet sometimes there is a need for additional assistance or specific items to make their stay safer or more comfortable. Below you'll find 3 ways you can help improve a parker's experience today.

carbon monoxide detectors: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2KFDTKVWUUXG5/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

monetary donation:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

Purchase service station gift cards then mail to:
CSPI
c/o Barton Institute
1114 W 7th Avenue, Suite 215
Denver, CO 80204

In case you missed it, the latest CSPI quarterly newsletter has been emailed. Check your "IN" box or click this post to see what we've been busy with the past couple of months.

If you don't receive our updates but would like to be on the mailing list, please message us here or via the CSPI web site: https://www.colosafeparking.org/connect

CSPI Newsletter - 2nd Quarter CSPI Successes CSPI Newsletter May 2024 Intern Spotlight: Alisa As an intern with CSPI, Alisa conducts telephone intake interviews, seeing first-hand what potential parkers are struggling with and how

Alisa, a Denver University student who had been interning with CSPI, has observed that the support resources for the homeless population in Denver are more than insufficient, stating “these are not cracks in society, they are massive holes.”

Read about Alisa’s experience here: https://www.colosafeparking.org/our-impact/intern-spotlight-alisa

Every night, CSPI works with over 110 people across metro Denver – those who have lost their home and must resort to staying in their vehicle while they seek new housing. It may be hard to understand, but staying in your own vehicle provides a sense of autonomy and security - provided there is a safe place to stay overnight. Read about our 2023 work in our recently released 2023 Impact Report here: https://www.colosafeparking.org/2023-impact-report

CSPI’s Executive Director participated in Thursday's Arapahoe County town hall, as the county discussed how it is partnering with more than 100 organizations to assist area residents who are unhoused. The county is providing funding for two existing CSPI SafeLots in the city of Aurora, as well as funding to explore the possibility of establishing a safe parking program in the Tri-City area, which includes Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan. This is great news given the ever-increasing numbers of people needing to live in their vehicles throughout metro Denver. Read more about how Arapahoe is approaching the challenges.

Arapahoe County takes a community approach to homelessness crisis, relying on over 150 partnerships In a town hall Thursday night, leaders from across Arapahoe County updated the community on how it is addressing the homelessness crisis with community partnerships.

We are currently reaching out to past donors who we haven’t heard from recently – we want you back! YOU can help us provide people like the SafeLot guest quoted here with a place of safety, a caring community, and a path forward to find housing. Your gift of any amount can be put towards costs associated with the day-to-day operation of a SafeLot, motel vouchers for medical and weather related emergencies, or providing individualized support so someone can get the resources and support they need.

If you want to know more, please visit our web site www.colosafeparking.org to stay up to date and be part of the caring community.

DONATE TODAY! https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

The numbers are in and we have to thank YOU our supporters for making our year end fundraising drives a success.

Read about this and more updates in our latest quarterly newsletter.

https://www.colosafeparking.org/notes-from-the-ed-2-2024

Denver7 reports on CSPI’s search for new funding sources, as monies previously awarded by Denver City Council were recently reallocated.

Colorado Safe Parking Initiative searching for new funding source after Denver City Council redirected money Last year, Denver City Council approved a $600,000 contract extension for the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative. However, the additional money was cut and now program leaders are left scrambling.

May your worlds be full of love today....

The cold weather has been tough on SafeLot guests. Among the most requested items is a warm sleeping bag. If you have the ability to donate one, please visit CSPI's wish list here:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2KFDTKVWUUXG5?type=wishlist&filter=persistent_all&sort=priority&viewType=list

Purchases of wish list items or gas cards can be mailed for distribution to:

CSPI
c/o Barton Institute
1114 W 7th Avenue, Suite 215
Denver, CO 80204

And of course, donations in any amount are always needed at:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

CSPI and SafeLot operators and guest parkers are feeling the impact of the city of Denver's decision to cut 2/3 of previously allocated $600k funding for the only program in the area to address vehicular homelessness. This program is critical to keeping even more people from having to live on the streets.

Read the recent Rocky Mountain PBS article for more details and perspectives from all involved:

City pulls $400k in funding for program that serves people living in their cars As Colorado's largest statewide, member-supported, multi-media network, Rocky Mountain PBS wants to make sure everyone is seen and heard.

People who don't have a home often end up sleeping in their cars to stay warm, but finding a safe place to park is tough. That's where the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative comes in. Most of the people it serves are newly homeless, and while approximately half of them have jobs, they still can't afford to rent or buy a permanent place to stay.

Listen to a recent story about CSPI's work on CPR's Colorado Matters here:

Jan. 11, 2024: How a safe place to park is changing lives People who don't have a place to stay warm often end up sleeping in their cars, but finding a safe place to park is tough. That's where the Colorado Safe Parking Initiative comes in. Most of the people it serves are newly homeless, and while half have jobs, they can't afford to rent or buy a permane...

We at CSPI do all we can to help those who’ve been forced by circumstances to live in their vehicles. Together with scores of volunteers, through the SafeLot program we provide basic amenities, such as a safe, secure place to park and close access to bathroom facilities as well as caring case management to help people get rehoused.

When budget allows or generous volunteers step up, we can offer warm meals, vital car repairs and motel stays for weather or health emergencies.

Please consider a donation TODAY to ensure we can continue to do this important work in 2024.

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

CSPI is grateful for donations of any amount, and there is still time to make a tax deductible donation here:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

Community is one of the main qualities that SafeLot guests highlight as an unexpected and important benefit to staying at a SafeLot. People arrive due circumstances that have left them unhoused and living in their vehicle. But once in a SafeLot, they become part of a caring community that sometimes lasts beyond their stay with CSPI. That community includes YOU! We hope you’ll support CSPI and with a donation this giving season.

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

As the only metro Denver organization that benefits people who have become homeless and must resort to living in their vehicles, demand for CSPI services has continued to grow dramatically.

CSPI's services have increased more than four-fold, yet we can still only serve 10% of those in need. Affordable living units and livable wages cannot keep up with the increasing number of people who need them, making CSPI and the SafeLot program more important than ever.

Donating to CSPI ensures vehicle residents have get a good night’s sleep and a safe and caring community to come back to each night, until they find their permanent home. Can you give today?

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=8&name=E350827

We’d like to thank our generous supporters – old and new! – for making this year's Colorado Gives Day fundraising effort a big success. Not only did you help us unlock a matching donation, you more than quadrupled the funds raised from last year! As we always say, “We can’t do this without YOU!"