Mission Arvada has been providing a severe weather overnight shelter solely through donations and volunteers. The city of Arvada asked Mission Arvada to provide this service due to the Severe Weather Shelter Network shutdown in Jefferson County in 2024. Previously, the city of Arvada funded the network upward of $40,000.
RecoveryWorks, the day shelter in Lakewood, is fully funded by Jefferson County and the city of Lakewood. In fact, the city of Lakewood pays Bayaud Enterprises to run the overnight Inclement Weather Shelter at RecoverWorks — I believe the city of Arvada should do the same. Mission Arvada at the Rising in Olde Town is almost exclusively run by volunteers; it is not appropriate to expect volunteers to provide security. If we have a fully funded 24/7 shelter, we will have the funds to support security and wrap-around services in one location. That is the solution RecoverWorks has unanimously moved forward, with thanks to the support of the city of Lakewood officials, council members and concerned citizens. I believe the city of Arvada should follow the same path forward.
While there have been several communities speaking out to close Mission Arvada and/or propose an ordinance against the unhoused, now is not the time to turn our backs on your most vulnerable population, a population that continues to grow by leaps and bounds. We must work collaboratively to support a 24/7 shelter where we can provide round-the-clock security and staff to support our unhoused populations.
Since RecoverWorks has opened its doors, I took it upon myself to speak with friends with families with young children who are long-time residents in the Colfax area who attend the PK-12 school just blocks from RecoverWorks where my daughter also attends. Residents have had no incidents with the homeless population who accesses these services, and there has been no increase in crime, and encampments have been cleaned up with the housing market continuing to rise. The unhoused population doesn’t wander, loiter or disturb local residents or businesses.
Mission Arvada is significantly underfunded and yet continues to provide numerous navigation resources such as health care, applying for temporary and permanent housing, mobile DMV, mental health services, addiction services and much more. Mission Arvada is the hub for North Jefferson County, and we must support the important services they provide by funding their emergency inclement weather shelter — a life-saving service.
Barbara Dray,
Arvada