What is Mission Arvada?

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“Orientation” is required in order to enter the day shelter and benefit from all that Mission Arvada has to offer.  Clients can take the required orientation Monday through Friday at 11:00am.  A second “COVID” orientation is also taken at the same time to assist in making sure all clients follow the safety guidelines put forth by the Public Health Department.

The homeless of Arvada are invited to the Mission for encouragement, food, and personal help. Visitors to the day shelter can sign up to take showers, eat a hot meal, visit the food bank, obtain clothing and hygiene items, obtain severe weather gear and participate in activities or service opportunities being offered. As relationships are developed, the current volunteer staff of Mission Arvada help work with the needs of each homeless individual toward a path of sustainability. Staff members help individuals obtain government identification; provide transportation; connect clients with housing vouchers; get clients signed up for qualifying benefits such as Medicaid and food stamps; and connect individuals with developmental disabilities, medical/dental issues, substance abuse issues, and mental health issues with appropriate needed assistance. Staff at the Mission also work with a contact at the Veterans Affairs Office (VA) to connect veterans with applicable benefits, provide support and advocacy for court and probation obligations, supervise individuals needing to complete community service hours, and assist in job coaching, applications, and resume writing. 

Mission Arvada is distinct from other homeless organizations in the Denver metro area in that we use an individualized continuum of care to help clients get the assistance they need. Mission Arvada is led by Director, Karen Cowling and a small team of lead volunteers. Additional assistance is provided by volunteers in other specific programs at the Mission. All donations and funding that help support the Mission come from volunteers and donations by members of the Rising Church, other Arvada churches, and individuals in the Arvada community. However, through donations, the kindness of others, and the time and resources of the main staff members, Mission Arvada has been able to establish itself as one of the leading homeless outreach service organizations in Jefferson County. At this writing our volunteers come from 16 area churches, as well as from the community.

Diversity is an important function of Mission Arvada. Our goal is to accept all individuals who commit to and follow the rules and guidelines outlined in our “orientation.”  The majority of individuals who come to Mission Arvada are surviving on either zero income or through public assistance income. Many individuals that seek assistance from Mission Arvada suffer from external disadvantages including mental illness, physical or developmental disabilities, significant trauma history, substance abuse, formerly incarcerated, court-involved, or suffer from domestic violence. 

The overarching goal in providing assistance to the homeless in the community is to help individuals take steps toward a sustainable living. Since Mission Arvada opened in 2017, the day shelter assists anywhere between 25-60 homeless individuals per day, and that number is continually growing. Even in the current state of uncertainty, rising housing costs, and depleting social programs, Mission Arvada provides a place of dignity and safety to promote self-sufficiency and sustainable solutions from homelessness. 

We are one of a kind:  The need for organizations like Mission Arvada in the community of Arvada is pertinent. Mission Arvada serves as the only day shelter of it’s kind available to homeless individuals in Jefferson County, Colorado. According to current data from the 2018 “Point in Time” Survey, there were a recorded 577 individuals in Jefferson County experiencing literal homelessness, or a lack of a regular, fixed residence (Fortier, 2019). Surrounding suburban communities, like Arvada, have experienced the effects of increased numbers of homeless individuals that have migrated from Denver. Additionally, many of the homeless outreach programs in the Denver metro area are selective in which homeless demographic they assist. Mission Arvada has responded by providing life saving services and support to those most vulnerable in the community.