(from a concerned homeless woman in Denver)
I am a young single homeless woman with no kids in Denver, Colorado and am staying at a homeless shelter. I am staying at the Samaritan House located at 2301 Lawrence St in Denver. It is run by Catholic Charities. There is abuse and neglect by shelter staff towards the homeless who stay at the shelter.
I have watched the documentary Kidnapped For Christ, which is a film about a behavior modification and ex-gay school that was run by a Christian group outside the United States (where laws are less strict and would allow abuse and neglect to go unpunished).
The Samaritan House homeless shelter is not as extreme in their abuse as those schools were (some have been shut down), but there is still some abuse, much neglect, and the attitude of the shelter staff and volunteers is very similar to the attitudes of the staff and teachers who worked at the ex-gay and behavior modification school.
As a woman, I have watched as strange men walk up to the shelter and bother the women there. The women complain to the Catholic Charity staff, but the staff do nothing. They do not make the men leave and do not call police or security. The only time they call police is to throw someone out or to remove the people that camp in front of the shelter during the day. Also, the homeless shelter requires all residents to do a kitchen day where they must work from 4 am until 8 pm. Even residents who are disabled, in a wheelchair, or missing a limb must do this kitchen day and daily chores such as cleaning toilets or standing all day at the door to let guests in...no exceptions. I was sad to see a homeless veteran in a wheelchair working to serve food. He had no choice if he wanted a place to stay. If a resident does not do the kitchen day, they get kicked out on the streets and cannot come back sooner than 30 days if at all.
I am not a drug addict, a criminal, do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, and I have never sold my body for money. I have a college education and used to work before becoming disabled a few years ago. However, the staff at the Samaritan talk down to me as if I was one of those things and they treat the other homeless residents the same way. The homeless are not allowed to bring their own blankets or pillows, not even if they are willing to wash them in the laundry room. The staff force the homeless to throw away their large suitcases, their blankets, their pillows, and give them a thin blanket to use in the dorms. It is freezing in the morning because the blankets are so thin.
The staff tell residents that they can also 'donate' their pillows, suitcases, and blankets to the homeless shelter. What happens to these 'donations' is that the shelter staff and volunteers usually take the stuff themselves. They almost never end up going to a charity or a homeless person who can use them.
The homeless male residents sometimes bother the homeless female residents, even the ones with kids. The staff do nothing about it and say nothing to the men.
I also want to say that there is a serious bed bug infestation at Samaritan and they will not smoke-bomb the area for some reason. Either they do not want to pay for pest control or they are not willing to bend their rules to clear out the rooms long enough to smoke the bugs out and allow the area to air out (I do not know the actual reason, just my theories). Either way, I think they should bus the homeless somewhere or open another shelter temporarily in order to clear out the bed bugs. I have been bitten myself several times and went to the Stout Street clinic for treatment but there is not much the doctor could do. My skin itches.
There are many other things I would like to report. I have disability and am trying to find housing, but right now I have no where else to stay and am afraid of speaking out and getting punished for it. But I am tired of seeing these people suffer, especially the women. And I am tired of seeing the Catholic Charity staff take advantage of, abuse, and neglect the people they are supposed to be caring for.
I do not want to give my name or bed number. I am afraid of being kicked out...but please. Someone needs to talk about this and people need to know what really goes on inside the homeless shelters in Denver. I have stayed a few nights in the shelter in Peoria where some of the homeless are bused to every night to sleep on mats on the floor. There is mistreatment by the Salvation Army staff and volunteers at the Peoria shelters as well.
Being homeless is already a dehumanizing and humiliating experience. It takes all your will power to hold onto any shred of dignity when you are homeless and not give up hope...Why are shelter staff allowed to make the experience much worse than it needs to be? Please share my comments or do an investigation, or possibly go undercover as a homeless resident and see what goes on for yourself... this issue needs to be brought up and discussed. People need to know what the homeless are enduring.
I have watched the documentary Kidnapped For Christ, which is a film about a behavior modification and ex-gay school that was run by a Christian group outside the United States (where laws are less strict and would allow abuse and neglect to go unpunished).
The Samaritan House homeless shelter is not as extreme in their abuse as those schools were (some have been shut down), but there is still some abuse, much neglect, and the attitude of the shelter staff and volunteers is very similar to the attitudes of the staff and teachers who worked at the ex-gay and behavior modification school.
As a woman, I have watched as strange men walk up to the shelter and bother the women there. The women complain to the Catholic Charity staff, but the staff do nothing. They do not make the men leave and do not call police or security. The only time they call police is to throw someone out or to remove the people that camp in front of the shelter during the day. Also, the homeless shelter requires all residents to do a kitchen day where they must work from 4 am until 8 pm. Even residents who are disabled, in a wheelchair, or missing a limb must do this kitchen day and daily chores such as cleaning toilets or standing all day at the door to let guests in...no exceptions. I was sad to see a homeless veteran in a wheelchair working to serve food. He had no choice if he wanted a place to stay. If a resident does not do the kitchen day, they get kicked out on the streets and cannot come back sooner than 30 days if at all.
I am not a drug addict, a criminal, do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, and I have never sold my body for money. I have a college education and used to work before becoming disabled a few years ago. However, the staff at the Samaritan talk down to me as if I was one of those things and they treat the other homeless residents the same way. The homeless are not allowed to bring their own blankets or pillows, not even if they are willing to wash them in the laundry room. The staff force the homeless to throw away their large suitcases, their blankets, their pillows, and give them a thin blanket to use in the dorms. It is freezing in the morning because the blankets are so thin.
The staff tell residents that they can also 'donate' their pillows, suitcases, and blankets to the homeless shelter. What happens to these 'donations' is that the shelter staff and volunteers usually take the stuff themselves. They almost never end up going to a charity or a homeless person who can use them.
The homeless male residents sometimes bother the homeless female residents, even the ones with kids. The staff do nothing about it and say nothing to the men.
I also want to say that there is a serious bed bug infestation at Samaritan and they will not smoke-bomb the area for some reason. Either they do not want to pay for pest control or they are not willing to bend their rules to clear out the rooms long enough to smoke the bugs out and allow the area to air out (I do not know the actual reason, just my theories). Either way, I think they should bus the homeless somewhere or open another shelter temporarily in order to clear out the bed bugs. I have been bitten myself several times and went to the Stout Street clinic for treatment but there is not much the doctor could do. My skin itches.
There are many other things I would like to report. I have disability and am trying to find housing, but right now I have no where else to stay and am afraid of speaking out and getting punished for it. But I am tired of seeing these people suffer, especially the women. And I am tired of seeing the Catholic Charity staff take advantage of, abuse, and neglect the people they are supposed to be caring for.
I do not want to give my name or bed number. I am afraid of being kicked out...but please. Someone needs to talk about this and people need to know what really goes on inside the homeless shelters in Denver. I have stayed a few nights in the shelter in Peoria where some of the homeless are bused to every night to sleep on mats on the floor. There is mistreatment by the Salvation Army staff and volunteers at the Peoria shelters as well.
Being homeless is already a dehumanizing and humiliating experience. It takes all your will power to hold onto any shred of dignity when you are homeless and not give up hope...Why are shelter staff allowed to make the experience much worse than it needs to be? Please share my comments or do an investigation, or possibly go undercover as a homeless resident and see what goes on for yourself... this issue needs to be brought up and discussed. People need to know what the homeless are enduring.
Samaritan House Reply
Thank you for forwarding concerns voiced about the Samaritan House. We appreciate the work of your organization and the need to give a voice to those who are homeless. We are dedicated to serving all who are experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect. We encourage feedback and have a complaint procedure in place for residents. All concerns are investigated and taken seriously. On average, we house 350 people per night. Accountability and safety for our residents is a priority. You can find a complete list of our requirements in the client handbook (attached).
Regarding loitering concerns, we have staff in front of the building to supervise women coming into the Holy Rosary Women’s overflow and have hired additional security to walk the parking lot in the evenings to ensure the safety of our residents, volunteers and staff. We are in daily contact with the police and Denver’s Road Home to regularly address loitering. Anytime we’re made aware of illegal activity, we address it and notify the Denver Police Department. Harassment of any type is prohibited and is grounds for immediate discharge.
Residents are required to participate in a kitchen day when they first enter the program. Our program encourages responsibility and a sense of community. However, modifications are made to the program if we are made aware that a resident has limitations. Residents are not allowed to bring in their own bedding due to bed bug prevention. We have a contract with a pest control service which provides treatment/spraying twice a month or as needed.
We accept donated items from anyone and provide those that are of high quality to our residents. Our staff and volunteers are not permitted to take donations for their own use. Again, we appreciate hearing suggestions from our residents and from the community that can improve upon the services we provide. It is our goal to ensure that people feel safe, welcomed and respected at Samaritan House. We have a history of serving people in times of need with love, compassion and mercy, and we continually look for ways to improve and expand upon our services. The Holy Rosary Women’s overflow is one example.
If you have additional questions or would like to set up a time to tour Samaritan House, please give me a call at (303) 742-0828.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Bennett
Shelter and Community Outreach Services
Catholic Charities
Thank you for forwarding concerns voiced about the Samaritan House. We appreciate the work of your organization and the need to give a voice to those who are homeless. We are dedicated to serving all who are experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect. We encourage feedback and have a complaint procedure in place for residents. All concerns are investigated and taken seriously. On average, we house 350 people per night. Accountability and safety for our residents is a priority. You can find a complete list of our requirements in the client handbook (attached).
Regarding loitering concerns, we have staff in front of the building to supervise women coming into the Holy Rosary Women’s overflow and have hired additional security to walk the parking lot in the evenings to ensure the safety of our residents, volunteers and staff. We are in daily contact with the police and Denver’s Road Home to regularly address loitering. Anytime we’re made aware of illegal activity, we address it and notify the Denver Police Department. Harassment of any type is prohibited and is grounds for immediate discharge.
Residents are required to participate in a kitchen day when they first enter the program. Our program encourages responsibility and a sense of community. However, modifications are made to the program if we are made aware that a resident has limitations. Residents are not allowed to bring in their own bedding due to bed bug prevention. We have a contract with a pest control service which provides treatment/spraying twice a month or as needed.
We accept donated items from anyone and provide those that are of high quality to our residents. Our staff and volunteers are not permitted to take donations for their own use. Again, we appreciate hearing suggestions from our residents and from the community that can improve upon the services we provide. It is our goal to ensure that people feel safe, welcomed and respected at Samaritan House. We have a history of serving people in times of need with love, compassion and mercy, and we continually look for ways to improve and expand upon our services. The Holy Rosary Women’s overflow is one example.
If you have additional questions or would like to set up a time to tour Samaritan House, please give me a call at (303) 742-0828.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Bennett
Shelter and Community Outreach Services
Catholic Charities
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