Kurt Saindon drifted across the western United States for six years, and he might still be homeless if he hadn’t been cited for illegally camping in the Flatirons.
He stuck around, trying to get Boulder County officials to dismiss the September 2008 citation. By then, winter had set in and Saindon needed help.
His teeth were so rotted his breath was putrid. He needed shoulder surgery from years of working as a mason. He was bipolar but wasn’t taking any medication.
Saindon was referred to the Catholic Charities Samaritan House in Denver.
There, he started a lifesaving journey so profound that the man who hadn’t talked to his family in years was thrilled that his mother is coming for Christmas.
“At Samaritan, I was treated as a human being instead of a homeless person,” the 47-year-old said. “Good things really started to happen to me.”
The Samaritan House helps homeless families and individuals, often sheltering up to 350 people a night, said Geoff Bennett, a vice president with Catholic Charities. Samaritan House is one of the many agencies applying for funding from this year’s Season to Share campaign.
“We work with them to find employment and housing. They have classes they need to attend, chores they need to do,” Bennett said. “It’s a program where people have to participate in order to stay.”
The late Rev. Charles Woodrich, known as Father Woody, was instrumental in opening Denver’s Samaritan House, where donations of money, coats, hats, gloves and other clothing are always welcome.
The staff and volunteers have seen firsthand the impact of a dismal economy.
The Samaritan House holds a nightly lottery for beds. Recently, 26 families vied for the two available rooms. A year ago, Bennett said, they might have five to 10 families signed up for the lottery.
Saindon is among those who slept at the shelter, but these days he lives on his own in low-income housing on South Federal Boulevard. He sits on the board of the Colorado Mental Health Association. He attends classes at Community Connections and wants to be an addictions counselor.
Saindon has worked closely with Michael Malloy, who coordinates the veterans program for Samaritan House. Saindon served 10 years in the Army and now does peer counseling with other veterans at Samaritan House.
“I get up every day and I have a positive outlook on life,” he said smiling, showing off perfect teeth.
Saindon got dentures after having his teeth pulled during a series of dental appointments in April at the veterans hospital in Denver. His gums were so infected he had been in the emergency room several times with high fevers.
“My breath was so bad you couldn’t sit next to me. I couldn’t get a job. Now I’m employable,” he said.
He also underwent shoulder surgery.
“The good thing,” Bennett said, “is that there are a lot of Kurts we’ve been able to help. They take advantage of the opportunities we have to offer.”
