Catholic Charities will close its last two satellite emergency assistance centers in metro Denver on Sept. 1, ending food-bank and clothing services to focus shrinking resources on keeping people in their homes.
With an estimated drop of more than $1 million in revenues over last year, Catholic Charities is making strategic changes in its services and in how it delivers them, president Jonathan Reyes said Monday.
By eliminating the costs of keeping two centers open in Aurora and Denver, more money can be applied directly to housing assistance, he said.
Charity headquarters at 4045 Pecos St. in Denver will remain open, as will Western Slope and Weld and Larimer county locations.
However, in the Denver area, people needing financial assistance to avoid eviction, foreclosure or nonpayment of utilities will make appointments to meet with staff or volunteers at parishes near them.
“We had to ask what are the most important things we do,” Reyes said. “There are a lot of places that provide food and clothing, but less who keep people in their homes. I wish this wasn’t a decision that had to be made.”
Last year, Catholic Charities provided 25,000 food baskets at its emergency assistance centers.
The social services giant has a staff of 260 and a $19 million 2010 budget (more than $30 million when two housing affiliates are added). It provided services to more than 80,000 people last year, according to its annual report.
“For every person or family we help, there are a dozen more that we must turn away because we lack the resources,” Reyes said.
Catholic Charities’ 40 ministries include homeless shelters, senior services, child care, early education, tutoring and counseling in financial management, immigration issues, behavioral health, pregnancy, adoption and parenting.
The 84-year-old nonprofit has been downsized in recent years. It had 600 staff members in early 2008.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
