City of Pueblo and the Pueblo Rescue Mission Agree to Deed Transfer and New Direction of Homeless...

PUEBLO-The City of Pueblo and the Pueblo Rescue Mission have come to an agreement for a new direction for the city's only homeless shelter currently serving Pueblo

"The City of Pueblo and the current executive board leadership of Pueblo Rescue Mission are committed to a long-term plan to get back to reliably, ethically and compassionately serving the unhoused of our community," said City of Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham. "Receiving the deeds to the two buildings is the first step in the process before a contract is made with an executive director or we're able to secure a qualified agency to provide financial oversight for long term stability. We are all committed to the same goal of ensuring Pueblo unhoused are cared for and can seek shelter."

The Pueblo Rescue Mission signed the deed of the 710 W. 4th St. Porchlight Campus building over to the City of Pueblo on Thursday, October 3 and of the board will be signing over the 728 W. 4th St. main campus building as part of an agreement with the City. The City of Pueblo plans to seek an executive director or put together a request for proposal (RFP) for a third-party agency to take over the Pueblo Rescue Mission's role as the provider of a homeless shelter. City Council will see an emergency ordinance for approval of authorizing emergency funding for congregate housing with CBDG funds on Tuesday, October 15. At that time Mayor Graham and City Council will discuss and further determine next steps in outline a plan for the permanent shelter. Anticipated timeline for new oversight to begin in that role is January of 2025.

The Porchlight Campus will remain designated as a space for other nonprofit and community organizations to provide wraparound services to unhoused individuals looking to transition to more permanent living and assisting them through the process. Additionally, the space will be utilized for overflow emergency sheltering during cold winter months or when the main campus has reached capacity. Sewer line repair work at the Porchlight Campus is still taking place and should be completed by mid-October, the City of Pueblo has committed to payment of the contractor through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Currently, Safeside Recovery Center is one of the community partners offering wrap around support services to unhoused individuals living at Pueblo Rescue Mission as part of the "Step Back In" program. Safeside Recovery Center will continue to offer their services and has committed to more robust daytime programming which will now take place in the main campus building.

"The Board of Directors are grateful to this community for the tremendous support shown in recent days," said Pueblo Rescue Mission Board Chair Pastor Ken Wood. "The current challenges we face as an organization are insurmountable to continue to provide long term services that the unhoused in Pueblo need. Until a new shelter operator is found, we will continue to focus on providing two key services that are currently unavailable anywhere else in the community, namely overnight shelter and a free evening meal. Safeside Recovery will continue to provide case management and program services to our resident who have been making progress in becoming stabilized."

Recently, the Pueblo Rescue Mission experienced a turnover in leadership, with two executive directors leaving and financial scandal from a former employee accused of financial misconduct. The investigation regarding the financial misconduct remains ongoing and is being conducted by the Pueblo Police Department. Additionally, the Pueblo Rescue Mission was suspended from services through Care and Share Foodbank for Southern Colorado for misappropriating food. Currently, the Pueblo Soup Kitchen is providing both breakfast and lunch meals to the unhoused community.

Pueblo Rescue Mission's executive board has committed to the dissolution of the nonprofit organization by December 31, 2024, so a third-party agency can take over the programming and oversight of the shelter, while looking to restore public trust in the operation of the city's only permanent homeless shelter. Pueblo Rescue Mission has been able to maintain adequate, qualified staff to continue overnight sheltering and day-to-day operations and will continue to provide oversight in partnership and with oversight from the City of Pueblo until another agency is selected for long-term operations.

"We are grateful to the City of Pueblo for stepping in to ensure that this critical service continues," said Pastor Wood. "We believe the ground is fertile for the next organization to come in and operate a flourishing shelter that will continue to help our unhoused neighbors back on their feet."

Nearly 30 individuals from various nonprofit and community organizations met earlier this week to discuss the future of the Pueblo Rescue Mission. Discussion included fiscal oversight for grants, outreach to current clients served by the Pueblo Rescue Mission, assistance with recovery and treatment, fundraising support and more.

Safeside Recovery Center is hosting a fundraising event called Harvest of Hope to assist clients who were affected by the alleged misappropriation of funds and financial mismanagement by a former Pueblo Rescue Mission employee. The fundraiser is Saturday, October 12 from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the 710 W. 4th St. Porchlight location. The Harvest of Hope event includes a silent auction, music, food and community connection.

United Way of Pueblo County has committed to providing temporary financial oversight support for grant or financial donations by individuals donors made to the Pueblo Rescue Mission. United Way also welcomes other donated items to benefit the Pueblo Rescue Mission to be collected at their office, located at 510 W. 3rd St.

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