Denver — Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet visited the Boulder location of TGTHR, a nonprofit working with communities to end youth homelessness. He toured TGTHR’s Source Drop-In Center and Overnight Shelter which provides immediate resources to young people experiencing homelessness seven days a week. In addition, Senator Bennet toured TGTHR’s 40-unit Permanent Supportive Housing Project.
During the tour, Bennet heard how TGTHR plans to renovate and expand the Source with the $2 million he helped secure in the Fiscal Year 2023 federal funding bill, which passed Congress in December. Bennet also secured $2 million for TGTHR to provide supportive services at a 56-unit permanent supportive housing project for youth in Denver in the Fiscal Year 2022 federal funding bill, which passed Congress last March.
“We are in the midst of both a housing affordability crisis and a mental and behavioral health crisis that places Coloradans — and especially young people — at an increased risk of homelessness,” said Bennet. “Organizations like TGTHR are leading the way by providing resources and support to those in need. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to tour their Boulder resource center, emergency shelter, and affordable apartments and hear how the $4 million we secured will enable them to expand their services and connect more young people with a stable, supportive home.”
“There were nearly 1,000 unaccompanied youth who experienced homelessness in Denver Metro last year, according to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). That’s in Denver alone, and TGTHR serves young people from Denver up to the Wyoming border,” said Kristine Edwards, Chief Operations Officer, TGTHR. “We are diligently working to expand TGTHR’s continuum of services to prevent or end youth homelessness by connecting more young people with housing and supportive services as quickly as possible. We are grateful for the spotlight being shone on this critical work, and for this funding to support these youth.”
Formerly known as Attention Homes, TGTHR is building a movement that galvanizes communities, empowers young people, and puts an end to youth homelessness. In 2022, TGTHR served almost 250 young people with more than 13,000 meals, 2,750 case management sessions, more than 1,000 behavioral health counseling sessions, and almost 500 hours of family coaching for young people and their families. Of those served by TGTHR in 2022, 29% identified as LGBTQIA+ and 67% were younger than 21. TGTHR reports that 76% of youth in their housing program were able to maintain stable housing for at least 6 months, and 75% of youth who exited their permanent supportive housing program were able to move into another stable housing situation.