Posada

Posada's Programs

From its beginnings, Posada has sought to be more than a shelter. Its purpose is to provide for the immediate needs of the homeless while enabling them to overcome the problems that have led to their condition of homelessness. This approach has resulted in a uniquely flexible and comprehensive response to the problem of homelessness.

Supported by a thorough and aggressive case management plan, Posada's program includes:

1008 N. Grand Avenue serves as Posada's Supportive Services Center, as well as its administrative offices. Showers, telephones, laundry and gas vouchers are available at the Center.

A full time case manager directs the homeless to accessible resources within the agency and throughout the community, including childcare assistance, health care clinics operated on site 5 days a week, and transportation assistance.

Families with children in need of emergency shelter are housed in 11 units at Posada's Elko Avenue Apartments. Construction was completed on November 20, 2002; previously Posada has leased rooms in area motels. Posada's model keeps a family together in a single setting. It is Pueblo's only shelter service provider allowing a family's privacy, security and the solidarity that is necessary in this transitional period.

Once families have been in Posada's Emergency Shelter Program for at least one week, they can opt to apply for admittance into the Transitional Housing Program if they are willing to abide by the rules and regulations of the program. Emergency shelter is short-term in nature (one to three weeks); this is the highest priority, as it attends to a family's survival needs, including shelter, food, clothing and emergency medical care, including pre and post-natal care.

Our homeless youth outreach program was developed to assess the needs of homeless and at-risk youth in Pueblo, establish trusting relationships with homeless youth, maintain continuous outreach, and work toward creating a comfortable place for youth to receive services and shelter. We provide youth with basic needs, temporary emergency shelter, employment assistance, information and referrals, mental health assistance, medical/optical assistance, food and clothing, transportation, advocacy and education assistance. Our youth program brochure can be printed here: BROCHURE.

The goal of transitional housing is to provide families with adequate time and support to acquire the personal resources to live independently. Transitional Housing is long-term in nature (up to 24 months); this provides the second response of attending to long-term needs such as education, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, employment and training.

A case manager enrolls families into parenting classes, drug and alcohol classes, mental health counseling services, and other appropriate and necessary programs.

The City of Pueblo designated Posada as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in 1997. This designation enables the organization to implement strategic housing development plans to assess and address housing needs in Pueblo County. By developing affordable permanent housing, Posada completes its continuum of care, helping low income families reach final independence from homelessness. Using donated land, homeowners' sweat equity, and donated labor and materials, Posada reduces the costs of housing it builds or renovates.

Since the inception of Posada's affordable housing program, 76 new construction and rehabilitation projects have been completed. Posada's charge to develop affordable housing for the farm worker population continues. Posada plans to break ground on Via Don Carlos, the thirty-two acre parcel of land purchased in December 2001. Development plans call for the introduction of 30 single-family residential units and a community center.

Posada has been given $200,000 in assistance dollars to house homeless families with disabilities, youth aging out of foster care and individuals who have a serious mental illness. Posada can pay the security deposit and rental costs for up to two years. The program began in May 2008 and is fully leased. TBRA gives Posada the opportunity to house those most at risk in the Pueblo Community.

We are providing an outlet for expression and self-discovery for our homeless clients (both children and adults) to improve self-esteem and emotional well-being during this transitional time in their lives, through art. Please visit our art page to see our clients' artwork and learn more about this exciting program!

Art Workshops meet every other Tuesday at Legacy Bank's community room from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Maria Westy Bush will be hosting the next art workshops on March 13th and March 27th.