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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 a full time Posada employment coordinator, 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.

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. During 2004 Posada concentrated its efforts on the ground-breaking and construction of Via Don Carlos, a $4.3 million development of 31 homes plus a community center to provide migrant farm worker housing in the eastern portion of Pueblo County. Posada is now engaged in securing water rights and rezoning. Construction is scheduled to begin in March of 2005, with the community opening a year later.

731 East 4th Street opened October 1, 2006 as an outreach facility for individuals who have or who are at risk for HIV/AIDS and other STDs. Initially a pilot project funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment for one year, the project has been extended for two years. The specific objectives of the project are: