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Housing Services Day Center,
a.k.a. The Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope
Kim Iwanski
Housing Services Day Center Program Manager
970-407-7063
kiwanski@uwaylc.org
The Housing Services Day Center is a resource center for families and individuals
who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness. It is a place for people who are
ready to make life changes to overcome their current situation, and who need some
help doing so. The mission of the Murphy Center is to help these families and individuals
to achieve stability and long-term self-sufficiency.
A new facility is being built in North Fort Collins, at the corner of Blue Spruce
and Conifer to house this resource center. The facility is being named "The Sister
Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope," in honor of the work in our community of Sister
Mary Alice Murphy. The common name for the facility will be "The Murphy Center."
This project is a nonprofit, innovative, community initiative to address homelessness
in Larimer County. Over a dozen representatives from local government, faith communities
and nonprofit agencies have come together to build a resource center that will provide
a multitude of services for people who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness.
The Need
Homelessness results from a complex set of circumstances that require people to
choose between food, shelter and other basic needs. Studies estimate there are over
2,400 homeless individuals in Larimer County, with 800 of those being school-age
children. Just as important, there are thousands more who are only one paycheck
away from becoming homeless. The number of children living in poverty has escalated
significantly in Larimer County over the last six years, with 19.2% children now
living below the poverty threshold. The most recent census data cites that 35,000
residents of Larimer County are living in poverty.
Poverty and homelessness is increasing at an alarming rate while services for this
population are inconsistent, and many times not available. The Murphy Center will
meet a dire need in our community for a central location where those who are homeless
and near homeless can access essential services and achieve long-term stability.
Services & Resources
There is no quick fix to homelessness, and homelessness is not caused by lack of
shelter alone. Multiple services are needed to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
The Murphy Center will provide case managers to work very closely with clients and
connect them with the appropriate community resources for their particular needs.
The Center will also provide a variety of complementary services such as: childcare,
job assistance, housing resources, financial counseling, transportation assistance,
job training and educational opportunities, mental health and substance abuse counseling,
and access to a telephone and computer for making employment contacts. These services
will be delivered through collaboration with other human service agencies providing
services on-site on a rotational basis. This facility will be the base where these
resources are linked together and people find the support they need to make changes
in their lives.
Facility Completion
Construction of the Center is in progress and will be open for services in March 2009.
Enterprise Zone Tax Credit
The project has been designated as an Enterprise Zone project. All monetary contributions
are eligible for a 25% State of Colorado Tax Credit. Please contact United Way for
an Enterprise Zone fact sheet.
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