Urban Peak Denver

URBAN PEAK IGNITES THE POTENTIAL IN YOUTH TO EXIT HOMELESSNESS AND CREATE SELF-DETERMINED, FULFILLED LIVES.

HOUSING SERVICES: URBAN PEAK MANAGES THREE DENVER HOUSING PROPERTIES (STUDIO AND ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT COMPLEXES) WITH SIXTY-EIGHT UNITS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. ADDITIONALLY, URBAN PEAK OVERSEES AND PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT TO YOUTH IN TWENTY EIGHT COMMUNITY HOUSING SITES THROUGH DENVER'S ROAD HOME AND THE FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM. IN TOTAL WE MANAGE NINETY-SIX UNITS OF HOUSING FOR DENVER YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. TWO OF OUR PROPERTIES SERVE YOUTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES AND THOSE WITH SERIOUS SUBSTANCE ABUSE ADDICTIONS. INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND CASE MANAGEMENT ARE COMBINED IN OUR THREE HOUSING PROGRAMS TO OFFER A STABLE AND SAFE PLATFORM FROM WHICH TO ACHIEVE A LIFE AWAY FROM THE STREETS. EVERY YOUTH IN URBAN PEAK HOUSING HAS A CASE MANAGER AS WELL AS ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, LIFE SKILLS CLASSES, AND BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE. IN FY21, 154 UNDUPLICATED YOUTH AND 23 CHILDREN WERE HOUSED, CASE MANAGED, AND RECEIVED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES. OVER 88% EXITED TO A SAFE AND STABLE PLACE.

OVERNIGHT SHELTER AND DAY SERVICES: HOMELESS YOUTH ARE INVITED TO STAY AT THE SHELTER AS LONG AS THEY ARE ACTIVELY RECEIVING SERVICES AND MAKING PROGRESS ON THEIR CASE PLAN FOR ACHIEVING SELF-SUFFICIENCY OR REUNIFICATION WITH FAMILY. WHEN YOUTH ENTER THE SHELTER, THEY PARTICIPATE IN AN INTAKE ASSESSMENT TO HELP DETERMINE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND IDENTIFY PERSONAL BARRIERS TO EXITING THE STREETS. WITH A CASE MANAGER, EACH YOUTH DEVELOPS A CASE PLAN TO ACHIEVE STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY BUILDING ON EXISTING STRENGTHS AND ACCESSING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. COMPONENTS OF CASE MANAGEMENT MAY INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION; LEGAL ADVOCACY; INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING REFERRALS; SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING AND SUPPORT; INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM REFERRALS; TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE; EDUCATION ASSISTANCE; ASSISTANCE OBTAINING ID'S AND BIRTH CERTIFICATIONS; PEER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT; AND MORE. THROUGHOUT OUR PROGRAM SERVICES, URBAN PEAK HAS IMPLEMENTED AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND TREATMENT FRAMEWORK CALLED TRAUMA INFORMED CARE (TIC). TIC INVOLVES UNDERSTANDING, RECOGNIZING, AND RESPONDING TO THE EFFECTS OF ALL TYPES OF TRAUMA. WE EMPHASIZE THE PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND EMOTIONAL SAFETY OF BOTH YOUTH AND STAFF, AND ASSUME THAT EVERY YOUTH ACCESSING SERVICES HAS EXPERIENCED TRAUMA. IN FY21, 291 UNDUPLICATED YOUTH STAYED AT THE SHELTER FOR 9,794 BED NIGHTS. NOTE THAT DURING COVID BED CAPACITY DECREASED FROM 40 TO 30.

DROP-IN CENTER: URBAN PEAK'S DROP-IN CENTER, THE SPOT, OFFERS A SAFE, RESPECTFUL, LOW-BARRIER ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH TO RECEIVE A MEAL, TAKE A SHOWER, DO LAUNDRY, AND ACCESS MEDICAL CARE. IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS, THE SPOT PROVIDES NUMEROUS LIFE SKILLS CLASSES INCLUDING ANGER MANAGEMENT, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, COOKING AND NUTRITION, SEX AND STI EDUCATION, BUDGETING, AND MORE. YOUTH HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ART, MUSIC, YOGA, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. THE DROP-IN CENTER OFTEN SERVES AS A GATEWAY FOR YOUTH TO ACCESS OTHER URBAN PEAK PROGRAMS, AND USES A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MODEL WHICH COMPLEMENTS TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AND ENSURES THAT CONFLICT IS REPAIRED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. IN FY21, 626 UNDUPLICATED YOUTH ACCESSED SERVICES AT OUR LOW-BARRIER DROP-IN CENTER WHERE 15,248 MEALS WERE PROVIDED.