About Boulder County Cares

"The mission of Boulder County Cares is to help Boulder County's unsheltered homeless during life-threatening conditions by providing services and supplies, and making referrals to other community service providers."

The Boulder County Cares program started in March 1997 to provide outreach assistance to unsheltered homeless persons in Boulder, Colorado. After the freezing death of a long-time homeless resident of Boulder, it was acknowledged that there was a need for a program to make contact and provide available assistance to those unwilling or unable to find shelter during life-threatening conditions. Boulder County Cares evolved from the efforts of seven collaborating agencies--the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, Addictions Recovery Center (ARC), Boulder County Health Department, City of Boulder Police, Boulder County Sheriff's Department, Boulder Community Hospital, and Salvation Army-to address the life-threatening needs of this at-risk population. Representatives of these agencies now constitute the program's Advisory Board, and meet regularly throughout the year to review and design the program as it evolves.

Boulder County Cares recently ended its eighth season of operation and has filled a once gaping hole in the available services for our homeless citizens. Every night during the months of October through April, two volunteers comb the streets, alleys, underpasses, vacant lots, and other areas of the city seeking out homeless persons and providing life-saving assistance. Nightly, we offer blankets, soup, cold-weather clothing, ground covers, hats, gloves, socks, and other provisions to those we encounter and are willing to accept our assistance. Whenever requested or appropriate, we provide referrals and transportation for homeless persons to the ARC (Addiction Recovery Center/detox), Boulder Community Hospital, and Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. During the 2004-2005 season we made 2143 contacts with homeless men and women. As the program becomes a visible and consistent presence in our community, the need for our services continues to grow.

Website design donated by: Maximiliano Nealon

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