Evergreen’s EChO shelter much more than a place to sleep
When Don Kneebone’s longtime Evergreen partner died a year ago, the 80-year-old Army veteran was suddenly homeless. The former truck driver and family man took shelter in his truck, living in it from March to December 2024, telling no one about his circumstances.“It was a little cramped,” he said. “I rolled an old shirt and put it along the door to keep the cold air from coming in and the warm air from going out. But people left me alone; no one never bothered me while I was sleeping in my truck.”In early December, the truck’s radiator and heater broke.That night, Kneebone got a ride to a Knights of Columbus meeting, where he ran into an old acquaintance — Evergreen Christian Outreach shelter manager Tim Clancy. After the meeting, Clancy brought Kneebone to the Evergreen shelter. There, he received clean clothes, a quiet place to sleep, three meals a day, and the companionship of fellow guests and shelter volunteers.He also got help from EChO’s social and case workers, who helped Kneebone tap into benefits — including housing assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs.On Feb. 3, Kneebone moved into his own apartment in Evergreen.“I like the place,” he said. “I’ve got good neighbors, and it’s quiet.“EChO is just wonderful; it was a helping hand up. You only need a helping hand to stay afloat a little bit, and then everything changes.”Evergreen Christian Outreach shelter manager Tim Clancy stands in one of the guests rooms at the Evergreen shelter. This guest has a pet, which is allowed to sleep in a crate in the room with them. Credit: Jane ReuterStories like Kneebone’s are exactly why the EChO shelter exists. The organization, which includes a food pantry and a resale shop whose sales support its mission, goes far beyond providing overnight shelter from the elements. Its motto of “hope, health, security” encompasses a long list of support services for those undergoing personal or economic challenges. Case managers offer assistance for immediate crises, long-term support, resources, and referrals to foster self-stability, confidence and long-term sustainability.“It’s more than just a cot and a meal,” Clancy said. “We’ve changed many lives.“We know solving homelessness requires many things. We give them a warm welcome, a good night’s sleep, dinner, and a sack lunch to go. It all boils down to human dignity.”The need for a foothills shelter is clear. While it initially began as an emergency shelter, EChO shifted to the current model of opening every night from October through April in 2020. Since then, the guest nights have increased dramatically each year — jumping from 695 in 2020-2021 to 2,591 in 2023-2024 season.But EChO goes far beyond filling each individual’s physical needs. Its staff are trained at solving problems long-term.“We establish a relationship and trust with folks,” Clancy said. “Our social workers help the people that stay with us work through all the complexities of Medicare, Medicaid, health care, veteran’s benefits, car repairs and housing.”EChO’s numbers show it’s an approach that works.EChO’s Evergreen shelter includes a full-size commercial kitchen and dining room. Credit: Jane Reuter“Last season we had 70 different guests,” Clancy said. “As of this day, 40 are housed.”It’s also clearly filling a need. On a recent snowy February night, the EChO shelter was full with 19 guests.They hail from throughout the foothills and mountains, including Evergreen, Morrison, Kittredge, Conifer, Bailey, Pine and Idaho Springs.Clancy, who has served as the shelter’s manager for five years, sees no difference between the shelter guests and anyone else.“There but for the grace of God go I,” he said. “People are homeless for the same reasons we all have difficulties — divorce, mental health issues, alcoholism, drug abuse. That’s in every family and network. It happens to all of us.“But we’ve got a safety network. If you miss a mortgage payment, you could probably find someone to help you. These folks are on the street; they don’t have that.”The Evergreen shelter opened in 2016 when Christ the King, Bergen Park, Evergreen Lutheran and Church of the Transfiguration along with Beth Evergreen joined forces to start an emergency shelter program.EChO stepped in to manage it during the pandemic, shifting to the current multi-month, nightly model.Guests check in at 6:15 p.m. nightly and leave by 7 a.m. each day. Weather is not a factor in its operation.Shelter manager Tim Clancy holds a pair of pajamas. New guests who have limited clothing with them are given a new pair of pajamas, socks and underwear. Credit: Jane Reuter“There are shelters whose purpose is to keep people from freezing to death,” Clancy said. “But there’s no difference sleeping in your car when it’s 38 than when it’s 28.”Nor does it limit the amount of time a guest can stay.“We have had guests stay 3 to 4 months, and we continue to work with them after they’re housed,” he said.The shelter operates in an undisclosed location, with a full commercial kitchen, laundry, dining room and multiple bedrooms, many of them private. Each room has a full-size cot, an easy chair, nightstand, air filter and lamps that emit a soothing glow. Guests with pets, which is about 20% to 30% of guests, are given a crate so their pet can sleep in the room with them.“That’s peaceful for the animal and the owner,” Clancy said. “A lot of shelters don’t allow pets. But their pet may be their only friend in the world. It’s their spouse, their psychologist, the only one they can talk to sometimes.”Guests who come in without any clothing but the items they have on are given new pajamas, socks and underwear, and volunteers do their laundry. Guests can also choose from among donated items of clothing and shoes.To further that sense of place and dignity, the shelter uses ceramic plates and silverware. Artwork, including handmade quilts, decorates the walls. A floral centerpiece graces each table in the dining room.Six of the shelter’s current guests leave the shelter to work each day. Clancy calls them “the working homeless.”“They’re saving their money,” he said. “They may be people stocking your grocery store shelves, working in the restaurant where you’re eating. We want them to stay working. But they need a place to sleep, a shower and some food.”The shelter is run by volunteers who come from throughout the area, including local churches, the Kiwanis, Rotary and Elks clubs, Evergreen Newcomers and local high schools. The only exception is one paid staffer who does laundry and cleans.Shelter guests can choose from among toiletries and other basics. Credit: Jane ReuterAs welcoming as the shelter is, it does not accept everyone who wants to stay. Every prospective guest must undergo a criminal background check and sex offender screening.“If they fail, those people can’t come in,” Clancy said. “We refer them elsewhere. Because of the screening, we’ve had no incidents. People appreciate this and they’re not interested in messing it up.”EChO often stays in touch with its guests after they leave, working with them further to ensure they’re getting the benefits they need, or sometimes simply rejoicing in their successes.“One of our alumni had been chronically homeless for 30 years; he got housing in July,” Clancy said. “We recently took him out to lunch recently to celebrate his 53rd birthday.”Kneebone is among those who’s stayed connected. And in gratitude for what he received from EChO, he’s now giving back.“I’ve gone back a couple times for the evening meal and to visit with the people,” he said. “Last time I was there, I worked in the kitchen washing dishes.”The post Evergreen’s EChO shelter much more than a place to sleep appeared first on Colorado Community Media.
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