Cat Kerr

More women are given a haven at Marisol Homes through pregnancy, birth and beyond

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Housing pregnant women experiencing homelessness is critical to maternal and infant health. Research shows that adverse environmental conditions such as being unhoused cause negative impacts to the mother and child. According to a recent study, women experiencing homelessness are more than twice as likely to have a complication that impacts their health during birth. They are also almost twice as likely to have early or threatened labor during pregnancy.

Given that vulnerability, places such as Marisol Homes have stepped up to serve more expectant women than ever. In 2022 alone, Marisol Homes, a longer-term shelter of Catholic Charities of Denver, gave nine women experiencing homelessness a haven during their pregnancies and a place to return post-partum for critical bonding with their newborns.

The line of defense doesn’t just stop at offering a roof over their heads. To reinforce the ongoing safety of both the woman and child, staff at Marisol Homes create birth plans and offer programming specifically targeted to help pregnant women. Programs such as prenatal, postpartum and parenting classes give essential tools to first- time parents, and to women with other children.

“It is vital that we offer stability to support new life,” shared program manager Vin Glover. “We have successfully given more women a protective net this year than ever before. Right now, we have six women in house who are expecting.”

Genevieve is one of the nine women who entered Marisol Homes program with a pregnant belly this year. She has used the tools and space provided to nurture her newborn, Carson.

“The security and safety have given me the courage to take on motherhood,” said Genevieve, who has three other children that aren’t currently in her custody. “To have a place to call home after I left the hospital with my baby was life changing.” Two years ago, the 34-year-old gave birth to a baby girl who was taken into foster care soon after delivery.

Many of the women at Marisol have been exposed to generational trauma and didn’t experience healthy childhoods where they felt safe and loved. While mothers instinctively want a better life for their children, they may not have the tools to foster healthy relationships. The goal at Marisol Homes is to empower mothers to believe they are capable parents through self-reflection, mental health awareness, wellness and a supportive environment.

“There is no such thing as ‘perfect parenting,’” said Lara O’Shaughnessy, LCSW, Marisol Services specialist. “Relieving all mothers of the pressure to be perfect releases some of the shame and guilt they carry from past experiences. At Marisol, we encourage our parents to focus on the present/future relationship with their children, reassuring mothers that it is never too late to strengthen the loving bond with their little ones. We strive to nurture connection between mother and child so that their family unit can thrive.”

Tiffany and Dianna are two of the mothers who safely carried their babies at Marisol Homes until their third trimester.

Marisol Health offers compassionate options for mother of twins, Alyssa 

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The news of Alyssa’s pregnancy was unexpected. As many do in this position, she found herself contemplating different options and next steps. She took to the internet and started scrolling.

Towards the end of her search that was filled with frightening keywords, Alyssa came across Marisol Health and filled out a general inquiry. The very next day, she was accompanied by both nurses and case workers who walked her through the process with dignity and compassion. When the news came about her carrying not one, but two babies, she was understandably overwhelmed.

Alyssa shared that she felt cared for when the nurses showed her that first ultrasound. She walked away from the reception desk and knew that Marisol Health staff would be there to support her on this uncertain journey. And they did, they took her step by step.

Her twin girls Amelia and Brielle were born in July 2022, and Alyssa reflects on the many blessings Marisol Health continues to provide her, even beyond the gift of her beautiful daughters.

“I never thought motherhood of twins would be this hard. I feel like I can get up and do it every day, even when I am so exhausted, because I have support and resources such as Marisol Health.”

On top of offering prenatal care, Marisol Health assisted in the items needed for a mother of twins. They even helped Alyssa set up a baby registry. The postpartum counseling at Marisol Health that Alyssa receives from the support she needs as a new mother.

“I am blown away by the love I have received, even after my twins were born. From care packages to diaper donations, I am so grateful to have found Marisol Health,” Alyssa shared.

With help from Marisol Homes, Nichole regains custody of her son

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When she entered Marisol Homes, 27-year-old Nichole had been fighting a battle with addiction for eight years. When she was in her early 20’s, despite her opioid use, she had been able to maintain jobs in Crested Butte and Breckenridge. Soon, however, her coworkers noticed challenges that came from her drug use, and she lost her job and her stable income. Her journey into homelessness began.

“I would stay on friends’ couches, in their garages or their sheds. I even slept in my own car more times than I care to remember,” shared Nichole.

Life took on a new meaning in October 2020 when she gave birth to her son, Aiden. Although she hoped the arrival of Aiden would force her to get clean, she continued to struggle with sobriety. Nichole moved to Denver with Aiden to find a new community and a fresh start.

“At first Denver was far worse, because we didn’t know many people and I was without a vehicle. For the first month, we stayed with some friends, but then they lost their housing. I had little money but was able to get a hotel room for a few nights to try to figure out what to do next,” said Nichole.

In her fight to get sober, Nichole suffered a seizure due to withdrawals. A trip to the hospital led to Aiden being temporarily placed in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS). Looking back at this traumatic event, Nichole considers it a “blessing in disguise.”

“It was horrible at first, being without my son. But I knew he was safe. And at the time, that was more than I could offer him. The judge on our case said that I could get him back, but I needed to find stable, suitable housing,” Nichole shared. Nichole was staying at an emergency shelter in Denver that was preparing to close. She considers the next phase as one of God’s graces. That emergency shelter connected her to Samaritan House on Lawrence Street, operated by Catholic Charities of Denver. At the time, the family floor was full, so she was referred to Marisol Homes, also operated by Catholic Charities, which is a residence for single pregnant women as well as for single woman with children. Once her application was received, Nichole moved in almost immediately

“I remember talking to Vin (the program manager at Marisol Homes) on the phone, and I could hear the excitement that he had for me, knowing that when I moved in, I would likely get my son back,” said Nichole.

While at Marisol Homes, Nichole made it her mission to stay busy. She got Aiden back from the foster care system the day after she moved in and knew from then on, she wouldn’t and couldn’t experience life without him in her arms. With the ongoing support at Marisol Homes, she was able to provide him with the safety he deserved.

Nichole attended classes, both at Marisol Homes and at the Jefferson County Business and Workforce Center. She was earning certificates and had a newfound love for learning. At Marisol Homes, she actively participated in classes about sobriety, life skills and parenting — any class that was available to her. She said she wanted to learn as much as possible to be a better mother to her son.

During a weekly community meeting at Marisol Homes, Nichole learned of a job opportunity. She applied and has been working ever since at the Women’s Bean Project, a transitional job program that manufactures food.

Most recently, Nichole received her Peer Support Specialist certification to help women that have been in her shoes. “I want to be a Family Advocate working with families that have lost their children to the CPS system, as well. I want to pass on the resources I’ve learned and create that feeling of hope for families that have lost theirs,” said Nichole. “I gained my hope back being surrounded by the people that helped me through my toughest times, and I want to be able to give other people that feeling back, as well.”

Madison’s Garden: An Amazing Group of Volunteers. “Feeling needed and valued for the little things we do.”

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“A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” - Mark 12: 42-44 -

Receiving more than you give is a common experience for Catholic Charities’ volunteers. Serving people experiencing life’s challenges is a heart-warming and humbling opportunity to learn more about yourself and neighbors in our community.

For one special group of volunteers, the experience means even more.

Every week, a team of adults from Madison’s Garden, a day program for adults with developmental delays, spends their Tuesday afternoons at Samaritan House preparing sandwiches for thousands of neighbors Catholic Charities serves. Working closely with the food services team, these generous people know that their volunteering will make a real difference.

“I like helping people who are hungry,” said Maria Waymel, one of the dedicated volunteers from Madison’s Garden. “I put together 100 sandwiches today and that will help 100 people. I enjoy it.”

For Maria and her friends, the act of volunteering is broken down into three main categories: connection, accompaniment and fellowship.

Madison’s Garden considers itself a “community connector” by linking adults — who have developmental disabilities — to social and community needs. The organization is a day program for adults and their caregivers to grow closer to each other and their community. Since the group started their volunteer venture at Samaritan House, they have grown closer as a group, and are especially empathetic to the unhoused community.

The small but mighty Madison’s Garden volunteer team at Samaritan House has engineered an assembly line to get as many sandwiches prepared as possible during their two hours of service.

Maria ensures that all of the bread is laid out for Pete and Sandra to stack on the meats and cheeses. David oversees the operation by closing the sandwiches to prepare for wrapping.

Their record is 170 sandwiches in one day, but they plan to beat it.

Maria also volunteers at Marisol Family, a ministry of Catholic Charities that provides families with diapers, wipes and other items. Recently, Maria spent time putting together several layette baskets for expectant mothers to receive.

Madison’s Garden director Rosa Amezcua, has noticed a big difference in the group’s dynamic since they’ve started.

“As a director of a day program for adults with developmental disabilities, I find that volunteering is the most complete and rewarding activity for our participants. When we visit the ministries of Catholic Charities such as the Samaritan House and Marisol Family, we receive more than what we give,” shared Rosa. “The sense of belonging to a community, feeling needed and valued for the little things that we do, the welcoming and appreciation that our group gets when we arrive has been a great blessing for all of us. Everybody looks forward to it every week!”

 

Helping more neighbors than ever

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“Every day, Jesus walks through these doors,” said Bishop Jorge Rodríguez when he blessed Phase Two of the Samaritan House renovation project in 2021.

In the past several months, many more families than usual have walked through the doors of Catholic Charities’ ministries and been welcomed like Jesus. As the volume of people seeking shelter and food assistance has sharply increased, our entire team has leaned into its mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need.

Samaritan House in Denver, as well as Samaritan House Fort Collins and Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley, have welcomed more people than ever who need safe shelter, nutritious food and support.

“We’ve seen this influx for months now,” said Joshua Zielinski, program manager of the family floor at Samaritan House in downtown Denver. “We didn’t exactly know how we’d make it work, but we do know our mission which is why we jumped at this chance to help more families. We knew we’d have to make this work.”

The teams in Denver, Fort Collins and Greeley have reworked buildings to temporarily house more families than ever before, including reconfiguring women’s dorms, opening up common areas and even utilizing conference rooms and offices as spaces that families can stay together. Partitions have been constructed, temporary curtains have been hung and the staff has worked overtime to make sure that all who come through our doors are treated like the Holy Family on a cold night.

“We were able to take some pointers from our teams in Fort Collins and Greeley. We are actively working on all sorts of situations, as all families are different. We are piloting the conversion of some conference rooms into dorms for single fathers with their children,” said Zielinski.

Samaritan House isn’t the only Catholic Charities’ ministry experiencing greater need. Little Flower Assistance Center in Aurora has seen a dramatic increase as well.

“The need at our Center has nearly tripled since September of 2022. There are individuals with full-time jobs, those who didn’t have the disparity they have now, coming to our doors and out of their comfort zones to ask for help,” shared Virginia Fincco, volunteer at Little Flower. “We’ve also seen a great number of migrants show up at our doors.”

Last year, we saw a record number of families and individuals who needed help with groceries, clothing and personal hygiene items. In a single day in late December, 105 families (about 400 individuals) came to our doors seeking food and clothing assistance.

“We’re so grateful for our team, donors and volunteers who are helping us manage the increased needs,” said Donna Potter, supervisor at Little Flower.

Navy veteran’s finds confidence through remission

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Navy veteran Michael did not have an easy transition when he returned home from service. At the beginning of 2020, Michael was diagnosed with stage three oral cancer. He quickly underwent surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy to successfully remove the cancer. The nature of this life-altering diagnosis made it even more difficult for Michael to reintegrate into the community. The surgery required part of his tongue and some of his teeth to be removed, creating an uncharted territory of learning how to talk and interact with others again. Not surprisingly, he said it lowered his self-esteem. He would apply for jobs and back out when he was called to the interview. On top of that, he experienced chronic pain from a blood clot in his leg that made it hard to stand beyond a few minutes.

With the help of the Veterans Administration (VA), Michael was referred to Samaritan House on Lawrence Street when it became clear that Michael could not afford housing. MIchael said that these moments of struggle were a grace from God telling him that he needed to slow down and take care of himself. The veteran services team at Samaritan House offers support groups and case management services to help those who have served our country with the dignity they deserve.

Michael says that the first words out of his caseworker's mouth were, "’Take care of yourself and your health first, we will find a place for you.’"

He worked with his assigned wellness consultant on speech therapy and with his caseworker on interview skills. He shared that some days he would just sit and cry in frustration, trying to get the right words out, but that it helped build up his confidence to put himself back out into the workforce. Tears of joy came one day when an affordable housing opportunity came that would allow for his daughter to live with him as his caregiver.

“God gives us strength. I found courage through my time at Samaritan House,” said Michael.

Today, he has a lot to celebrate, including safe and secure housing in downtown Denver and his daughter’s high school graduation. The two plan to celebrate seeing his favorite team, the Las Vegas Raiders, in the coming year.

Single-mother finds safety at Marisol Homes after attempted kidnapping

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“It was in that moment, that everything changed for me.” said Dianna. If you watch enough of the news, you can see that it is no secret that human trafficking in Colorado is on the rise. For marginalized communities including those experiencing homelessness, there is an exponentially higher risk of facing a trafficking situation, according … Read more

The Black 14: Love. Fellowship. Generosity. A story of healing, hope and giving back.

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The story of the Black 14 started in 1969 when a group of black football players at the University of Wyoming decided to wear black armbands to take a stand against racism during a football game with Brigham Young University. At that time, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) believed that African … Read more

A ‘Little Bit’ Of Love Goes A Long Way To Healing

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Veterans from Catholic Charities of Denver’s Samaritan House are offered weekly therapeutic sessions with horses from the Sunny Horse Foundation, a Broomfield non-profit that hosts equine classes designed specifically for those who have served our country. Navy veteran Todd resides at Samaritan House and has been participating in the program since it originated in 2018. … Read more