Earthlinks

In 2022, covid continued to create some interruptions to services in the program. Due to social distancing requirements and limited interior space on site, program participation was limited to 69 persons through the year. All participants are adults experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and economic poverty. All are over 18 years of age and have incomes from any source of less than 13,000 per year. The workshop program engages participants in working in the garden where fresh food and other produce is grown, in beekeeping and vermiculture (worm composting), and in the workshop where products are created using reclaimed and natural products. Products are sold online and in the on-site shop and at various fairs throughout Colorado. Participants are paid a stipend for participating in the program and receive holistic case management services which result in moving folks from chaos to stability. More than 70% are stably housed within one year of joining the program. While in the program, participants set goals personal to themselves and more than 80% of participants will achieve or nearly achieve such goals within a year of joining the program. Case managers also work with participants to insure housing retention, as often housing is lost due to market conditions and other reasons if adequate supports are not in place to prevent such an outcome. In 2022, 90% of participants in the program were housed as of year end.

Trips into nature are a benefit for members of the workshop community. Trips into nature are offered free of charge to adults experiencing homelessness throughout the year. Trips include transportation, breakfast, a picnic lunch and often guided tours. Entrance fees are covered by the organization. The opportunity to leave the chaos of their daily lives on the street by traveling into the mountains, parks and other natural places of interest provides refreshment and a new outlook on life for those living with the challenges of homelessness. Ten trips into nature were offered in 2022, serving 133 participants.

The coffee shop employment initiative was opened in 2021 after long delays due to permitting issues and covid. In addition to ongoing covid challenges for the shop, neighborhood construction and street construction activities continued to interfere with business. Nonetheless, 4 unique individuals with barriers to regular employment opportunities were employed in the coffee shop during 2022.