SHOCKING TREATMENT OF WOMEN AT DENVER HOMELESS SHELTER SPARKS OUTRAGE
A refuge for women facing homelessness in Denver is facing backlash after a group of residents were reportedly kicked out for minor infractions.
The Samaritan House 48th shelter at 4330 48th Ave., operated by Catholic Charities of Denver, has been accused of inhumanely treating its residents, many of whom are over the age of 60.
According to reports from Housekeys Action Network Denver (HAND), several women were forced to leave the shelter in late September for minor offenses such as having their beds slightly past marked lines or not downsizing their personal belongings quickly enough.
These women were then given a warning in October for hanging jackets and towels on the side of their beds.
But when the residents spoke out about the treatment at a meeting with city officials, shelter leaders were forced to backtrack and void the write-ups. However, this one-time intervention does not address the ongoing issues at the shelter, HAND organizers claim.
"These women are being treated as less than human and simply thrown out onto the streets without any regard for their wellbeing," Terese Howard, an organizer with HAND, said. "They are forced to survive on the streets with nothing, which is unacceptable."
A spokesperson for Catholic Charities of Denver, Stacy Baum, confirmed that 21 women were discharged from the shelter in September. However, she claimed that none of the women were permanently dismissed and were given six days' notice beforehand. Baum also stated that at least 17 of the women have since returned to the shelter.
"The overall safety and dignity of our residents is our top priority," Baum said in a statement. "We are currently reviewing our protocols and working with the residents involved to ensure that this does not happen again."
The Samaritan House 48th shelter, which can house up to 270 women, is open 24/7 and provides meals, showers, laundry, and case management services.
Advocates are concerned about the mistreatment of residents and are calling for changes to be made in the way the shelter operates.
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"These women are human beings and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect," Howard said. "It's even more concerning for those with complex health conditions who are kicked out onto the streets, without access to proper care and support."
While Catholic Charities of Denver cannot comment on individual cases for privacy reasons, they maintain that they are addressing the alleged incidents and working to improve safety protocols at the shelter. But for advocates like Howard, this issue goes deeper than one-time interventions.
"No one deserves to be cast out and left to fend for themselves, especially in such dire circumstances,” Howard concluded.