Community Resource List

1. State/County Assistance

2. Local Nonprofits

3. Mutual Aid / Community Help

https://www.freefood.org/c/co-lakewood

  • Post in r/denver mutual aid threads—sometimes people chip in directly.

4. 2-1-1 Colorado

  • Dial 211 or go to https://211colorado.org/. It’s a statewide line that connects you to rent/utility aid programs based on your zip code.

5. Medical Hardship Help

Ask your hospital/clinic about charity care or medical hardship grants—many have separate emergency funds that can free up your rent money.

Shelter, Transitional Housing & Domestic Violence Safe Housing

  • SafeHouse Denver — They provide emergency shelter, extended stay programs, counseling, advocacy and support specifically for survivors of domestic violence. Everything is free, confidential. 

  • Samaritan House Downtown / Samaritan House 48th — For single women: emergency overnight shelter (2301 Lawrence St) with two meals and bathroom services; for more continuous shelter, Samaritan House 48th provides 24/7 shelter, showers, laundry, meals. 

  • Denver’s HOST / Shelter & Housing Directory — The City and County of Denver maintain a list of shelters, motel programs, safe outdoor spaces, etc. 

  • The Gathering Place — A low-barrier, trauma-informed center for women, gender-diverse people, and children facing homelessness. 

  • Colorado Coalition for the Homeless — Offers housing support, navigation, help finding and keeping housing in the Denver metro area. 

  • Family Tree (Housing & Stabilization Services) — Works with individuals/families experiencing or at risk of homelessness; offers case management, housing navigation, etc. 

🍽️ Food, Meals & Daytime Support

  • Denver Rescue Mission — Provides meals, basic services, and support to people experiencing homelessness. 

  • St. Francis Center — A daytime “hub” for people experiencing homelessness (meals, social services, referrals) in Denver. 

  • Denver Homeless Resource Guide (UC Denver handout) — Lists many food programs, food banks, meal services across Denver. 

  • DenverVoice Resource List — An online listing of many services for homeless individuals: food, medical, shelter, etc. 

  • Also, HungerFree Colorado Hotline: call 855-855-4626 (or metro Denver 720-382-2920) to locate food banks and meal programs. (This is referenced in the UC Denver resource list) 

🚍 Transportation, Bus Passes & Mobility Assistance

  • 211 Colorado / Metro Denver’s 2-1-1 Help Line — You can call 2-1-1 (or text your ZIP to 898-211) to ask about services including transportation or bus pass assistance in your area. 

  • Denver County Resources (Phone/Broadband/Transit section) — The general county resource list includes phone / broadband assistance, which may also include transit / mobility supports in some cases. 

  • Sometimes, domestic violence support organizations or shelters can provide transit vouchers (bus or light rail) to help survivors get to appointments, services, etc. (You’d have to ask the DV agencies whether this is available.)

🛠️ Car Repairs, Vehicle Support & Parking

This is harder, because car repair is expensive and less often offered as a free service. I could not find a Denver-area program specifically guaranteeing volunteer car repairs for DV victims, but here are a few strategies and leads:

  • Ask SafeHouse Denver or other DV advocacy programs whether they have partner “benevolent mechanics” or emergency transportation grants.

  • Some churches or faith-based organizations occasionally run “car care days” or partner with local mechanics to donate labor. Contact churches in your area and ask their outreach / social services ministries.

  • Talk with local nonprofits serving people with low income / disability — sometimes they know local mechanics who offer sliding scale or pro bono help.

  • For parking & ticket support: Legal aid (see below) might be able to help you challenge parking tickets (especially if your vehicle was disabled). Also, local DV-oriented agencies might cover small emergency fines in limited circumstances.

⚖️ Legal Aid, Rights & Representation

  • Denver District Attorney – Victim Assistance / Victim Advocacy — Because your homelessness and danger stem from domestic violence, the DA’s Victim Assistance Resources may help you with legal referrals, advocacy, support, and possibly financial assistance linked to DV cases. 

  • Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) — They provide resources and support to victims of crime (including DV). 

  • If your parking ticket or citation feels unfair (especially given your circumstances), legal aid organizations in Denver (like Colorado Legal Services, Metro Volunteer Lawyers, or local law school legal clinics) might help you challenge or appeal them. I can pull up a list of legal aid orgs in Denver if you want.

💊 Health / Medical / Disability Support

  • The Denver Homelessness & Housing resources list includes sections for “People with Disabilities” to help with accessing medical care, social services, and support. 

  • Colorado Coalition for the Homeless also runs health and wellness services (e.g. clinics) for people experiencing homelessness. 

📞 How to Get Started / What to Do First

Here’s a suggested order of steps you can take (depending on your energy and what’s possible at the moment):

  1. Call 2-1-1 (or text ZIP to 898-211) — explain your situation (domestic violence survivor, newly homeless, disabled) and ask for shelter placement, food programs, and transit help in your immediate area.

  2. Contact SafeHouse Denver (24-hour crisis line) and tell them where you currently are; ask for shelter or refuge.

  3. Go to Samaritan House Downtown / 48th as a possible emergency shelter for women.

  4. Use Denver’s HOST / Shelter & Housing Directory to see what other safe housing or motel programs are available tonight.

  5. While staying at or near the shelter or service centers, ask staff at those places about vouchers or support for transit (bus passes) and whether they know of any mechanics or car assistance programs.

  6. Visit St. Francis Center or Denver Rescue Mission in daytime for meals and services. While there, get referrals for case management.

  7. Contact legal aid organizations and victim-assistance programs (DA’s victim unit, Colorado victim organizations) for support with fines, parking tickets, or appeals.

  8. As you stabilize, engage with housing navigation through Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Family Tree, or other nonprofits to find longer-term housing.