Mission Arvada volunteers urge city funding as shelter staff departures loom

Speakers at the May 20 Arvada City Council meeting urged the city to sustain funding and staff support for Mission Arvada, the local nonprofit running day shelter services and an overnight shelter operated this past winter.

“Without spending local tax dollars, you have the opportunity to make a huge impact,” Vera Ananda, volunteer coordinator and data administrator at Mission Arvada, told the council. She thanked the city for a HUD transformational homeless response grant Arvada received and said Mission Arvada’s staff and volunteers should be included in public planning and outreach.

Several Mission Arvada volunteers and longtime volunteers described the shelter’s recent workload and costs. Tom Ochsner, a clinical psychologist and volunteer, said Mission Arvada hosted 277 unique individuals and an average of 45 individuals per night during the 45 coldest nights of the past winter, totaling 2,035 overnight stays. He said Mission Arvada’s direct cost to run the overnight shelter was about $60,000 and that building repairs and upgrades to meet city requirements cost roughly another $60,000. Ochsner asked the city to contribute an amount he said had been provided historically: “I urge you to pitch in the same $40,000 I think that’s the amount that you've given to the severe weather shelter network in past years.”

Speakers said Mission Arvada’s volunteer corps — Ochsner noted 200 volunteers in 2024 who logged over 20,000 hours — is a major asset but that retaining trained staff is a challenge. Ochsner said the volunteer coordinator Vera Ananda recently gave notice and will leave this summer because her family needs full‑time income; he said additional city support could help retain staff.

Mission Arvada supporters said the organization provides more than emergency shelter: volunteers and staff help clients apply for benefits, provide meals and case management, and coordinate long‑term housing referrals. Ramsey Turner and Nicole (last name reported in transcript as Golojuch) spoke about Mission Arvada’s role in providing meals, housing support and life skills.

Why it matters: commenters said Mission Arvada fills critical gaps in Arvada’s regional homeless response and that modest city contributions could sustain operations and key staff during a period of expanded demand and a larger HUD grant process.

What the record shows: public commenters praised the city for pursuing HUD funds and asked for additional local support (a $40,000 figure was requested by at least one speaker). Council members referenced ongoing regional coordination on homelessness and the city’s commitment to a navigation center and a 24/7 shelter in North Jeffco; no new direct city appropriation was approved at the May 20 meeting.

Clarifying details provided by speakers: - Overnight shelter usage during the winter: 277 unique individuals; average 45 people per night; 2,035 total overnight stays (source: Tom Ochsner). - Mission Arvada direct operating cost for the winter shelter: approximately $60,000; additional building repairs/upgrades about $60,000 (source: Tom Ochsner). - Requested city contribution referenced by speakers: $40,000 (source: Tom Ochsner); city staff did not announce an immediate appropriation at the meeting. - Vera Ananda, Mission Arvada volunteer coordinator and data administrator, said she will leave this summer for full‑time employment needs.

Next steps and council context: Councilmembers and staff mentioned ongoing regional planning and coordination. Deputy City Manager Linda Haley and Councilmember Ambrose said they attended an Adams County Council of Governments meeting on homelessness and would make materials available publicly; councilmembers also cited a regional forum on homelessness that the city plans to participate in. No formal vote to increase city funding for Mission Arvada was taken on May 20.