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Shelter volunteers and advocates urge Arvada to increase support for Mission Arvada and navigation center
Summary
Multiple speakers praised Mission Arvada’s services, described volunteer efforts and operating costs for last winter’s overnight shelter, and urged the council to provide additional funding to retain staff and support the organization’s programs.
Speakers at the May 20 Arvada City Council meeting urged city leaders to increase funding for Mission Arvada’s shelter and services, citing volunteer labor, direct operating costs for a winter overnight shelter, and the risk of losing key staff.
Tom Ochsner, a clinical psychologist and 30-year Arvada resident, told the council Mission Arvada ran an overnight shelter on 45 of the coldest nights last winter and that 277 unique individuals used the shelter for a total of 2,035 overnight stays. “If the city had perhaps provided host hotel stays for that many overnight stays, it would have cost well over $200,000. It cost Mission Arvada about $60,000 in direct costs to run the overnight shelter,” Ochsner said, and he urged the city to “not starve the goose that is laying the golden egg.”
Volunteer coordinator Vera Ananda (spoke as Vera Amanda in the meeting) described Mission Arvada’s broader operations, supported by volunteer corps and case managers funded in part through a HUD transformational grant the city received. She told council members the nonprofit provides day shelter services, case management and pathways to stability and recommended that the city include people with lived experience in planning: “Provide opportunities for people with lived experience of homelessness to drive decision making.”
Other callers emphasized the organization’s reach and urged quick city action. A pair of speakers representing Mission Arvada recounted direct assistance, including food, utility support and case management, and argued that continuity of funding is essential to retain skilled, bilingual staff. Ochsner said Mission Arvada’s volunteer coordinator had given notice to leave for full-time income elsewhere and urged the city to consider financial support to retain staff.
Several commenters referenced prior city commitments. Vera Amanda acknowledged the city’s $2 million HUD transformational homeless response grant and said Mission Arvada’s case managers had been “compassionate, strategic, and knowledgeable.” Advocates asked that the city ensure coordination with regional partners and not delay action on a promised navigation center and 24/7 shelter.
Councilmembers later referenced a forthcoming regional forum and county engagement on homelessness. Councilmember Ambrose said the city would participate in a county event to develop regional approaches and noted the need to partner with the county and other governments in planning a North Jeffco shelter. No new funding appropriation or formal council vote on Mission Arvada support occurred at the May 20 meeting; speakers requested the council consider supplemental funding and faster action to sustain the nonprofit’s programs.
Speakers: Tom Ochsner, Vera Amanda, Ramsey and Nikki (Mission Arvada supporters), plus multiple residents who cited personal experience with Mission Arvada’s programs. Councilmembers acknowledged the organization’s role and described regional coordination underway.
