January 31, 2025
The PLACE serves youth, ages 15-24, experiencing homelessness in Colorado Springs. Our vital programs help hundreds of homeless and runaway youth in the Pikes Peak region take steps toward leaving the dangers of the street so they can stabilize with dependable housing, improve their self-sufficiency, and restore their health and self-worth: Emergency Youth Shelter, Street Outreach, Drop-in
Center, and Housing Services. The PLACE’s primary strategy is to intervene in the lives of homeless and runaway youth and address the neglect, abuse, and trauma they endured to prevent further harm, lessen their long-term risks, and reduce their overall likelihood of becoming homeless adults. Youth need age-appropriate, trauma-informed interventions and support to overcome these barriers and gain self-sufficiency. While other agencies in the community assist adults and families experiencing homelessness, The PLACE alone provides secular, wraparound programming and services exclusively for youth experiencing homelessness in the Pikes Peak region.
The PLACE has operated a 20-bed shelter for homeless youth aged 15-20 for decades. Youth are assigned a case manager who supports them while navigating through both The PLACE and other community services. For youth over 21 or those who are not comfortable with the shelter environment, The PLACE has a Street Outreach team that frequents the areas where homeless youth stay, building relationships
and breaking down trust barriers. The Outreach team is equipped with vital supplies – from clean socks to HIV testing – to respond to the immediate needs of the youth they encounter. The Outreach Team also staffs The Drop-In Center, which opened as an independent location in December of 2021. It serves as an access point for services, a respite from the harsh realities of the street, and a source of community and connection. In addition to the shelter and outreach programs, The PLACE operates four housing programs, which vary in duration and case management support depending on youth needs. Overwhelmingly, youth we serve express their greatest need as housing assistance. The Launchpad is a new 50-unit permanent supportive apartment home community for young adults as young as 18 through
their mid-20s. Residents will sign a 1-year lease, with the option to renew at the end of the term. The elements that are described above and woven throughout all of our current programs will be the foundation of the wrap-around services The PLACE will provide at The Launchpad, which is set to open in late 2024. All program services at The PLACE build on engaging youth in trusting interactions to promote their social and emotional wellbeing, while addressing the profound and lasting impact of trauma. We use evidence-based models of care, including trauma- informed care, positive youth development, motivational interviewing, and stages of change. All staff receive training in these approaches and receive supervision to ensure fidelity to the models.
