Residual whiffs of maple-glazed bacon lingered amid a 3,000-square-foot layout furnished by a living room, a large kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, an office, cubbies, laundry machines and a closet full to the brim with items like winter coats and extra pairs of snow boots.
It was soggy and overcast shortly after 2pm last Thursday, and Gabe Cohen had spent that morning cooking breakfast for a sliver of the Roaring Fork Valley’s homeless population. The sign-in sheet showed 15 morning meals served, including hashbrowns and 40 eggs to complement the bacon.
“I’m so happy I did this,” Cohen, once unhoused and an addict on the streets of Denver, said with tears building in his eyes.
The space in the basement of this Glenwood Springs Catholic Charities church was formerly operated as Feed My Sheep. What originally started in a Glenwood motel turned into one of the few brick-and-mortar homeless shelters in the Valley. Its longtime director, Karen Peppers, however, gave notice she was closing it down in the fall. The Sopris Sun was unable to reach Peppers for comment to confirm why.
Nevertheless, Cohen, who in 2021 used his past struggles to kickstart a Roaring Fork Valley assistance program called Discovery Cafe, reluctantly took over the shelter’s lease before it could close permanently. Now called Jesus Saves Homeless Day Shelter, it’s been open to the public since Dec. 15.
“There was a part of me that didn’t want to do this because I knew it was going to be challenging,” he said. “But if there’s anyone who can do this, it’s me.”
Not only beginning but maintaining a nonprofit that caters to disenfranchised individuals in Colorado’s socioeconomically lopsided high country is a tall order. Despite acquiring multiple grants from the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Department of Human Services to launch Discovery Cafe, Cohen’s funding began to dry up this past June and his operations were in peril.
Throughout the past four years, the former prison inmate and barroom bouncer had established assistance programs in Basalt, Rifle and the Garfield County Detention Center. He also held peer programs at Rifle Correctional Center, a minimum security prison near Rifle Gap Reservoir, and established two local sober-living homes for newly released inmates.
This means Feed My Sheep’s impending closure posed a grand opportunity for Cohen. Taking over the lease, he’s since consolidated Discovery Cafe’s local services to this cozy, warm church basement. Meanwhile, it includes additional amenities: showers, meals, laundry, clothes and more.
“If you need something, just ask,” Cohen said. “And if we got it, we’ll give it to you.”
Hours: 8:30am to 4pm, Tuesday through Friday
Services: Breakfast, 8:30 to 9:30am; lunch, 11:30am to 12:30pm; Bible study, 1 to 2pm; Discovery Cafe Recovery Groups, 2:30 to 3:30pm; clothing, showers, laundry services and more also offered
Location: Basement of Catholic Charities, 1004 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs
Contact: Call/text 970-379-5983 or visit jesussavesdayshelter.com
Note: 24-hour sobriety not required
‘It’ll save your life’
Antonio Rascon was desperate. The former truck driver turned to meth to combat fatigue, and it wasn’t long before he lost his marriage, his house and was living on the streets of Denver, many times resorting to crime to make ends meet.
Amid this harrowing time, Rascon used services offered at a similar Denver homeless shelter.
“You don’t have any money, you don’t have any resources,” the Albuquerque, New Mexico native said. “Unless somebody feeds you, you’re going to end up maybe not dying of starvation but for sure your body’s going to be so weak from being so thin and not having any nutrients.”
Rascon, now 41, met Cohen at Delta Correctional Center. And upon his release, he took up residence at one of Cohen’s sober-living homes in Rifle. He’s been helping run the Jesus Saves Homeless Day Shelter in Glenwood Springs, while also working full-time in construction.
His primary focus is to help folks like him, facilitating the successful recovery process from substance abuse. And when asked his thoughts on the homeless day shelter continuing on, he paused.
“It’ll save your life,” he said.
Funding the future
A dull hum emanated from a washer and dryer near the kitchen. As it was Thursday afternoon, Cohen just finished Bible study with a few clients and was waiting to start his daily session of Discovery Cafe services.
Between shifts, he spoke about recent donations and volunteerism. One person dropped off 10 pounds of random items. Someone gave 11 bags of clothes. Another lady comes in on Mondays and Tuesdays to cook for folks. But when it comes to what he needs most, Cohen refers back to the droning cleaning machines, saying, “laundry soap and dishwasher soap.”
In addition to items on Santa’s modest wishlist, there are also big-ticket requests. Cohen, who pays a hefty $2,000 in monthly rent for the space, applied for a $30,000 Garfield County Human Services grant and needs up to $50,000 to hire a full-time peer recovery coach. He also looks to potentially provide an overnight cold-weather shelter.
Based on previous experience with Feed My Sheep, the current day shelter might receive 20 to 30 clients on a regular basis when the Norse god of snow casts a shadow and temperatures dip below freezing.
A couple of weeks ago, Cohen looked out his window with a sullen sigh. It was snowing.
“I have faith that God’s going to provide,” Cohen said. “So far, I’ve had a pretty good outpouring. I’ll speak at faith-based communities and try to gain donations … but I could use some help.”
Interested in donating or volunteering for Jesus Saves Homeless Day Shelter? Visit jesussavesdayshelter.com or email Cohen at gabe@jesussavesdayshelter.com.