Community Shelter
Since 1982, La Puente has opened its doors to those with nowhere else to go. For over 40 years, our Shelter has provided stability and met core needs, while our case managers have helped clients reach individualized goals in housing, employment, and beyond!
At the Shelter, both individuals and families can find a safe place to sleep, meals, critical resources, emergency supplies, and the support needed to move forward.
Phone
719-589-5909 (ext. 203 / option #2)
Location
913 State Ave | Alamosa CO 81101
Program Hours 24/7/365
Lunch: 12:00pm-1:00pm | Dinner: 5:00pm-6:00pm
New Intakes: 8:00am-10:00am & 1:00pm-3:00pm
Community Day Services: 8:00am-6:00pm
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Shelter Services
Restoring Dignity Through Temporary Lodging & Home-cooked Meals.
Soup Kitchen
Warm, nutritious meals served daily at lunch and dinnertimes, open to all
Shelter Stays
A warm, safe place to sleep for individuals & families in crisis
Case Management
One-on-one support to help individuals find housing, work and resources
Hygiene & Supplies
Access to showers, laundry, clothing and basic essentials
Learn More About our Services
INTAKE HOURS
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Enrolled shelter guests have completed our intake process and background check. Guests are assigned a bed in a family room, a 1st floor accessible room, women’s dormitory, or men’s dormitory. They are welcome to a 30 day stay (extensions are provided on a case by case basis). Guests commit to our community living guidelines, including sober-living. Enrolled shelter guests are assigned a case manager to work on individualized goals, whether that be housing, employment or something else.
During their stay, enrolled shelter guests have access to these resources:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Access to showers
- Supplies such as seasonal gear, hygiene items, and clothing
- Laundry service
- Mail service
- 24/7 access to common rooms and restrooms
- Storage for valuables and medications
- Limited storage for other personal items
For individuals that need a safe, warm place to stay but haven’t completed our full intake process, the Shelter offers cot nights (temporary beds that are setup in the common rooms).
If you need short term shelter for up to a few days while you are in between places or passing through town please inquire about our regular cot nights. Availability of cots is not guaranteed but offered on a first-come, first-serve basis depending on the capacity of staff.
Our "Cold Weather Protocol" is intended to bridge the gap for those needing temporary, warm, shelter who don't usually qualify for our 30 day program. If you've already used our 30 day program and only need to stay for the night or have been added to our limited services list you may qualify. Please call ahead to see if you qualify. Our cold weather protocol activates on nights when the temps dip below 32 degrees. Check-in begins at 8pm, checkout is the following morning.
Our "Deep Freeze Protocol" initiates at Zero degrees (wind chill included) and is a service provided to everyone due to the dangerous temps we see here in Southern Colorado. Check-in begins at 10:15 pm and check-out is at 6:30 am.
All shelter stays are contingent on sobriety and passing a background check
The following services are offered to the entire community!
Lunch & Dinner: Homecooked meals are offered from 12pm-1pm and 5pm-6pm, 365 days a year!
Supplies: You can pop by and ask staff for basic supplies between 8:00am - 6:00pm. We usually have the following new or gently-used items in stock: clothing, shoes, underwear, seasonal gear, shampoo, conditioner, razors, toothbrushes, razors, diapers (size 1-pullups), deodorant, soap, and blankets.
Showers: Need a hot shower? You can sign up for a shower slot between 8:00am - 4:00pm. Just ask one of the Shelter staff! We can also offer you a towel, shampoo, conditioner, soap and other hygiene items.
Mail Service: Don’t have a permanent address? You can use the shelter’s address as a safe place to receive your mail and small packages. Please come by between 8:00am-6:00pm to check if mail is waiting for you!
Public Phone Access: Don't have a phone? Feel free to use our public phone in the front lobby anytime between 8:00am - 4:00pm.
Public Bathroom Access: Our restrooms are available to the public anytime between 8:00am - 6:00pm. After dinner, restrooms are only available to enrolled shelter guests.
Special Holiday Meals: We host special meals at lunchtime during the holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Shelter is staffed 24/7/365. We are best equipped to handle requests between 8:00am - 6:00pm.
"Mi tiempo aquí ha sido bonito. La Puente me da almuerzo, cena, ropa limpia, zapatos y un lugar para dormir. Además, me da hospitalidad y me cuida. ¿Qué más necesito?"
"Before I arrived at La Puente's shelter two months ago, I was scared about whether or not I would be accepted. Here in Alamosa I have experienced so much love. This place has become a safe haven."
"The staff at La Puente spoke candidly to me about relapsing; they helped keep me accountable and on track. They connected me with resources. Most importantly, they didn't let me give up on myself. It was a turning point for me."
What can I do to help?
We’d love to have you volunteer with us!
At the Shelter, we can use an extra set of hands to help with cooking and meal service, facility repairs, and organizing donations!
Do you have new or gently used items you are getting rid of?
- Toiletries (full & travel-size)
- Razors
- Bar Soap
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Gloves & Jackets
- Machine-washable blankets
- Water bottles
- Paper plates & plastic utensils
- Spices (especially salt, pepper & garlic)
- Batteries (AAA & AA)
- Laundry detergent
Drop-Off Location: 913 State Avenue
Questions? Call us at 719-589-5909 (ext. 203)
No matter the amount, your generosity impacts lives!
At the Shelter, $100 covers hygiene kits for eight community members; $500 funds a week’s worth of breakfast, lunch, and dinner for ALL our guests; and $1,000 shelters an individual for a whole month!
Did you know? For CO taxpayers, gifts to the Shelter are eligible for a 30% tax credit!
Digging Deeper
Background information about the Community Shelter
Today many in our community find themselves homeless and in need. Homelessness impacts all communities and is the result of poverty. Within homelessness there are many stigmas and the public response to individuals in crisis often experience a lack of compassion. People find themselves in need for many reasons, whether it’s because of addiction, mental health, or domestic violence, anyone can find themselves without shelter or other basic needs. Regardless of their situation, we seek to be a home, willing and able to support people get back on their feet.
The shelter meets community need by offering people a safe place to stay as they work to get back on their feet. Within five days of entering the shelter doors, guests are assigned a case manager who works with guests on their development of a 30-day plan that fits with the goal of getting our guests closer to independent living. Depending on their needs, a case manager helps connect guests with employment navigation and readiness services, housing navigation, or assists with referrals to other programs in the community for further support. Guests engage in the development of their personal plan to transition out of the shelter.
Annually, the facility provides over 10,000 nights of provisional lodging as well as community outreach services including hygiene kits, shower facilities, clothing, shoes, diapers, and other necessities that many in our community are without.
Over 50,000 meals are served on an annual basis. Each meal is prepared by shelter staff members, community volunteers, or workgroups. The food used for each meal is donated by the generosity of others. La Puente’s shelter serves three meals a day; while breakfast is just for shelter guests, both lunch and dinner are open to the entire community.
Join Us in
Making a Difference
Your support can transform lives.
Get involved today through donations, volunteering, or joining AmeriCorps.