It may feel taboo or an arm’s length away, but addiction, homelessness and domestic violence are real issues faced across all walks of life, even in seemingly normal families. For more than 36 years, Providence Network (PN), a Christian-based transformational housing program in Denver, has supported men, women and children ready for recovery.

One of our neighbors, Joe Gschwendtner, is connected to Providence Network and has personal ties to the program’s importance (see related story here).

The doors to the first home, Providence House, opened in 1988 by Andy Cannon, a local pastor experienced in inner city ministries, together with three men from a Littleton bible study.

Today, there are five homes. Three are transitional; residents stay for about two years. The other two are apartment homes, where graduates from the program have access to affordable housing while continuing to live in sobriety in a community that helps and supports each other.

It is not just shelter. At PN, healing happens through mental, physical and spiritual health. Interviews determine readiness to receive support and do the work. Most do best after 30 days of sobriety with many coming from detox centers or domestic violence shelters.

“These people are poor, have burned all bridges and are desperate to get off the streets,” shared Providence Network’s Executive Director Derek Kuykendall.

Those selected must be motivated and are required to work full time and direct a portion of earnings to the program. Living at PN includes sobriety meetings, clinical therapy, house meetings, bible study, cooking, cleaning and more.

Although PN is a Christian-based nonprofit, faith is not required nor pushed. The key to the program’s success is the few dozen staff members who live on site. “These people are rare. It’s not the building; it’s what happens in the building,” said Derek.

Breno is the big-hearted house manager for Silver Lining House, the home for single young men. He came to work at the home after volunteering for two years. “It’s a place to grow and to feel safe. It’s a family,” he shared.

There is an important campaign underway to update and re-open one of the homes, Joy House. According to Katrina Snyder, PN’s development director, this home offers women and children the chance to heal from generational cycles of addiction and trauma and rebuild lives from the ground up.

“Women find a full continuum of support: addiction recovery, counseling, spiritual mentoring, vocational training and life-skills development—all under one roof,” shared Katrina.

The re-launch campaign is underway at joyhouse.lovable.app, with opportunities to name rooms, provide one-time gifts, and fulfill wish list items. The campaign goal of $600,000 will support the house for the first two years. An upcoming open house will allow the public to view the space and leave messages of encouragement before residents arrive.

“None of what we do happens without our donors and supporters who give, volunteer, and show up for families they may never meet. We are simply grateful to be part of carrying their generosity forward,” concluded Katrina.

Learn more about Providence Network at providencenetwork.org or reach out to Katrina at katrinasnyder@providencenetwork.org.

 

Article and photo by Elean Gersack