Our History
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless was established in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Founded by a group of individuals with a will to act on behalf of people experiencing homelessness in Colorado, they recognized the struggles of people living in poverty and built the Stout Street Clinic. Our founders refused to tolerate the dangers faced by people sleeping in their cars, tents, or on the streets and worked diligently to provide the health services and compassion necessary in a changing world. This value has withstood the test of time with our staff and board members to always put our clients and patients first in all we do.
Over our 30-year history, we have grown as leaders in the development of housing, healthcare, and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness in Colorado. We carved the pathway in sometimes treacherous territory for our most vulnerable citizens who experience chronic homelessness, mental health issues, and severe trauma, and maintained our charge to always work for justice for all people.
We opened our first transitional housing building, the Ruth Goebel House, in 1988, shortly after our founding, when it became apparent homelessness would not disappear anytime soon. Since then, we have opened 18 other properties and soon will break ground on the 20th property housing people experiencing homelessness in Colorado.
In 2015, Stout Street Health Center replaced the Stout Street Clinic in what would become a national-recognized and respected innovation in healthcare. The Health Center fully integrates patient-centered, trauma-informed medical and mental healthcare, substance treatment services, dental and vision care, social services and supportive housing to more fully address the spectrum of problems people experiencing homelessness bring to their medical providers. The Health Center provides integrated health care for 13,000 men, women, and children at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness each year and continues to add new programs to best care for our patients.
We invite you to learn more about our history and the ways in which we have grown here.
Our staff, volunteers, and programs have been honored over the years for innovative programming, leadership, quality housing, and challenging the status quo. Most recently, President and CEO, John Parvensky, received the 2018 Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award presented by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
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2018 Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award John Parvensky, CEO, received the Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who have significantly strengthened service and/or advocacy that addresses the health status of people without homes. |
2017 People's Choice Award The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless received the People's Choice Award for cutting-edge work in the affordable housing field by popular vote from the housing community. |
2017 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award Honorable Mention The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless received an honorable mention at the 23rd Annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards for their integrated housing and healthcare development -- the Stout Street Health Center and Renaissance Stout Street Lofts. |
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2017 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award In 2017, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award which recognizes humanitarian leaders who live and lead in the example of peace and equality exemplified by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
2016 Helping Hands Award of Excellence for Integration and Wellness The Coalition's Stout Street Health Center received the 2016 National Council for Behavioral Health Award of Excellence in the Helping Hands category for its innovative approach to Integration and Wellness. |
2015 Eagle Award The Coalition's Renaissance Stout Street Lofts was awarded the 2015 Housing Colorado NOW! Eagle Award, honoring projects that help ensure safe, decent, affordable housing for all Coloradans. |
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2014-2015 Best New Development Award The Coalition's Stout Street Health Center and Renaissance Stout Street Lofts received the 2014-2015 Downtown Denver Partnership's Best New Development Award for it's contribution and positive impact on Downtown Denver. |
2015 Affordable, Merit Winner The Coalition's Renaissance Stout Street Lofts was named the 2015 Affordable, Merit Winner by Multi-Family Executive Awards, celebrating outstanding individuals, projects, and programs in the industry. |
2015 Children's Champion Award The Coalition's Renaissance Children's Center received the 2015 Children's Champion Award from the TRIAD Early Childhood Council for it's commitment to improving the lives of children in the community and across the state. |
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2015 Award for Excellence The Coalition's Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community received the 2015 Award for Excellence from the El Pomar Foundation, which recognizes the state's highest performing organizations. |
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2015 Carle Whitehead Memorial Award John Parvensky, Coalition President and CEO, was awarded the Carle Whitehead Memorial Award in 2015 for his 30 years of dedication to furthering civil liberties and social justice for Colorado's homeless. |
2015 Outstanding Leadership, Collaboration, and Service in Health Care Award Carol Rykiel, Dental Hygiene Team Lead at the Coalition's Stout Street Health Center, was one of five recipients of the Outstanding Leadership, Collaboration and Service in Health Care Award in 2015, and she was the only non-physician who received an award.
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2016 Volunteer Clinician Award Dr. Malcolm Tarkanian, Eye Clinic Volunteer at the Coalition's Stout Street Health Center, was awarded the 2016 CCHN Volunteer Clinician Award for co-founding the Eye Clinic and his continued commitment to providing vision services to Denver's homeless and underserved communities. |