Leadership
The Coalition is led by a team of talented and dedicated staff and board members, committed to creating pathways to greater stability for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
John Parvensky has served as President and CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless since 1985. Under his leadership, the Coalition, which began as a single health center, has grown to serve over 18,000 people experiencing homelessness per year through comprehensive housing and healthcare. John has been a leader in developing integrated housing for people experiencing homelessness and low-income families and individuals, developing the state-of-the-art Stout Street Health Center, and bringing the Housing First approach for those who chronically experience homelessness to Colorado.
John was instrumental in creating the Denver Housing First Collaborative (DHFC) in 2003 with funding provided by the federal Chronic Homeless Initiative which provides housing and supportive services to more than 200 people with disabilities experiencing chronic homelessness. The program uses a Housing First strategy combined with assertive community treatment (ACT) services, providing integrated primary care, behavioral health care, substance treatment, and supportive services. DHFC has demonstrated success in maintaining housing stability for 85% of those housed under the program after two years, while improving health and mental health outcomes, decreasing substance use, and reducing costly emergency services by $40,000 per person.
During his tenure, John has received local and national recognition for his work. John was awarded the 2018 Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award from the National Healthcare for the Homeless. In 2016, the ACLU of Colorado presented him with the Carle Whitehead Memorial Award for 30 years of dedication to furthering civil liberties and social justice for Colorado’s homeless population. John received the 2012 Be More Award from Rocky Mountain PBS for his outstanding, innovative leadership and direction in social justice benefiting the entire community. To see a full list awards for the work at the Coalition, please click here.
John serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the National Coalition for the Homeless and was past board president of the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council.