Our Mission
The Mission of Father Woody’s is to provide food, shelter, clothing, counseling, rehabilitation and hygienic services to the homeless and less fortunate.
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COVID-19 Update
As of April 30, 2020, operations have been modified as follows:
The coronavirus outbreak continues to be the leading concern in the U.S. and more specifically our Denver, Colorado. Father Woody’s Administrative team is monitoring and is in close communication with Denver Emergency Management and public health officials in order to protect the safety of guests, students, volunteers, and staff.
To date, Father Woody’s has had zero confirmed cases of the virus. As of April 30, 2020, two staff members have been tested with negative results. Staff, volunteers, and guests remain healthy and hopeful. Since the outbreak began, only one guest was referred to Denver Health with symptoms and that individual was quarantined for other’s safety.
Mayor Hancock has extended the Stay at Home order for the city of Denver, to May 8, 2020.
Father Woody’s Contingency Plan has amended to extend more needed services to our guests while complying with all CDC and state guidelines as follows:
- We will continue to serve hot “grab and go” meals along with sack lunches as we cannot provide safe social distancing within our dining room and still feed the number of guests that depend on us.
- As of Monday, April 27, 2020 showers have been made available to interested guests and a separate entrance is being used in order to follow CDC and state guidelines.
- We continue to provide clothing, hygiene kits, mail service and pet food to our guests as needed.
- We are reaching out to our outside service providers in an effort to bring them back to see guests on a one-at-a-time basis. Guests will remain outside and service providers, like Dental at your Door, will escort their patients into and out of the building one at a time.
- All staff are being health screened on a daily basis as they enter the building, including having their temperature taken. Volunteers and guests will also be screened prior to entering the building. Anyone experiencing any symptoms will not be able to enter the building or stay at work.
- Following CDC recommendations and guidelines, we ask all staff and volunteers experiencing sickness of any kind to stay home until symptoms no longer exist. Volunteers and staff are required to wear masks and other necessary PPE.
- Guests that need to see an outside service provider or enter the building for any reason will need to wear a mask or face covering of some sort.
COVID-19 is a rapidly changing situation that we must prepare to quickly adapt to in order to keep our students, faculty, staff, and community safe. Some events may not be rescheduled depending on the nature of the event.
Communication Plan: Father Woody’s leadership will continue to update students, volunteers, guests, and staff, by email, with information and any changes to programming and services that may occur.
We greatly appreciate the continued communication and patience of our valued community relationships, volunteers, guests, and staff during this time. We are moving forward with confidence and hope in our Saviour and we would like to express our profound gratefulness to those who continue to serve, give, and pray during this unique time. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like more information..
Events Calendar
Stay up to date on upcoming events. Keep an eye out for our new TRIVIA NIGHTS!
Read more Read moreMonthly Giving Club
Find out more about becoming a Monthly Giving Club member or how to sponsor one of our guests. Your contribution will help to keep our..
Read more Read moreContribute to our shelter
Every day we feed, clothe and inspire over 150 different men, women and families. With your donation, either once or monthly, we can provide services that support those in our community who need it so badly.
Meet our staff
Tawnya Trahan
Executive Director of Business & Development
Miss Kay
Kitchen Director
Ondrea Trahan
Business Coordinator
Employment Opportunities
Father Woody’s is seeking the following positions:
- Guest Services Coordinator
- Janitor/Custodian
- Food Services
If you are interested in applying, please complete the application below and submit to Derrick Vaughns by email, dvaughns@1594757111-b1e3c785e7674aa7.wp-transfer.sgvps.net, or in person at 1101 W 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80204.
OUR SERVICES
*Services are available Monday-Friday, 7 AM-1 PM*
- Meals (breakfast, 4 course hot lunch and sack lunch)
- Private showers
- Free laundry
- Free wireless internet access
Click here to see more of our current and future offerings
- Mail and document safe keeping
- Outreach Coordinator to help guests find resources pertaining to shelter, employment, transportation, etc.
Click here to see a list of our weekly services per day
Testimonials
“ Your food here is the bomb (good, good, good).
You have excellent staff & programs
Thanks a bunch for all the support & help ”
- Jason P.
“ I am homeless, although recently and I hope not for long. There are some places out here that are willing to help, and some that are out to do whatever they can to make sure you make it through the day. Whether that is food, clothing, a hot shower, maybe something as simple as a book to read or just to get out of the cold. I’ve been to a few, and some you just don’t feel they really care what happens to you – the individual – or if you ever make it out of the mess you are in. I made a mistake, which is why I am where I am and I’m the only one that can fix it, but everyone needs help at some point in time. I found Father Woody’s, or it found me, I feel comfortable going there and think I’m a little better for it. Father Woody’s is a place you can go if you are just down on your luck or are homeless, they will help. If you need them they are there to help, they have definitely helped me. If you’re in the position, I’m sure they could use a donation. ”
- Trent E.
“ I met Father Woody in the 70’s. I NEVER thought I’d need help like this, but here I am! Haven of Hope has given me just that, “HOPE”. I hope Fr. Woody has a place in heaven next to our Father, Jesus.
Thank you Jesus for people like Fr. Woody. God bless ”
- Scorpio
“ The staff is truly kind, compassionate and loves their work!! They offer many helpful services which without, many people would suffer more. A community resource every city should have; you leave feeling helped and better equipped to face the day.
God bless you ALL! & Thank You!! ”
- Chris M.
“ I’ve been in Denver for about 6 weeks and have been at St. Francis Center. There is really no comparison between there and Father Woody’s. Father Woody’s is far & away a million times better!! The staff is friendly and helpful, the food was delicious, the restrooms & showers were clean. I’m blown away, this place is great!! Thank you St. Francis for being so lame that I can truly appreciate Father Woody’s!!! I will be back & eventually did want to volunteer and help out to re pay the favor. AWESOME! ”
- Pat F.
“ So this place, Father Woody’s is literally the best. Food is great; amazing food. I have been a gourmet cook for ears and
let me tell you, that lady can cook. It felt like a down homey small diner. I absolutely love all of the friendly staff. Father
Woody’s takes care of its own in every way. That is amazing and stupendous. I know I keep saying amazing but you guys
should see the grin on my face right now. Ear to ear…. Ear to ear! Keep doing what you guys are doing. ”
- Jonathan K.
A growing shelter that started as a simple act of kindness.
The inspiration for Father Woody’s Haven of Hope came about during the winter of 1998 when several lay Franciscans recognized the need for services to help support the homeless community of Denver, Colorado. Originally purchasing a small house located at 707 Lipan St., the Franciscans would serve the homeless from tents, providing hot meals daily to those in need. As time went on, the need for further services became apparent. In 2007, thanks to a group of people who were dedicated to helping the homeless and carrying on the legacy of Father Woody, a new building was constructed. Recognizing that the need for our services continues to grow, an additional building has been constructed with a proposed opening in late 2017.
Reverend Charles B. Woodrich, "Father Woody"
The Reverend Charles B. Woodrich, also known as Father Woody, was a staunch advocate for the homeless and underserved communities. As pastor of the Holy Ghost Church, his parish opened their doors to those in need, feeding 500-700 people daily, as well as providing various other social services to individuals seeking assistance. He was known to literally give the coat off his back to someone in need, and often his parish would welcome the homeless to take shelter in their church on cold nights. He is co-founder of the Samaritan House, a shelter in Denver for the homeless, and was a key factor in the Child Nutrition Act passed in 1965, which enacted low-cost lunch programs in schools throughout the nation.
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