Who We Are
What does the Severe Weather Shelter Network do?
SWSN provides emergency overnight shelter on life-threatening winter nights for the single individuals living on the streets in West Arapahoe and Jefferson counties. Volunteers welcome guests by name and provide a hot meal and a bed roll on severe weather nights from October through April each year.
Our History
SWSN was organized in August 2012 and provided our first nights of shelter in February of 2013. We started sheltering in Lakewood and over time have expanded to two additional locations Arvada and Littleton. SWSN now provides shelter for more than 400 individuals every winter.
What does the future look like?
Our future plans include adding year-round, regional day sites where guests can find a place to rest, connections to resources, service providers, and volunteer relationships. Our emergency shelter will continue in those same locations during the winter months, preventing people from freezing to death. Ultimately, we want to be a bridge to a life off the streets for anyone who would pursue that goal.
Matthew 25: 34-40
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Our Mission
Severe Weather Shelter Network partners with community organizations and agencies to provide overnight shelter on life-threatening winter nights for individuals living on the streets.
Our Vision
Severe Weather Shelter Network mobilizes community resources to provide physical, mental, and spiritual short-term REFUGE to individuals living on the streets in the Denver Metro area.
Our Values
Relationships with Christ as our model (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Empowering change in our community, in our volunteers, and in the lives of those we serve (Romans 12:2)
Faithfulness in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22)
Unified in our purpose and passion (Mark 12:30-31)
Grace given even as it is received (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Excellence in service (Colossians 3:23-24)
Meet Our Team
Learn about the team behind Severe Weather Shelter. Our staff are a small part of the larger team that it takes to help the homeless. We couldn’t do it without our volunteers.