HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 06/10/2025 - Memorandum from Brittany Depew re Outreach Fort Collins Year in Review 2024
Memorandum
Date: June 4, 2025
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Jacob Castillo, Chief Sustainability Officer
From: Brittany Depew, Lead Homelessness Specialist, Social Sustainability
Subject: Outreach Fort Collins Year in Review 2024
Outreach Fort Collins (OFC) has provided the attached report that shows detailed information
and data about their operations and impact in 2024.
As stated in the report, some highlights from 2024 include OFC transitioning to an independent
nonprofit (they had previously been sponsored by the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center),
a new Executive Director (see cover letter from new director Jonathan LaMare), and increased
regional collaboration.
For 2025, the identified priorities are to strengthen community engagement and build
partnerships, increase funding diversity, enhance program evaluation, and expand digital
presence.
[CC: Beth Yonce, Social Sustainability Director; Vanessa Fenley, Housing Manager;
Homelessness Executive Sponsors: Police Chief Jeff Swoboda and Assistant City Manager Rupa
Venkatesh]
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To: Fort Collins City Council
From: Jonathan H. LaMare, Executive Director, Outreach Fort Collins
RE: 2024 Year in Review
Date: June 1, 2025
Council Members:
It is with sincere gratitude that I share with you today the 2024 Year in Review for Outreach Fort
Collins. As strong partners who rely on each other extensively in our shared goal of maintaining Fort
Collins as a welcoming community for everyone, we are proud to present this report to the City of
Fort Collins City Council.
Originally from upstate New York, until recently, I have been living and working overseas in nonprofit
and humanitarian spaces for more than 12 years. As I prepared to leave international work after a
very unique career path, I had to decide where I wanted to settle down in the USA. While I have
family down in Castle Rock, I wanted to be in a place that reminds me of my hometown. I wanted
mountains, lakes, and natural areas to hike. Fort Collins was a solid fit.
One of the other things that drew me to Fort Collins as I was reestablishing myself in the United
States was that Fort Collins is clearly a community who cares about one another. That’s evident in
publicly available information, documents, agendas for these kinds of meetings, and more.
As I considered taking a new role with Outreach Fort Collins, being new both to the state and to the
city, I felt encouraged and energized when I reviewed the priorities laid out by City leadership. I was
further energized by the chance to be at the helm of this organization, who works so well on behalf
of the larger community and is so overwhelmingly supported by the city itself.
Recently, that energy and excitement has shifted a bit to anxiety and worry, given the funding
priorities at the federal levels in this country and the potential for trickle-down effects and impacts on
local communities and their ability to support local organizations. This is why our partnership with
the City of Fort Collins is so vital to our work and our continued ability to serve our community.
I strongly believe that after you read through our 2024 Year in Review and realize the major impact
of our programs in the City of Fort Collins that you’ll be reminded of how important our work and our
collaborative efforts are to the overall wellness of the city.
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It is my genuine hope that we continue to work together and only strengthen our commitments to
our collective vision as we move forward in an environment of increasing need, and of even more
impactful outcomes related to our solid work.
Sincerely,
Jonathan H. LaMare
jonathan@outreachfortcollins.org
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2024
YEAR IN REVIEW
Mission Statement:
Rooted in downtown, Outreach Fort Collins is a street-based
outreach program that maintains our community as a safe
and welcoming place while connecting those in need to
services and supportive networks.
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Dear Friends and
Supporters,
Who and what comes to mind when you think of the words
community and belonging? In all likelihood, the word
community conjures up images of a group of people with
a shared experience, or culture, or geographical location.
Those images likely include families, groups of individuals,
workplaces, schools, churches, sports teams, and more.
Key to feeling like you belong to any given community usually
correlates to the purpose and function you might feel within
the context of that community. Late in 2024, I was fortunate
enough to be extended an invitation to join the Outreach
Fort Collins community as their first Executive Director as
a newly formed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. As I join the
organization and as a new resident of Fort Collins, I am eager
to develop my own sense of community here through this
role, both professionally and personally.
As I sat down to prepare this year-in-review for 2024, having
only been a part of the OFC family for the final few weeks
of the year, I couldn’t help but reflect on the various groups
and individuals that we here at OFC serve. Most obvious of
course is the outreach work that our specialists conduct with
individuals and families experiencing homelessness and/or
other crises.
Perhaps less obvious, but equally important, is how OFC
is positioned to respond to the concerns of businesses,
merchants, visitors, and the general public overall. When we
show up, we are able to best advocate for our friends and
neighbors, taking into consideration the needs of all involved.
In short, we build community. We develop community.
As we reflect on the massive successes of 2024, I am eager
to venture into 2025 with a renewed sense of what it means
to be a part of this community—of socially responsible,
concerned members of a larger group who see the value
and worth in bringing all partners to the table in a spirit of
collective problem-solving, conducted through meaningful
and intentional dialogue and rapport building.
Warmly,
Jonathan LaMare
2024 Board Information
Eddy Hopkins, Board Chair
Pastor, Peak Community Church
EHopkins@peakchurch.org
Alyssa Stroup, Board Vice Chair
Director of Emergency Services,
UCHealth
Alyssa.Stroup@uchealth.org
Hannah Baltz-Smith, Board Secretary
Business Support Coordinator,
Downtown Development Authority
Hannah@downtownfortcollins.com
Debra Kelly, Board Treasurer
Vice President, Financial Center
Manager, Independent Financial
Debra.Kelly@ifinancial.com
Josh Beard
Owner/Manager Mulberry Max and
Bullfrog Wine and Spirits
JoshMBeard@gmail.com
Jessica Coe
Program Manager, Homeless and
Housing Services, SummitStone Health
Partners
Jessica.Coe@summitstonehealth.org
Brittany Depew
Lead Specialist, Homelessness,
City of Fort Collins
BDepew@fcgov.com
Brian Ferrans
Deputy Executive Director of Acute Care,
SummitStone Health Partners
Brian.Ferrans@summitstonehealth.org
Sergeant Annie Hill
Homeless Outreach and Proactive
Engagement Team, Fort Collins Police
Services
AHill@fcgov.com
Jackie Marks
Murphy Center Director, Homeward
Alliance
Jackie@homewardalliance.org
2024 Highlights
• 501(c)(3): Through much hard work and the dedication of our former director,
sta , and board, Outreach Fort Collins transitioned to an independent nonprofit
in June. For our initial 8 years, OFC was a project of the fiscal sponsor Colorado
Nonprofit Development Center. Independence is important because people can
now give directly to Outreach Fort Collins and we have increased control over
our long-term sustainability.
• PIT Count: Every year we participate in the Point In Time count, a federally
mandated survey of people experiencing homelessness. In 2024, OFC
continued to serve as the lead agency for the unsheltered count in Fort Collins,
working with and organizing our many partners to conduct a thorough and
comprehensive survey throughout all of Fort Collins.
• New Executive Director: In September, Brad Rhoda transitioned away from
OFC. We are incredibly grateful for his leadership in a time of organizational
growth. In November, we welcomed our new Executive Director, Jonathan
LaMare. Jonathan brings more than a decade of nonprofit experience to OFC
and is excited to learn and grow with the team at OFC.
Our Staff (Le to Right)
Back Row: Andy Sprain, Wes Wicklund, Jonathan LaMare, Michele Girard, Dylan
Shanty, Sonya Ryan, Lisa Dunworth
Front Row: Kaylee Wieczorek, Carly Cavalier, David Hughes
Not Pictured: Cheyenne Reed
Respond
1,911Responded to
community calls
Engage
1,116Engaged with
unique clients
Connect
2,910
Connected through
immediate needs
education and
resources
2024 Year in Review | page 2
• Regional Collaboration: Outreach Fort Collins received a Transformational
Homelessness Response grant that has allowed us to position ourselves
as collaborators and consultants for our partners. Locally, we are working
with newly developed outreach teams in Greeley and Loveland. We have
also collaborated with outreach teams in Denver, Cañon City, and Southern
Colorado.
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“
“
Community Outreach
Outreach Fort Collins strives to positively impact everyone we encounter,
whether someone experiencing homelessness, a local business owner,
first responder, service provider, or other community member, we pride
ourselves on always being ready to respond. OFC sta prioritize deep
listening, working to understand each person’s unique circumstance
and need. By building strong relationships throughout the community,
OFC has a nuanced understanding of the interconnected challenges
of homelessness and is well positioned to mitigate impacts for both
individuals and the wider community.
Respond Engage Connect
1,911 Calls
Received
528 calls required
response
1,383 calls resolved
over the phone
1,116 Unique
Clients
543 unique
businesses
151 unique service
agencies
1,584 service
coordination
contacts
328 completed
agency referrals
25 clients connected
with housing
Community
Outreach
Total Engagements: 13,936
Homeless:
64% (8,879)
Merchant:
18% (2,539)
Service Provider:
8% (1,140)
Police:
5% (700)
EMS:
1% (87)
Other:
4% (591)
“OFC sta is out on the street
every day building relationships
with clients and connecting them
to services they need. Some of
these people might not have
otherwise sought out the services
we provide at Murphy Center if
not for the work OFC sta put in.
We are proud to work side by side
with Outreach Fort Collins to help
empower people going through
homelessness to survive, move
forward and thrive.”
—Jackie Marks, Homeward Alliance
Total Client
Contacts
Total Unique
Clients
Trend Line
Unique Clients
Trend Line
Client Contacts
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
1,045
2,459
1,861
5,251
6,987
9,461
8,879
3,359
1,655
230 365 344
704 985 1,126 1,116
447304
Client Engagement 2016 - 2024
2024 Year in Review | page 4page 3 | 2024 Year in Review
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Call Response
At Outreach Fort Collins, we pride ourselves on being ready to respond. Every
call we receive is an opportunity to make a connection—whether it is an
individual looking for information on local shelters, a family member looking for
a support network, a downtown business worried about someone on the corner,
or a community member reporting someone having a rough day. In each case,
our team listens with care and respect to identify the appropriate response. By
providing the right resource for the right situation, we create a more e icient
and e ective response system for our entire community including ensuring first
responders are available for emergency situations.
9 min 35 sec
average response time
99%
of calls resolved
without additional first
responder involvement
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
1,800
2016
82
2017
207
2018
226
2019
302
2020
520
2021
640
2022
1,307
2023
1,875
2024
1,911
Incoming Calls 2016 - 2024
Total Calls
1,911
Disruptive Behavior:
28% (527)
Safety Concern:
16% (314)
Service Coordination:
18% (354)
Resource Inquiry:
25% (474)
Other: 13% (242)
2024 Year in Review | page 6page 5 | 2024 Year in Review
Calls By
Stakeholder
Merchants: 40% (769)
Community
Members: 13% (258)
Police & EMS: 15% (288)
Clients: 21% (392)
Service Providers:
11% (204)
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Clients
Outreach Fort Collins works with some of our community’s most
vulnerable individuals – folks experiencing chronic homelessness and
navigating a variety of unmet physical and behavioral health needs.
O en these individuals are unsheltered and disconnected from
available resources. Supporting our clients requires first building
trust and rapport. Knowing that each individual is the expert on their
situation, our sta works to empower clients to make choices based
on their strengths. Our engagement seeks to strengthen individual
dignity and together we work to remove barriers that stand in the
way of receiving the help they need.
2024 Client
Demographics
White: 69.3%
American Indian, Alaska
Native or Indigenous: 3.8%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 0.3%
Hispanic/Latina/e/o: 2.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific
Islander: 0.3%
Multi-Racial: 19.1%
Black/African American: 4.8%
53%
of 2024 clients
new to OFC
34%
reduction in
unsheltered
clients
94%
housing
retention over
last two years
Ron’s Story
Outreach Fort Collins sta first met Ron in the summer of 2023 a er
he was referred to OFC by the Fort Collins Police Services’ HOPE
team. Though Ron had been experiencing homelessness for many
years and was dealing with complications from cancer diagnoses,
our engagements with him were the first connection he had with
community resources. During our time working together, OFC was
able to play a unique role supporting Ron. Our team took the initial
steps to get him connected to a housing resource and then ultimately
stepped back in to provide hands on case management to complete
the necessary steps to find and secure permanent housing. We are
grateful to see Ron settled into his new space as he continues his
battle with cancer.
“The people that I have met through the Outreach
program . . . all have a good heart and are willing to go
backwards for people to try to get what we need done.
I think it is a great thing for people who really need it.”
—Ron, former OFC client
Ron’s Pathway
to Housing
85
client contacts
with OFC staff
5
referrals to
partner agencies
139
contacts with other
service providers to
coordinate Ron’s care
page 7 | 2024 Year in Review 2024 Year in Review | page 8
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“
Merchants
Engaging with the merchant community is built into our DNA at
Outreach Fort Collins. In 2024, we had 2,539 contacts with merchants,
accounting for 18% of our total contacts. Businesses called for our
support on the street 769 times, accounting for 40% of our total calls.
O en, merchants are the eyes and ears of OFC, calling on us whenever
our support is needed.
Ginger and Baker, with whom we have worked closely since November
2017, is a trusted partner. Their Director of Events and Community
Engagement, Kate Cooper, served on the OFC board for 4 years.
Ginger and Baker continues to support us with a very generous
in-kind donation of meeting space throughout the year. And thanks
to the inclusion of OFC information in their sta orientation, their
team frequently calls when there are concerns. The success OFC has
achieved wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of businesses
like Ginger and Baker.
Service Providers
As a street-based outreach team, Outreach Fort Collins depends on dedicated
service provider partners to provide the direct services our clients need. Our
job is to be on the streets. We collaborate closely with our partners working
in shelters, the court systems, physical and behavioral healthcare, and
more to address the barriers our clients face. For example in October, 2024,
Loveland Street Outreach was launched as a partnership of City of Loveland,
Homeward Alliance, and SummitStone Health Partners. Outreach Fort Collins
has been a key collaborator in the program’s upstart. Through conversation
and shared outreach, we have provided insight into our unique approach
to outreach, emphasizing the importance of community collaboration to
e ectively meet individual needs.
Agency
Referrals
by Resource
Type
Physical Health: 20% (66)
Shelter: 14% (46)
Behavioral Health: 18% (58)
Housing: 18% (59)
Employment Services, ID,
Government Benefits: 4% (15)
Clothing & Food: 3% (9)
Service Education & Other: 23% (72)
“Supporting unhoused individuals
requires a joint e ort with many
local partners to design and
provide the resources that are
unique to every situation. We look
forward to continued success
and positive impact across
the Loveland and Fort Collins
communities being served.”
—Dr. Megan Hencinski,
SummitStone Health Partners
page 9 | 2024 Year in Review 2024 Year in Review | page 10
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“
First Responder
Since Outreach Fort Collins began, we have aimed to reduce inappropriate
calls for emergency responders. In 2024, we received 841 calls for safety
concerns and disruptive behavior; 99% of those calls were handled without
additional first responder involvement. Historically these calls would
have gone to dispatchers, and on to first responders. By providing rapid
response to safety concerns and disruptive behavior, we e ectively mitigate
situations and support clients with the appropriate level of care. Our
involvement enables police, fire, and EMS resources to prioritize response
for emergency situations throughout the community.
In early 2024 Poudre Fire Authority launched a new Community Health
Program. This program pairs an EMT with clinicians from SummitStone
Health Partners and focuses on folks who are frequent utilizers of
emergency medical systems. As a result of our presence on the street and
our strong rapport with disconnected clients, OFC has been able to identify
individuals with significant unmet medical needs and coordinate with the
Community Health Program to provide on-the-street care. This partnership
underscores the vital importance of collaborative e orts to meet the
complex impacts of those experiencing homelessness in our community.
We look forward to this growing partnership and the increased opportunity
for care to happen on the street.
“True community health
thrives when partnerships are
formed across sectors—like the
collaboration between the CHP
and OFC. Together, we address
the whole person, not just their
immediate needs, and work
toward lasting health, stability, and
dignity for those most vulnerable.
We look forward to continuing to
collaborate, educate, and li up our
community members through our
partnership with OFC and help in
supporting the amazing work their
program does.”
—Beth McGhee, Poudre Fire
Authority
67
calls diverted by police
dispatch to OFC
218
referrals to OFC from
first responders
124
client connections to
physical and behavioral
health services
High Acuity Case Study
High acuity clients, o en experiencing chronic homelessness and complex needs, regularly utilize a disproportionate
share of community resources. Outreach Fort Collins recognizes the importance of targeted intervention for these
individuals, focusing on personalized support and coordinated care with area providers. The following case study follows
five high acuity clients, each of whom exited homelessness in 2023. The reduction in community impacts and increased
engagement with supportive services in 2024 illustrates the impacts of OFC’s approach, demonstrating how strategic
engagement, connection to stable housing, and ongoing supportive ser vices can lead to significant positive change.
2022 2023 2024
78
Outreach Fort Collins
Engagements
65
Outreach Fort Collins
Engagements
9
Outreach Fort Collins
Engagements
66
Police Services contacts resulting in
8
citations or arrests
47
Police Services contacts resulting in
9
citations or arrests
13
Police Services contacts resulting in
0
citations or arrests
19
Poudre Fire Authority calls for
services
12
Poudre Fire Authority calls for
services
4
Poudre Fire Authority calls for
services
$537,523
in UCHealth charges for
47
Emergency Department visits
$423,492
in UCHealth charges for
66
Emergency Department visits
$23,447
in UCHealth charges for
5
Emergency Department visits
217
check ins at Murphy Center for Hope
166
check ins at Murphy Center for Hope
125
check ins at Murphy Center for Hope
59
service engagements with
SummitStone Health Partners
31
service engagements with
SummitStone Health Partners
133
service engagements with
SummitStone Health Partners
While this case study represents clients with whom OFC has been highly engaged, we recognize the dedicated
individuals in other organizations who are also a part of these accomplishments. Our collective work, and the positive
outcomes associated with it, are reflective of the concerted e orts of the wider community: service providers,
healthcare systems, emergency responders, the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care, and most importantly, our
newly-housed clients who are the “why” behind it all.
2024 Year in Review | page 12page 11 | 2024 Year in Review
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2025 Priorities
• Strengthen Community
Engagement and Build
Partnerships: We aim
to increase awareness of
OFC through targeted and
consistent community
presentations locally,
regionally, and potentially
nationally. Additionally, we
have partnerships throughout
our community and leaning
into those partnerships will
help grow our programs and
support throughout the region.
• Increase Funding and
Diversify Revenue Streams:
Funding landscapes look
di erent than they have in
years past. We aim to become
more nimble in our revenue
strategies to ensure the
ongoing sustainability, growth,
and success of OFC. Our many
valued and trusted funders are
imperative to the success of our
e orts, and cultivating these
relationships while establishing
new ones is our best way
forward.
• Enhance Program Impact and
Evaluation: We look forward
to developing more rigorous
practices around program
evaluation and design knowing
there is always room for growth
and improvement.
• Expand Digital Presence
and Marketing: Leveraging
technology in an increasingly
digital world, OFC looks
forward to elevating our social
media presence while telling
the story of OFC, and our
clients, in an ethical and client-
centered manner.
2024 Financials & 2025 Budget
2024
Revenue
Total:
$775,175
Foundation: $92,475
Government: $633,053
Corporate: $34,430
Individual: $15,217
2024
Expenses
Total:
$747,233
Labor: $624,480
Program: $60,215
Administration: $62,538
2025
Budget
Total:
$930,061
Foundation: $125,000
Government: $737,061
Corporate: $50,000
Miscellaneous: $18,000
Donors & Funders
Individual and small business donor support for 2024 included the generosity of some 50+ charitable contributions.
We are also grateful for the many local businesses, churches, and other organizations with whom we work so closely
for the betterment of our local community.
Abigail Wiley
Alex Supinski
Alyssa Bamonti
Andy Sprain
Anonymous
Barbara Dunworth
Beth Williams
Beth Yonce
Brandon Zelasko
Caleb Carlson
Carey and Nancy Hewitt
Cherilee Blurbaugh
Christian Wearsch
Debra Kelly
Dellenbach Motors
Emily Harms
Finley Sutton
Ginger and Baker
Ginny Sawyer
Guys Who Give Larimer
County
Hank Dougherty
Hannah Baltz-Smith
James Hulings
Janna Dickerson
Jennifer Dayton
Jessica Emmett
Jocelyn Gentry
Jonathan LaMare
Kate Homme
Kristy Clark
Kylie Massman
Lauren Nau
Lila Hickey
Linda Philips
Lisa Dunworth
Lise Thomas
Marilyn Fitch Herrmann
Mary Rasch
Matt Mulch
Old Town Square
Properties
Pam Brewer
Quresh Latif
Ryan McShane
Sarah Mason
Scott Sprain
Susan Hayes
The Cupboard
The Unity Church
Vicki Woods
A special thanks to our funders:
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970.658.0088
outreachfortcollins.org
info@outreachfortcollins.org
EIN 99-0487959
Outreach Fort Collins
OutreachFortCollins
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