Lending A Helping Hand to The PEOPLE OF
THE MONTROSE COMMUNITY
Vision:
Providing hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Mission:
Provide compassionate and thoughtful emergent and transitional physical, mental and spiritual support for people experiencing food and Housing insecurity.
Values:
- Treat everyone with dignity
- Provide a judgment-free space
- Be equitable to each persons' needs
- Be a trusted partner in our community
The Shepherd's Hand started in November of 2011 commencing with a board of directors who were individually burdened by the hurt they saw in their community.
The Shepherd’s Hand’s History
Garey Martinez, the President of the Board, had previously been a founding member of another non-profit which served lunch 5 days a week. As Garey worked alongside the homeless and low income individuals and families, his heart kept saying, "we need to do more than feed people once a day 5 days a week". His dream became The Shepherd's Hand, Inc.
- A nutritious breakfast and lunch
- Restroom and shower facilities
- Laundry facilities
- Phone access
- Wall lockers to store personal items
- Referrals for pastoral counseling, job training, substance abuse programs, health insurance, and housing options
- A day center
Organizations We Work With
These are some of the organizations within the Montrose area who partner with The Shepherd's Hand:
- 180 Ministries
- Welcome Home Montrose - Veterans Resource Center
- Calvary Ranch – a retraining program for veterans with PTSD
- Hot Lunch meals – Sunday Hot meal 5 pm at United Methodist Church
- Montrose Hispanic 7th Day Adventist Church food pantry
- WAGEES – an org. working with Dept. of Corrections to transition newly released inmates
- Jail Ministries – an organization working with incarcerated inmates
- Lighthouse homeless dorms
- Oasis at Peace – a retreat location for missionaries
- Life Choices – Pregnancy Center
- Young Life youth program
- YWAM – Youth With A Mission
- Olathe Hispanic 7th Day Adventist Church food pantry
In 2013, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs recognized and awarded Shepherd’s Hand as a “mobilizing resource to support innovative solutions”.
All one must do is walk in the door to sense a welcoming gathering place and see people who are comfortable being there. There are men, women and often children who enjoy visiting with each other. The volunteers chat with the clientele and it is not unusual to hear laughter among them. One of Shepherd's Hands' goals is to make sure that each person is treated with dignity and respect.
Additional Ways We Help
Shepherd's Hand makes a positive impact for many people in these additional ways:
Showers are available at the 505 Center so that those living by the river or in their cars can have a place to shower and shave.
Having clean clothes just makes one feel better, so laundry is available.
- Tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, socks, coats, hats and gloves are freely given out during inclement weather
- Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, razors and nail clippers are available for personal use
- Christmas gifts to celebrate the holidays
Total Services Provided in 2020:
- 92,308 nutritious breakfasts and lunches were served.
- 448 hot showers were taken.
- 374 loads of laundry were done.
Volunteers are vital to the day-to day operations of Shepherd's Hand. Church members, retirees, long-time Montrose residents and community service workers perform a variety of duties to facilitate services. There is no paid staff.
The Shepherd's Hand Board of Directors is an all-volunteer working board. Each of the directors actively participates in one or more ways with operations and fundraising.
Hours of Operation
- Mon - Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed