How to Assist Veterans Experiencing Homelessness with Kristen Bailey

Kristen Bailey is a Colorado native who now works as the Outreach Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator for the Homes for All Veterans Program of Rocky Mountain Human Services. She attended the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2011. After graduating, she became interested in working with the homeless community. She began volunteering with Urban Peak Colorado Springs, the local youth shelter, doing grant writing and development, and later was hired to work directly with the youth in the shelter. She left Urban Peak for her current case management position. She’s her agency’s representative for the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care’s coordinated entry process, where she helps to identify additional housing resources for veterans and families experiencing homelessness in El Paso County. In her spare time, she loves to connect with nature, practice yoga, and explore the awesome and ever-growing food scene that Colorado Springs has to offer.

Topics Discussed:

• How Kristen experienced homelessness herself
• How Kristen’s volunteer experience led to a job at the homeless shelter and eventually her current position
• The kinds of services offered Rocky Mountain Human Services
• The Housing-First Model and how getting a home will help a homeless person deal with other issues quicker
• The causes of homelessness among veterans
• How landlords can help put veterans in homes
• Volunteer opportunities for people who aren’t landlords or property owners
• Kristen’s success stories
• Events and opportunities available through Rocky Mountain Human Services

Links and Resources:

• Rocky Mountain Human Services
  • Facebook
• Homes for All Veterans

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