Guest Stories

Shawna’s Story

My name is Shawna. I’m 52 years old. I have three children who are grown, but I haven’t seen them in a long time. I live with my fiancé and my cat, Fred. And I’m no longer homeless.

I’ve struggled with addiction since I was 16. I stayed clean during my pregnancies, but after I lost my children 18 years ago, I turned to alcohol and drugs heavily—especially alcohol. About three years ago, I was homeless, living in a car with a man I’d met.

We were terrified the police would tow our car, so we climbed into the trunk to hide. He broke the key in the lock and trapped us inside. I was stuck in that trunk for about seven hours—with him lying there dead beside me.

After that, I came to Lakewood, where a good friend, now my fiancé, helped me survive. I found RecoveryWorks by staying in my car across the street, waiting for them to open each morning so I could wash up and get a meal. It took time before I could talk to anyone—I was afraid they’d hurt me. But they were patient.

Last Christmas Eve, I was so close to suicide. I barricaded myself in my car, convinced no one cared. But RecoveryWorks had been listening all along. That night, they came to my car and convinced me to come out. I said no at first. Then they said, “Shawna, we have a place for you to go.” I jumped out of my car with joy. It warmed my heart. For the first time, I believed people truly cared.

They put me in a hotel to keep me warm through the winter. By mid-April, they found me housing. I’ve been there ever since. I’ve been clean and sober for almost 90 days as of November 6. It’s still a struggle every day. But I don’t know where I’d be without RecoveryWorks. I don’t think I’d be alive. They brought me to a place in my heart where I could believe in myself. I have so much confidence now—more than I’ve ever had in my life.

Sonny’s Story

Sonny moved to Jefferson County in 2003 and built a stable and secure life. He earned an associate degree in medical lab technology, getting married, and raising two children. After a job layoff in 2016 and a series of short-term lab and kitchen roles, he hit a wall eventually late last year. From October 2024 to May 2025, Sonny couldn’t find work. He lost his apartment and moved in with his ex, who eventually made him sleep outside in a tent under the deck. Without access to a bathroom, he risked legal consequences – “If you get caught peeing in public, you could end up with a sex offense.”

Still, Sonny stayed hopeful. “Getting mad just drains your energy,” he said. “I did everything I could, and eventually things came along.” He points to his positivity as a key reason why he’s been able to stay resilient despite unexpected setbacks.

RecoveryWorks: A Safe Place to Rebuild
In May, Sonny started a job at Lowe’s in Lakewood. He loves the people there and the job. A former RecoveryWorks guest and Lowe’s colleague connected him with Princess, a navigator in Lakewood, who referred him to RecoveryWorks. There, Sonny found what he needed to get back on his feet: a safe place to sleep, access to food and a bathroom, time to save and help with finding an affordable place.

After about two months at the RecoveryWorks bridge housing program, Sonny moved into his own apartment off South Federal in Denver—a quiet space he calls his “fortress of solitude.” “Everyone at RecoveryWorks was fantastic,” Sonny shared. “Stacey worked hard to get me into an apartment, Cameron helped with bus tickets, and Kathy’s cooking was amazing.”

After RecoveryWorks: Giving Back and Moving Forward
Just days after leaving RecoveryWorks, Sonny returned – this time not as a guest, but as a volunteer for Lowe’s Red Vest Day. “It felt good to visit with residents and staff,” he said. “I got to say goodbye to staff and chat with folks still in the program.” Thanks to furniture and assistance from RecoveryWorks and generous Lowe’s colleagues, Sonny is focused on rebuilding — paying bills, keeping his housing and job, and supporting his kids.

Cindy Lou’s Story

I’ve lived in Colorado since I was 14, mostly around Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and Golden. I’m 57 now. I worked hard most of my life in service industry; I even served food and drinks at Broncos games for seven years. I raised two daughters and helped put them through college – one graduated from Mines and the other from DU.

I raised my daughters with my mom for many years. After we had a big fallout, I had just seven hours to leave. I became homeless bouncing around with friends and then lived in my car. When Denver towed it and my storage unit was destroyed I started lived in tents, abandoned houses, and even in a bush. I wasn’t drinking or using drugs. I worked at McDonald’s and delivered pizzas while I was homeless, but it was impossible to keep a job when I had nowhere safe to sleep or store my things. I panned for food outside Walmart and lived this way for about five years.

 One day, one of my friends saw a post on Facebook about RecoveryWorks and sent me the information. I started going there for meals. The staff helped me get a phone, food stamps, and Medicaid. A lot of us on the street don’t even know programs like these exist until we get connected with a place like RecoveryWorks. On Christmas Eve last year, staff told me I got a TSS housing voucher. I was in shock. I stayed at RecoveryWorks’ Bridge Housing program until I moved into my own place in April.

 I’m back in housing now and starting to get my life back. I want a job or I will go insane! I enjoyed counseling people and connecting them with resources while I was homeless, so I want to keep helping people.

 If I could tell people one thing, it’s this: Please don’t judge people who are homeless. Be kind. If people are dirty and drugged out, it’s because they are desperate and no one is there for them except the drug and their buddies who use drugs. They’re not always looking for a hand-out, many are looking for a hand-up. We’re all just trying to survive.

Monique’s (Mo) Story

I never thought I’d end up homeless. I’ve worked my whole life, always believed in earning my way. But then I got sick with generalized dystonia, and everything started slipping away. I couldn’t work anymore, had to go on disability—but that wasn’t enough to keep me on my feet. Then things got worse. Someone stole my identity, robbed me, and I lost everything. My kids, my stability, my house. I was hoping for a fresh start when I was hired to open the new Laredo’s and the 7-Eleven in Wheat Ridge. I thought I could rebuild my life. But the people I stayed with took advantage of me, and before I knew it, I was on the streets of Lakewood.

Living on the streets wasn’t just about finding a place to sleep—it was about staying alive. I spent every day trying to keep safe from traffickers, thieves, and worse. I’ve seen terrible things, been called names, had rocks thrown at me just for existing. It wore me down, left me with PTSD so bad it’s hard to trust anyone now. More than anything, I wanted to work again, but it’s near impossible to find a job when you have no bus fare to get to job interviews, nowhere to clean up, nowhere to store my belongings. People think getting out of homelessness is just about wanting it—but it’s not. You need help.

RecoveryWorks helped me get new id’s after they were stolen, helped me find this new apartment, gave me a chance to be a resident again, part of society. For the first time in years, I feel like a person again, not invisible. Recovery to me is re-living. My next step is finding a job so I can pay my own way. I want people to open their hearts and see that everyone has worth—housed or not. Being homeless doesn’t mean you don’t deserve dignity or a chance. My dream is to go camping with my kids and grandkids, take pictures, make memories.

Dennis’ Story

“I grew up in Wheat Ridge and graduated from Jefferson High School. Though I didn’t graduate, I truly loved school. I got married and had three kids and 5 foster kids. My son passed away in a tragic accident at the State Hospital years ago. It was devastating and I was very depressed for a long time.

 I owned two houses in my life and used to buy antique cars, fix them up and sell them. After many years, my wife and I divorced and I ended up living in my car because all my income went to child support payments. I had my own business for many years, Color Change Painting and just retired last year at age 62. I worked hard my whole life, even while I was homeless.

 The hardest part of being on the streets was the cold and trying to get enough food. Thanks to RecoveryWorks and Mean Street Ministries I managed to get by. I got along with most everyone on the streets, and acted like a counselor, giving advice. I’ve lost about ten friends out there and almost froze last February. Most homeless people are nice, they just need some guidance getting back on their feet. That’s why I send everyone to RecoveryWorks.

 Last month, I asked RecoveryWorks staff for help and now I’m in their Bridge Housing program and staying indoors for the first time in a long while. Staff is helping me to find a place to rent, and they’re always very friendly and quick to help. I’m excited about my future in retirement. I love to draw – pen and ink, detailed stuff, it’s very relaxing. I’ll keep going to church weekly at The Table at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood. I may go back to work, something light, we’ll see. Right now, I’m happy every day and don’t stress over anything, I didn’t even when I was broke. I have God, and God is good to me, so I’m still hanging on. I think RecoveryWorks is doing a great job, I love the place and the name- it’s really true!”

Tobi’s Story

“I have never been homeless before. Being homeless is a new experience to me. I had been married for thirteen years. I ended up doing drugs and my marriage ended. Then, I started having heart problems. I rely on many different drugs to keep myself alive. For a time, I didn’t have access to my life-saving drugs. This was when I became homeless. I didn’t care about myself. And I didn’t care that I was homeless. Thankfully, a friend made me go to Lutheran Hospital to get treatment. Lutheran Hospital connected me to RecoveryWorks. Now I care.”

“RecoveryWorks has helped me with everything and in every way. Each staff person treats me like a very special person. They show me such respect. They will bend over backwards for me and the other guests. They make me feel needed and wanted. They know helping and working is very important to me. I have been a worker my whole life. So, they let me help out all the time. I worked with Rich on the community garden box and I loved it. I have been here for a while now and it has made all the difference. I have applied for and gotten a job at Walmart. I have reconnected with my son. In fact, we plan to move in together. Being at RecoveryWorks has made all the difference. It has changed my life. I have friends and connections now. RecoveryWorks has brought me back to life.”

Matt’s Story

I’ve pretty much worked my whole life, you know, since the time I was about 15. I’m 61 now. It’s only been the last year or so that I haven’t been able to work. And I’ve been homeless off and on for 10 years, about 11 years. Last year I was sleeping outside, and I ended up getting some frostbite on my feet. I had all of my toes amputated off of my left foot and some damage to the bottom of my right foot. I’ve never had an injury take so long to heal. It’s been over a year and yet the wound persists. Before I was here (RW), wherever I was, changing the dressing was impossible. Infection has been a big worry for me. (Living on the street) was a challenge because of the fact that I had nowhere safe to keep my dressing supplies. This is where RecoveryWorks has truly been a godsend for me, I’m serious when I say that. You know, everyone that works here… the love, respect and helpfulness… everyone’s been so supportive.”

“I was working in sales when I became homeless. It was when the banks had imploded, there were so many problems in the economy, and being in sales I was very adversely affected by that. You know, because it was car sales. You just couldn’t find a lender without huge stipulations. In the last 10 years, I’ve gotten some temporary jobs. Some out of the day labor places. Which is hit or miss, sometimes you get work, sometimes they just say they don’t have anything. And between the banks, bad luck… it comes together for the perfect storm. It snowballs. What starts off as an inconvenience turns into a big problem. And there’s shame to it. No one wants to come out and say I’m homeless. It’s not something you wear a badge of honor about. Because nobody chooses to be homeless, not in my experience.”

Carly’s Story

“Every one of us has a story of why we’re here. I’ve been homeless for 7 years. I lost my job, I lost my car, I lost my home because I lost my job. I couldn’t pay for anything. My son’s dad doesn’t pay child support regularly. I never imagined myself here, homeless on Colfax. Some people take a look at what happens out here and say it’s fun and games, it’s not fun and games.
It sucks. Don’t underestimate anyone, don’t judge anyone until you walk in their shoes. I’m trying to take the steps I have to, I just have to take it day by day. I want to get my CAC (certified addiction counselor) license back. I did that work for 3 years until things started to fall apart for me. I love helping people. That’s what I do.

People are sometimes too proud to ask for help. At first I felt like I was too good. But then I asked myself “Am I too good or am I afraid to ask for help?” I’ve always done everything by myself and then with the situation I was in, I just got deeper and deeper and deeper, and [RecoveryWorks] reached out to me. And no one’s ever done that for me before. I can’t tell you what I would have done without RecoveryWorks. The people that work here really do try to help us, they absolutely do what they can. But we all make our choices, if you want to change then you have to ask for help. No one knows what you want unless you ask. There’s a lot of opportunity here if you sit down and take the time. Don’t be shy about it, don’t be afraid to ask.”

Angela’s Story

“My homelessness started when my daughter was shot and killed by the police. I just couldn’t deal with it. It has been a struggle since then, that was 5 years ago. I prayed that I wouldn’t have to live anymore, I was in such deep mourning. And then I got shot, a year after she died. I got shot in both legs and I bled out quickly. I lost oxygen to my brain, I was in a coma for about 6 months. When I woke I couldn’t remember my name. I couldn’t read. I couldn’t remember what happened, I couldn’t remember anything. I gradually had to learn to read again, to walk, everything. I did that quite quickly. Within about 6 months I was reading at a 4th grade level. I spent 6 months in a nursing home and I went through therapy there. I tried living with family but with my brain injury, I was too sporadic. I would go crazy sometimes and it was a struggle to connect with my family, a very hard struggle. So I became homeless. I’ve always loved this neighborhood, I’ve always lived in this neighborhood. I made friends out here, family really. They take care of me. I do believe that I get stronger every day, I remember more every day. Every day is different. I just don’t know where to go from here. I don’t know, I just feel lost. I don’t want to be out here during the winter. I don’t know how I’ve made it this far. I think I’m done mourning all of my tragic losses, I’m ready to just be okay. I haven’t been okay in a long time and I’m ready to be okay. I need an apartment. I don’t want anything fancy, just a clean place to go and be warm and safe. It’s good for me to talk about this. It helps me to heal. It helps me to realize that I’m not alone. It has been great to meet such helpful, encouraging people. That is what I’ve found here at RecoveryWorks. Everyone here has helped me so much. I would come in crying and they would comfort me and feed me. This is my family here. I am so grateful for this place. I don’t know what I’d do without this place. No one judges me here.”

Jeff’s Story

“I’ve been living on the streets on and off since 2005. One night last year we had zero-degree weather, I had a seizure and blacked out. Luckily I was found and I went to the hospital and made my way to RecoveryWorks. I stayed for a month and a half. I was in a bad way, I didn’t realize how bad of shape I was in. If I was still living on the streets, I’d be dead. The people at RecoveryWorks inspired me and were so good to me while I worked on my sobriety.

Since the respite program [at RecoveryWorks], I moved into Just Living Recovery. When I left respite, I was having anxiety. It was hard to leave such a comfortable environment while trying to be sober but I’ve been doing a really good job. I lead recovery meetings now and do other recovery-based work. I started taking addiction counseling classes. I’m 5 courses in and I’m keeping a 90%+ average. When I’m done with my classes, I want to do street outreach with the police. I hope to make a difference that way. People have a certain image of the type of person who lives on the streets. Some people I talk to now don’t believe that I used to live that way but I’ll have the personal experience to help other people in that same kind of situation.” – Jeff, RecoveryWorks Guest

Dorothy’s Story

“I’m from Jasper, Mississippi. I came here [Denver] in 1970. I came here with my dad, but he died shortly after and I was raised by my cousin. I haven’t been back to Mississippi since I left 50 years ago. I’ve heard it hasn’t changed that much. I have four boys that all live here, I’ve been blessed. I thank God for every day that I wake up, for my boys, and for this place. I want people to know that they shouldn’t take things for granted, especially not other people. Appreciate the people trying to help you. You can’t live for the past, you have to live for the present. Tomorrow is not guaranteed to anybody. My daddy always said “Why wait until tomorrow, what are you doing today?”.

[RecoveryWorks] has been good to me, they put me in a hotel and kept me safe. I appreciate that everyone here is just trying to help. They’ve been helping me find housing, it’s going well. Once I get my new apartment I’m excited to put it together and feel at home, I’m going to buy some brand new furniture. I’ve been saving my money like she [Shantell, caseworker] told me to. She’s been helping me so much. I appreciate everything she does for me. I’ve been blessed by this place.”