The Action Center

The mission of the Action Center is to provide an immediate response to basic human needs and provide pathways to self-sufficiency.

The vision of the Action Center is to be a fluid and financially sound agency that identifies and responds to the basic human needs of the residents of Jefferson County.

Wherever clients are on the continuum of need, whether they have experienced a temporary setback or have never been able to "make it" on their own, the Action Center can help. It is through the following programs that the Action Center gives help, provides hope and builds dignity while breaking the cycle of poverty.

Intervention

Households in crisis often require the most basic of needs to be met first – they need food, clothing and shelter today, before planning a sustainable tomorrow. Each day at the Action Center clients access programs like the food pantry, clothing bank, free bus tokens, personal care items and the 22-bed homeless shelter as means to stop their household from falling deeper into poverty. These immediate intervention services help to stabilize families and individuals while client services counselors help them make plans toward a self-sufficient future.

Prevention

Other client households can maintain or re-gain stability with short-term or seasonal help from the Action Center's prevention services, helping to ward off a crisis before it occurs. These could be the same as basic needs like food, clothing and transportation and may include utility assistance, rental assistance, household items and tenant/landlord counseling. Many times, prevention means covering extra costs at specific times of the year, reducing the strain on fragile finances. This help comes from the Action Center's seasonal programs like the School Supply Distribution, Thanksgiving Food Boxes and the Santa Shop.

Connection

In the long-term, after immediate needs are met, the Action Center promotes pathways to self-sufficiency most effectively by connecting clients to resources and other programs in the community that offer the tools to break the cycle of poverty. Connections and referrals help clients improve their education, healthcare, housing and employability.

Key partnerships include Red Rocks Community College, Jefferson County Human Services, Metro Community Provider Network and Exempla Lutheran Medical Center.