Coats donated to Samaritan House
Debra finally found the one—a long tan trench coat among stacks of clean coats donated to Samaritan House.
Hundreds of coats provided through the Coats for Colorado partnership with Dependable Cleaners gave women facing homelessness like her with needed warmth and a brighter outlook.
At first nervous of going to the women’s shelter, Debra said the respectful atmosphere and generosity of others is now giving her hope.
“I have mighty big hope for the future,” Debra shared.
Originally from North Carolina, she came to Colorado without a place to go.
“When I first got to Colorado, I didn’t know anybody and had no place to go, and it was winter time,” she shared after picking her coat. “I heard about the women’s shelter … so I went to the one downtown. I thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ Because I have never been to a shelter of any kind—never—until I came to Colorado. It was scary.”
Samaritan House in downtown gave her a place to stay, warm food and safety. Then she was referred to the Samaritan House 48th location. The shelters for single women are one of several locations run by Catholic Charities of Denver.
Debra proudly shared the jobs she held for years as an assembly line factory worker and truck driver that gave her a chance to visit 49 states. After hitting some struggles and the end of her marriage, she found herself experiencing homelessness.
Debra said she hopes to reestablish her life and also find counseling. The staff has been nothing but respectful and kind to her.
She couldn’t be more grateful for shelter and for her new coat.