This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
As a volunteer with non-profits serving people experiencing homelessness around Longmont, I’ve seen first-hand what our city’s lack of 24/7, year-round homeless services has done to human beings in our community.
I know a young woman who slept outdoors for much of her pregnancy, then rode her bike to the hospital when her labor started.
I know a young man who went to work in muddy and smelly clothes until laundry facilities became available, hoping his boss didn’t fire him in the mean time.
I know a middle-aged woman and her partner who use garbage bags to literally disguise themselves as trash as they try to sleep and keep dry through the cold overnight rains.
I know an older adult who is sleeping outside between rounds of chemotherapy, and a woman who is delaying an important surgery because she cannot find a rehabilitation facility that will accept patients who are homeless.
For people experiencing homelessness to have the best chance at getting back on their feet, our city needs a space that consistently offers showers, laundry, sleeping space, storage, and case management. Many of these basic services are not consistently available in Longmont year-round, and this gap in services is costing our community greatly.
Our local non-profits are already doing good, effective work with people experiencing homelessness, in partnership with the county’s coordinated entry program. Imagine how much more effective this work would be if we closed our city’s services gap.
Longmont thrives when all members of our community thrive. Let’s choose to provide consistent services in our city year-round to build a more caring, compassionate Longmont.
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Cameron McKay
Longmont, CO
