The PLACE ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives.
Our vision is that all Colorado youth have safe housing, supportive relationships, and the opportunity for self-sufficiency and success.
Our programs
The real life challenges of youth experiencing homelessness can be overcome. That’s where The PLACE comes in – we offer three vital programs that support young people on their journey. At The PLACE, youth find skills, support and insight that allow them to step off the streets and step toward a brighter future.
Outreach
This program connects young people on the street (ages 15 - 24 years old) with shelter, housing or even helps them to reunify with family members. Our outreach team immediately provide key items that make a big difference in the life of a young person experiencing homelessness.
Shelter
Our shelter is a warm, safe option to a night on the streets. Open every day of the year, our 20-bed facility is the only licensed youth shelter in Colorado Springs. There we provide meals, clothing, and a health clinic link for youth ages 15 to 20.
Housing
The housing program at The PLACE helps youth live safely while they build their self-sufficiency.
Youth services
Under the umbrella of these three programs exists a number of services. Each young person has access to critical services to help them find their path to a self-determined, fulfilled life.
Family & life skills
Life skills support, including healthy living, healthy relationships, sex education and finances. Family reunification assistance is a top priority.
Safe place
Safe Place is a youth outreach and prevention program for young people up to 21 years of age in need of immediate help and safety. Safe Place locations include our local libraries.
Health & medical care
Youth receive health and medical services at our on-site clinic, including access to mental health appointments and addiction recovery groups.
Employment
Youth get on the road to jobs and important job skills. These opportunities prepare youth for the next phase of their lives.
Case management
Upon entering our program, every youth has access to case managers who help youth identify their strengths and create a plan for exiting homelessness. Case managers are trusted adults and the key link as advocates for treatments or services that will improve a youth’s stability and health.
Education
Case managers connect youth to high school continuation, GED access, or even college.
Our history
1999
In May, a coalition of service providers from Colorado Springs, led by the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities Marian House, and Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, approached Urban Peak, a Denver shelter and drop-in center for homeless youth, and asked the agency to implement a program in Colorado Springs. With support from eight agencies that serve homeless people, a feasibility study was completed, conducted a street count to identify homeless youth, and met with numerous providers, the Police, and the Department of Human Services to evaluate the need for services.
2000
Urban Peak Colorado Springs was incorporated after identifying a need to provide services for runaway and homeless youth in the Pikes Peak region. At that time, we provided services out of offices located at the Marian House Soup Kitchen, another Colorado Springs non-profit agency.
2003
Our organization completed a capital campaign called “The Place” and we purchased a centrally-located property southeast of downtown Colorado Springs to address the community need for emergency shelter and housing options for teens and young adults.
2004
Our new multi-purpose location was called The Place and opened in December. We remain the only organization in El Paso and Teller counties that provides shelter and needed services to homeless and runaway youth and young adults.
2019
Urban Peak Colorado Springs becomes a separate entity from Urban Peak Denver and officially renames itself as The PLACE.
Frequently asked questions
The Place is the only non-profit organization in the Pikes Peak region solely focused on programs to support youth experiencing homelessness. Young people from age 15 through age 24 can access shelter*, housing, education and employment support, healthcare, case management, life skills courses, meals and more.
*Note: The Place’s shelter program is for youth age 15 through 20. We assist young people ages 21 through 24 to find alternative shelter AND these older youth can engage in all other programs, including case management.
The Place is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a local volunteer board of directors. The Place is not a division of any city or county entity, and is not a part of a national organization. Until 2019, The Place had been an affiliate in a strategic partnership with Urban Peak Denver in order to provide administrative efficiencies and nationally recognized programmatic best practices. The Place moved out from that affiliation on October 1, 2019. The Place is not a faith based organization.
The Place serves youth ages 15 through 24 who are currently experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless (e.g. couch surfing with friends, soon-to-be exiting foster care, etc.). Young people from all walks of life fall into homelessness. Our role is to meet youth where they are, without judgement, and support their safety and growth. No referrals are needed.
There is no one set entry point at The Place. Clients can access The Place at any point depending on the youth’s individual needs and goals. Some clients first learn about The Place by coming to the shelter, some are referred to our programs by a school counselor or probation officer, some learn about The Place by meeting one of the Outreach counselors on the street. No two journeys are the same.
Please visit our ‘Contact Us’ tab to reach the appropriate member of our team. A staff member will return your inquiry within two business days. If you are a youth ages 15 up to age 20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, please contact 719-630-3223 or 719-205-7129 after 5:PM or on a weekend.
The Place administrative office and shelter is located at 423 E. Cucharras Street, Colorado Springs, near the corner of Wahsatch and Cucharras, within the downtown area.
Most all of our programs and services are free of charge. Only our apartment program or rental assistance programs have a client cost associated with them. Those that are accepted into one of our apartment or rental assistance programs will work with a housing case manager to reach an agreed upon rental fee which is generally based on a percentage of the client’s earnings.
The situation within the shelter changes on a day to day basis. We recommend you come to the shelter or call 719-630-3223 or 719-205-7129 after 5:PM or on a weekend.
Yes! If you are experiencing homelessness and need support to re-enter school, complete a GED, or gain important skills that can help you obtain and keep a job, we can help. Youth do not need to be staying in our shelter program to receive assistance.
The Place is not currently offering GED classes – please call 719-630-3223 for a referral.
Yes, most services at The Place go through age 24. The shelter is for youth ages 15 through 20, however, we frequently support young people experiencing homelessness who are between ages 21 to 24 and staying at adult shelters or elsewhere.
No! We have an outreach team that can help with hygiene items, vital documents etc.
Accountability
We take accountability very seriously.
The Place serves many youth in our region. Donors, supporters and volunteers, like you, are entitled to know our impact and our financial standing and it is our responsibility to provide the following information. Here, you will find links to our latest Impact Report and IRS Form 990. The Impact Report will show how The Place has impacted our region. And the 990 will show our financial standing. Years prior to FY18 will be show our name as Urban Peak Colorado Springs.
Request a tour
The best way to get to know The Place is to take a tour of our facility. We want to share our dreams and perhaps you will find out how you can help!
