Our Story

The PLACE began in 1998, when Colorado Springs opened its first youth shelter under the umbrella of Urban Peak Denver. At the time, there were few safe options for young people experiencing homelessness in the Pikes Peak region. The new shelter provided a refuge — a warm bed, a hot meal, and, just as importantly, adults who cared.

As the years passed, it became clear that ending youth homelessness required more than emergency shelter. In the 2000s, The PLACE (then Urban Peak Colorado Springs) expanded with Street Outreach teams meeting youth where they were, and a Drop-In Center. These programs built trust and gave young people immediate safety nets.

By the 2010s, our services grew into a full continuum of care. Housing programs helped youth move from temporary shelter to permanent stability. Education and workforce initiatives gave young people the tools to succeed. Wraparound supports like counseling, life skills, and mentoring helped them build confidence and community.

In 2018, the Colorado Springs branch became an independent nonprofit and reintroduced itself as The PLACE. With a strong local identity and community-driven leadership, The PLACE could more directly respond to the needs of youth in our region while staying true to its mission.

Most recently, The PLACE made the difficult but forward-looking decision to close its shelter. While shelters provide immediate safety, decades of data and experience show that long-term housing, outreach, individualized wraparound services, education, and employment supports are more effective in helping young people exit homelessness for good. By refocusing our efforts on these evidence-based programs, we are investing in what truly changes lives and creates lasting stability.

Today, more than 25 years later, The PLACE has supported thousands of young people on their journey from homelessness to hope. Our programs — from housing and outreach to education and employment and individualize wraparound services — are built on one simple belief: every young person deserves safety, belonging, and the chance to thrive.

And while our team, programs, and name have evolved, our mission remains the same: to ignite the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives.