Cold weather is just around the corner, and the Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) is taking action to address the challenges winter poses to certain populations within the County. Through two community-giving events, Socktober and Share the Warmth, the Library aims to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and children currently experiencing homelessness.
From Sept. 24 – Oct. 26, Jefferson County residents may donate new socks to the Golden Library for the Teen Activity Board’s (TAB) Socktober. These socks will be used at the Golden TAB’s Golden Gives event, where local teens will create care kits to be distributed to individuals in the community experiencing hard times.
From Oct. 13 – 26, residents may also donate new and gently used winter gear to their neighbors in need during the countywide Share the Warmth drive. All JCPL locations and several neighborhood businesses will accept donations, which can include sleeping bags, winter coats, tents, shoes and other essentials. Individuals may also donate at Mountainside Gear Rental (15985 S Golden Rd A, Golden, CO 80401) on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. during a special community-giving event. During this event, donors can snag a burrito courtesy of Bonfire Burritos and chat with local social service agencies about how donations will benefit the community. Only donations made this day are tax deductible; contributors receive a receipt upon dropping off their gear.
Jefferson County has the third-highest population of individuals experiencing homelessness in the state, with homelessness affecting thousands of residents. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education department of the Colorado Department of Education found that in 2016, 2,800 students in the district identified as having experienced homelessness. Since then, according to 2018 Point-In-Time Count results, 13.7 percent of reported individuals experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County have identified as being newly homeless, a 6.1 percent increase from 2017. The results also show that in 2018, of the individuals experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County, 34 percent reported that they were fleeing domestic violence, 50 percent were unsheltered, and more than 50 percent identified as being part of families with children under the age of 18.
"There's a saying that homelessness is 'invisible' in the suburbs, but we're seeing that change in Jeffco," Debra Walsh, JCPL's social work coordinator, said. "Providers who work with people experiencing homelessness are finding more and more are families needing assistance. These families are often working, but just can't afford the rising housing costs."
While the 2017 Share the Warmth drive proved successful in its inaugural year—packing 14 vehicles and collecting 211 coats, 138 sleeping bags and blankets, 15 tents, 54 backpacks, 34 pairs of shoes and 76 miscellaneous articles of clothing—there is still an urgent need for winter gear and apparel this year, particularly items that are child-sized. With a predicted record-breaking-cold this winter and with the closing of the Action Center shelter in June, winter may prove more than challenging for some Jeffco families.
“We are extremely nervous about this winter for our community members,” Simone Groene-Nieto, diversity and inclusion coordinator for JCPL said. “Donations this year may prove critical and even life-saving for this population.”
All donations to the Socktober sock drive and Share the Warmth gear drive will have an immediate and positive impact within the community during upcoming severe weather months. Learn more about these opportunities to give back to the community as well as other JCPL programs at the Library, at jeffcolibrary.org or by calling 303.235.5275.
About Share the Warmth
Share the Warmth was established in 2017 in partnership with Mountainside Gear Rental to benefit Heading Home, a collaboration of individuals, public-service and faith-based organizations from the community determined to end homelessness in Jefferson County. This year's partners also include Bonfire Burritos, Adroit Tattoo, Golden Chamber of Commerce and Walton & Young, Attorneys at Law. More information, including a list of drop-off locations, is available at mountainsidegearrental.com/share-the-warmth.
