Fort Lyon VA & Homeless Center Observes First Anniversary

Ft Lyon Homeless Center

Governor Hickenlooper and area representatives were on hand at the Fort Lyon Supportive Residential Community in Las Animas today, September 23,  to observe the first anniversary of the center. The 550 acre complex was repurposed from a medium security prison into a facility offering access to mental health and health care services for the homeless in the state as well as for homeless veterans.  Several years of work from the combined efforts of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Bent County and the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless were required to re-open the former prison site.  From an initial start of less than 50 residents, the facility now provides services and counseling for 221 individuals, 23% of whom are veterans.

The Center’s program director, James Ginsburg, welcomed staff and residents, along with area representatives such as Bill Long from the Bent County Commissioners, John Marrin, President of Lamar Community College, Jim Rizzuto, President of Otero Junior College and John Stulp, special advisor for the Governor’s state water board. Ginsburg gave special recognition for some of the residents who have entered the AA program, presenting each with a medallion signifying three, six, nine or twelve months of sobriety.  Several residents stepped forward to received the one year coin, an indication they had been on hand for as long as the facility had been open one year earlier.

James Ginsburg, Center’s Program Director

One resident, Walter, received his sixty day medallion and explained one of the integral factors that has helped him in his stay, “One of the foundations is your spirituality. It is one of the most fundamental essences of recovery, to be able to find a spiritual basis for yourself.”

Building at Fort Lyon

Ginsburg told the audience of staff, visitors and residents,” We are laying in a foundation for years to come. We knew this would work if we were able to establish peer to peer support.  Our past year has also been about infrastructure, working with Bent County, the physical plant and hiring incredible staff from the Valley.  What you guys have done to create a culture of recovery and mutual support has been incredibly humbling.”  He asked Governor Hickenlooper to help honor ten people who were on hand from the start last year and, “Have set us on a trajectory that will become enduring for our future.”

Bill Long, Bent County Commissioner

Reeves Brown, Director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, remarked on how so many different departments in the state pulled together to create the Center, “It was like learning to fly while we were building the airplane.” Reeves thanked Bent County Commissioner Bill Long for his long-term efforts to develop the Center in light of the prison closing several years ago.  At that time, it created a significant negative economic impact on Las Animas and the county.  “Our goal,” Reeves said, “was to change this place; it’s not often that the place changes you.  And this place has changed every one of us.”  He told the residents that they were an inspiration to everyone of us.

Commemorative Photo of Staff and Resident, Governor in Foreground

It was also announced that with the support from local veteran organizations, Ft Lyon’s formerly homeless veterans chartered American Legion Post 9313, one of the first of its kind in the nation and are in the process of selecting officer leadership positions.

By Russ Baldwin