In the Denver Public Library (Colorado) we have 2 social workers and 3 peer navigators who work to engage people experiencing life challenges. (Life challenges being anything: homelessness, mental health issues, substance issues, poverty, domestic violence, etc.). We hold drop in hours in the library for people to come to us, and we also do outreach in the library: walking around connecting with people, offering water and/or socks, etc. In addition the social workers accompany security on any incidences, as we know there is probably something we can help with if they are having a security contact.

 

We also created programming this year targeted to those experiencing poverty and homelessness. This includes a writing workshop, meditation, yoga, art and coffee.

We received a grant to create this programming. Coffee Connections is a chance for library staff to interact with customers experiencing homelessness on neutral ground. We have coffee and pastries, crafts and games to help people break the ice. Meditation is led by a woman who has had homeless experience herself and she's amazing. The writing workshop is led by a writing coop in Denver, and they use "Hard Times" as a theme. Some people are looking at getting published with some of their work. The yoga is led by an instructor trained in trauma informed yoga. Writing and meditation are weekly, while the rest are monthly.

 

We create calendar flyers that we distribute throughout the library and also send to our community providers who work with this population to share with their clients. Attendance number are excellent! The writing workshop has a core group of 20 people that attend, everything else is well attended and one art group last week on a Sunday had 18 participants (and people are asking for more!) All the events are held in the Library.
 

     

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