Migrant Response

In December 2022, the week before Christmas, Denver asked for help caring for the influx of migrants that had been arriving. On December 18, Larimer County welcomed around sixty people from Venezuela, Guatemala, and Cuba. As part of the Behavioral Health Team, Spiritual Care Responders, alongside Mental Health Care Responders, were there at the intake event and throughout the week at the three sites people were housed at. Much of the work that was done over the week involved connecting people with necessities such as clothing, toiletries, and food. Once necessities were taken care of, the team worked with many different organizations and houses of worship to help connect this group of people with cultural resources. During the week of Christmas it became especially important that these travelers felt a sense of connection to the way they celebrate the holiday. The entire Interfaith Community came alongside this group and worked to purchase bus tickets for everyone who needed to get to another destination quickly. Those who chose to stay in Larimer County were connected with resources for shelter, work, and other ways for them to thrive here. While the Behavioral Health team of Larimer County will not be officially responding to this humanitarian need in the near future, many of the chaplains and mental health responders are working with non-profits and the faith community to provide ongoing support to those who are here.