Meet the new Centennial homeless outreach liaison

A big job for a crisis

BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As communities across Colorado grapple with how to best serve people experiencing homelessness, the City of Centennial has a new resource — a homeless outreach liaison.

Vanessa Gates was hired to the brand new position, which falls under Arapahoe County’s Gates, who started working in the role on March 13, introduced herself to the Centennial City Council on May 16, sharing updates on what she has worked on so far and the vision for her role.

“Our target population are going to be individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and atrisk of becoming (homeless),” Gates said.

According to the presentation, Gates will collaborate with individuals and/or families facing homelessness and refer them to the appropriate resources or programs.

She will also provide navigation assistance to reduce barriers a ecting the individual or families’ access to resources.

SEE HOMELESS, P10