(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Rescue Mission has laid off nearly two dozen employees, as it faces a $1.5 million budget shortage this fiscal year.
The local nonprofit organization let go of 23 staff members in the past week, though none of its programs are closed. However, organizers say the organization is looking for ways to restructure and make sure the doors stay open.
“The Rescue Mission is strong, and we are going to be continuing to provide care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, poverty and addiction,” said Travis Williams, President and CEO of Springs Rescue Mission.
Despite the seven-figure budget shortage, Williams says it hasn’t changed the Rescue Mission’s goal.
“The reality is all positions are important. We care about every team member who has put their hand to the plow at this organization. So, the decisions are difficult, but they’re made with good stewardship in mind so that we can continue to provide the utmost great care for this community,” said Williams.
The Mission, one of the biggest shelters in Southern Colorado, said the recent layoffs were mostly part-time employees. Williams says the root of the problems stem from pandemic founds running low.
“We were in a position to receive many different funding streams and funding sources, and as those are starting to phase off, we’re wanting to make sure we’re… putting ourselves in alignment,” said Williams.
Now with 80 employees remaining, Williams says the shelter is focusing on getting back to their primary funding sources: donors.
“So, these are things that we’re going to be building over the next year is how do we continue to encourage the connectivity between the community and the guests that we serve here?” said Williams.
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The Rescue Mission still expects to be short $1.2 million in donor revenue this year, which is a six point drop from 2024 and a 10% decrease from its total budgeted revenue of around $12 million.
“Over the last year we’ve been saying it’s your Mission, and that’s us simply saying that we’re not going to solve homelessness ourselves,” he said.
Springs Rescue Mission is not cancelling any programs for now, and will continue to offer three meals each day, and house 400 people a night.
“We really are a stewardship organization, and we want to make sure that Springs Rescue Mission is strong and vibrant so that we can continue to care for this community like we do every day of the year,” said Williams.
