LOCAL STORY KIMBERLY COMFORTS SOPHRONIA AT NETWORK COFFEEHOUSE. SOPHRONIA HAD LOST ALL OF HER POSSESSIONS DURING A RECENT SWEEP OF A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT BY DENVER POLICE. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN Kimberly, who came to Network for the first time after the coffeehouse reopened, shared her story and assured Sophrina that she wasn’t alone. “I ended up kind of homeless and am staying with my nephew,” Kimberly said. “I am trying to make my way to Houston where my daughter lives.” Kimberly came to Denver after her house in Simla, Colo. became infested with mold. She planned to live out of her car until she could deposit her VA disability check. Instead, Kimberly’s car, wallet, and ID were stolen, stranding her in Denver. Kimberly is working on replacing her ID. In the meantime, she comes to Network every day. “This place is great,” Kimberly said. “Having breakfast and cup of coffee and support. There isn’t a lot out there. Having a whole social network is amazing and so important.” While Network was closed, the organization tried to relieve some stress and need by contracting to have a portable toilet in the parking lot available to those living on the streets. “The porta potty company didn’t like us much. Everybody in the company said, ‘We’d rather not work with you,’” Taylor said. At times, the toilet became very dirty from use. Then, during the 2020 protests, the portable toilet was burned to the ground. Losing the toilet to protestors didn’t bother Taylor, other than losing the service the toilet offered. “In the capitalist society, material shit is seen as higher value than a human being because profit comes before people,” Taylor said. “[Society] is often more focused on material possessions being taken or destroyed rather than the root cause of a person’s suffering. We focus on the person here.” A GUEST AT NETWORK COFFEEHOUSE PLUGS HIS PHONE IN TO CHARGE. NETWORK DOESN’T PROVIDE MANY DIRECT SERVICES OR GOODS, JUST SMALL MEALS, COFFEE, AND SHOWERS. BUT THE SUPPORT, THE NETWORK IS THE POINT. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN The new mask mandate that went into effect on November 24 has changed a few things at Network. All volunteers must wear a mask at all times. Guests are invited to wear masks, but like at restaurants, they aren’t required to when eating or drinking. Taylor hopes the mask mandate will slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and allow places to stay open. According to Casey, Network’s focus on creating an inviting, supportive environment is why he has been a regular for over a decade. He began visiting when he was experiencing homelessness. He has continued to visit even after getting an apartment through Volunteers of America and disability checks through Social Security. “I wish I could work. I wish I had a job and the security that goes with that,” Casey said. “I appreciate that I have this place to come to every day. Without it, it is a lot harder to have friends and have support.” Network doesn’t provide many direct services or goods, just small meals, coffee, and showers. But the support – the network – is the point. “We celebrate when people get housed. We celebrate when people get resourced. We celebrate when people get sober. But we want to see these relationships continue over time, and we want to see people coming back,” Taylor said. To Taylor, it is obvious why Network sees guests return even after they have found permanent housing. “There’s a reason they’re coming back. This is the space that they feel welcome,” Taylor said. “Denver is a landscape where there’s not a lot of welcoming places. The uniqueness of our joint is that we focus primarily pretty much exclusively on the work of relationship.” ■ January 2022 DENVER VOICE 9
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