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  "description": "After the North Avenue shelter closure, Grand Junction providers are stepping up. This updated guide connects residents to food, healthcare, hygiene, housing support, and crisis resources—plus where to go right now for help, from weekly meal sites to navigation services.",
  "path": "/resources-for-people-experiencing-houselessness/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-22T16:03:17.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.westernslopetrellis.com",
  "textContent": "**Grand Junction & Mesa County | Updated March 2026**\n\nFollowing the permanent closure of the North Avenue emergency shelter, community partners are working to ensure people experiencing houselessness remain connected to food, hygiene services, healthcare, navigation support, and crisis resources.\n\nBelow is a consolidated guide to currently available services in Grand Junction.\n\nFor immediate help:\n📞 **Dial 211** or visit **wc211.org**\n📞 **Emergency: 911**\n📞 **Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988**\n\n* * *\n\n## 🚨 Crisis & Immediate Support\n\n**Emergency Services**\n📞 911\n\n**Suicide & Crisis Lifeline**\n📞 988\n\n**United Way Helpline**\n📞 970-775-7236\n\n**Grand Valley Connects**\n📞 970-683-2665\n\n* * *\n\n## 🥣 Food & Community Meals\n\n### Mutual Aid Partners (MAP) – Food Distro & Resource Day\n\n📍 402 Grand Ave., Grand Junction (enter off 4th St & Ouray Ave)\n📅 Every Tuesday\n🕙 Donation drop-off: 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.\n🕥 Public distribution: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.\n\nServices include:\n• Free community choice food pantry\n• Hygiene essentials & period products\n• Sack lunches & hot beverages\n• Haircuts & barber services (10 a.m.–12 p.m.)\n• Dog & cat food (with CO Pet Pantry & Roice-Hurst Humane Society)\n• Resource navigation & advocacy\n\n📞 970-316-2019\n📧 info@mutualaidpartners.org\n\n* * *\n\n### Solidarity Not Charity – Community Meal\n\n📍 302 South Ave., Grand Junction\n📅 Every Saturday\n🕓 4:00 p.m.\n\nProvides free meals, hygiene supplies, peer support, and harm reduction services.\n📧 solidaritynotcharitygjinfo@gmail.com\n📱 Text: 970-812-3202\n\n* * *\n\n### Additional Food Access Points (Daytime)\n\n**GVCO Day Center**\n📍 302 Pitkin Ave.\n🕘 Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.\n\n**GVCO Soup Kitchen**\n📍 245 S. 1st St.\n🕔 Monday–Saturday 12 p.m.–1 p.m.\n\n**Light in the Darkness**\n📍 900 N. 23rd St.\n🗓 Sundays 2 p.m.–4 p.m.\n\n**SNCM (Solidarity Not Charity Meal)**\n📅 Saturdays 4 p.m.–5 p.m.\n\n* * *\n\n## 🚿 Showers, Toilets & Hygiene\n\n**Hilltop Connections Youth Drop-In Center (Ages 13–24)**\n📍 324 Main St.\n🕘 Mon–Fri 12 p.m.–5 p.m.\n\n**Mesa County Public Library (Central Branch)**\n📍 443 N. 6th St.\n\nPublic restrooms available during open hours.\n\n* * *\n\n## 🏥 Healthcare & Behavioral Health\n\n**HomewardBound RN (onsite at Distro)**\n📅 Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.\n\n**Rocky Mountain Health Plans (at Distro)**\nMedicaid/Medicare care coordination & housing connections\n\n**Counseling & Education Center (CEC)**\nOnsite counselor available at Distro Tuesdays\n📞 970-243-9539 (Central GJ)\n📞 970-504-0898 (Orchard Mesa)\n🌐 cecwecare.org\n\n* * *\n\n## 🔥 Utility Assistance\n\n**Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)**\n🗓 November 1 – April 30\nHelps with winter heating costs.\n📞 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435)\n\nAssistance available at the Tuesday Distro.\n\n* * *\n\n## 💼 Tax Assistance & Benefits Navigation\n\n**Tax Credit Outreach (Tice Accounting)**\n📅 Available at Distro during tax season\nFree filing & tax credit information\n\n**Grand Valley Connects**\nAvailable 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at Distro\nApplication assistance & resource navigation\n\n**Community Food Bank Resource Navigator (WIC & SNAP updates)**\nOnsite at Distro\n\n* * *\n\n## 🚲 Transportation & Community Support\n\n**Bike Repair Clinic**\n📍 Sunshine Community, 1321 Ute Ave.\n📅 First Tuesday of each month\n🕒 3:00–5:00 p.m.\n\nFree repairs and bike access support.\n\n* * *\n\n## 🏠 Housing Stability Support\n\nIn 2025, Mutual Aid Partners provided **$14,021 in rent relief and eviction prevention assistance** through its Housing Stability initiative\n\nSupport includes:\n• Deposit assistance\n• Eviction prevention coordination\n• Gap funding for families in transition\n\n* * *\n\n## 🌳 Public Space Reminder\n\nParks remain open to the public during designated hours. Enclosed structures (including tents) require a permit. Community partners continue advocating for safe outdoor spaces and long-term solutions.\n\n* * *\n\n## 📌 How to Stay Connected\n\n**Western Colorado 211**\n🌐 wc211.org\n📞 Dial 211\n\n**Mutual Aid Partners**\n📍 402 Grand Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501\n📧 info@mutualaidpartners.org",
  "title": "Resources for People Experiencing Houselessness",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-22T16:03:17.962Z"
}