In February 2026, Volunteers of America Colorado, in partnership with the City of Lakewood, opened the Lakewood Navigation Center, a bold, coordinated step forward in addressing homelessness in our community with dignity, accountability, and real outcomes.
The Navigation Center is designed to do one critical thing: create stability so people can move forward. For individuals experiencing homelessness, it offers a safe, structured place to pause, regain footing, and begin rebuilding, without forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.
The center is a people-first approach that recognizes a simple truth: when basic needs are met, and individuals are supported with respect, progress becomes possible. Through case management, housing navigation, behavioral health support, and help accessing benefits, people are empowered to take meaningful steps toward long-term stability.
The impact extends beyond individuals. By providing a real alternative to living unsheltered, the Navigation Center supports a more humane, coordinated response to homelessness, improving outcomes for people, neighborhoods, and the entire Lakewood community. This is a starting point, not the finish line. But it’s a powerful one, creating momentum, restoring dignity, and building pathways to lasting change.
- Email: cchiriaco@voacolorado.org
- Address: 8000 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214