Men enter Step in a state of desperation, having experienced destruction in every part of their lives due to addiction. Through a residential program built on sobriety, work, accountability, and community, they are able to recover.
“Two years ago, I was evicted from my rental home. I had no car, no roof, and no job. I was drunk all hours of the day. I was dropped off at a detox at 1 a.m. August 1, 2020. My life will never be the same. I didn’t just find sobriety at Step, I found myself. I found long forgotten self-respect. I found a way to be a productive member of society and contribute to the general good of the community. I have witnessed miracles at Step and seen men from ALL walks of life succeed.” Timothy H., Step Denver Alumnus
"Today is my 4 year anniversary sober. Debt free. Car paid off a year and a half early. No more neuropathy in my feet. Healthy. Growing spiritually. Saving for retirement. I don’t know how I could have done it without your program. Thank you." Sean S., Step Denver Alumnus
"It does take a lot of hard work and due diligence but at the end of the day, living the life that I have now used to be an unimaginable dream I never thought I’d have. Everyone is here for the same end goal. We’re all rooting for each other." Alex S., Step Denver Resident
Our mission is to give men with nowhere else to turn the opportunity to overcome addiction through sobriety, work, accountability, and community.
Step Denver was founded in 1983 by recovering alcoholics/addicts joining forces to help homeless men. They recognized sobriety as the primary solution to homelessness and knew that sustained recovery is best achieved through rehabilitation, economic opportunity, self-sufficiency, and community. In 1988 Step moved into the current location on Larimer Street two blocks from Coors Field - where we remain accessible to those in our community who have the most urgent needs.
Chief Executive Officer Paul Scudo was recruited in 2015 with the goal of implementing an addiction recovery and life skills curriculum to reduce recidivism. Being in recovery himself and bringing the knowledgebase of both a peer and a clinician, Paul worked with Step Alumni - the first Recovery Support Managers - to create the Steps for Success program. A Career Center was established to aid in restoring residents' dignity, security, and ability to contribute to their families. In 2017 Step began opening Sober Living Homes to further strengthen the probability of sustained recovery.
Today, between the 60-bed primary facility downtown and sober homes throughout Metro Denver, Step can house up to 90 men at a given time. Every year, our team of 21 staff members - including 17 Step Denver Alumni - impact the lives of more than 380 men and their families. Through their successes Step generates an annual economic impact of $12.2 million; turning every dollar donated into six and producing an immeasurable societal benefit.
To protect the program model, Step Denver does not accept government funding and is entirely supported by individuals, local businesses, and private foundations. This allows the ability to make decisions based solely on what is best for those served – not dictated by state or federal funding sources - producing outcomes far exceeding the national average.
Above everything, our goal is to help men in a state of desperation end their cycle of addiction, take back control of their lives, and transition to a safe and sober living environment where they can become productive, contributing members of their families and our community.
Organization name
Step Denver
other names
Step 13
1983
Tax id (EIN)
74-2345786
Category
Human Services, Housing & Shelter, Mental Health & Crisis Intervention
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
2029 Larimer StreetDenver County, CO, US