The arrival of hundreds of migrants from the southern U.S. border over the past few weeks has strained Denver's existing shelter services and other resources.
With more people likely on the way, the city is looking to hire additional shelter staff to help accommodate the newcomers.
The Department of Economic Development & Opportunity said it needs about 100 Short-Term Shelter Assistant employees to work at the shelters, checking in guests, serving meals, distributing supplies and communicating information to guests.
The position pays $25 per hour and employees will work a minimum of 24 hours and up to 39 hours weekly, depending on availability and department needs. It's for all hours including weekends and night and is also on-call, though it's unclear whether set schedules are available.
The position is expected to end on March 31, but it's also contingent on needs and funding.
Bilingual candidates are preferred, as well as those with an open schedule, and who are willing to "engage, embrace, and celebrate the culture, ethnic diversity, and community values of the Denver area and beyond."
Besides additional staff, the city is also looking for organizations who may have space for additional sheltering or temporary housing.
Currently the city is using three recreation centers (two for shelter and one as a welcome center), churches and a motel to house about 500 people. Interested organizations can email [email protected] for more information.
As of Monday, 408 people were at the city's shelters, and 153 were at partner shelters, according to a statement from the city.
Donations are also still needed. Folks can continue to drop-off goods at Iglesia Ciudad de Dios, at 5255 W. Warren Ave. in Harvey Park, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. The city also suggests donating to other nonprofit organizations including Denver Community Church, American Friends Service Committee and Colorado Hosting Asylum Network.
Mayor Michael Hancock declared an emergency Thursday in the city and county in response to the arrival of migrants.
Hancock said Denver has spent more than $800,000 responding to migrant needs since Dec. 6, which is putting a strain on the city's resources to "the verge of reaching a breaking point." The emergency declaration gives Hancock more spending leeway.
City Council voted Monday night to extend the emergency declaration.
District 3 council woman Jamie Torres, speaking at Monday's meeting, said that while the effort is disruptive of the community's use of city facilities, she was grateful to city staff for their work.
"This is an effort that is near and dear to my heart...It is not ideal, it is not desirable to have to step in...we were called to do that, we were asked to do that, and we are. " Torres said.
