Montrose Lighthouse Inc. (MLI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) secular corporation, (EIN number 81-4769576). Originally, in 2016, MLI operated under the fiscal umbrella of Montrose Jail Ministries (Jim Renfrow, Chris Hauck and others). The aims were as they are now; namely to be a vehicle to organize and deploy resources for homeless people and provide them with winter shelter during the 2016/2017 cold season. At first, MLI operated a 12 room, 48 bed dormitory in Olathe, Colorado. This building had the primary purpose of housing H-2A seasonal non-immigrant agricultural workers who worked in adjacent farmlands from May through November each year. In the summer of 2016, MLI conducted a field survey of outdoor homeless people, living along the river, under bridges, in tents and exposed sleeping bags and makeshift cardboard protection. By 2017, the Olathe Dormitory housed 60 homeless people (49 men and 11 women). At that time the local Mexican American Development Association (MADA) was very much involved and acted as the base for unhoused people to meet and be transported to the Shelter, where they were served a hot meal and given warm overnight accommodation. Another, effective 501(C) 3 organization called Shepherd’s Hand began serving daily free breakfasts and lunches. At least one local church also provided uncooked food for those who needed it. MADA has since expanded it’s own services to include area-wide assistance in the form of food, clothing, emergency electricity and some shelter. Also, at that time, Montrose had The Center for Mental Health. Then, in 2017, a letter of commitment was signed by the Montrose Lighthouse, Inc. (Benjamin Cook) Montrose Jail Ministries, (Jim Renfrow), Shepherd’s Hand, (Carolyn Hickerson) and MADA (Beth Reidelier). Collaboration with the City of Montrose commenced when Bill Bell, City Manager, met with Jim Renfrow and Chris Hauck, to change the name of the existing Jail Ministries, (D/B/A as Lighthouse Ministries) to, simply, Montrose Lighthouse Ministries. Prior to that, a number of homeless people were being transported to the Abraham Connection in Delta.
The current MLI building was actually operated as a juvenile detention center, called The Brown Homestead, situated 2.2 miles north of Montrose. However, after several years, this organization went out of business and the City (who owned the building) formulated a rent agreement with John Harold of Tuxedo Corn in Olathe, to house migrant farm workers over the summer months and allow MLI to use the facility in the cold winter months. Mr. Harold signed a lease with the City of Montrose and subleased the Shelter building to Montrose Jail Ministries DBA Montrose Lighthouse Ministries, for the winter months. Shepherd’s Hand in Montrose helped with establishing Bylaws and operating structure. Montrose Lighthouse Ministries then dropped the Ministries title. For the 2016/2017 winter season, the City donated $1,000 a month for five months, to MLI. However, this donation ceased after one season and the City made it clear that it did not see itself as a partner or joint venture with MLI. In other words, MLI was on it’s own to pay for and operate the Brown Homestead (AKA The Shelter) facility. This facility is located adjacent to the Montrose Animal Shelter, north of Montrose.