HRDC

As temperatures drop, our emergency shelter is preparing for increased demand. With an average of 90 guests each night, and 100 more unsheltered individuals in our community, we need your help to ensure everyone has access to a warm place to sleep. 💬 “The area’s rising cost of living has forced more individuals who live and work here to find unconventional ways to address their basic needs,” said Brian Guyer, HRDC’s Emergency and Supportive Housing Director. “We believe we could reach our maximum capacity during the upcoming winter months.” 🔑 Here’s how you can help: Monetary donations: These are the most critical and allow us to provide life-saving services throughout the winter. Donate at link below. Amazon Wishlist: Purchase essential items from our wishlist and have them shipped directly to us. Wishlist is linked below. Donate winter gear for preschool families: Some of our youngest neighbors are in need of: Snow pants (sizes 3T–5T) Waterproof children's gloves Snow boots (children’s sizes 8–13) 📬 Items can be shipped to: HRDC Attn: Resource Development 32 S Tracy Ave Bozeman, MT 59715 Every donation makes a difference. Our shelter is 100% community-funded, so your support is the only way we can keep our facility open and ready to serve those in need. Donate: thehrdc.org/donate Purchase Supplies: https://lnkd.in/g9n8dDtT

This morning, our amazing Wheat Suites Property Manager, Rich, went all out for Halloween! Dressed in costume, he greeted the children staying at our non-congregate shelter with candy as they hopped on the school bus, bringing smiles and Halloween spirit to their day! 🍬👻 Every night, Wheat Suites provides a safe space for about 40 adults and 50 children who might otherwise be without shelter. We’re so grateful to Rich for going above and beyond to make these kids’ morning a little brighter. Thank you, Rich, for showing what the spirit of community and kindness looks like!

Celebrating 3 Years with Greg "Big Daddy" Overman! Since joining HRDC in October 2021, Greg has become one of Montana’s leading voices on supportive housing. Known to guests and staff as “Big Daddy,” he has brought Housing First Village to full capacity, serving over 18 formerly chronically homeless individuals and has created a strong community where residents support each other on the path to stability. Under his leadership, residents have seen fewer emergency room visits, reduced law enforcement interactions, and increased regular connections with medical and behavioral health providers. Thanks to the success of Housing First Village, HRDC has expanded its supportive housing approach across additional programs, including Wheat Suites, Blueprint, and Carriage House, to support even more of our neighbors on their journey to stability. Thank you Greg for all of your hard work! We are so lucky to have you on our team!

Have you ever wondered who calls the pastel tiny homes near the North 7th Avenue exit on I-90 home? These homes are part of Housing First Village, a supportive housing community developed by HRDC that provides stable housing alongside trauma-informed services for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness. Beyond just housing, residents of Housing First Village receive comprehensive supportive services tailored to their needs—ranging from mental health support to assistance with managing medical care, employment services, and life skills coaching. This holistic approach ensures that residents not only have a safe place to call home but also the tools to maintain stability and well-being. The first 12 homes were completed in fall 2021, with residents moving in that November. Thanks to our continued partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley, we added seven more homes this year, bringing the total to 19. Within just six months of opening, Housing First Village residents saw remarkable improvements in their well-being—emergency room visits dropped by 3.8 times, and total healthcare costs decreased by a stunning 6.7 times, saving $382,189. Additionally, the Village’s opening led to fewer incarcerations and reduced jail days at Gallatin County Detention Center, significantly lowering costs. Supportive housing is crucial because it provides more than just shelter—it offers a foundation for rebuilding lives. Stable housing, combined with services like mental health care and employment assistance, promotes long-term health and self-sufficiency. Housing truly is healthcare.

We're excited to share that former HRDC team member, Casey, has just purchased one of our Community Land Trust (CLT) homes! 🎉 Our CLT program makes homeownership more affordable by allowing people to buy homes while the land stays in the trust, ensuring long-term affordability for future generations. It's even more special when someone who has contributed to our mission finds their housing solution through HRDC. Congrats on your new home, Casey!

As local leaders grapple with how to address homelessness, we hope they will invest more time and resources into sheltering and providing supportive housing for families in our community. At HRDC, our work over the past few years has demonstrated that supportive housing not only provides immediate relief but also delivers the best long-term outcomes for individuals and families facing chronic housing instability. One example of our work is Wheat Suites, our transitional supportive housing facility for families. For many families, Wheat Suites provides the critical time and space they need to reset and plan for their future. Families are connected with case workers who help them secure vital documents, save for a rental deposit, and find permanent housing. The support they receive during this time is critical in setting them up for long-term success as they work to secure permanent housing. We are hosting a supply drive this month for our emergency shelters in Bozeman and Livingston and transitional housing facilities such as Wheat Suites. Please visit our Amazon wishlist at the link below to help us better prepare to shelter our neighbors this winter season. https://lnkd.in/g9n8dDtT #HRDC #BuildingABetterCommunity

Last week, we celebrated 21 years of incredible service from Jill Holder, our Food and Nutrition Director! Jill started with HRDC in our senior volunteer program and case management before moving to food and nutrition services. Today, she oversees all of our food and nutrition services including the Gallatin Valley, Headwaters, and Big Sky Community Food Banks, Fork & Spoon, free summer lunch for kids, KidsPack, and senior grocery programs. Her leadership and innovative problem-solving have been key in addressing food security in our community. Thank you, Jill, for your dedication and impact! You are truly an inspiration! PC: Townsend Collective

We have some really exciting news to share! Gallatin County Montana, HRDC, and Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch are teaming up to create a new Youth Behavioral Health Campus near Bozeman. This new campus will offer critical crisis and residential services for youth ages 11 to 18, providing them with the support they need, close to home. With Montana facing one of the highest youth suicide rates, the need for local resources is urgent. The first phase of this project focuses on crisis stabilization services to help youth and families through mental health crises. 🌟 We’re raising $5 million to purchase and renovate the 30-acre campus, located at the former Bootstrap Ranch. Every donation counts in bringing much-needed services to Gallatin, Park, and Madison counties. This afternoon, community leaders and the media had the chance to tour the property and learn more about this life-changing project firsthand. In order to fully move this project forward, we need to raise an additional $3.5 million dollars, and every contribution counts. We invite you to donate now at https://lnkd.in/g967drXr Photos courtesy of Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties #GallatinCounty #HRDC #YBGR #BehavioralHealth

Last Saturday, HRDC had the privilege of participating in a successful Community Harvest in collaboration with Open & Local, Lockhorn Cider House, and the Valley of the Flowers Project. Thanks to the generosity of local growers, we were able to harvest 375 pounds of apples, which were immediately sorted and distributed through our Gallatin Valley Food Bank to provide fresh, locally grown produce to the community. This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration and resourcefulness. Any surplus apples that can't be utilized at our food bank are repurposed as animal fodder for local farmers or contribute to Lockhorn's Backyard Blend cider—ensuring nothing goes to waste. A huge thank you to our partners, growers, and volunteers for making this first harvest such a success. We’re proud to be part of a network that strengthens local food systems and supports sustainability in our community.

"As new policies are developed that will directly shape housing affordability now and in the future, we hope community leaders can prioritize the strategies that will have the greatest impact. At HRDC, we believe that protecting, preserving, and producing affordable housing for those who live and work in our community is not only the right approach but also the most cost-effective way to secure long-term affordability. By safeguarding existing housing and creating new opportunities, we can build a stronger foundation for the future." Check out our full opinion editorial here: