Even though the Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless has been active since 1990 it seems that a lot of people are still unaware of the agency and/or have misconceptions about WCH. In the beginning WCH put out a monthly newsletter, held Homeless Memorial Day on December 21 of each year and passed information from national agencies/causes to Wyoming agencies.

In 1993 a couple of formerly homeless individuals approached WCH asking if an empowerment program using the arts could be established. The board approved of this activity and started looking for a location. It took until May of 1994 to find the location upstairs in the Needs building. It did not take long to realize that more than the empowerment program was needed -- the location soon evolved into the Welcome Mat Day Center - Cheyenne's ONLY day center for the homeless. With the Day Center came nutritional snacks, coffee, and the company of others. The arts program led to the publication of StreetViews, a literary magazine and several art shows by homeless artists. At the present time WCH is working on an annual StreetViews, the book, publication. In addition, WCH volunteers began making sleeping bags for homeless individuals -- both children and adults.

WCH still holds Homeless Memorial Day each year on December 21st, puts out their monthly newsletter, and relays information on national/international homeless issues as well as local to other agencies around the state.

In 1999 Needs changed their rules at their clothing closet and since they excluded the homeless WCH opened a closet. In addition, in 1999 WCH was gifted with a large amount of stocks and bonds, and a search began for a new location. In August 2000 WCH purchased, on contract for deed, the building at 907 Logan Avenue. Also in 2000 WCH began taking donated bicycles, repairing them and giving them to homeless in need of transportation.

In 2005 WCH applied for the former Naval Reserve building at 4700 Ocean Loop. The building was government surplus and homeless programs were given preference. WCH received the keys on November 2, 2005. The building houses the Art From The Streets Gallery and Studio, a computer lab, bicycle repair shop, conference room, library, sewing and fabric rooms for making sleeping bags. Work has been moving slowly towards the opening of Cheyenne Kid Korral Day Care in the same building. There is hope that this work will be complete by fall.

In 2006 thanks to a grant from the Daniel's Fund WCH installed a shower and a laundry facility in the Welcome Mat at 907 Logan Avenue. Thus providing the only free laundry facility for the homeless and the only place homeless camping out or traveling though the area can take a shower during the day. For more information on the number of people using the 2 facilities and the services provided click here.

Additional grants for construction of the day care, day care equipment, purchase of day care furnishings, playground equipment, painting - inside and out - added doors, walls, upgrading of the fire sprinkler system, installation of a lawn sprinkler system, trees, flowers, and other required repairs and upgrades. These grants included The Daniels Fund, CDBG funds, Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, Wells Fargo, Women's Civic League, Wyoming Community Foundation, and the generosity of several local residents and the proceeds from the WCH annual fundraiser, Walk In My Shoes.

Volunteers from St. Peter's Church, Lowes Heroes, Cheyenne Evangelical Free Church, Knife River Corportation, Warren Air Force Base, Eagle Scout projects, Central High School and others have repaired bikes, moved furniture and equipment to the building, painted, made minor repairs, re-arranged doors and walls, and set up the playground for the day care.

In March 2008 WCH opened the Look Your Best Clothing Room at the Richards Center, 4700 Ocean Loop. This closet is open to all, but is there mainly to provide a place for those attending Life Skills and Job Skills classes, to find clothing for jobs or job interviews.

Boy Scout, Chris Bliss, made cabinets for the day care as his Eagle Project.

The remodel for the day care has made a great deal of progress, but funds are still needed to finish the work. Donations to the building fund should be mailed (or brought) to 907 Logan Avenue, marked building fund. Donations can also be made at the secure on line link. Click here

In July, Little Caeser's Love Kitchen arrived at the Welcome Mat and served up fresh baked pizza to all who were present.

WCH works with the other social service agencies in town, providing for those that fall through the cracks, and providing extra services for those coming into the Welcome Mat and the empowerment programs. No one agency can cover all the needs of the poor and homeless. A coordination of agencies serving this population means that more people will be able to receive the needed help. COMEA House, Salvation Army, Community Action, Needs, St. Joseph's Catholic Church Pantry are among the agencies that share clients and are able to work together to assist clients. Click here to see what is available at each of WCH's locations.

WCH shares donated items that cannot be used at WCH or surplus items with other agencies and individuals in need.