The homeless population at Purple Cliffs now have a kitchen, running water, bathrooms and hand sanitizer. They made a group decision not to leave the camp whenever possible due to the Coronavirus . They even have a mini-government growing. People not at the camp are having a different experience.
The newly constructed community kitchen at the Purple Cliffs city-designated homeless camp, took weeks and a team effort to build. It serves as a gathering place for the camp. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Food is available for people to cook inside of the new community kitchen May 13 at the city-designated homeless camp near Bodo Park in Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A newly constructed shower at the Purple Cliffs city-designated homeless camp. While the shower increases sanitation, the shared resource poses a challenge during the pandemic. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Richard Dilworth, who volunteers with Durango’s Business Improvement District as homeless outreach coordinator, stands next to the new solar powered phone charger at the kitchen at the Purple Cliffs city-designated homeless camp. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The kitchen includes a sink and handwashing station using water provided at the camp through community donations. The water supply increases cleanliness, campers said. They also use donated hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Timothy Sargent, camp leader at the Purple Cliffs, the city-designated homeless camp, talks about how the homeless community is dealing with the threat of the coronavirus on May 13. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The newly constructed community kitchen at the Purple Cliffs homeless camp, was built without using nails or screws and is easily disassembled. While the kitchen builds a sense of community, people often gather without wearing masks. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Pots hang inside of the new community kitchen May 13 at the Purple Cliffs city-designated homeless camp near Bodo Park in Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A new solar powered phone charger at the community kitchen at the Purple Cliffs homeless camp. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Timothy Sargent, center, camp leader at the city-designated homeless camp near Bodo Park in Durango, and others gathered at the new community kitchen May 13. The campers are working together to self-isolate and deal with the threat of the coronavirus. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A newly constructed shower at the community kitchen at the Purple Cliffs city-designated homeless camp. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Amie Deiter pan fries hamburgers May 13 in the newly constructed community kitchen at the Purple Cliffs city-designated homeless camp. She said she feels the growing sense of community at the campsite. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
