Noel Rojo

Noel is one half of a team that produced the story “Recovering connection with God and others: how chaplain’s support Denver’s unhoused." The story was published by Religion Unplugged on March 5, 2024. You can find the full story at https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/2/26/recovering-connection-with-god-and-others-how-chaplains-support-denvers-unhoused.

An unhoused individual experiencing homelessness rests on a worn-out couch amidst the city streets of Denver, November 2023. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused individual experiencing homelessness rests on a worn-out couch amidst the city streets of Denver, November 2023. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Veteran Michael Padilla packs his sleeping bag after a night on the streets, surrounded by newly constructed upscale condominiums in Denver, December 2023. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Veteran Michael Padilla packs his sleeping bag after a night on the streets, surrounded by newly constructed upscale condominiums in Denver, December 2023. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused man sits under a billboard promoting social support programs for veterans, a group that makes up around 9% of the nation's unhoused population. This image was captured in Denver in November 2023. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused man sits under a billboard promoting social support programs for veterans, a group that makes up around 9% of the nation's unhoused population. This image was captured in Denver in November 2023. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A person experiencing homelessness outside a liquor store. Many individuals without homes grapple with mental health challenges and/or substance abuse. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A person experiencing homelessness outside a liquor store. Many individuals without homes grapple with mental health challenges and/or substance abuse. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Onlookers gaze at an unhoused individual lying on the ground outside a liquor store. August 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Onlookers gaze at an unhoused individual lying on the ground outside a liquor store. August 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Unhoused population under the influence of drugs. The people experiencing homelessness that we interviewed all stated that they did not feel safe in the streets due to the drug issue. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Unhoused population under the influence of drugs. The people experiencing homelessness that we interviewed all stated that they did not feel safe in the streets due to the drug issue. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused person with a disability seen through the window of a car – reflecting the way many Americans perceive the issue, August 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused person with a disability seen through the window of a car – reflecting the way many Americans perceive the issue, August 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused encampment near the downtown Denver Rescue Mission. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused encampment near the downtown Denver Rescue Mission. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A slogan near a homeless shelter on the outskirts of Denver. The African American community is disproportionately represented among the city's unhoused population. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A slogan near a homeless shelter on the outskirts of Denver. The African American community is disproportionately represented among the city's unhoused population. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A man experiencing homelessness trudges through a frosty night at 3 a.m. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A man experiencing homelessness trudges through a frosty night at 3 a.m. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
The vibrant sign of the downtown Denver Rescue Mission, a faith-based organization dedicated to aiding the unhoused, displays the message "Jesus Saves". November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
The vibrant sign of the downtown Denver Rescue Mission, a faith-based organization dedicated to aiding the unhoused, displays the message "Jesus Saves". November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused person who did not make it to the shelter on time, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
An unhoused person who did not make it to the shelter on time, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Unhoused men participate in the New Life Program, a one-year-long initiative dedicated to assisting and reintegrating them into society. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Unhoused men participate in the New Life Program, a one-year-long initiative dedicated to assisting and reintegrating them into society. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Theresa Carrington joined the growing unhoused population in Denver after her divorce, despite having a job. The housing situation in the city has been a significant contributing factor. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Theresa Carrington joined the growing unhoused population in Denver after her divorce, despite having a job. The housing situation in the city has been a significant contributing factor. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Men experiencing homelessness attending a chapel session at Denver Rescue Mission. Some come here to take a nap after a night on the streets, others to get coffee or to discuss the Bible, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Men experiencing homelessness attending a chapel session at Denver Rescue Mission. Some come here to take a nap after a night on the streets, others to get coffee or to discuss the Bible, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Chaplain Michael Brown from Denver Rescue Mission conversing with members of the unhoused community who attended a chapel session straight from the streets, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Chaplain Michael Brown from Denver Rescue Mission conversing with members of the unhoused community who attended a chapel session straight from the streets, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Belongings and Bible of a person experiencing homelessness taking part in a chapel session at Denver Rescue Mission. 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Belongings and Bible of a person experiencing homelessness taking part in a chapel session at Denver Rescue Mission. 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A group of men participating in the New Life Program by the Denver Rescue Mission engage in a prayer session with their assigned chaplains, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
A group of men participating in the New Life Program by the Denver Rescue Mission engage in a prayer session with their assigned chaplains, November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Chaplain Mark Roberts from The Denver Rescue Mission after an afternoon prayer with participants of the New Life Program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Chaplain Mark Roberts from The Denver Rescue Mission after an afternoon prayer with participants of the New Life Program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Chaplain Mark Roberts from The Denver Rescue Mission after an afternoon prayer with participants of the New Life Program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Chaplain Mark Roberts from The Denver Rescue Mission after an afternoon prayer with participants of the New Life Program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Rene Palacios oversees the Denver Rescue Mission chaplaincy program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Rene Palacios oversees the Denver Rescue Mission chaplaincy program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau, who is a participant in the New Life Program of Denver Rescue Mission, sorts out donated clothes – a part of the program activities. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau, who is a participant in the New Life Program of Denver Rescue Mission, sorts out donated clothes – a part of the program activities. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau, working at a storage room of the Denver Rescue Mission. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau, working at a storage room of the Denver Rescue Mission. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau rests after a meal in the cafeteria at The Crossing facility. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau rests after a meal in the cafeteria at The Crossing facility. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau in a conversation with fellow participant of the New Life Program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Tim Rau in a conversation with fellow participant of the New Life Program. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Participants of the New Life Program Helping to sort out donations for Denver rescue Mission. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
Participants of the New Life Program Helping to sort out donations for Denver rescue Mission. November 2023, Denver. Photo and caption provided by Noel Rojo.
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