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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 1/13/2015 - Memorandum From Sharon Thomas Re: Reception Introducing The Human Service Partners: A Community SnapshotA COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT HUMAN SERVICE PARTNERS 1 Education & Self-Sufficiency Health & Safety People with Disabilities Mental Health Services Childcare & Child Services Housing & Homelessness Food & Nutrition Programs Introduction Agency Involvement 2-4 11-16 21-24 31-34 5-10 17-20 25-30 35-38 39-44 Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 3 Each year, the City provides funding to non- profit agencies that support nearly 14,000 people in our community. People whose stories are unique but also part of a broader collective: A teenager who needs help finding a foster home to make a break from a life filled with gangs, drugs, and abuse; a single mother who wants to go back to school so she can better care for herself and her three children. Sometimes the story is simply one of prevention: Helping someone who lost his job because of illness or a family who needs rental assistance in order to stay in their home. There are many unique stories I could tell you about the people in our community who depend on human service agencies in Fort Collins, and how those agencies vitally improve overall health and resiliency. For more than 20 years, the City has proudly served as a funding source for human services agencies, both with federal funds awarded through Community Development Block Grants and the City’s own Human Service Program funding. In this report, you can read a sampling of the many wonderful human service programs and agencies the City funds, and more about the people they serve. We help enable these agencies to directly address poverty and help stabilize individuals and families in need. As part of the City’s strategic plan, we want to leverage and collaborate with local service agencies to help improve self- sufficiency, foster independence among seniors and people with disabilities, and address the issues of homelessness and poverty. Together, we can continue to improve the quality of our city to ensure a strong, thriving community that is passed on to future generations. ENJOY YOUR READING! Darin Atteberry INTRODUCTION he Social Sustainability Department is a leader in analyzing community systems from a human perspective. To us, Social Sustainability is the practice of creating a diverse and equita- ble society that successfully meets the basic needs of all residents. This is done through programs, policies, and partnerships that provide access and opportunities for all. One of the foremost ways we support the community is by administering grants to agencies that provide direct service to individuals and families of Fort Collins. Funds come primarily from the City of Fort Collins. These agencies have the background, systems, and expertise to provide the highest level of assistance to their clients. Over the 2013 fiscal year, these human service provid- ers made an impact in the lives of nearly 14,000 Fort Collins commu- nity members.* The agencies highlighted in the following pages are fiscal year 2013 grant recipients. Interviews were conducted with staff, volun- teers, and program participants, and give us a lens through which to view the very personal work be- ing done by these agencies.** These individual stories pre- sented here reflect the sustaining impact each agency makes in helping create a community that’s as inclusive as it is resilient. We hope that by sharing them with you, we can enhance perspec- tives on the underserved and dis- advantaged people of our city, and also help inform a deeper understanding of the myriad of social issues facing community members. * May include persons served at more than one agency as duplicates. Personal participant information is not gathered by the City of Fort Collins. ** All FY13 grantees were invited to participate in these interviews. T Social Sustainability Offices CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMISSION STAFF • Karen Weitkunat - Mayor Education & Self-Sufficiency The Matthews House The Center For Family Outreach Education and Life Training Center Project Self-Sufficiency Clients gain skills to lead independent, healthy lives. Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 5 6 ariana Colorado is a vibrant, cheerful 20-year-old college student attending Front Range Community College. She holds a 3.7 GPA and plans to transfer to CSU and eventually work as a behavioral sci- entist. For Mariana, however, educational and long-range career goals weren’t always something she aspired to. Originally from a small town in south- ern Mexico, Mariana’s family moved to Fort Collins when she was too young to remember. When asked which local schools she attended, she laughs and says, “All of them.” Her family, she explains, struggled to find work. Moves were frequent, and often involved starting over. With change came uncertainty. Her interest in academics waned. Meanwhile, her relationship with her parents—historically troubled—deteri- orated even further. Mariana attributes their harsh disciplinarian tactics to cul- tural differences, and also the fact nei- ther of her parents were educated. “They don’t know how to disci- pline,” she explains. “And so they beat Education & Self Sufficiency you. With a stick, a belt. Whatever was around. Because of that, I never felt loved.” When Mariana was 10, a concerned neighbor called Child Protective Ser- vices. Her parents were investigated, but Mariana continued to live with them. Now, however, she had a caseworker who checked on her from time-to-time. Even so, not much changed at home. Mariana began to drink heavily, use drugs, and—though she still attend- ed school—gave up on academics. She ran away from home several times, and at 13, joined a gang. “I was so mean back then!” she laughs. “I used to intimidate people.” Under directive of fellow gang mem- bers, she stole a pair of shoes from a classmate, wore them, and was subse- quently charged with the crime. At her sentencing, the judge lectured Mariana on the importance of graduating high school—more so for a Latina such as herself. At the time, however, Mariana didn’t listen. She continued drinking, using drugs, and had a pregnancy scare that resulted in an altercation with her par- “I can tell you are,” insisted Olivarez. You’re getting As on all your homework!” The idea she could succeed ac- ademically had never occurred to Mariana. Emboldened, she continued working hard and was shocked when a teacher recommended she enter the High School Select Program. Once en- rolled, she would complete both high school and college-level courses at Fort Collins High School, earning college credit as she finished her senior year. She began to realize, says Mariana, that success is not an accident. And that the people you choose to surround yourself with matter greatly. So when, at 18, she was emancipated from the foster care system and her caseworker suggested she reach out to the Mat- thews House, Mariana eagerly obliged. “I had never experienced an or- ganization like them,” she says, eyes shining. “They’re so passionate about helping you. The Matthews House is my family.” The Matthews House has helped Mariana transition into adulthood. Brian- na Barbera, her Transition Facilitator, is there to help her client master life skills such as navigating college, the job mar- ket, filing taxes and even helping proof- read her school papers. “I have the privilege to walk along- side young people to help them gain independent living skills and become self-sufficient,” says Brianna. “It brings [me] such joy to watch them succeed.” In addition to working with a Transi- tion Facilitator, Matthews House clients can take advantage of the organiza- tion’s many workshops and programs, such as College Connect, which intro- duces participants to various collegiate opportunities and career paths. Mariana, who attended a session of College Connect, says the workshop was incredibly helpful. Now a soph- omore at Front Range, she hopes to transfer to CSU and earn a degree in Criminal Justice. She’s also working toward obtaining her US Citizenship, and hopes to one day work for the FBI studying the habits of serial killers. “There aren’t many people who could do that job,” she says, looking down with a modest shrug. Then she lifts her chin, her eyes sparked with new light. “But I don’t walk with fear on my back.” o far this year, 15-year-old Noco- na Walker has helped mend a gar- den at Elderhaus, fed the home- less through Catholic Charities, and delivered fresh produce by bicy- cle to La Familia for a farmers’ market geared toward the daycare’s clients. His volunteerism is part of the program he’s currently enrolled in at The Center For Family Outreach, an agency that provides education and prevention resources to kids who might otherwise face incarceration. “They [The Center] corrected my path and straightened me out,” says Walker, who found himself in trouble after getting caught at school with marijuana. “Now I’m a better per- son, less anti-social. I help the com- munity instead of hiding behind my computer.” Working with 500 to 600 kids each year, The Center was founded 14 years ago by Laurie Klith, its current execu- tive director. After several years spent working for the sheriff’s office, Klith re- alized she most enjoyed working with children. She founded The Center for Family Outreach with the belief that diverting a child’s path at a critical juncture would help keep him/her out of jail. With a continued reduced recid- ivism rate of 85 percent, Klith’s theory is proving right. The Center provides teenagers an opportunity to experience the devel- opment of life skills through educa- tion. “Everyone makes mistakes,” says Klith. “It’s all about choice. Our goal is to make sure [participants] have time to mature and learn the critical thinking skills needed to become successful in- dividuals. The Center provides a safe environment for them to mature as they travel through adolescent times.” Darian Hietpas, a high school sophomore, was getting into trouble at school for stealing. He wanted to change his behavior, but he wasn’t sure where to begin. After enrolling at The Center, he became actively engaged in community service, and also began working with a counselor to modify his behavior so that he no lon- ger feels the urge to steal. Participation in community service is a component of the program, and is integral to the kids’ success. Having the youth interact with members of the community makes them feel more con- tarted in 1966 by three Fort Collins residents who wanted to connect volunteers with people in need, the Education and Life Training Center (ELTC) has come a long way from that initial vision. The organization’s found- ers recognized a need for education outreach in the community, especially among the Latino population, and soon evolved the agency’s mission into one of personal empowerment: Providing skills training to allow people to do things for themselves. In the late ʼ60s and ʼ70s, this training meant everything from teaching Latina women how to cook, sew and drive to helping immigrants obtain green cards. Now, more than four decades later, the agency has transitioned from a volun- teer-based model to paid teachers, updated its educational content, and launched a JobReady program that offers what Tracy Mead, the agency’s hen her mother contracted Lyme disease, Michelle Hindman de- cided to sell her successful dog grooming business in New Mexi- co and move to Fort Collins to help. The year was 2008, and as the na- tion’s economy fell, so did Michelle’s hope she’d done the right thing. Not only was finding employment difficult, but she had a tough time recovering from the financial adjustments. With her three children settled in their new schools, Michelle actively searched for a job without any luck. Feeling as though she’d made a mistake moving to Colorado, Michelle was pondering what steps to take next when a friend told her to look into Proj- ect Self-Sufficiency (PS-S). Focusing on helping clients with career planning, adult education and job placement, PS-S seemed the right fit for Michelle, who viewed the agency as just the thing to help her get back on her feet. She applied to become a partici- pant and was thrilled to discover she’d been accepted. Once enrolled in the program, her advisor Maggie Murray helped craft an action plan: Michelle would pursue her GED, then apply to Front Range Community College. At the time, going back to school felt daunting, but Michelle excelled, earn- ing a high score on the GED. She was accepted into Front Range and graduat- ed with a 3.9 GPA. This fall, she started at CSU and plans to earn her bache- 10 Education & Self Sufficiency Health & Safety CHN — Northern Colorado AIDS Project Larimer County Child Advocacy Center Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association Crossroads Safehouse Health District of Northern Larimer County Community members are provided opportunities to pursue well-being. Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 11 12 alking into the Northern Col- orado AIDS Project (NCAP) office is a treat for the senses: A brightly painted mural adorns one wall, individual offices are painted a variety of colors, and Regional Direc- tor Lori Daigle is likely to clasp both your hands in hers as she welcomes you in with a warm smile. “I love stigmatized issues,” says Daigle. “Since coming to work [at NCAP], I’ve gained the ability to under- stand all of us are fighting a battle.” Daigle says she remembers the early days of HIV in the 1980s, when politics of the era portrayed the dis- ease as a “gay plague.” Little was un- derstood about HIV, and those infected were often shunned. Although much has changed since then, the need for care advocacy hasn’t gone away, and that’s where NCAP comes in. With 196 clients currently under case management, NCAP provides services in eight Northern Colorado counties and is the only agency of its kind within 16,000 square miles. In addition to case management, the agency offers prevention education, Health & Safety transportation, food bank services, and outreach efforts that include HIV test- ing. Employees pride themselves on their ability to meet clients where they are, helping reduce the stigma all too often still associated with HIV. As one client says, “NCAP is mag- ical. It’s the only place I can walk in and if I’m having a bad day, some- one will give me a hug. Someone will touch me.” While the stereotype of HIV as a gay person’s disease has faded signifi- cantly since the ʼ80s, it can still come as a surprise the extent to which peo- ple from all walks of life are affected. Kyla Pfeif, who started five years ago as a volunteer and now works as the Case Manager Lead, works with clients ranging in age from 8 to 70 from across the socioeconomic spectrum. About 60 percent of NCAP’s clients identify as homosexual, while 40 percent are het- erosexual. According to Pfeif, the belief still persists that if a person has HIV, she or he is a homosexual. She tells the sto- ry of a former client who came to her with three days of sobriety following a M “Our clients come to us for a rea- son,” she says. “They don’t know where to find an HIV doctor. They don’t know we have a program that can pay for their insurance premiums, their co-pay- ments and their deductibles. They have no out-of-pocket costs. It’s pretty in- credible.” Recently, the agency initiated a transportation program, which has been greatly utilized. Additionally, NCAP offices have an on-site food bank, where clients can pick up two boxes of food each week. In one year the agency offered over 5,000 meals ichelle Johnson knew some- thing was wrong the morning her 14 year old daughter Lizzie left a note on her pillow. Lizzie had found the courage to re- lease a truth she’d kept to herself for more than a decade: From the time she was three—and up to the year she turned eight—she was molested by her grandfather. Michelle immediately took the let- ter to the house where she was raised. While her mother read it aloud, her father sat next to her, listening, head down as his hands shook. When her mother finished the letter, saying they needed to find the perpetrator, Michelle pointed at her father. “It was him,” she said. Her father failed to deny the accu- sation, claiming there had only been one episode. Michelle knew differently, and, in coming to terms with what hap- pened to her daughter, learned some- thing else about her father. “He [molested] me too,” she ex- plains. “I had to live in the same house and so I repressed the memory completely.” to Fort Collins clients. The agency also has a nutritionist who teaches classes on how to prepare healthy meals from their food bank staples. Daigle is especially proud of the food bank, and sees it as a safe place where clients are able to obtain nutri- tional food so critical to helping main- tain their overall health without feeling stigmatized because they happen to be HIV-positive. “Transportation and food keep peo- ple vitally in service,” she says. “It’s as simple as that.” Within a few days of her daughter’s 14 REHABILITATION AND VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION (RVNA) caregiver can be a wife, a daughter, a mother,” says Crystal Day, former executive director of Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association (RVNA), “but she can’t be any of that when she’s consumed with caretaking.” After 18 years, Day recently retired from RVNA, the only community-based nonprofit home healthcare agency in Northern Colorado. RVNA offers clients a range of services tailored to fit their home-based medical needs. Services include providing acute medical and post-cardiac care, administering med- icine, and teaching clients to care for their wounds—an important skill that helps them stay employed. With funding provided by the City’s Human Services Program funds, RVNA also provides some non-medical ser- vices. Caregivers help with medical prep, baths, housekeeping, and tasks that don’t often fall neatly into a catego- ry of medical care, but are necessary assistance for clients with medical con- ditions. After his caretaker brother died, one man who was developmentally dis- abled, Day recalls, couldn’t climb out of his bathtub and was ingesting an as- sortment of medication that could have been fatal. RVNA not only responded with the help he needed, they were also able to get him enrolled in Medicaid. “There is no other agency out there providing this kind of help,” explains Day, who maintains that home health- care not only saves taxpayer dollars, it also enables people suffering a affects more than just the victim and perpetrator. The pain extends to the … victim’s family, the husband, grandpar- ents. Lizzie’s younger brother wasn’t even born yet and had to work through guilt over the fact he couldn’t protect her. The ripple effect is profound.” In addition to providing a forensic interviewer for victims, families who come to the CAC are also assigned an advocate who can provide help by lis- tening, talking, procuring staples such as food or gas money, clothing, set- ting up therapy appointments or filing a claim for victim compensation funds. Such a holistic approach is integral to helping families begin the healing pro- in Wilder, Director of Community Im- pact at the Health District, believes in the power of collaboration—a phi- losophy that has proven especially true with one of the agency’s most pop- ular programs, Dental Connections. “[Dental Connections] has always maintained a community aspect,” she says. “There were huge gaps in care—especially among the adult population—and the program was formed by people who recognized the need.” Before Dental Connections, many dentists wanted to offer lower rates for services to struggling clients, but couldn’t easily determine if a patient qualified for a discounted rate. Dental Connections now oversees the pro- gram’s administration and client refer- rals, so all the dentists have to do is provide care. Clients must fall within 250 percent of the poverty level, pos- sess no dental insurance, and live in Larimer County. According to Wilder, providing quality dental care at mini- mum cost helps “fill the gaps” in care across the community. hen Crossroads Safehouse moved into their new building a few years ago, men serving on the Board of Directors took issue with one aspect of the renovations. “They wanted to name the wings after women,” explains Joe Valente, board president. “But domestic vio- lence isn’t just a women’s issue. Even if the world wants us to see it that way, it’s not.” Statistics show that one in four women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime, and male victims num- ber one in fourteen. Established in 1980 and housed in a City building on Sherwood Street, Crossroads Safehouse found itself booked full within the first four hours of opening. With help from the City’s Police Services, in 2011 Crossroads expanded to a former nursing home, W When Tina Hopkins-Dukes was ac- cepted into the program as a patient, she knew immediately the moment had the potential to change her life. And it has. Past circumstances had resulted in loss or damage to most of Tina’s teeth, and the dentist who accepted her case—Dr. Thomas Brewer—admired 16 Health & Safety People With Disabilities Respite Care Elderhaus Adult Day Programs Disabled Resource Services Clients and their families receive the care they need. Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 17 18 People With Disabilities t the Respite Care facilities at 6203 S. Lemay Ave., it’s easy to see why the agency outgrew the small house on Wood Street it rented from the City for a dollar a year for over two decades. Visitors are ush- ered into a light-filled atrium featuring a fireplace flanked on all sides by a stone bench. Along one wall sits a row of empty wheelchairs, the first sign that the agency is hard at work fulfilling its mission to provide round-the-clock re- spite to parents of children with devel- opmental disabilities. Down the hall to the right is an art room, a playroom for smaller children, a medication room, a toy room and a gym. In one of the six bedrooms, a two-year old girl naps peacefully in her crib. In another, a handful of trinkets sits on the nightstand next to a twin bed, brought from home by an older client spending the night while his par- ents take a break from the challenges of caring for a child with special needs. “The two-year old has started bit- ing,” says LeAnn Massey, the agen- cy’s executive director, whose walls are covered in collages of children of all ages. “It’s a completely normal thing for that age, and that’s what people don’t always realize. Sometimes a child will exhibit a behavior that’s the result of their having a developmental dis- ability, and sometimes it’s a behavior a typical child that age would also have. Because our staff knows the difference, they’re able to let parents know when there’s true cause for concern, which can be reassuring.” That kind of staff-client interaction is exactly what makes Respite Care—the only agency of its kind in the state—a welcome relief for parents. Founded in 1981 by five parents raising chil- dren with developmental disabilities, the goal was to create a space where children with special needs could ob- tain the care they needed while parents recharged from the demands of provid- ing continual care. In 2003, a donor felt the agency had outgrown the space it rented from the City, and donated the lot on Lemay Av- enue. The Neenan Company oversaw construction, creating a 10,000 square foot space especially for children with developmental disabilities. With funds from the City, local donors and foun- aft was 50-years-old the day he pitched over the handlebars of his mountain bike while leading riders down a steep path in Rist Can- yon. Taft hit his head on a rock—hard enough to crack his helmet open and give him a concussion. Emergency room doctors diag- nosed a closed head injury. After tak- ing a few days off work to heal—his body was sore and he suffered from a headache that wouldn’t go away— Taft returned to his job as a flow measure- ment engineer. The headache finally subsided. Taft was convinced he’d completely healed; his wife and friends weren’t so sure. He continued to see doctors, but none was able to pinpoint a cause for why he seemed a little “off.” Two years after his fall in Rist Canyon they learned FACTS & NUMBERS People With Disabilities their parents, and to hang out with their friends. That’s important, because they need that too.” In addition to providing care for children with disabilities, the pro- gram helps parents maintain a level of self-sufficiency that can be difficult when also caring for a child with spe- cial needs. For example, when a single father whose child has Down syndrome lost his job, he brought his son to Re- spite Care for a week while he looked for a new job. He found a job as a truck driver, but it was an overnight position. While his parents offered to care for his son, doing so meant pulling him out of the Fort Collins school system, which the father was reluctant to do. “I don’t know what to do,” he ad- mitted to staff. “I’m on the road Tues- day through Friday. I’m gone the whole time.” Massey suggested having the child come directly to Respite Care on the after-school bus every Tuesday, going back and forth from school and spend- ing the nights at Respite Care until Fri- day, when his father was able to pick him up. After a year, the man found a new job that was a daytime position. Being able to use Respite Care, says Massey, kept the client off of social ser- vices and kept his child in a safe and nurturing environment. More importantly, she adds, it also gave him “pride, ability, and the oppor- DISABLED RESOURCE SERVICES ick Holowczekno was in his mid-forties when a routine vis- it to the doctor’s office changed his life. Though physically fit and healthy, the Navy veteran had been di- agnosed with cancer. A single father to three children, Ho- lowczekno was now the one in need of an advocate—especially as his treat- ment started to go awry. During one memorable visit for a follow-up biopsy, his doctor accidentally pricked his aor- ta and he almost died. Unhappy with the medical care he was receiving, Ho- lowczenko left his home in Cheyenne and moved to Fort Collins where his brother lived. That’s when he learned of Disabled Resource Services (DRS), and soon after, met Sherri Reichow. “Immediately, Sherri tried hard to see where I was coming from,” says Holowczekno. “She wanted to know what she could do to make me feel bet- ter. For the first time, someone validat- ed what I was going through.” After undergoing radiation treat- ment and chemotherapy, Holowczekno felt too weak to hold a job. He also be- came addicted to his pain medication. A new low came when he was involved in a traffic accident and the truck he was driving was totaled. All of it would have been too much to handle, he says, if it hadn’t been for Sherri. Like other case managers at DRS, Reichow’s job entails helping clients them both. “I saw what a good place it is,” she says. “Taft was able to stay in a home atmosphere, not an institution. Before Elderhaus came along, the only option for people was a nursing facility.” Established in 1980 by two mem- bers of American Baptist Church, El- derhaus was the first adult daycare pro- gram to open west of the Mississippi. Now, 176 clients are served each year at the agency, including adults with dis- abilities and veterans. In addition, their Mindset Therapy program teaches par- ticipants how to maintain their self-suf- ficiency so they can continue living at home. For Missey—who now works at Elderhaus—the help Taft receives is invaluable. The couple commutes to- gether and while she works, her hus- band enjoys a broad range of activ- ities—from working out at the gym Mental Health Services SAVA Center ChildSafe Colorado Touchstone Health Partners Individuals in need are provided access and opportunity for treatment. Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 21 22 or more than two decades, Gwen had trouble sleeping. She suffered from frequent nightmares and clenched her teeth with so much force she eventually needed surgery to repair the damage. She also experi- enced debilitating migraines. Her doctors wondered if an event in her younger years might be contrib- uting to her physical symptoms and anxiety. Gwen was skeptical. Although she’d seen a therapist for years, no traumatic memories surfaced. It was true her father had sexually assaulted her older sister throughout their child- hood, but the same couldn’t be said for Gwen. Still, she had difficulty picking partners who treated her well and was often taken advantage of sexually. But what did that have to do with the fact she’d ground her teeth so badly they had to be replaced? Everything, it turns out. Gwen’s sis- ter was able to recount their father’s abuse, but Gwen—who was also sex- ually abused—had no clear memories. Just because she couldn’t remember didn’t mean it hadn’t happened. Or Mental Health Services that the long-reaching consequences of such a fundamental breach of trust hadn’t permeated nearly all of her adult relationships. Fortunately, Gwen’s therapist rec- ommended she call the SAVA (Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center). Gwen did, and she participated in a support group made up of women who’d expe- rienced similar abuse. She found the experience helpful in a way therapy hadn’t been. “It’s more than the sexual abuse that causes the problems,” she ex- plains. “It’s the psychological impact, too. Having other women to talk to who’ve been through the same thing is amazing.” Founded in 1974, SAVA was initial- ly part of the Larimer Center for Mental Health. Facing budget cuts and pro- gram elimination, community residents dedicated to seeing the agency survive established it as an independent non- profit in 2003. Today, SAVA helps clients aged 14 and older, offering specialty therapy to clients who’ve suffered sexual abuse. Men are the agency’s fastest growing exual abuse is a topic most peo- ple don’t want to talk about. And its victims all too often can’t. “Seventy percent of child victims won’t tell anyone,” explains Val Mac- ri-Lind, Executive Director of ChildSafe, which is a nonprofit treatment center for victims and their non-offending fam- ilies. “In my 27 years here, the perpe- trator has been a stranger only twice— most often it’s a family member or friend. Children end up feeling trapped because they usually really like this person. And so often the first adult they do tell doesn’t necessarily react well.” ChildSafe has developed many programs over the years to help victims and teach adults how to react when a minor confides he or she has been sex- ually abused. Co-founded in 1986 by Macri-Lind, the agency was the first in Fort Collins to serve incest families. Starting with ten families, Macri-Lind and her two colleagues wanted to help facilitate a perpetrator’s ability to make amends so victims could strengthen their healing process. Although the program was an in- stant success, Macri-Lind realized they were having trouble reaching fi- nancially strapped clients who could benefit from treatment. To reach low-in- come populations, the center became a 501(c)(3) in 1998 and has continued its rapid growth. Last year, the center served 633 individuals ranging in age from 2–18, and clients typically spend a year and a half seeing one of Child- Safe’s nine therapists. Recently, the center began offer- ing neurofeedback as supplemen- tal therapy for trauma treatment. By monitoring a client’s brain activity— and re-instructing it to appropriately regulate the nervous system—symp- toms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are alleviated. While the brain activity of older clients is monitored while they watch movies, the same goal is accomplished with chil- dren as they play video games. Play therapy, on the other hand, en- ables the child to work through trauma with a therapist in a variety of ways. To facilitate play, the center offers a mul- titude of cheerful rooms outfitted with toys, dress-up clothes and art materi- als. While the child plays—either alone CHILDSAFE COLORADO avid Jones prefers not to use the standard language of recovery when helping clients. The coun- selor asks the men and women he helps what they would like to recover back into their lives, avoiding the as- sumption that they will only experience healing once they’ve recovered from something. The distinction may seem small, but not to Jones. “Telling [clients] they have to recov- er from something makes it seem as if they’re broken,” he explains. “I’d rath- er have them focus on what they’d like to see return to their lives—be it trust, integrity, healthy relationships. I have them make a list, and that list becomes their reason to stay sober.” Jones’ approach is the guiding principle behind the Community Dual Disorders Treatment (CDDT) Program that he coordinates at Touchstone. The program is geared toward the “high- est utilizers” of community services. Employing a multi-faceted approach, the program provides a broad range of comprehensive services for partic- ipants, including mental health and substance abuse counseling, housing services, medical and pharmacologi- cal services, and employment support. Typically, there are 25 participants enrolled in the CDDT program at a time. or with a therapist—the therapist cor- relates behaviors exhibited with stages of the healing process. Because of the nature of sexu- al abuse—and the silence most of its victims keep, especially at young ages—Macri-Lind says it’s important for children to have a safe place where they can get the therapeutic help they need. “One out of every three or four girls will experience sexual abuse by the time they’re eighteen,” says Mac- ri-Lind. “For boys, it’s one out of every seven. Most won’t be able to talk about their trauma.” She also cautions that it can be difficult to know if children have ex- perienced trauma. If suspicion arises, says Macri-Lind, the key to a diagno- sis might lie in behavioral changes, such as sleep disturbances, regres- sive bed-wetting or thumb-sucking, hyper-vigilance, or a sudden onset of phobias and fears. In the cases of sexual abuse, a young child might also Childcare & Child Services The Family Center/La Familia Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County CASA Program B.A.S.E. Camp Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center Families have access to affordable, quality childcare and education. Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 25 26 ydia Cordova needed the right day- care center for her son. In the midst of separating from her husband, the medical assistant worried about her youngest child’s emotional stability. “The transition was difficult for him,” she says. “[His daycare] had to be a place he would want to come to every day, where he could thrive.” Cordova should know. Years be- fore, she’d witnessed the kind of tur- moil her turbulent marriage had caused for her oldest son Damian. She also knew The Family Center/La Familia Childcare & Child Services had played a critical role in helping Damian adjust—the childcare center was where she’d brought her firstborn, and he’d stayed there until he started kindergarten. According to Cordova, those were difficult years. Distressed by his par- ents’ separation, Damian threw tan- trums and experienced crying jags. Teachers at The Family Center/La Fa- milia, says Cordova, were extremely kind, and would hold him when he ap- peared inconsolable. Cordova credits their patience with helping her son ac- climate—both to preschool and to the new family dynamics. “I can’t say enough good things about The Family Center/La Familia,” says Cordova, with a smile. “They nev- er gave up on my son.” The Family Center/La Familia also provides numerous services for clients, including a free farmers’ market, utili- ty assistance, language classes, and a resource center that connects fami- lies with city-wide services. As a result, families who use the center have a bet- ter chance at sustaining long-term sta- bility by becoming more self-sufficient. One of the center’s longest running programs is the Parents As Teachers home visitation program. Offered to clients unable to access on-site ser- vices, clients meet with a qualified Family Center/La Familia instructor in their home. The service is free, and clients can have weekly, bi-monthly or monthly meetings from the prena- tal stage through age five. The goal, as Stephane Tillman, Family Center’s Executive Director, explains, is to em- power parents to teach the same evi- dence-based curriculum offered at the preschool. That helps parents teach outside the classroom to hone their ac- ademic skills. In addition, the programming in- cludes a component for making healthy life choices, an emphasis that further assists members who may or may not have access to viable role models in their daily lives. Though the Club serves a broad array of kids beyond the at-risk popu- lation, Mircos often hears from older, post-club members who say they’d be in jail or dead if it weren’t for the Club. “But it’s not just one person’s sto- ry,” he cautions, gesturing toward the Club’s empty vestibule where, in less than an hour’s time, kids of all ages will rush in, chattering, hugging, put- ting away backpacks, and running for the gym. “Every single kid who walks through the door has their story.” erving 140 to 160 kids a day rang- ing in age from 6 to 18, the Fort Collins Boys and Girls Club offers a variety of activities—everything from catching up on homework, learn- ing to play an instrument to participat- ing in an inter-club sport such as bas- ketball or baseball. The goal? To help club members stay on track, academi- cally and personally. “We serve kids who are home- less, whose parents have been killed in car wrecks,” explains Gus Mircos, Unit Director. “Sometimes the adver- sity someone has to overcome just to get to school is astounding. Boys and Girls Club is one of the major resources serving unique or at-risk populations.” In fact, says Mircos, many Club members work with two or three coun- selors during the school day and need one-on-one supervision afterward. With only four full-time staff members, bal- ancing that need is a particular chal- lenge for the Club. “We don’t have nearly the resourc- es a school might have,” says Mircos. “It can be hard.” Boys and Girls Club has worked toward implementing more educa- tion-based programming into its activ- ities. Various activity rooms such as the music and computer labs function as ‘skills clinics,’ where kids receive ex- tended learning opportunities. Doing so ensures activities are impact-driv- en and help serve a critical need for many members, who often need time BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS 28 tering a sense of cohesion by sharing meals, playing or engaging in creative projects together. And keeping families together is vi- tal to the overall well-being of the com- munity, explains Lynn Oesterle-Zollner, CASA’s executive director. “There is a significant cost to com- munities when children don’t gain sta- bility in a permanent home. For exam- ple, kids who emancipate from foster care cost the community $300,000 on average,” she explains. “While money may be one concern, more than that, we want to see children grow up in a loving home so they can become healthy, happy adults who are produc- tive members of that community.” n 1978, a Seattle judge saw a criti- cal need for his colleagues to have more information for decisions im- pacting the lives of the most vulner- able people in the court system: Chil- dren. His visionary insight gave birth to what is now an association of individ- ual nonprofit agencies accredited by the National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association. The agencies’ shared mission is to grant abused children a volunteer advocate by acting as their voice in the court- room. In 1984, two Larimer County judges, William Dressel and John-Da- vid Sullivan, brought the program to Northern Colorado. A few years later, the Ziegler farm- house was donated to CASA, and the agency founded Harmony House to provide supervised visitations for fami- lies in need of a safe place to conduct custody exchanges and/or visitations. Since its inception, Harmony House has been viewed as a nation- al best-practice program and facility. Thousands of visits take place annu- ally, helping families maintain funda- mental relationships while undergoing domestic conflict. Families create the positive memories necessary for fos- f children are in need,” says Ja- son Ostrom, Account Manager at B.A.S.E. Camp, “we’re going to serve them.” Ostrom has administered funds the organization receives through the City for the past eight years, and is passionate about the mission he helps facilitate on a daily basis. Because might be experiencing. As one parent says, “Without B.A.S.E. Camp, my kids would have had no other option but to be home alone, as I am a single mom working full-time. I have loved B.A.S.E. Camp from day one.” “Twenty percent of Fort Collins families are touched by B.A.S.E. Camp each year in some way or another,” says Colby, with a smile. “It’s pretty amazing.” their levels. And every child was given three new books to take home at the end of the summer.” This past summer, 500 K – 7 children were enrolled in summer camp. During the academic year, 2,800 kids are enrolled in the be- fore- and after-school care programs, and of those, 35 percent receive a scholarship. “The City provides almost a quar- ter of our subsidies,” says Fred Colby, Resource Development Director. “A lot of the kids would be at home other- wise, or else their parents would have to scramble for piecemeal childcare. We work to accommodate families in a way that helps them succeed.” Because B.A.S.E. Camp’s mis- sion is to provide quality care for all children, staff works with families to determine a tuition price that will help alleviate any financial hardship they erving low-income families is a priority for teachers and staff at Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center. The high cost of childcare is most often the biggest barrier to a family’s ability to achieve self-sufficiency, and finding a quality provider can be challenging. The cen- ter’s ability to reach out to low-income families ensures children living in pov- erty are able to acquire the tools nec- essary for future academic success. As Jennifer Van Cleave, the cen- ter’s Site Director, explains: “We’re here to give all children a quality edu- cation experience.” Notably, how well a child manag- es his or her social skills is the big- gest predictor of success once they start kindergarten—more than cog- nitive skills or family background. As a result, Teaching Tree’s curriculum maintains a special focus on helping children achieve a broad range of ac- ademic and social milestones, such as how well a child thinks before acting, 30 Childcare & Child Services Individuals and families have access to affordable, quality housing options. Housing & Homelessness Catholic Charities Neighbor to Neighbor Homelessness Prevention Initiative Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 31 32 itty Kent has her hands full: With 229 caseloads a year, keeping up with clients has gotten harder than when she started working as a secretary at Catholic Charities more than three decades ago. At the time, the shelter existed main- ly to provide temporary housing. But in 1983, says Kitty, there were far fewer homeless people living in Fort Collins than there are now. As the homeless population grew, so did the need for casework management. Approached by her supervisor, Kitty agreed to step in and was soon working the front desk, managing the volunteer program and taking on more cases. Since then, the agency has moved its casework management into the The Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center For Hope, where Kitty and other staff are able to coordinate with agencies such as Touchstone Health Partners to provide clients the help they need. The collaboration has been highly successful. As Guy Mendt, director of the Lar- imer County Regional office says, “The level of interagency cooperation Housing & Homelessness is amazing. As a result, we get better coverage for all the issues facing the community. It’s a much better experi- ence for the people served.” And when you work at the same agency for more than 30 years, you’re bound to accumulate more than a few interesting stories. For Kitty, one of her favorites concerns a client she has helped for more than 20 years. Charlie* first came to Catholic Char- ities because, despite having a steady job, he was unable to find permanent housing. Staff remains unclear on the reasons behind his struggle, but Kitty suspects trauma he experienced as a child may have impaired Charlie’s decision-making skills—as well as his memory. As a result, although he had steady employment over the years, Charlie harbored a distrust of government that led to his rejecting such entitled bene- fits as social security. Here, Kitty stepped in. Knowing the challenges of securing benefits for cli- ents—typically, three of four requests are denied—she wrote a letter intro- ducing Charlie to the agency, apprising tified counselors educate clients on financial literacy, helping them draft a budget and finding ways to increase income and reduce expenses. The one-on-one counseling enables clients to receive tailored assistance that speaks to the individual challeng- es they face. In one instance, a client came to the agency after her husband had threatened to kill her. Neighbor to Neighbor helped her find a landlord willing to work with her situation and gave her the financial assistance she needed to move into a safe home. Because a significant number of clientele have special housing needs— such as people living with disabilities, domestic abuse victims, seniors, and those who are homeless—the work can be challenging. While rent assistance provides immediate relief, clients must show their present income enables them to cover future living expenses. But the agency’s 96 percent success rate shows that—as Kuehneman says to clients—“a positive attitude will carry you far.” eighbor to Neighbor helps Fort Collins residents of all back- grounds maintain a stable house- hold whether it’s granting a client rent assistance, providing affordable housing, or moving people toward home ownership. But not everyone readily accepts help. “It’s surprising, how many clients are reluctant to accept services be- cause they feel someone else could use the help more,” explains Steve Kuehneman, the agency’s program manager. “Convincing them that [ac- cessing available resources] will help sustain their housing is a big part of setting someone on a good path to- ward self-sufficiency.” Serving more than 2,000 families and individuals annually, Neighbor to Neighbor owns and manages 126 multi-family housing units for low- to moderate-income renters in Fort Collins and Loveland. At their two Section 8 apartment buildings—Crabtree Town- homes and Coachlight Plaza Apart- ments—the agency strives to promote a sense of community by offering res- ident programs, installing community gardens and hosting events where res- idents are encouraged to interact with each other, agency staff and board and the agency provided the help she needed to retain financial stability and stay in her home. That same sense of pro-activity is what makes landlords willing to work with HPI clients, many of whom are the working poor. Coordinating with the agency, landlords will often waive fees that might otherwise make it difficult for clients to move into a new place. And by helping stabilize families, Lynn esti- mates HPI has saved the city $40 mil- lion in rehousing costs over the past 13 years. “[Rental assistance] is now a na- tionwide best practice,” he says, “but it wasn’t always that way. We were one of the first, and we have our volunteers to thank for that. They sustain us.” HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION INITIATIVE FACTS & NUMBERS S Housing & Homelessness “We’re an agency of last resort, but we can help a family before they fall into chronic homelessness.” households assisted by Homelessness Prevention Initiative in 2013 Since 2001, Homelessness Prevention Initiative has helped more than – including 12,500 children – stay in their homes 87 rent assistance recipients were single mothers 29 were single fathers (2013) donated saves at least $20 in costs associated with being homeless, according to the Homelessness Prevention Initiative In 2013, from 228 homeless and renter households benefited from Rental Housing Search Assistance ince its inception in the early 2000s, Homelessness Prevention Initiative (HPI) has helped 20,000 families in Fort Collins by giving them up to three hundred dollars in rent assistance. “It’s not a lot of money,” says Richy Lynn, the agency’s executive director, “but it works. No one else in Fort Col- lins is giving rent assistance to house- holds in the 0–30% AMI (Area Median Income) category. We’re an agency Food & Nutrition Programs Food Bank for Larimer County Volunteers of America Children and seniors receive nutritious meals to alleviate food insecurity. Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 35 36 f you’re hungry, we’re going to feed you.” Bruce Wallace means what he says. As Programs Director at the Food Bank for Larimer County, he helped oversee the distribution of 8.7 million pounds of food last year to Larimer County residents. Nearly 50% of this food is donated by area farms, including 300,000 pounds of produce. Sometimes donations come from corporate sponsors. Currently, the Food Bank’s warehouse is home to 60 massive, 380-pound boxes filled with loose Cheerios. Donated by General Mills, the cereal is divvied up by Food Bank volunteers, who scoop it from the box, weigh the serving, then pour it into a bag the same size as what’s available in a grocery store. Parsing the work in this way enables the Food Bank to transform the value of a bulk donation into manageable servings for countless families in need. It’s hard work like this—and the dedication of a robust volunteer staff— that enables the Food Bank to offer clients two direct service pantries that serve 29 thousand unduplicated resi- Food & Nutrition Programs dents annually, no small feat in a coun- ty where 43 thousand residents experi- ence hunger issues. “We see ourselves as becoming part of the sustainability of people in need,” says Wallace. “Teach the chron- ically poor to eat a little better, maybe they’ll have more money because less is spent on medical issues.” Food insecurity isn’t always the re- sult of an emergency-based situation: Some clients have received assistance from the Food Bank for as many as 10 or 20 years. And many are children liv- ing in low-income households where food scarcity is an ongoing issue. Kids Cafe is a national program serving low-income children aged 3 to 18, and has been a staple of the Food Bank since 2005. The program is supported by Feeding America—the nation’s largest hunger relief nonprofit organization, which is a partnership of 200 food banks. The program is intend- ed to provide supplemental meals and nutritious snacks to bridge the gap be- tween the time school lets out and din- ner—which is often served hours later, if at all. Kids Cafe also provides meals his apartment complex, and he and Bennett spend a few minutes chatting about the newly planted grass and oth- er building updates. At another stop, an elderly woman named Helen invites Bennett to sit in her living room. It’s Helen’s birthday, and—in addition to her meal—Bennett has brought her a VOA-supplied gift of lotion and a blan- ket. Helen clearly appreciates the gift, and the two briefly catch up on each other’s lives. When asked about the Home De- livered Meal program, Helen says, “It’s wonderful. In winter, I get five dinners every other week. She [Bennett] always checks on me—and I did fall a year Food Bank’s kitchen, rolling trays of meatballs soon to be added to the kale-infused marinara sauce. The kitch- en is a noisy place, where the chat- ter of volunteers and staff rivals only the clanking of pots. Speaking of the young clients soon to receive a deliv- ery of nutrition-packed, delicious food, Ross Dewey looks up from inspecting a meatball. “These kids deserve the best,” she says. “Healthy, nutritious, good-for-you food should not be a privilege. It’s a right everyone has.” even years ago, an ad in the Col- oradoan soliciting volunteers for Volunteer of America’s (VOA) Home Delivered Meal program caught Pam Bennett’s attention. A semi-retired accountant, Bennett was searching for a way to give back to the community in which she was raised. Bennett relishes the time she spends volunteering—especially for the relationships she’s fostered with the seniors she serves. Because volunteers are paired with the same participants each week, they can get to know each other beyond the customary greetings exchanged coming and going. Bennett says one of her most re- warding experiences delivering a meal was chatting for half an hour with a woman who lived alone. The woman had few friends or family members, and Bennett mainly listened. “It made her feel good,” she said. “But it also made me feel good. I get more out of this than they do, that’s for sure.” Riding along with Bennett on a de- livery run, it’s easy to see why. One client greets her in the parking lot of ago. Because of Volunteers of Ameri- ca, I’m able to stay here instead of be- ing in a [nursing] home.” Another client is unable to drive be- cause of a disability, and lugging gro- ceries on public transportation can be a hardship. She credits VOA with man- aging the difficulties of obtaining flavor- ful and nutritious food. Ensuring participants receive ad- equate nutrition is paramount to the success of Home Delivered Meals, and the Fort Collins location exceeds stan- dards set by the Office on Aging. The success of the program is owed to the whole Nutrition Team at Volunteers of America, including Wade Kinsey, who, until recently—and at the time of the interview—served as Nutrition Project Manager at VOA. Kinsey came to the nonprofit with a degree in fitness and nutrition. During his tenure, he implemented meaningful changes to the food program, focus- ing attention on the nutrition education component. Participants receive nutri- tion education in their monthly news- letter, handouts, and on the backs of menus. In addition, they’re able to at- tend presentations on nutrition topics and are asked to complete a survey detailing what food they’d like to have Artwork created by kids enrolled in The Center For Family Outreach. delivered. The nutrition-education component has been vital to serving Fort Collins’ senior population. “You can give someone a nutritious meal every day,” said Kinsey, “but if you only give them lunch, they might not eat as well the rest of the time. You risk losing what you’ve gained.” Not only are the meals nutritious, but VOA also maintains a variety of of- ferings. Proudly showing off the agen- cy’s outdoor freezer, Kinsey explains participants receive a delivery of fro- zen food each week—a single box con- tains 5 to 7 meals. Participants choose how many they want, and each meal is unique. Often more than a month will pass before a participant might eat the same one. Participant Mary Rehm is especially happy with VOA. An avid swimmer for most of her life—and former instructor of the sport—Rehm uses an oxygen tank to assist with breathing. Getting around is challenging, and nine months Agency Involvement Thanks to the many agencies within Fort Collins that make a goal of offering direct aid to those in need. Human Service Partners: A Community Snapshot 39 40 Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Education & Awareness Program ..........................................$4,200 B.A.S.E. Camp: Childcare Scholarships ................................................................................$55,000 Boys & Girls Club: After-School-Break Child Care/Youth Program ........................................$24,907 CASA Program: Harmony House Supervised Visitation Center ...............................................$8,950 Catholic Charities: Senior Services ........................................................................................$15,000 Catholic Charities: Shelter & Rapid Rehousing ......................................................................$40,000 The Center for Family Outreach: Assessments for Low-Income Youth ....................................$8,000 ChildSafe Colorado: Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program ...............................................$23,000 Colorado Health Network-NCAP: Client Services/Homelessness Prevention .......................$14,240 Crossroads Safehouse: Advocacy Program ...........................................................................$31,885 Disabled Resource Services: Access to Independence .........................................................$26,186 Education & Life Training Center: JobReady and Circles Employment Training ...................$29,310 Elderhaus Adult Day Programs ..............................................................................................$20,000 The Family Center/La Familia: Childcare Scholarships .........................................................$40,000 Food Bank for Larimer County: Kids Cafe Program ...............................................................$27,000 Health District of Larimer County: Dental Connections ..........................................................$18,170 Homelessness Prevention Initiative: Emergency Rental Assistance ......................................$45,000 Larimer County Child Advocacy Center: Victim Services .......................................................$24,472 The Matthews House: Empowering Youth Program ..............................................................$32,229 Neighbor to Neighbor: Housing Counseling ...........................................................................$33,174 Neighbor to Neighbor: Rent Assistance .................................................................................$30,000 Project Self-Sufficiency: Services for Single Parent Families ................................................$33,000 Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association: Home Health Care Scholarships ...................$35,000 Respite Care: Childcare Scholarships ....................................................................................$35,000 SAVA Center: Sexual Assault Victim Services .......................................................................$18,273 Touchstone Health Partners: CDDT Program ........................................................................$29,011 Touchstone Health Partners: Mental Health Services/Murphy Center ...................................$22,500 Teaching Tree: Childcare Scholarships ..................................................................................$55,000 Volunteers of America: Home Delivered Meal Program .........................................................$33,600 In Fiscal Year 2013, the following agencies were awarded city-managed funds, demon- strating the broad impact of services administered in our community. Those same funds leveraged over $10 million in 2013, helping ensure the continued success of individual programs. AGENCIES - BY THE NUMBERS Total:$812,107 Agency Involvement 41 • Anschutz Foundation • AV Hunter Foundation • Berthoud Cares • The Bohemian Foundation • Caring for Colorado • City of Loveland • Colorado Health Foundation • The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado • Connor Family Foundation • The Daniels Fund • Gannett Foundation • The Group Publishing • InterFaith Council • The Johnson Foundation • Larimer County • NoCo Active 20/30 • Nordson Value Plastics • OtterCares Foundation • Poudre School District • Poudre Valley Health System Foundation • Rotary Clubs of Fort Collins • Sam S. Bloom Foundation • Fort Collins Sertoma Club • Staples Foundation • Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation • United Way of Larimer County • US Bank • WomenGive • Wells Fargo Community Foundation • Woodward Governor • Xcel Energy Foundation In addition to the many volunteers who help nonprofits, the money from individual and local business donors and various corporate grants, the following entities also provide fund- ing to assist our nonprofit partners. For some, the City’s investment allows for other funding opportunities to be utilized. COMMUNITY LEVERAGING Thank you to these community partners: Agency Involvement Dianne Tjalkens – Assistant Editor/Proofreader Emily Wilmsen – Editor Grant Smith – Creative Director/Photographer Janet Freeman – Creative Writer/Photographer Sharon Thomas – Project Manager Travis Machelek – Technical Support PROJECT TEAM 43 THANK YOU for taking the time to read a sampling of the great work being done in our community by our agency partners! It takes all of us working in collaboration to make Fort Collins a city that is world class for everyone. While our role is not that of a service provider, we see the strength of our impact in funding, supporting, convening, consulting, and part- nering with local agencies whose work offers direct aid to those in need: we are both a safety net and a ladder to self-sufficiency. The City’s involvement in al- locating funds to these projects spans more than three decades. In 1975, the City of Fort Collins was awarded its first Community De- velopment Block Grant (CDBG), which enabled us to begin fund- ing programs that help members of our community gain self-suffi- ciency. In 2006, the City began contributing money through the Human Service Program funds and in 2010, voters passed Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG), a 10- year tax initiative that dedicates funds toward addressing commu- nity priorities. It is our belief that every house- hold in Fort Collins should have the opportunity to work towards well-being, and that doing so fur- ther strengthens the stability of individual neighborhoods which in turn, creates a healthier, more resilient community. Not only is Fort Collins home to numerous nonprofits whose work often in- tersects, these agencies gener- ally experience great support on fundraising efforts, which speaks to the strength of community sup- port, collaboration, advocacy and volunteerism. While each agency individually contributes to the goal of helping our city’s most vulnerable pop- ulations, the ongoing challeng- es our community faces cannot possibly be solved by one entity alone. There is more work to be 44 City of Fort Collins, Social Sustainability Department Alliance for Suicide Prevention B.A.S.E. Camp Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County CASA Program Catholic Charities The Center for Family Outreach ChildSafe Colorado Colorado Health Network, dba Northern Colorado AIDS Project Crossroads Safehouse Disabled Resource Services Education and Life Training Center Elderhaus Adult Day Program The Family Center/La Familia Food Bank for Larimer County Health District of Northern Larimer County Homelessness Prevention Initiative Larimer County Child Advocacy Center The Matthews House Neighbor to Neighbor Project Self-Sufficiency Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association Respite Care Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center Touchstone Health Partners Volunteers of America Colorado Branch www.fcgov.com/socialsustainability www.allianceforsuicideprevention.org www.mybasecampkids.org www.BeGreatLarimer.org www.CASALarimer.com www.ccdenver.org www.tcffo.org www.childsafecolorado.org www.ncaids.org www.crossroadssafehouse.org www.disabledresourceservices.org www.ELTCenter.org www.elderhaus.org www.thefamilycenterfc.org www.foodbanklarimer.org www.healthdistrict.org www.homelessnessprevention.net www.larimercac.org www.TheMatthewsHouse.org www.n2n.org www.ps-s.org www.rvna.info www.respitecareinc.org www.savacenter.org www.teaching-tree.org www.touchstonehealthpartners.org www.voacolorado.org RESOURCES Agency Involvement done, but our hope in drafting this report is to showcase the great strides being made toward creating a community where all residents have the chance to thrive. For that, we thank the many local agencies whose hard work and dedication are helping create a stronger, more resilient community. We’d also like to thank the agencies, clients, and volunteers that participated in this report; the CDBG Commission for exhib- iting great diligence and efficacy in the funding allocation process; and City Council for trusting and funding the commission’s recom- mendations, as well as believing in the collective work of our com- munity’s nonprofits. A special thank you goes to Janet Freeman, Dianne Tjalkens, Grant Smith, Travis Machalek and Emily Wilmsen for many hours and talent spent working on this report. We’re excited to share the great work being done by the community to help people im- prove their lives. Sharon Thomas Grants Program Administrator Agency Involvement ago she signed on with VOA to supple- ment the meals she’s able to cook at home. When asked her thoughts on the program—including her favorite meal—she grins. “I love it! And they’re all good.” FACTS & NUMBERS Food & Nutrition Programs In 2013, more than full of nutritious food were distributed to students who needed assistance during weekends and school breaks Volunteers of America served to Larimer County residents from 2013-2014 were served through the FBLC Food Share direct service pantry locations in Fort Collins and Loveland in 2013 Meals on Wheels delivers healthy meals to area seniors who are homebound Kids Cafe meals were provided to low income children in Larimer County (2013) 18,000 BACKPACKS 19,667 MEALS 28,259 PEOPLE 66,830 Pam delivering meals to Helen in Fort Collins, including schools, the Boys and Girls Club, Northside Aztlan Community Center, Harmony Road Mobile Home Community, Greenbriar Apartments, and other neighborhood communities. Along with the food, staff and volunteers offer nutrition educa- tion to promote the correlation between diet and health, a critical component to fostering a healthy lifestyle that might otherwise be absent in a child’s day-to- day experience. On the same day a team of vol- unteers scoop bulk Cheerios from an oversized box, another team is in the S FACTS & NUMBERS Food & Nutrition Programs VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA 45% 1 in 3 1 in 10 12,500 PEOPLE 8.7 MILLION children in Larimer County is at risk for hunger, according to the Food Bank for Larimer County Larimer County residents receive food through the Food Bank The Food Bank serves each month In 2013, the Food Bank distributed a record-breaking POUNDS OF FOOD SENIORS OR CHILDREN of Food Bank clients are The nutrition-education component has been vital to serving Fort Collins’ senior population. and snacks during the summer when school is not in session. Making use of a full-time chef and on-staff dietician, meals are prepared from scratch—thereby reducing the amount of additives—and exceed the USDA’s nutrition standards. Unique in food-banking, the Food Bank’s em- phasis on preparing homemade meals offers children a nutritional boost by incorporating fresh fruit and vegeta- bles into each serving, even if—in the case of Kids Cafe—it’s minced kale secretly added to marinara sauce. Providing extra nutrition, however, is vital to helping kids obtain the vita- mins and minerals needed to thrive— not only to improve overall health, but also classroom performance. As Lauren Ross Dewey, the Food Bank’s Development Manager, says, “If kids are hungry, they’re not learning as well. They’ll have behavioral issues and fatigue. [Serving them] nutritious food helps them do better in school.” Kids Cafe provides 30 thousand homemade meals to children during the school year—and 40 thousand meals over the summer—to several locations FOOD BANK FOR LARIMER COUNTY “We see ourselves as becoming part of the sustainability of people in need.” “I of last resort, but we can help a family before they fall into chronic homeless- ness.” The program is successful, too: Six months to a year later, HPI conducts a follow-up call with former clients. Nine- ty-two percent of those who received assistance are still in their homes. And last year, grant money from the City helped HPI serve 459 residents. One of those was a mother whose child was transitioning from elementary school to junior high, and was in need of clothes, shoes, and school supplies. Although she worked two jobs, she knew that once September came, she wouldn’t have enough money to pay the rent. She contacted HPI in advance, 476 FORT COLLINS RESIDENTS EVERY $1 93% of families helped through Homelessness Prevention Initiative are able to overcome a financial crisis with an AVERAGE GRANT OF LESS THAN $300 20,000 PEOPLE 700 x 87 x 29 Richy Lynn, Executive Director members. In addition to providing affordable housing, Neighbor to Neighbor offers emergency and first month rent assis- tance, counseling to help prevent fore- closure, home purchase advising, and housing search assistance. HUD-cer- NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR N FACTS & NUMBERS Housing & Homelessness The one-on-one counseling enables clients to receive tailored assistance that speaks to the individual challenges they face. 27,000 NIGHTS 1000 INDIVIDUALS LOW-INCOME, HOMEBOUND, FRAIL OR AT-RISK. THE MAJORITY OF CLIENTS 225 PREVENTING FORECLOSURE FOR MORE THAN 90% Catholic Charities provides Catholic Charities’ shelter has capacity to serve 18 men, 6 wom- en, 4 families with chil- dren, and 14 male vet- erans, with space for up to 24 men and 4 women in an overflow area including 20 families of shelter to households received rent assistance from Neighbor to Neighbor in 2013 Since the height of the foreclosure crisis, Neighbor to Neighbor has served more than 1,400 households with Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, in the Seniors Program at Catholic Charities are them of his personal and work history, as well as his inability to appropriately respond to questions. The letter worked. In three months’ time, Charlie began receiving his ben- efits—a change in circumstance that ultimately started him down a path to receiving better care. Recently, a cli- nician at a Fort Collins health care fa- cility assumed guardianship of Charlie, and now, after 35 years of living on the street, he resides at an assisted living facility. Kitty couldn’t be happier. “It’s a labor of love,” she says. “These are my guys.” K CATHOLIC CHARITIES “The level of interagency cooperation is amazing. “ Kitty Kent, Catholic Charities *Name changed to protect privacy. an ability to wait patiently, cope with failure and autonomously resolve peer problems. Classrooms have two teach- ers, and the relationship between child and instructor is critical to fostering success of the educational programs. One of the more pressing issues facing the agency, which serves in- fants up to 5-year- olds, is the need for more funding to support low-income clients. “Right now, 40 percent of our cli- ents are low-income,” explains Anne Lance, the center’s executive director. “And our mission is to serve those fam- ilies.” Currently, the center serves a large number of children of varying cultural and economic backgrounds. Nearly half of those are children of single par- ents. Even so, Lance says her goal is to fund even more low-income families. “The bottom line is that we’re here to help families that are struggling,” she says. “Whether it’s because of a divorce, a lost job—whatever the case.” TEACHING TREE EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER S FACTS & NUMBERS Childcare & Child Services B.A.S.E. Camp’s curriculum incorporates principles that help enhance literacy and math skills [for kids.] “We’re here to give all children a quality education experience.” 3,250 STUDENTS 33 SCHOOLS 35% $23,850 336 3,109 VISITS 87% B.A.S.E. Camp is in In 2014, the federal poverty level was for a family of four Staff, volunteers and interns supervised and exchanges at Harmony Houses serving more than of students in B.A.S.E. Camp need full or partial scholarships children and their families used Harmony Houses in 2013 of the B.A.S.E. Camp budget is spent on programs the agency’s before- and after-school and summer camp programs are en- richment-based, a parent might en- roll his or her child for extra help with homework, or to help ensure he or she doesn’t fall victim to the “summer slide”—going through the summer without participating in extracurricular activities. B.A.S.E. Camp’s curriculum incor- porates principles that help enhance literacy and math skills—all while mak- ing sure the kids are having fun. To en- sure activities are aligned with the kids’ interests, participants fill out surveys, granting valuable feedback to staff. Any activity that scores low is reeval- uated, and kids can suggest how the activity could be improved. “The biggest suggestion that came back was reading to kids,” says Stacy Hale, Summer Camp Coordinator. “So we make sure to do that every day. Last summer, 80 percent of kids improved to some extent, and not one dropped CASA PROGRAM B.A.S.E. CAMP I “I The agencies’ shared mission is to grant abused children a volunteer advocate by acting as their voice in the courtroom. OF LARIMER COUNTY S FACTS & NUMBERS Childcare & Child Services “Sometimes the adversity someone has to overcome just to get to school is astounding. Boys and Girls Club is one of the major resources serving unique or at-risk populations.” Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County offers including Health and Life Skills; Sports, Fitness and Recreation; and Character and Leadership 5 PROGRAMS $5 PER YEAR THE FIRST 5 YEARS 5,700 REPORTS CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY Cost of annual membership in Boys & Girls Clubs for kids up to age 18 In 2012, there were of child abuse or neglect in Larimer County (2,100 merited further investigation) The number of in Colorado, and in particular Larimer County, has risen at a rate higher than the national average of a child’s life are critical to lifelong development and potential as an adult their children appropriately and ensure they’re ready for school. Having worked with the agency 15 years—including as an instructor in the Parents as Teachers program—Tillman says the best part was being regarded as a member of her clients’ families and learning about their cultures and cus- toms. Part of her job, she maintains, is alleviating misconceptions. “There’s an idea out there that the poor are always in crisis,” she says. “and that they don’t speak English. It’s just not true.” Lydia Lydiaday Cordova needed the right day Lcare care center for her son. In the midst Lof of separating from her husband, the THE FAMILY CENTER/LA FAMILIA “Families... have a better chance at sustaining long-term stability by becoming more self-sufficient.” Stephane Tillman, Executive Director & Herman Tearman, Marketing and Development Associate exhibit sexualized behaviors beyond their years. So, what is the appropriate re- sponse an adult should give if a child confides they’ve been abused? When asked, Macri-Lind smiles. “Stay calm. Even if it’s the last thing you’re feeling inside.” D Due to the nature of treatment in- volved, case managers often work with clients for an extended period of time, and three years can pass before be- havioral changes are exhibited. The biggest challenge, says Jones, is staying with clients in whatever stage of change they happen to be in—espe- cially knowing you might wish for their success more than they do. FACTS & NUMBERS Mental Health Services “I’d rather have them focus on what they’d like to see return to their lives—be it trust, integrity, healthy relationships.” TOUCHSTONE HEALTH PARTNERS 7,000 PEOPLE LESS THAN $25,000 ANNUALLY 66,000 COLORADOANS ADULT MEN AGES 25 TO 65 BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE TO SUICIDE 85% More than half of all suicides occur in Since the Alliance for Suicide Prevention was founded in 1989, Larimer County’s suicide rate has dropped from being one of the highest in Colorado to being Touchstone Health Partners serves More than are living with untreated mental illness of the 7,000 people served at Touchstone come from households earning Over the past 10 years, Larimer County has lost each year S FACTS & NUMBERS Mental Health Services To facilitate play, the center offers a multitude of cheerful rooms outfitted with toys, dress-up clothes and art materials. American women has been a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime LOW INCOME UNDERREPORTED CRIMES 4,493 HOURS 1 OF EVERY 6 54% of ChildSafe clients treated in 2013 qualified as Volunteers provided of service for ChildSafe clients in 2013 Sexual assault is one of the most with left unreported 86% demographic, and they also offer a 24- hour bilingual rape crisis hotline to help serve Spanish-speaking clients. “Having a place in your community like SAVA is a huge deal,” says Gwen. “I saw therapists for 24 years, but it wasn’t until I saw a SAVA counselor that I got the help I needed.” Smiling, she lifts her head. “I can now say I’m ready to graduate!” F SAVA CENTER Today, SAVA helps clients aged 14 and older, offering specialty therapy to clients who’ve suffered sexual abuse. Jennifer Jones SAVA Executive Director to listening to live music in Old Town Square. Recently, federal funds allocated by the City helped Elderhaus acquire a new building that will enable the agen- cy to serve even more clients as the demand for adult day programs is on the rise. “Right now, we have a higher male population attending Elderhaus, but there are terrific programs for both men and women,” explains Missey. “In the next few decades, one in 10 adults will be diagnosed with dementia. There’s a great need out there to serve these clients.” Artwork created by kids enrolled in The Center For Family Outreach. N secure housing and public assistance help such as food stamps, Medicaid, and Social Security Disability Insur- ance. Getting to know Holowczekno, Reichow learned she was working with someone who, because of his ill- ness, had abruptly shifted from living a comfortable middle-class existence to someone who could only work in a lim- ited capacity. “He became Superman and beat cancer,” she says. “But his life is very different now. Living on Social Security is not the most wonderful thing in the world.” Holowczekno agrees. And yet he views his hardship as one he is thank- ful to have experienced since it brought him to DRS. “Today I’m the best person I’ve ever been in my life,” he says. “More thankful, appreciative, more communi- ty-oriented. I want do the right thing all the time now. Sherri taught me to give back.” FACTS & NUMBERS People With Disabilities NEARLY 4,000 ARE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL “For the first time, someone validated what I was going through.” A survey from 2008- 2010 found that 26,400 people with one or more disabilities are living in Larimer County. Of those, In 2012, Disabled Resource Services get technical assistance and emotional support needed to cope with vision loss and isolation Of the people served by Disabled Resource Services, 97 percent live in poverty and many are homeless 97% 68% ARE AGES 20-59 HELPED 669 SENIORS MORE THAN 140 FAMILIES 52,000 HOURS Most individuals served by Disabled Resource Services are adults. Respite Care provides programs for in Larimer County or of care tunity to find a work situation that was a better fit for his family.” he was suffering from dementia. After a painful decision to retire, he soon launched himself into the world of volunteer work, helping out five days a week wherever he could. Slowly, as the dementia worsened, friends he’d known for years began to slip away. His wife Missey, who worked in Denver at the time, was unable to provide the as- sistance he increasingly needed. When an occupational therapist suggested they visit Elderhaus, Taft agreed, but after the interview balked at the idea of receiving care. “I’m not ready for that yet,” he said. The couple returned to Elderhaus six months later, when it became ap- parent Missey was unable to maintain her commute and care for her husband. She enrolled him in the adult day pro- gram so she could continue supporting ELDERHAUS ADULT DAY PROGRAMS T Elderhaus provides services to more than has been in operation more than allows individuals with disabilities and senior citizens who need supervision to as much as care received at Elderhaus Adult day programs can 4X 34 YEARS 2,300 INDIVIDUALS ANNUALLY REDUCE CAREGIVER STRESS ADULT CARE ELDERHAUS A TRADITIONAL RESIDENTIAL FACILITY COSTS REMAIN AT HOME by up to 66% dations, the $2.5 million facility was paid off in two years. Upon opening its doors at the new location, Respite Care instantly doubled its clientele. Current- ly, 143 families are served by 45 staff members, who provide direct staff care to children who range in age from in- fants to 21 years. “We provided more than 51,000 hours of care last year,” explains Massey. “Our mission is to give parents peace of mind, but also to give the kids opportunities that they may not have otherwise. Coming here is a chance for the kids to have some time away from A RESPITE CARE “Our mission is to give parents peace of mind, but also to give the kids opportunities that they may not have otherwise.” LeAnn Massey Respite Care Executive Director how much his patient had managed to turn her life around. At the time she started seeing Dr. Brewer, she was one year away from earning a Master of Sci- ence degree in Education from CSU. The last hurdle to her self-sufficiency was regaining her smile, so that she could interview with potential employ- ers with confidence. “Had it not been for the financial help I received from Dental Connec- tions,” she explains, “I never would’ve been able to have this work done. I am forever grateful for the assistance [the City], Dental Connections and Dr. Brewer have offered me. I’ve always dreamed of finishing school and having all my teeth and now I can say I have accomplished both those goals.” allowing the shelter to serve a larg- er number of clients and offer on-site safety and health services. Last year the shelter served more than 500 cli- ents, all of whom are given a private room. There are separate spaces for men and for women with children. The shelter’s open areas have a communal feel and are referred to by clients and staff as “neighborhoods.” Clients make use of sleek, modern kitchens; a pantry stocked by the Food Bank for Larimer County; a boutique offering free clothes, shoes and toilet- ries; a meditation room; and an outdoor patio surrounded by gardens and a children’s playground. Thanks to on- site therapists, caseworkers and other professionals, clients staying at Cross- roads don’t have to leave the shelter to get the help they need. FACTS & NUMBERS CROSSROADS SAFEHOUSE Health & Safety HEALTH DISTRICT OF NORTHERN LARIMER COUNTY Lin Wilder, Director of Community Im Lpact pact at the Health District, believes Lin in the power of collaboration—a phi The Rehabilitation and Visiting Nurse Association can serve at a cost of vs. roughly $1.8 million through traditional assisted living NCAP is the only AIDS service organization in Colorado to offer The Northern Colorado AIDS Project to more than 600 people per year RVNA, a Medicare/ Medicaid certified agency, is state licensed and nationally accredited and also serves private patients 35 CLIENTS FOR ONE YEAR OFFERS HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING IN-HOUSE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING $29,770 of clients at the Northern Colorado AIDS Project report substance abuse issues 33% cess. Now 24 and a CSU graduate—as well as a former track and field state champion—Lizzie Johnson is thriving, thanks to what she calls her “first heal- ing” at the CAC a decade ago. And her mother, who is now a family advocate at the CAC, couldn’t be happier. “A medical condition or injury with the ability to stay in their homes—the place where, as she says, “the healing hap- pens.” Once, she received a letter from a former client who, due to cutbacks, could no longer afford her medications. “I wish I would just die,” the woman wrote. Instead, RVNA found a way to help, and the woman was able to stay on her medications. Says Day, “It’s because of the [City’s] grant money that we’re able to do what we do. Otherwise, we just couldn’t. To end my career and have that as my legacy—you can’t beat it.” Caregivers help with medical prep, baths, housekeeping, and tasks that don’t often fall neatly into a category of medical care, but are necessary assistance for clients with medical conditions. revelation, Michelle and her husband Tom took Lizzie to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). There, she met in a private room with a forensic interviewer. As is al- ways the case at the CAC, the interview was filmed. This is the gift of the CAC, says Jill Beck, the agency’s interim executive director: By coordinating with local law enforcement and the County’s Depart- ment of Human Services, the court-ad- missible testimony is not only captured in a manner that escapes outside influ- ence, it also spares the victim from re- living the trauma by repeating it several times to multiple parties. Perhaps just as importantly, be- cause minors can feel a strong desire to protect other family members from this trauma, they often express a reluc- tance to disclose full details of the ep- isodes. An interview conducted at the CAC, where not even family members are present, can alleviate that fear so they speak more freely. For Lizzie, wor- ry over what would happen to the rest of the family delayed her disclosure. As Johnson says, “[Sexual abuse] FACTS & NUMBERS Health & Safety LARIMER COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER of victims and their families served by Crossroads were residents of Fort Collins 165 ADULTS SERVED 3,115 2,800 used the Crossroads Safehouse in 2013. Of those, 134 were mothers aged 19 - 59, who brought 248 children ranging in age from newborns to 17 years of the children seen by the Child Advocacy Center are victims of sexual abuse Staff provided education to the Talk About Touching Program Poudre elementary school students in 14 schools through The Larimer County Child Advocacy Center adults and children in 2013 61% 98% decade-long meth addiction. New to Fort Collins, he walked into the NCAP office with a simple plea for help. “I don’t know where to start,” he said. Pfeif worked with him for a year, during which time her client maintained his sobriety and returned to school. He went on to acquire a job, get married, and has since become a father to a young daughter. In addition to holding a full-time job, he also volunteers on matters concerning HIV-related policy at the state level. Pfeif cites NCAP’s mental therapy program as the biggest boost her client needed. W CHN — NORTHERN COLORADO AIDS PROJECT “Since coming to work, I’ve gained the ability to understand all of us are fighting a battle.” Lori Daigle, Northern Colorado AIDS Project Regional Director lor’s in sociology and dietetics to even- tually pursue a doctorate in medical sociology. Her academic triumph has helped motivate her children’s success in the classroom as well—her oldest child started at CSU at the same time Mi- chelle enrolled at Front Range, and Michelle was able to help her daugh- ter navigate what had previously been uncharted territory. Her two youngest have become increasingly inspired by the expansion of possibility they’ve wit- nessed as their mother worked hard to achieve her goals and create a new life. “I can’t imagine where I’d be if it hadn’t been for PS-S,” says Michelle. “Knowing that I’m valuable and wor- thy of being invested in has made all the difference.” PROJECT SELF-SUFFICIENCY S W executive director, calls a “holistic ap- proach to training and guiding clients on a path to employment that provides self-sufficient wages.” “We have a very caring and sup- porting group of individuals,” she says of ELTC’s teaching staff. “Everyone has gone through Bridges Out of Poverty training, which informs everything we do.” Shelly Finn, a participant in ELTC’s JobReady and Circles Programs, would agree. Suffering from a disability that makes staying employed a challenge, Finn credits the staff at ELTC with lifting her motivation to a higher level and giv- ing her the technical skills she needs to re-enter the workforce. “I wanted to get off Medicaid and start supporting the system,” she says. “Instead of the system supporting me.” Education & Self-Sufficiency FACTS & NUMBERS EDUCATION AND LIFE TRAINING CENTER participants in Project Self-Sufficiency earned bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees, their GED or earned 1,119 credit hours in 2013. are living in poverty in Larimer County (three-year average 2008- 2010, up 84 percent since 2000) in the Poudre School District were homeless in 2012-2013 of all homeless in Fort Collins are families (2010) $3.2 MILLION $5.8 MILLION The VALUE of PREVENTING ONE YOUTH at age 14 from entering the justice system is according to the Center for Family Outreach to 80 33% AVERAGE GPA WAS 3.32 8,196 CHILDREN 953 STUDENTS nected and less alienated, and giving to others can be an empowering expe- rience that raises self-esteem. Operating with a staff of 10, The Center is a unique program in Colo- rado that has served 5,000 kids since its inception. Klith credits the agency’s success to a dedicated staff and vital partnerships with various local orga- nizations, including the District Attor- ney’s Office, the Cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, schools, and nonprofit organizations. “Together, we provide services for our kids,” she says. “We want them to stay law-abiding and sober and do well at school, and we also want them to continue to pay it forward through volunteering.” 8 “Everyone makes mistakes. It’s all about choice.” Laurie Klith, The Center For Family Outreach Executive Director S THE CENTER FOR FAMILY OUTREACH “They’re so passionate about helping you. The Matthews House is my family.” FACTS & NUMBERS 86% 79% 849 500 Larimer County youth are referred to The Center for Family Outreach each year by the District Attorney’s office were served 135 at The Matthews House — Each youth in the program develops an independent life plan of The Matthews House participants of The Matthews House participants juvenile arrests occurred in Fort Collins in 2010 In 2013, YOUTH AVOID GANG INVOLVEMENT RECEIVE THEIR GED OR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA Brianna Barbera and Mariana Colorado Education & Self-Sufficiency ents in which she was severely beaten. Shaken by the incident, Mariana reached out to her caseworker. That night, she went to live with a friend of the family who was happy to take her in. But for Mariana, leaving her fami- ly’s turbulent and volatile home didn’t necessarily translate into an easier—or more settled—life. Over the next three years, she would live with four different foster families. The binging on alcohol and drugs continued. Her parents were arrested and charged with a federal crime. Before sentencing, however, they fled to Mexico. Mariana’s sense of hope- lessness mounted, and she struggled with her host families. Each household had different rules and expectations— something Mariana found especially dif- ficult. It wasn’t until she went to live with Daniel Olivarez that things began to change. Mariana was told that every day after school, she was expected to complete her homework. She adhered to the rule, and Olivarez took note. “You’re smart,” he told her. “No I’m not,” Mariana replied. M THE MATTHEWS HOUSE • Bob Overbeck - Councilmember, District 1 • Lisa Poppaw - Councilmember, District 2 • Gino Campana - Councilmember, District 3 • Wade Troxell - Councilmember, District 4 • Ross Cunniff - Councilmember, District 5 • Gerry Horak, - Mayor Pro Tem - Councilmember, District 6 • Anita Basham • Bob Browning - Chair • Catherine Costlow • Gordon Coombes • Holly Carroll • Jamaal Curry • Kay Rios • Kristin Stephens • Margaret Long • Darin Atteberry - City Manager • Jeff Mihelich - Deputy City Manager • Bruce Hendee - Chief Sustainability Officer • Beth Sowder - Interim Director Social Sustainability City Manager A LETTER FROM OUR CITY MANAGER Introduction