Weld County, Colorado sent this bulletin at 04/01/2018 07:00 AM MDT
April 1, 2018
Our mission is to serve as an advisory liaison between the faith-based community and the Weld County Commissioners. Established in 2008.
Helping Weld County's Homeless
by Jodi Hartmann
Does your congregation aim to serve those in need? Soon there will be a range of new ways in which to help. Weld’s Way Home, led by United Way of Weld County, is creating a Housing Navigation Center that will connect vulnerable households with services designed to stabilize their housing.
These services will range from creating access to basic hygiene and preventative medical care for those living out-of-doors to teaching homeownership classes designed for low-income families with poor credit histories for whom home ownership will create self-sufficiency.
The Housing Navigation Center will be located in the same space as the current cold weather shelter (2930 11th Ave, Evans Colorado). It will host the cold weather shelter through April of 2021 and will help to connect vulnerable populations to the medical and mental health services that are also located in that facility.
If you already support a local organization that helps the homeless, thank you. Your continued support is vital to Weld County’s success. Did you know, for example, that since 2016, Weld and Larimer counties have housed over 200 veterans? Your support made that happen. For congregations that are looking to get more involved, the Housing Navigation Center can offer that chance. Serve a meal, donate toward the supportive services, or support a family as they become stable. To learn more, contact Cassy Westmoreland, Weld’s Way Home Coordinator at cassy@unitedway-weld.org.
Teens to lend a helping hand by Ryan Dougherty
From June 24-30, 2018, Northern Colorado Youth for Christ (NCYFC) will host 400 kids from across the US for a work week. Seventy homes from Greeley/Evans will be chosen to do FREE light maintenance at no cost to the home owner. The only requirements are that the home owners live in the house and they are in need.
NCYFC needs 100 applications in order to find all the
projects that will fit within the week. If you have or know of a need, please email Jeff Neel at jeffn@ncyfc.org.
Veterans support is vital
by Margie Martinez
Do you know of any Veterans who need spiritual or counseling help? The Veterans Alliance for Northern Colorado (NoCOVets) was formed by combat and service veterans supporting veterans meeting PTSD, TBI and personal challenges in transitioning into civilian life and personal and family responsibilities.
The Alliance provides fellowship, camaraderie, fun and understanding for the Vets, their families and friends. Programs offered by the Alliance include several outdoor programs such as fly fishing, spin casting and general fishing opportunities. Hunting and habitat management as well as game management are also key programs for the Alliance veterans, and these programs support area ranchers and farmers who provide venues for these activities.
This is one of the largest programs in this area for couples and family workshops and events dealing with military service and its impacts on these relationships. The Alliance is a Vet-to-Vet support non-profit based in Northern Colorado and is made up of northern Colorado veterans from Post 9/11 conflicts (Young Gun Vets) and Pre 9/11 conflicts (Legacy Vets). As a place of worship, please
consider a ministry for Veteran members and their support systems. Contact can be made with the Alliance at NoCOVets@gmail.com, www.NOCOVets.org or through Dennie Grunstad at veterans@timberlinechurch.org.
April is child abuse prevention month
by Jamie Ulrich
April is a time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse. The Weld County Department of Human Services will be hosting and attending community events in April to raise awareness about Child Abuse Prevention. Raising community awareness, gathering and providing information, educating, and building support are critical for successful prevention efforts. The Weld County Department Human Services provides prevention services through Community Case Managers and the Compass Program. Prevention staff are professionals focusing on short-term interventions that build on the strengths of youth and families. They help families identify their goals, connect with community resources, and facilitate enrollment in services. Families are also encouraged to accept services and develop tools, and through this empowerment they learn to make positive changes. As a community, we can continue to work together to help strengthen and support families to can prevent child abuse and neglect.\
