Community Partners Collaborate to Support Foster Families

Something exciting has been happening in Weld County! Various churches, businesses, and non-profit organizations have collaborated to provide "Parent Night Out" -- engaging and fun respite events for foster families. So far, since July 2021, they have held two separate events in Weld County - one in Greeley and another in Milliken.

For the 2022 year, they plan to hold a Parent Night Out each quarter, rotating locations throughout the county. Bouncy Castles, fake snowball fights, a magic show, face painting, and sensory playrooms make these events extra special and so does the collaborative effort that makes them possible. 

So far, collaborators include: City Lights Church, Colorado Kids Belong, Connections Christian Church, Culver's, Dayspring Christian Academy, Love Thy Neighbor Community Church, Milliken Athletic Complex, Milliken Presbyterian Church, Project 1.27, Royal Family KIDS, Timberline Windsor Church, Unidos Por Amor USA, and Weld County DHS. 

They are seeking volunteers (and future collaborators!) for the next one scheduled in Windsor on March 13, 2022. Contact Liz Brodzinski for more information at lbrodzinski@project127.org.

Not All Homelessness is the Same

By: Ryan Dowd, Executive Director at Hesed House in Chicago 

There are three basic types of homelessness:

• Short-Term – These individuals are homeless for about 2 weeks or less. They typically have no major issues (mental health, substance abuse, etc.). A financial crisis bumped them out of housing, and they scramble quickly to get back. They just need a few nights of shelter and a little rental assistance money. (50% of Hesed residents)
• Medium-Term – These individuals are homeless for up to one year. They typically have one—but only one—major issue (mental illness, substance abuse, health problems, legal problems, etc.). It takes about a year to work through a major life challenge. They need counseling, financial literacy classes and job-training. With enough help, they can rebuild their lives and get back on their feet again. (40% of Hesed residents)
• Chronic – These individuals are homeless for more than one year (and oftentimes much more). They have multiple major issues (mental illness AND substance abuse AND health problems AND legal problems, etc.). They need intensive (and expensive) services including “permanent supportive housing” (fully-paid apartment with a visiting case manager for the rest of their lives). (10% of Hesed residents)

Sign up to volunteer at these local shelters:

Guadalupe Shelter

United Way of Weld County Cold Weather Shelter