to the years:

• Internet slang words “OMG” and “LOL” are added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

• The Top Song is Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson.

• Hurricane Sandy — also known as “Superstorm Sandy” — brings significant wind and flood damage to the U.S., Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

In 2011, we had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with a past Partner! Mara and her daughter were in our program in the mid-90s and have achieved such incredible success and stability upon graduation. Mara went on to obtain her college degree and is now a US Army Reserve officer! Imagine our added delight when Mara then followed up her visit with a generous monetary donation! It is one of the best gifts an agency can receive to see graduating families moving forward while simultaneously giving back and lifting up families in need. Thank you for your support, Mara!!

Frank Stampf, Executive Director of Partners in Housing announced his retirement effective December 31, 2011, after serving the organization in several roles since 2000. 

Mary Stegner, the Partners in Housing Finance Officer, was named as the new Executive Director! Having worked for Partners in Housing since its inception as a program under Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs (before we became a separate nonprofit agency in 1991), she brought unique experience with agency finance and grants programs.

At this time, Barbara Blumer, the Partners in Housing Support Services Director, was named Director of Services. Barbara directed the Human Resource and Risk Management functions, HMIS reporting, Intake and Referral Services, and other administrative areas. She retired from Partners in Housing in 2013 after serving the agency for many years. Thank you and congratulations, Barbara!

During this time, lead volunteer Stella Lively, furniture mover Roy Manuszak, and The Woman’s Club of Colorado Springs drove the expansion of our donation center! This expansion allowed us to accept more items so families in our program can stretch their budgets further.

A big thank you to Stella, Roy, the donor that provided us with a donated truck for furniture, and to the Woman's Club for the incredible number of volunteer hours donated!

The Woman's Club of Colorado Springs aims to enhance the present and forge new paths to a better future for our community through volunteer service and fundraising. This wonderful club, in addition to volunteering at our Donation Center, also annually hosts the Triple T party (Tiaras, Tampons, and 'Tinis) where members bring women's hygiene products that are donated to local agencies like Partners in Housing!

If you are interested in learning more about The Woman's Club of Colorado Springs, please visit their website here and their Facebook page here!

To learn more about how you can help families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, please email [email protected]. You can give the gift of time, items, or money.

Monetary donations may be eligible for a state tax credit of 25% or 50%! Click the State Tax Credits button and scroll to the bottom of the webpage to view details!