to the years:

• Breaking Bad wins an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.

• Jay Leno hosts The Tonight Show for the last time.

• The "Ice Bucket Challenge" supporting the ALS Association takes the nation by storm. This viral challenge increased annual funding for ALS research by 187 percent. The research facilitated important discoveries like five genes that contribute to the disease.

Partners in Housing takes great pride in the upkeep of our properties and always wants to show respect to the families who live in our homes and to our neighbors.

In the fall of 2013, a great community effort allowed for redesign and update to the landscape at one of our properties where we have 6 townhomes on a nice, large corner lot. With the expert, water-smart design from John Romero at YOW Architects and oversight from Groeninger Landscape, we were able to not only beautify the grounds but make them more environmentally sound!

The project saw contributions with City Planning waiving fees and materials from C&C Sand, Templeton Gap Sod, Rocky Top Mulch, and Home Depot.

Many volunteers contributed labor including groups from Agilent, LSI, FedEx, and church youth groups. Thank you for your hard work and giving the gift of time!

A Reunion Celebration of Founding & Early Board Members, Staff, and Community Members was hosted by Former Executive Director Dick & Marilyn Conn. These visionaries came together for the first time in many years to celebrate on January 9, 2014, and shared their stories about how they became connected with Partners in Housing!

It was great to hear the stories of how people learned about Partners in Housing and how they became involved. Founding & Early Board Members included: Chris Acker, Tom Brewer, Doug Carter, Ann & Erik Fetsch, Les Gruen, Roger Hukle, Randy Scott, Sharon Tunson, and Gary Winegar. Louise and Louis Bagala were recognized for Louise’s integral part in creating who Partners in Housing has become today. Others who shared their stories and reminisced were: Terry Darby, Bart Givens, Scott Hente, Bob Ormston, Greg Parsons, Vince Rusinak, and Frank Stampf.

It was an evening of memories, fun, and laughter, as everyone reconnected to the Partners in Housing mission. After a Partner graduate shared her heartfelt story of homelessness and of finding Partners in Housing, it was clear that this body was excited and supportive of the future direction of Partners in Housing!

A special thank you to Common Cause Catering for the delicious meal served!

“I give back because Partners in Housing gave me so much.”

Such is the spirit of Sharon, who volunteers at Partners in Housing amidst her busy life after being a Partner three years ago. She is a student, a coach, and a bus driver. The silver pendant around her neck speaks to her biggest job though, Mom.

In Life Skills class, Sharon learned about how your actions with the world affect your path, a lesson she works hard to teach her eldest. Thanks to the stability of the Partners in Housing program, her children never had to know they were homeless. The youngest two are excelling in their endeavors. Sharon herself is taking her classes at CSU-Pueblo for a Bachelors degree in social work.

Sharon gives back, talking with Partners while serving in the donation room or teaching a class for Partners on time management. She says that sometimes people feel like they have to do something great, but the little things matter the most when affecting change.

Sharon, all the things you do have created something truly great and inspiring and we are thankful for your commitment to improving the lives of the families in our program!

In 2013, Partners in Housing, along with Greccio Housing and the Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust, was invited to participate in the Housing Colorado NOW Conference Design Charrette. These really exciting three days brought together architects, engineers, construction professionals, and financing experts to assist in the development of a concept to expand the units and amenities at the co-owned Bentley Commons property!

The collaboration took many of the ideas from the charrette and moved forward with acquiring the adjacent parcel of land to prepare for an even larger expansion!

Watch for some BIG news coming about Bentley Commons!

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!