On April 24th, Grand Valley Catholic Outreach board members, staff, donors, project partners, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of Mother Teresa Place. This new housing complex is designed to support 40 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Located directly across the street from Whitman Park - a former gathering place for many of the downtown's homeless population - Mother Teresa Place will provide not only a safe place to live but also access to support services including social workers, case management, job training, and both physical and mental health care. Donors from our Community Foundation provided nearly $200,000 through donor-advised funds to support this project.

Advocates for the homeless in our community, committed to a "housing first" approach, are pleased to see the new units come to fruition. Providing stable housing as a first priority is essential for assisting those facing chronic homelessness; once their basic needs for shelter and food are met, individuals can then continue on their journey of addressing health concerns, overcoming addiction, and developing new skills, while having a base to get back on their feet.

City of Grand Junction Mayor, Abe Herman, was on site for the celebration. "Mother Teresa Place will not only serve some of our neighbors who are most in need, but it is representative of what can be accomplished when our community comes together to solve big issues. The collaboration between Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, public funders like the City of Grand Junction and DOLA, private donors, Grand Junction Housing Authority, and nonprofit funders like the Western Colorado Community Foundation can together create something that's so much greater than the sum of its parts. We should all be proud of the good that will be done in this new and much-needed facility."

Among those who will benefit from this initiative is a resident with whom WCCF staff had the privilege of speaking to. After experiencing a serious injury at his job site several years ago, he faced significant challenges, ultimately becoming homeless and living in his car. With the opening of Mother Teresa Place, he now has a place to call home.

As a convener, connector, and collaborator, we take pride in providing technical assistance and resources to local nonprofits and partners working in areas related to our impact work: Outdoor Recreation and Environment, Hunger Relief, and Youth Well-Being. These initiatives are supported by generous donor contributions that provide us flexibility to address a variety of current needs.

Outdoor Recreation & Environment:

Confluence Center Groundbreaking

In March, the Confluence Center of Colorado and several nonprofits held a groundbreaking event for a facility that will unite six key organizations.

Our Community Foundation granted support to the Confluence Center for its incorporation and business plan development, as well as facilitated significant contributions for its capital campaign. We anticipate the center becoming a key hub for education, conservation, and sustainable agriculture in our community.

Hunger Relief:

Resources for Supporting Hunger

Our Community Foundation is fortunate to have numerous donors committed to supporting initiatives aimed at combating hunger. Due to the ongoing changes at the federal level, organizations dedicated to hunger relief continue to face challenges.

To assist those interested in contributing to hunger relief efforts, we have created a resource document designed to help donors understand varying impacts and needs. Click here to access our Hunger Relief funding opportunities. 

Youth

Well-being:

Safe Social Media Presentation

WCCF supported Delta County School District’s Safe Social Media Day on March 24^th. Speaker Ben Tracy, who founded Safe Social Network, spoke to middle and high school students throughout Delta County about the harms of excessive screen time and how students can use social media more responsibly. Drawing on his own personal experience and stories from families around the country, Ben shared some of the risks that young people face and steps they can take to be safer online. 

Our Community Foundation acknowledges the effects of recent federal and state changes on local nonprofits. In response, the 2025 Community Grants process will offer more responsive funding to assist organizations that have been impacted, particularly those serving vulnerable populations. To ensure flexibility amidst ongoing changes, the grant process will run from May 5th to October 3rd, with eligible grant applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Before submitting an application, it is required to complete a pre-application eligibility form and have a discussion with a WCCF Program Officer. Please visit our website to learn more about Community Grants.

WCCF will host a 2025 Community Grants Informational Meeting at 10am on Thursday, May 29. Click here to be added to the list to join this virtual meeting. 

In addition, we have created a resource and support page here to assist non-profits, community leaders, and others in navigating the changing landscape.

The ATHENA® Leadership & Young Professional Awards honor individuals for professional excellence and community service, particularly in empowering women. Robin Tolan, a board member of our Community Foundation, is recognized as a dynamic leader and mentor, significantly impacting various organizations.

Key contributions include mentoring youth through local programs and Junior Achievement, leading fundraising and mentorship efforts at YouthZone, and supporting local initiatives through the Two Rivers Community Foundation and The Arts Campus at Willits.

Robin's vision, tenacity, and strategic insights foster collaboration and uplift women and families in western Colorado.

Congratulations, Robin, and thank you for your leadership and involvement with the Western Colorado Community Foundation!

Read the full story here.

Congratulations and best wishes to Jesse Redmond! His final day with us was April 4, and we are thrilled about the many adventures that await him.

Although he will no longer be with our Community Foundation, you may still spot him around town as he recently acquired Third Sector Innovation, a company that provides nonprofits with practical solutions in areas such as strategic and action planning, fundraising, training and facilitation, and more.

Jesse also welcomed a baby girl, Claire Monet, into his family on April 25th. Her two brothers are elated, and we couldn't be happier for Jesse, his expanding family, and his new business endeavor.

As we adjust to his absence, we will be looking to fill a new position. To learn more about our recently posted Donor Relations Associate role, click here.

Part of last week’s dedication of Mother Teresa Place was the unveiling and blessing of a life-size bronze statue. Its location is highly visible at the intersection of 4th and Ute and is likely to catch the attention of drivers and pedestrians alike.

The sculpture clearly depicts a homeless person lying on a park bench; on closer inspection, one can see it is Jesus by the nail marks on his feet. It is a startling reminder of a Gospel passage from Matthew, "As you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.” This passage provided inspiration to everyone who worked on the Mother Teresa Place project, as well as other volunteers and community leaders addressing the needs of the hungry and homeless in our community. 

I did a little Google research and learned there are other of these sculptures across the world – more than 50 as of 2017. The history of the artwork by Timothy Schmalz is compelling. It was in 2012 when he was inspired to create the statue after seeing a homeless person sleeping on a park bench in Toronto. Schmalz visited Pope Francis in the Vatican City in November 2013 to present a miniature version of his statue. He recalled the Pope's reaction, "He walked over to the sculpture, and it was just chilling because he touched the knee of the Jesus the Homeless sculpture, and closed his eyes and prayed. It was like, that's what he's doing throughout the whole world: Pope Francis is reaching out to the marginalized."

Given the timing of the completion and opening of our community’s latest housing project for those without shelter and the recent passing of Pope Francis who, like Mother Teresa, dedicated his life to the poor and marginalized, the statue is a powerful message and reminder to our community to keep working on the complex issues of homelessness.

~ Anne Wenzel

The Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1996 by community leaders. Covering seven counties in western Colorado, our Community foundation works to connect generous donors with causes that align with their philanthropic goals and interests.

With more than 330 charitable funds and over $186 million in assets under our stewardship, we distribute $8.3 million in grants and scholarships annually.