Providing Help, Housing and Hope to our Community Since 1981
Housing Solutions for the Southwest March 2019 Newsletter
NEW STAFF and OPEN POSITION
Liz Stellrecht
Liz Stellrecht, Emergency Services Counselor- Liz started with Housing Solutions in January. Liz comes to us after serving our community at the La Plata Family Center and the Manna Soup Kitchen. As a longstanding service provider, Liz brings a high level of compassion and integrity. She oversees the Community Emergency Assistance Coalition (CEAC) , Homeless Prevention and Energy Outreach Colorado. She can be reached at estellrecht@swhousingsolutions.com
Tammy Chambers
Tammy Chambers, Property Manager at Southwest Horizon Ranch - Tammy is new to us but not to managing affordable housing. She worked for Mercy Housing and brings wealth of knowledge in affordable housing management. tchambers@swhorizonranch.com
Nathan Riggs
Nathan Riggs is our new Front Desk Coordinator. Nate brings years of experience working with homeless youth on the Front Range, dynamic organizational skills and a passion for helping those who walk through our door every day. You may reach Nate by calling our office at 970-259-1086 or nriggs@swhousingsolutions.com

Hiring for a PT Housing Navigator
PT 24-hour per week Housing Navigator Position available at Housing Solutions for the Southwest. Experience with homelessness, housing and individuals experiencing housing instability required. Bachelors degree (April 2019 graduates welcome to apply). Flexible position in a positive work environment. Email resumes and cover letter to: bkorce@swhousingsolutions.com

Housing is Health



The Housing as Health Initiative is funded by Enterprise Community Partners and the Colorado Health Foundation. This initiative seeks to build strong relationships with health service providers and local medical care facilities to address homelessness and housing insecurity. Through this initiative we intend to:
  • Build Espero Apartments 40 units of housing for homeless individuals with disabilities. We will hosting a community meeting at Manna Soup Kitchen on Thursday, March 21st at 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm. (follow this link for PDF FLYER
  • Build programs that address the needs of homeless youth, survivors and aging adults 
  • Build programs that prevent homelessness for families and individuals who are disabled, injured or living with a chronic illness. We aim to prevent homelessness before it occurs.
  • Increase housing navigation and education services to increase purchasing power among residents of SW Colorado
  • Build the SW Colorado Continuum of Care to include more health care providers and additional service providers. We hold regional continuum of care meetings the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 2:30pm in the Commons Building Conference Room (1st floor). To get involved please call Brigid Korce at 970-259-1086 x 21
Community Emergency Assistance Coalition (CEAC) News
The Community Emergency Assistance Coalition has provided a single point of entry for emergency assistance for over 20 years. Founding members include United Way, Human Services, VOA, Salvation Army and LPEA Round-Up Foundation along with numerous local faith based, business, foundation, nonprofit and individual donors.

CEAC MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION : We are always looking to add additional partners to the program.


Thank You CEAC Community Fund Members~
Manna Soup Kitchen
United Methodist Thrift Shop
United Methodist Church
St. Marks Episcopal
St. Columba
Christ the King Lutheran Church
LPEA
Ballantine Family Fund
The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado
Community Emergency Relief fund (CERF)
Durango Friends Meeting
Mountain Auto Care
Michael Hicks
Target Rental
Mountain Sun Apartments
The Agave Group
Sandra Brown
Omaile Kane
Stanna Galbraith
Bob Burgess
Daphne and Joseph D'Agostino

In 2019 CEAC served more people than ever! With the help additional funders such as CERF, which was especially important to respond to emergency needs of those financially impacted by the 416 Fire.
*We provided $167,880 in emergency grants to people having a financial emergency in our community.
* 224 families were funded- 63% for housing
* 31 families impacted by the 416 Fire 
*27% of applicants are seniors living on a fixed income.
Remember that we are 100% community funded- local dollars helping local people. This means that your pocket change into the Salvation Army Kettle, Rounding UP on your electric bill and fundraising with your church all help those who do not have support in a time of need.
A Thank You from one of our families helped by St. Columba's efforts to provide brand new household supplies to families moving on from homelessness.
Move in day with brand new kitchen items. Makes it feel like home!
Our friend J proudly shows his lease after experiencing homelessness for some time. He is now building a website design business.
-Words cannot express our heartfelt thanks...Housing Solutions and many other community connections facilitated by Lora Zeitler and the wonderful staff! The compassion, skills and non-judgmental professionalism expressed to our family in need has been such a blessing. We had no where to turn in our time of need and a helping hand was extended. The staff provided safety and help we needed setting up many community connections for our success.- Housing Program Participant
Thanks to the Moniker Foundation for their third year of financial support to Housing Solutions for the Southwest. Their funding has resulted in major programmatic expansions and helped us to serve more people in Southwest Colorado.
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