Thank you to all the incredible neighbors who donated or volunteered during the 2025 holiday season! Each contribution went toward helping Partners in Housing families celebrate the holidays in a meaningful way. To everyone who gave gifts, gift cards, food, time and/or money, we thank you!

Many generous groups and individuals supplied gifts for 61 families including 125 children at the annual holiday shopping event. Thirty volunteers contributed 205.98 hours to help parents and children select the perfect gifts for their family members and wrapped each gift with care.

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel donated throughout the holiday season with contributions to the Colorado House food pantry, the Flat Tire Fund, and Christmas gifts for the holiday shopping event. St. Michael’s is a longtime supporter of Partners in Housing.

Ridgeview Elementary donated 4,342.8 pounds of food and over $700 to the Food Pantry.

Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Partners in Housing children courtesy of Pikes Peak Kiwanis. In addition to letting Santa know their wishes, the children also decorated cookies.

U.S. Bank cooked a delicious meal for families in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and decorated Colorado House for the Christmas season.

The Moniker Foundation set up and volunteered during the holiday event. In addition, they donated almost $830 for the holiday celebrations.

Gift cards were distributed to all families in the Family Self-Sufficiency program so they could celebrate the holidays. Gift cards enable families to shop for their own specific needs at the holidays. Many individual donors along with Ascend College Prep and The Woman’s Club of Colorado Springs contributed to give gift cards this year.

A huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the holiday season brighter for families in housing crisis. 

Volunteers (left to right) Sheila McKay, Lindley Whyte and Janet Peters wrap gifts at the 2025 shopping event.

U.S. Bank volunteers shown with Santa and Mrs. Claus from the Pikes Peak Kiwanis.

Money Mentoring, Work It! programs lead to stability

At Partners in Housing, childcare accessibility, mental health support, and housing affordability have been identified as top barriers to progress for families in the Self-Sufficiency Program.

For a single parent working to secure employment with a living wage, improve education to achieve this goal, and attain childcare, the cost of living can feel insurmountable. With support from Partners in Housing, families are offered the opportunity to take a step back to reach new horizons.

Lia, a mother of five, entered the Family Self-Sufficiency Program after escaping an abusive marriage. With strong determination, she decided to pursue a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) after attending her Work-It and Money Mentoring appointments. As two of Lia’s children are on the autism spectrum, becoming a CNA would allow her to be a paid caregiver for them while providing financial stability. She quickly completed her certification and secured a CNA position nine months into the program to build savings prior to her goal of caregiving. With the support of PIH’s volunteers and staff, Lia improved her credit score, accessed critical community resources, and regained custody of her children. By the end of the program, she had full custody, maintained her full-time job, and continued attending money mentoring sessions to stay on top of her finances. We’re incredibly proud of Lia’s dedication and know she will provide long-term stability for her family.

Partner Family Successes

These successes are an example of achievements made by the Family Self-Sufficiency Partners each month. These accomplishments are highlighted every month in a newsletter sent to the Partners.

• 2 partners started their parenting CNA positions
• 5 partners started new jobs
• 3 partners secured housing
• 1 partner passed their QMAP
• 2 partners started the CNA program
• 1 partner received a bonus and a raise
• 2 partners earned straight As this semester
• 1 partner started the CDL training
• 1 partner earned a raise
• 2 partners were nominated for bonuses
• 4 partners got new jobs
• 1 partner finished the C4L and earned a diploma
• 2 partners welcomed a new baby
• 1 partner was promoted
• 1 partner was able to save up to fix their car
• 1 partner received a 100 score on their store inspection – the only one in the whole state to achieve such a score

Partners in Housing to celebrate 35 years

Partners in Housing will celebrate its 35th anniversary in November 2026. Watch for our upcoming history emails as we celebrate 35 years of guiding families in housing crisis from insecurity to stability, self-reliance and prosperity.

Partners in Housing Board of Directors selected for 2026

Steven Paul will succeed Sharon Tunson as President of the Partners in Housing Board of Directors. The officers’ slate is rounded out with Vice President Steve Brinkman, Secretary Mark White and Treasurer Amber Moro. Tunson remains on the Board as Past President.

Other Board of Directors members are Dan Apricio, Andy Barton, Brian Coram, Barbara Harris, Kaitlyn Ragsdale, Crystal Rodriguez, Lauren Sanders, Yesenia Torres, Angela Valdez, Stephanie Vandenburg, Keri Ellen White and Brendan Zahl.

Incoming board president Steven Paul with past president Sharon Tunson.

2024-2025 Annual Report available online

View the Partners in Housing 2024-2025 Annual Report online to see financial, donor and volunteer information for fiscal year 2025. Visit www.partnersinhousing.org/our-financials to view the Annual Report.

HOW TO CONTACT PARTNERS IN HOUSING

Program Eligibility & Intake Information:

partnersinhousing.org/get-help/

719-473-8890

Volunteer Opportunities:

partnersinhousing.org/volunteer/

719-559-3286

Donations:

partnersinhousing.org/donate/

719-325-5830

In-Kind Donations:

partnersinhousing.org/give-items/

719-559-3286

Community Presentations:

partnersinhousing.org/give-hope/

719-325-5830

King Soopers Community Rewards

Your everyday shopping at King Soopers brings rewards to Partners in Housing – between July and September 2025, 110 households raised $666.29 for us! Everyday shoppers between October and December 2025 raised $652.78 for Partners in Housing!

Sign up for the King Soopers Community Rewards Program and select Partners in Housing as your nonprofit agency. King Soopers will give each time you shop at no cost to you. Make a difference with every trip to King Soopers!

Learn how you can sign up for King Soopers Community Rewards here.

Paying it forward has tax benefits!

We’ve made it easier to support Partners in Housing

AND save on your Colorado state taxes!

Homeless Contribution Tax Credit

• 25% state income tax credit to Colorado taxpayers
• Gifts made to Partners in Housing of $250+ are eligible, including cumulative gifts
• When donating by check, please include “HCTC” in the memo line of your check and make payable to Partners in Housing. When donating online, under “Gift Preferences”, select the HCTC option.
• The Colorado statute (C.R.S. 39-22-548) for this tax credit requires the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number to process. Please provide this information with your donation.

Child Care Contribution Tax Credit

• 50% state income tax credit to Colorado taxpayers
• Gifts made to Partners in Housing of $500+ are eligible, including cumulative gifts
• When donating by check, please include “Child Enrichment Center” in the memo line of your check and make payable to Partners in Housing. When donating online, under “Gift Preferences”, select the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit option.
• This tax credit does not require your SSN to be provided during gift processing – you fill in the SSN field yourself when the form is mailed to you.

Always consult with your accountant and/or tax advisor for advice concerning your particular circumstances. If you would like additional information regarding either tax credit, please contact Cathy at cmckinley@partnersinhousing.org or (719) 325-5830.