From Homelessness To Self-Sufficiency
Colorado Homeless Families (CHF) is a non-profit transitional housing program. CHF serves families with children who are classified as "New Poor" (families who are homeless for the first time) or "Working Poor" (families who earn low wages and cannot keep up with the rising cost of living, including housing).
CHF houses families for 18 months to 2 years, during which time the adults must be attending school and/or working in a position that will allow their families to become self-sufficient by the end of the program. A variety of programs have been established to aid families in reaching this goal.
CHF serves approximately 47 - 72 families annually, with a daily residential population of approximately 240 - 360 individuals daily.
Dakota and his family, a single mom and two siblings, came to Colorado Homeless Families as a last resort. His mother had nowhere to go, was unable to pay the bills, and suffered from the after effects of emotional, mental, and physical abuse that left her feeling weary and beaten down. However, she strived to make a better life for herself and her children; and as she rebuilt her own life, Dakota also became more and more involved in hockey, a sport he had always loved. The family graduated from Colorado Homeless Families in March of 2003, at which time they were able to move into a new home and begin a new life, completely self-sufficient. Dakota continued to play hockey, his dream being to one day be a professional goaltender. Today, he is one step closer to that dream, as he was just named the official goaltender for Team USA in the 2007 Junior Olympics!
Making Headlines...
May, 2007, CHF received a grant from the Daniels Fund. Read more about the CHF Grant From Daniels Fund
In September 2004, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition contacted CHF with an offer to include the building of the last duplex by Home Aid Colorado, complete the recreational area and remodel the main floor of the Family Educational and Resource Center for Colorado Homeless Families as an episode on the show.
(Read here)
Metro Denver area (7 counties) and to help them become self-sufficient within 18 months to two years.