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.
October 29, 2008
Dear Friends,
Being homeless isn’t easy. Every day is filled with uncertainty. Will there be food tonight for dinner? Will my children have warm clothes for the winter? How can I afford the visit to the doctor? It can sometimes take a few tries to get back up on your feet----to become fully self-sufficient.
I want to share a story with you about Barbara Ann. Barbara Ann came to Colorado Homeless Families with her mom, dad, and little brother when she was only 10 years old. Her parents lived at CHF for over a year. In the beginning, they participated in the counseling, classes, and support groups offered by CHF. They wanted to get their life back on track. Over time, Barbara Ann’s mom and dad felt that it wasn’t their responsibility to get a job or go to school. They wanted someone to take care of them. They were looking for a handout, not a hand up.
A mother bird must push her babies out of the nest so they learn to fly.
Realizing that the family wasn’t meeting the expectations of the CHF program, CHF found mom and dad a job in Cheyenne, Wyoming, paid their first month’s rent, and helped them get transportation to Wyoming. The transition wasn’t an easy one for the family, but CHF realized that they had to leave the nest to learn how to fly.
A few months after the family moved, I found a letter on my desk one morning from Barbara Ann. The letter shows the hardship of being on the edge of homelessness, living with an uncertain future.
“Can you give us a chance please? Connie we really loved it at Colorado
Homeless Families. We felt like it was a real home. What does it take to let us
back? Here it’s just stress to us that’s probably why my dad’s sick. I cry
every night about going back. I miss you, Norm, and my friends. I promise we
will do everything you say just to come home. Connie please let us and
please write back to me.”
Love, Barbara Ann
This letter was written by Barbara Ann three years ago. Today, her family has learned to fly on their own. Barbara Ann is in the 11th grade and she and her brother are both getting straight A’s in school. With her family’s self-sufficiency came the opportunity for this young girl to dream her own dreams! Barbara Ann is looking forward to applying to college and becoming a doctor! Her brother wants
to help other kids and families like his and become a social worker for homeless families.
Helping homeless families obtain self-sufficiency and break the bonds of poverty isn’t an easy job. Your support helps make this job easier. Would you please help the homeless children and families with a donation?
With profound gratitude,
Connie Zimmerman
Executive Director
P.S. We know that everyone is feeling the pinch of the economy this year---but this only means that the homeless in our community are depending on us even more! Help us show the homeless families in our community that you care by making a donation this holiday season. Donate to CHF
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.