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Homes for our Troops
Iraq War Veteran Starts New Life in Montrose
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Veteran Steve Baskis raises the flag at his new custom-built home in Montrose.
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Specialist Steve Baskis recently accepted the keys to his new, specially adapted, custom-built home in Montrose, thanks to an organization called Homes for our Troops.
While on patrol in Iraq in 2008, Steve was injured by an explosive device. The blast resulted in complete loss of vision, Traumatic Brain Injury and nerve damage to his arm. Despite these challenges, he has gone on to climb three of the world's tallest mountains, among the many adventures he continues to pursue. In choosing a location for his new home, SPC Baskis chose Montrose because of the proximity to rafting, climbing and adventure that is his passion.
Homes for our Troops (HFOT) builds specially adapted custom homes for veterans so they can focus on their recovery. Our Community Foundation provided grant funding for this first home; HFOT will be building a second home for another deserving veteran in 2019.
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Emergency Assistance
for Veterans Bridges Gaps in Benefits, Services
Recently a 55-year-old honorably discharged, disabled Navy Veteran contacted the local Volunteers of America (VOA) office for assistance. He had been unemployed for a year and living in his car, in the parking lot of the hospital where he receives services. With the help of funding through the Veteran's Emergency Assistance Fund established at VOA by our Community Foundation, he was able to receive rental assistance while he secured a job. His story and many others reflect the kind of assistance this funding means for many veterans and their families.
The Veteran's Emergency Assistance Fund at the VOA receives support from several donor-advised funds managed by our Community Foundation. Our donors understand and appreciate the contributions our veterans have made to our country's security and well-being and want to support them after their years of military duty.
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Grand Valley
Catholic Outreach
Day Center Reopens with Expanded Space
Our Fresh Start Fund
made a $25,000 grant to purchase new, heavy duty washers and dryers.
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach typically hosts over 100 guests a day - homeless people in our community who need access to a shower, laundry fa
cilities, a place to receive mail, and otherwise regroup in a comfortable place with shelter over their head.
Approx
imately 12%
of the guests at the Day Center are veterans.
A newly renovated and expanded Day Center re-opened in October.
The renovations increased the Day Center space by 2,000
square feet.
Being able to wash and dry clothing is a huge blessing to the Day Center guests, many of whom have jobs they need to shower and dress for. The new equipment replaces much older
washers and dryers that frequently broke down and were not reliable.
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Charitable legacies
You don't have to be a millionaire...
The recent estate gift from Evelyn Haley featured in this e-newsletter and the
Daily Sentinel was exceptionally generous. But you don't have to be super wealthy to consider leaving some of your assets to benefit the community you live in and call home.
Part of what makes our Community Foundation special is that we work with many different donors, with different means and charitable interests. We are pleased to receive donations of any amount. The minimum amount to start a named endowment fund is $5,000. Community-minded individuals can also leave donations of any amount directed to a certain issue or cause.
To learn more about legacy giving, please contact our Director of Development, Kristin Lynch,
[email protected].
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Community members can donate directly to our Community Foundation's efforts to alleviate hunger by donating through Colorado Gives Day. You can pre-schedule your donation now, or plan to give on
Tuesday, December 4th, 2018.
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The Western Colorado Community Foundation is confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations by the Council on Foundations. |
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Western Region
One Source Opening Soon
"One-Stop Shop" to serve veterans, military service members and families
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Architect's rendition of the new Western Region One Source providing comprehensive support services to veterans and military members.
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The new Western Region One Source (WROS) will be completed and open for business by mid-January 2019. This one-stop shop for veterans has been a community vision for some time. In 2017, the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs received $3.5 million to renovate the former National Guard Armory building at 482 28 Road. While state funding covers the renovation, additional funds to furnish the 12,500 foot space is still needed. Our Community Foundation helped connect an interested donor to this worthwhile project and awarded a $25,000 grant to help furnish the space and install flags.
The mission of the WROS is to connect veterans, military members and their families with service providers and resources in order to enhance opportunities and improve their quality of life. Easy access to programs and services will include VA benefit enrollment, education and training and employment services, mental health and wellness programs, legal and counseling services, and many more services.
Colorado is home to over 400,000 veterans. The western Colorado catchment area covers 24 counties and serves over 40,000 of those veterans. Since Grand Junction is home to the regional Veterans Administration Hospital, this new resource will be just a few blocks away - within easy access to vets, military members and their families.
The Western Region One Source is actively recruiting nonprofits interested in space for their programs in the new building, and welcomes donations to help complete the furnishings.
Click here for more information.
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Evelyn L. Haley
1923 - 2018
Lifelong generosity culminates in significant legacy gift
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The oldest of three sisters, Evelyn spent her childhood in Paonia and graduated from Paonia High School. While the majority of her life was spent in California, she moved back to western Colorado in 1999 to be closer to family.
Evelyn lived a long and generous life, supporting numerous charities and projects including HopeWest, Rocky Mountain PBS, Conservation Colorado, Mesa County Library and Roice-Hurst. She first contacted our Community Foundation eleven years ago as she was getting her affairs in order.
Her end-of-life gift is over $1 million and will be used to establish field-of-interest funds to support organizations that (1) serve victims of domestic abuse, neglected and disadvantaged women and girls; (2) enhance the arts and culture, education and literacy; and (3) care for homeless and neglected domestic pets. Grant funding from the new Evelyn and Glen Haley Fund will begin distribution in 2020 and will be available to organizations across western Colorado.
This generous legacy gift is especially appreciated as our Community Foundation has limited donor-directed funds for arts and culture programs. Evelyn's husband, Glen, was a high school English teacher and he had written two novels; literacy and libraries were near and dear to his heart.
To read the Daily Sentinel story on Evelyn Haley, click here.
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Grantee Spotlight:
Harmony Acres
Participant bonding with Revel at the Harmony Acres animal therapy program
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When military veteran Shiloh Dion first came to Harmony Acres Equestrian Center she was stuck in a dark and lonely place. She had tried counseling and medication, but felt nothing had really helped. Then she heard about the Equine Therapy group offered at Harmony Acres, and decided to give it a try.
"Before I came to Harmony Acres, my depression was at an all-time high," said Dion, "I would have no motivation to get up or do anything for days. I couldn't get out of bed. That was with medication." Through the equine therapy group, Shiloh bonded with a horse named Revel while watching others in the group take risks and break out of their shells. Dion not only continued with the group but now volunteers at the facility.
Harmony Acres Equestrian Center provides animal-assisted therapy programs to military veterans, individuals with disabilities and children who have experienced trauma or abuse.
Having expanded rapidly
in the past several years, Harmony Acres has moved to a new, 24 acre property in Loma that will include two large indoor arenas, administrative and meeting space, and sheltered living space for their 40 therapy horses. "A Home for Harmony" capital campaign is raising funds over the next two years to purchase the property and make necessary improvements.
Our Community Foundation has made several grants from donor-advised funds to support this exciting expansion project.
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Reflections from
the Executive Director
This Veterans Day we wish to thank the many men and women from western Colorado who have selflessly served their country and thank them for their service. We also highlight some of the wonderful nonprofit organizations supporting veterans once they return home and re-enter civilian life. These organizations provide housing and job training, health care, and support for physical and emotional healing that is due the brave men and women who have served. Most of these programs also support the veterans' families who also made sacrifices and endured the long absence of loved ones.
We honor you and appreciate your service!
-- Anne Wenzel
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