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.
CHF Christmas in the News!
Members of the Arvada community came together to ensure families benefitting from Colorado Homeless Families’ (CHF) programs experience a happy and memorable holiday this year. To continue reading this article online, click here.
CHF Recognized For Its Contributions to the Community.
State Senator Evie Hudak and Connie Zimmerman
Hello Connie,
First, on behalf of Senator Hudak, I want to thank you for everything you do to make the lives of Arvada and Westminster citizens better. Without nonprofits like you, our community would not be as wonderful of a place to live and raise families.
Senator Evie Hudak will be hosting a town hall in November to recognize the amazing contributions that nonprofits make in the Arvada and Westminster communities. Her town hall will be Saturday, November 19 from 10:30 to Noon at the Standley Lake Library in Arvada. She would like to honor your organization and give you an opportunity to speak to the community about who you are and what services you provide. It is extremely important to her that the community knows about the local nonprofits. Please let me know if you will be available to participate in this event.
Again, thank you for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Kyle Piccola
Community Outreach Specialist
Colorado Senate Majority
CHF Wins 2011 Award!
Colorado Homeless Families and its Founder and Executive Director, Connie Zimmerman, was nominated by Ed Talbot, the Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Arvada, to receive the Affordable Housing Project of the Year. The Colorado NAHRO Award for 2011 was presented at an awards luncheon ceremony in Breckenridge, CO on May 19, 2011, to Connie and Larry Zimmerman along with Ed Talbot. Click here to read more from 2011 Spring Newsletter. Click here to read NAHRO Award 2011 Newspaper Article.
CHF Explores Alternative Heating Options...
A solar panel has been provided for the above CHF home. CHF will be tracking the savings this panel provides over the course of the next year. Read more about Solar Panel PR.
A Big Thank You to Caldwell Banker!
Caldwell Banker raised money for CHF and presented a check for over $5,000.
Get To Know Our Families
Kevin and Sue have three young boys, owned a home and worked full-time jobs. Sue worked for a large mutual funds company and Kevin was self-employed as an interior/exterior and commercial properties painter. Kevin needed help to
run his company so they decided
that Sue would quit her job to assist
Kevin and the paint company. The
business was growing and clients
were increasing when Kevin suffered
a severe incapacitating injury
to his back. He was unable to work
for months at a time as he recovered
from three surgeries. Then the
economy crashed and the building
industry came to a halt. Their business
began to suffer and their in-come was affected drastically. They
could no longer make their house
payments. Kevin and Sue had only
one week left to live in their home
when they were accepted into the
CHF housing program. They were
the first family to move into the
new town homes at CHF.
Kevin, Sue and their 3 boys moved into CHF’s transitional housing program. They have set great goals and have the drive and initiative to get back on their feet. Kevin applied to CCD; he is a very talented musician and hopes that with more education, he will find a new career that is easier on his back. He also hopes to one day be able to support his family again. Sue was able to find a job in the medical field where she wants to advance with her salary and her position.
Kevin and Sue are taking advantage of every pportunity available to them to get back on their feet and move forward to become self-sufficient. We at CHF have every confidence that this young family will reach their goals and will in time afford their own home again. Kevin and Sue are not unlike so many families dealing with the changes in the economy. They are reminders that homelessness can happen to anyone.
Did you know...?
-30% of the people that come to CHF are single moms.
-95% of these mom are the sole supporters of their family, usually living on minimum wage.
Videos About us
CHF Interview Video - Select from on of the following options
-Colorado Homeless Families interview video - about 15-20 minutes
to download
-Interview Video for Quick Time Player - audio only
-Streaming video - audio/visual; about 5 minutes to download
Heroes of Hope
CHF children are given their very own bicycles.
-Bike Giveaway - Powerpoint Presentation
CHF Family Christmas Party 2009
Making Headlines...
Members of the Arvada community came together to ensure families benefitting from Colorado Homeless Families’ (CHF) programs experience a happy and memorable holiday this year. To continue reading this article online, click here.
Colorado NAHRO award granted to CHF in 2011. Read more about the NAHRO Award 2011 newspaper article.
Colorado Homeless Families is currently researching ways to make heating more affordable for families, some of which are paying more for their heating/light bills than they are for their rent. Read more about Solar Panel PR.
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.