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.
Another Building Project for CHF!
Above: Executive Director of CHF, Connie Zimmerman poses for a picture with City of Arvada, Mayor Bob Frie; City of Arvada, Council Member Mark McGoff; Executive Director of Home Aid of CO, Laura Brayman; Board Member of Home Aid of CO, Steve Prokopiak; and Representatives of KB Home Builders during the Groundbreaking Ceremony.
The building project has progressed throughout the summer, and is near completion.
On May 13, 2010, CHF had a Groundbreaking Ceremony to celebrate and begin the process of building 7 more transitional townhome units. " We are grateful for the support of the City of Arvada, KB Homes, Home Aid of Colorado, and numerous grantors in making this happen," commented Connie Zimmerman. The following grantors have contributed to making this project happen: Adolph Coors Foundation; Boettcher Foundation; City of Arvada; Colorado Garden Show Inc.; Daniels Fund; Gates Family Foundation; Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation; AG Wassenaar; Boral Construction Materials; Baseline Land Surverying, Inc.; Carroll & Lang/Manhard; Dodge Sign Company; Frank's Finish Grading; Furhman Engineering Company; Land Title Guarantee Company; Majestic Tree Service; Moore Electric; Norris Design; Owens Corning; Steve & Rita Prokopiak; Joanna Raspanti; Standard Fence Company; Special District Managment Services; Ken Short; Tarco; Toll Brothers; University of Colorado Medical Students; Western Proscapes; Waste Management; and Keith Worley, Forester.
Get To Know Our Families
Musette has been a resident at CHF for a little over a year. She will be graduating with her teaching degree in the spring. Musette has been taking 3 buses a day getting to school and taking her daughter to daycare. She receives only $220 a month to cover expenses. She has been unable to afford any transportation other than the bus, with her monthly bus pass paid for by her college tuition. A vehicle, insurance or even gasoline has been out of the question for her.
What a wonderful surprise when Musette was presented with a Van, donated by Beazer Homes early in January. Not only did she receive a Van, but Beazer Homes also provided her with 1 year of paid insurance. Peter Simons, Kathy Ellis and the employees at Beazer Homes raised the money for this enormous gift for Musette.
This Van will make a tremendous difference everyday in Musette’s life. It gives her the opportunity to get to where she is going in less than half of the time it used to take her. It will also allow her to accept a teaching position anywhere, without regard to transportation issues.
Musette has been hired by North High School—she began her new teaching job in the fall of 2006. At the end of March Musette is moving to affordable housing. All of the hard work has a reward for Musette; she can now support herself and her daughter.
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
-2009 Resident Christmas Party
Service Projects to CHF - We send a big "Thanks" to all!
Above pictures display a before and after area that was created into a community garden for the CHF community. Volunteers came from Home Aid of CO; the community; as well as families, staff, and board of CHF. Many of the volunteers were previously contractors, sub-contractors, and engineers who are currently without work but are still giving of themselves to help out others.
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.