Stories of Light

Avocet Communications, a Longmont, CO-based and nationally recognized marketing agency, is a dedicated partner in advancing VOA Colorado’s mission to serve those most in need across the state. As a proud member of VOA Colorado’s Companies of Hope program, their support extends far beyond the basic; it is marketing that is grounded in creating powerful connections, amplifying voices, and driving community awareness that inspires action and impact. Avocet helps us tell the stories of seniors, veterans, families, and children, ensuring their experiences of resilience and hope are seen and shared across Colorado. Through strategic development, marketing communications, public relations, social…

At VOA Colorado’s Southwest Safehouse in Durango, healing doesn’t happen all at once; it begins with simple acts of compassion. For volunteer Heather Porpiglia, those acts include caring for children from infants to teens in the Kids Club, gardening to create a sense of peace, and painting rooms to make the shelter feel more like home. Heather came to the Safehouse with her own lived experience and a deep desire to give back. “People come here because they’ve run out of options,” she says. “But what they find is safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild.” It’s a mission Heather…

“Awesome to be part of something bigger.” At 65, Denver resident Manny is living proof that it’s never too late to find new purpose, and new community, through service. After serving in the U.S. Army and spending over 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service, Manny thought he was simply showing up to share a meal with a friend at a VOA Colorado senior dining center. But that dinner turned into something much more. He struck up a conversation with project manager Sean Fujimoto, who mentioned volunteer opportunities, and that was all it took. Today, Manny volunteers with VOA’s City…

Giving Her Heart to the Southwest Safehouse When Tammie Barger moved to Durango just as the COVID pandemic hit, she didn’t know it would lead her to one of the most meaningful roles of her life. A retired events and travel professional from Houston, Tammie had spent years coordinating behind the scenes, but now she’s serving on the front lines of healing at VOA Colorado’s Southwest Safehouse. The Southwest Safehouse in Durango provides a secure, confidential haven for survivors of domestic violence and their children. More than just shelter, it offers critical support services like safety planning, advocacy, and emotional…

If you would like to support our Operation Backpack program – one of our many initiatives that helps children in need succeed, despite their circumstances – you can do so by clicking here. Operation Backpack fills in the gap for children experiencing homelessness, poverty, and otherwise underprivileged circumstances. Your donations help us provide backpacks, school supplies, and funding for academic enrichment to homeless and underprivileged children.

After a lifetime of hard work and some health issues that had significantly impacted his life, Wally Smith knew retirement had to mean more than just doing nothing. When he discovered the VOA’s Foster Grandparents program, he found what he was truly looking for: connection, purpose, and joy. A father of four and grandfather to three boys in Minnesota, Wally has always had a deep instinct to nurture and guide children. “I loved being a dad, loved taking care of kids,” he says. “It’s just a natural thing.” That’s the magic of VOA Colorado’s Foster Grandparents Program, a place where…

There’s something about summer camp that stays with you. The crunch of gravel under your shoes. The shock of cold lake water. Campfire songs sung off-key but full of joy. Inside jokes that still make you laugh years later. That’s what Camp POSTCARD is. For three best friends, Tyler, Venus, and Sofia, Camp POSTCARD wasn’t just a summer escape. It was the place where they met, grew up together, and discovered the paths that would shape their futures. Created for 5th and 6th graders across the Denver and Aurora metro area, Camp POSTCARD is a free, week-long escape for kids…

For many years, Wells Fargo has been a steadfast partner in VOA Colorado’s mission to uplift individuals and families across the state. Their commitment goes beyond financial support—it’s about creating pathways to stability, security, and lasting change. Through generous philanthropic support for over 2 decades, Wells Fargo has helped advance VOA Colorado’s housing programs in communities from Durango to Denver and across the front range. Their investment has supported critical services that help individuals and families move from crisis to permanent housing—ensuring that more Coloradans have access to safe, stable, and affordable places to call home. “We believe access to…

For most of his life, Roy never thought of himself as a veteran in the way that seemed to matter. He had served during peacetime—just three and a half years—and because he hadn’t seen combat, he believed that disqualified him from any recognition, any support, any sense of belonging. “I didn’t think anyone would care,” he said. “I was in the service, and that was it.” After moving to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2021, Roy tried to make a new start. But with both physical and mental health struggles mounting, he found himself unable to work, slipping closer and closer…

At VOA Colorado, we know that it takes a community to create lasting change—and partners like Calcon Constructors, Inc. are helping us build brighter futures, literally. Calcon has been a trusted collaborator for more than a decade, standing beside us through three transformative projects: the renovation and expansion of the VOA Youth Center in 2010, the revitalization of the Bill Daniels Veteran Services Center in 2015, and now, The Theodora Family Hotel—our soon-to-open, five-story sanctuary for families experiencing homelessness, including veteran families. For Calcon, this work is deeply personal. Founded by Navy veteran Calhoun Cox, the company has long held…