Stories of Light

In Southwest Colorado, where help can feel far away and options are limited, VOA Colorado’s Southwest Safehouse and Durango Community Shelter provide more than just emergency shelter—they offer the chance to start again. Every night of the year, these two programs stand as beacons of safety and support. The Southwest Safehouse offers more than 5,000 nights of shelter annually to survivors of domestic violence and violent crime, many of whom arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. Just down the road, the Durango Community Shelter, the region’s only 24/7/365 shelter, provides over 9,000 nights of refuge each…

At VOA Colorado, Haircuts for Vets isn’t just a one-time event—it’s part of an ongoing promise to stand beside the men and women who once stood for us. Through this continuing program, VOA Colorado and its community partners provide more than just the basics. Homeless veterans in Denver receive hot meals, clothing, personal hygiene products, new shoes, and the simple, confidence-boosting gift of a fresh haircut. These small yet powerful acts of care restore dignity and hope—and remind each veteran that they are not forgotten. “Helping our veterans’ community is a top priority for VOA Colorado,” said Faustine Curry, vice…

By Keith Scholes, Handyperson Program Associate Manager On Tuesday, February 25, the Northern Colorado Services Handyperson Program built a wheelchair ramp for an older adult couple in Fort Collins. Joe and Consuelo live in an older home, which did not have steps at the rear entrance. In fact, there was the door threshold and then 32 inches of nothing but air. The Handyperson Program constructed a large landing and a 32 ft. ramp. For the first time, this couple had a safe egress from their house. Consuelo is suffering from a degenerative neurological condition that affects her balance, stability, and…

On April 16, VOA Colorado, in proud partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor, hosted a dynamic regional job fair that welcomed job seekers and employers from both Colorado and Wyoming. The event was buzzing with energy as dozens of attendees connected with companies ready to hire — and many walked away with interviews on the spot. This cross-state collaboration provided a platform for career conversations, opened up new employment pathways, and showed the true power of partnership. The fair not only helped job seekers take meaningful next steps but also demonstrated VOA Colorado’s ongoing commitment to workforce development across…

“I thought retirement meant slowing down, but RSVP showed me it’s really just the beginning of something meaningful.” —RSVP Volunteer After decades of hard work and raising a family, Mike found himself with something he never really had before—time. But as the quiet days settled in, so did a question: Now what? That’s when Mike discovered VOA Colorado’s AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program—a network created for people 55 and older who still have the passion, skills, and heart to make a difference. Through RSVP, Mike connected with opportunities that matched his experience and gave him the chance to do what he…

Michelle Gruber, vice president at First American State Bank in Greenwood Village and founder of The Village Toy Drive, as one of our amazing volunteers and true hero to many.  For ten years, Michelle’s tireless and selfless efforts have been the motivating force behind the Village Toy Drive, a gift-giving campaign that brings joy and happiness to hundreds of children throughout the state and raises money for Volunteers of America of Colorado. Last year, Michelle and her team gathered thousands of toys and produced over 2,000 (or approximately $50,000) presents for Colorado children who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity….

AvalonBay is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that owns and manages distinctive apartment homes in some of the most vibrant U.S. markets, including Colorado. We’ve established a leadership position rooted in our purpose of creating a better way to live, which includes a commitment to making a difference in the neighborhoods where we live and work. Since 2020, AvalonBay has partnered with VOA Colorado to make a difference for underserved communities in the Denver metro. What sets VOA apart is the people they help – from veterans, to seniors, to persons with disabilities, to families – VOA has more…

At Volunteers of America Colorado, we believe that every child deserves a strong start. Through our Early Childhood Education Programs (ECEP), including Head Start and Early Head Start, we provide free, high-quality, dual-language early education to pregnant mothers, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers — all while supporting the whole family with vital services like health, nutrition, mental health, and disabilities support. But beyond the services and the stats, there are stories. Stories like Mateo’s. Mateo was just three years old when his family enrolled him in VOA Colorado’s Head Start program. His parents had recently moved to the area, hoping to…

The Southeast Community Hub is part of the Family and Community Department (FACE) at Denver Public School. Community Hubs address a holistic approach to student learning through programs and services that support the social, emotional, physical, academic and basic needs of families.  As part of the basic needs assistance, all of the hubs offer food assistance through a Mini Market. At the Southeast Hub, the Mini Market strives to serve 25 to 30 families every week. The Hub relies on multiple food partnerships for the market to accommodate the increased number of families needing access to food.  The Southeast Hub…

After I graduated from East High School in Denver, back in the early ‘90s, I didn’t know what I wanted to do next in my life. Like a lot of kids at that age, I felt lost and confused. College wasn’t on my radar, so I decided to join the military. It was a good decision at the time and one that taught me many things and provided me with many life-changing experiences. I traveled, I lived in different states, I met amazing people, and I learned a ton.  I got out of the service after several years and came…