Stories of Light

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…

During National Volunteer Month, a powerful act of generosity illuminated VOA Colorado’s Veterans Service Center. Thanks to the unwavering spirit of Waste Connections of Colorado and its dedicated team members, a truckload of hope—$7,500 worth of non-perishable food—was delivered to support veterans facing homelessness and food insecurity. For Waste Connections, giving back is more than a moment—it’s a mission. Their front-line employees personally rallied together to double their impact from the previous year, showing what’s possible when a company leads with heart. This act of service embodies the very spirit of National Volunteer Month: lifting others through compassion and collective…

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…