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 believes in deeply, and she brings that belief to life with every moment she shows up for someone in need.
The rewards are many. One moment that sticks with her is when she helped a woman write her résumé. A few weeks later, she learned that the woman had gotten a job. “That one small thing became a turning point,” Heather recalled. “Sometimes people just need to know someone believes in them.”
The Southwest Safehouse provides more than 5,000 nights of safe shelter annually to over 200 survivors of domestic violence and violent crime. It’s part of VOA Colorado’s nearly four-decade legacy of serving Durango and the surrounding region. In 2024 alone, VOA Colorado’s shelters offered over 11,000 nights of safety, served more than 21,000 meals, and gave 110 children a secure place to sleep.
“These shelters provide more than just a roof over someone’s head; they offer safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild,” said Angel Hurtado, chief programs officer for VOA Colorado.
Heather’s story is a powerful reflection of that community spirit. Her presence reminds us that healing is possible when people care enough to show up with open hands, open hearts, and the willingness to make a difference.
Thank you, Heather, for helping others find their way forward, and for being part of the storm’s calm.
If you’re looking for connection, joy, and the kind of purpose that lights up your heart, the VOA Colorado has many volunteer opportunities. Find out more here.