On any given day, there are 5,755 people experiencing homelessness in the Denver metro area, according to the 2019 Point In Time survey. Metro Denver Homeless Initiative conducts the survey on one night in January every year as part of a national effort to collect a comprehensive count of those experiencing homelessness and measure our national and regional progress in addressing homelessness.
“I’m afraid for myself, I’m afraid for my son. We need a safe place to heal.
“My 8-year old son, Ethan, and I broke ties with my husband due to his violence. We found an apartment and were living on our own, until one night when my husband broke in.
“He destroyed our apartment and physically threw me around. It was all such a blur – I couldn’t call for help. Fortunately, the neighbors heard and called the police. They found me on the floor and my husband was gone. Worst of all, Ethan saw the whole thing.
Rynn Bell, Family Tree SafeCare® Parent Support Provider, recently authored a blog post on Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s website, titled, ‘Candidates, Listen to Families: Three Recommendations From a Parent.’
POSITION: Group Supervised Parenting Time Facilitator
DIVISION/PROGRAM: Parenting Time Program
In 2013, I relocated to Colorado and did some hard thinking about what I wanted to do next, career-wise. I have always been a heavy thrift shopper and have a strong background in customer service, so it made sense to find work at a thrift store. I found the Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store Manager position online, and a friend of mine, a former Family Tree employee, heavily endorsed the job. It was ideal: A small, community-based thrift store with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers.
POSITION: Overnight Family Navigator
DIVISION/PROGRAM: Housing and Family Stabilization - GOALS Program
QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor or in Human Services related field from an accredited college or University or related experience. Previous employment or internship with multiple problem homeless families and individuals desirable. Knowledge of homelessness, mental illness and the dynamics of domestic violence and community resources preferred. Valid drivers license, auto insurance and acceptable DMV report are required.
Lisa’s family motto is: “We don’t know easy.” Originally from California, Lisa married Chris, and they are proud parents of two children, ages 3 and 5.
When Chris’s military unit closed, the family had to relocate. Chris reenlisted with the reserves and they moved to Colorado. They couldn’t sell their house since the population of the base shrunk so significantly and ended up buying a second home in Colorado, leaving them with two mortgages. Despite her comfort with change, Lisa didn’t expect that, once in Colorado, they would need Family Tree.
You can make a difference with Family Tree's Holidays of Hope! We have a variety of ways for individuals and groups to be involved and ensure our clients have a bright holiday season. Please use the following link to sign up for a donation delivery time.
This letter was written by a mother that recently completed Family Tree SafeCare®. Family Tree SafeCare® is a flexible, free in-home visiting program for families with at least one child in the home, five years of age or younger. See more information and to sign up here.
We can't wait to share periodic updates from Family Tree.
