Parker Chronicle 1014

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October 14, 2016 VO LUM E 1 4 | IS S U E 50 | FREE

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County’s homeless have new shelter option Church network will house women and children during cold months

By Jessica Gibbs jgibbs@coloradocommunitymedia.com For Nicole Bell, 32, a kitchen table has real significance. The homeless mother of five has

been living in a Lone Tree hotel for more than two years. For the sake of space and efficient parenting, her two oldest children live with their father in Castle Rock. Today, Bell struggles to remember the last time she could sit her children down at their own kitchen table for dinner. “I’ve been homeless and poor for so long ...,” she said. “I hate it and I’m trying so hard to get out of that.”

A new hope This winter, Bell and families like hers will have a new safety net. As part of the inaugural Winter Weather Shelter program, eight Douglas County churches have committed to act as shelters for Douglas County’s homeless women and children, opening their doors each night of the week from Nov. 1 through March 31. Men will be provided assistance such as hotel vouchers, but churches are un-

able to house men, women and children together for purposes of safety and privacy, program officials said. Nicole DeVries, an outreach director with Southeast Christian Church in Parker, said program organizers identified single women and their children as some of the greatest in need, based on the percentage they make up of Douglas County’s homeless population.

Homeless continues on Page 19

‘People’s moods this year are very different’ Unpopular candidates and a polarized electorate typify 2016 presidential race By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Former astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao takes questions from his audience at Pine Lane Elementary on Oct. 3. Chiao showed the students photos he took of Earth from the International Space Station as well as sharing inspiring messages on overcoming bullying and following dreams. Photos by Tom Skelley

Bringing outer space to the auditorium Dr. Leroy Chiao shares message of passion and courage with students By Tom Skelley tskelley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Dr. Leroy Chiao talks to students at Pine Lane Elementary on Oct. 3. Chiao told students to find their passion and have the courage to pursue it.

Students at Pine Lane Elementary enjoyed a presentation by a stellar speaker on Oct.3, capped off with a unique slideshow and an inspiring message. Dr. Leroy Chiao, a NASA veteran of four missions that included six spacewalks and a total of 229 days in orbit, spoke to Pine Lane’s kindergartners, elementary students and staff, sharing a theme of perseverance, passion and peace.

“I was 8 when my dream started, so it’s always energizing to be around young people,” Chiao said. Chiao covered subjects familiar to the children — getting enough sleep and eating nutritious food — but he went on to cover other, more personal topics. His parents immigrated to the United States from China and decided to raise Chiao in Milwaukee, a more diverse community than the ones immigrants often chose. Though he was glad his parents picked Milwaukee, growing up in the area in the 1960s wasn’t always easy. “I was the only kid who looked different, I was the only person who was small,” Chiao said.

Dorothy Dhooge, 82, has watched a lot of election cycles come and go, but this year’s presidential race may be the most divisive she’s seen. Dhooge, an Arapahoe County resident, said the tension has caused her to avoid talking politics with some of her own family members. “We steer clear of it,” she said, adding that she thinks the divisions run beyond just her own family. “I think it’s split people in the country.” Election continues on Page 8

COMING NEXT WEEK: ELECTION GUIDE Don’t miss Colorado Community Media’s guide to the 2016 local and state elections in next week’s edition.

READY, SET, GO Kids’ running programs get children excited about physical fitness on PAGE 12

Astronaut continues on Page 5

FEELING SPOTTED OR BLOTCHY?

BOGO laser treatments 303-945-2080 Laura Carlsen, RN

Go to page 5 for more information from Laura Carlsen, RN


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