Greccio Quarterly - Q2/26

2026 QUARTER 2

GRECCIO HOUSING

NEW LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM FOR TEENS

Quarterly

GRECCIO SUMMER PROGRAM PREPS TEENS FOR THE FUTURE PAGE 2

GRECCIO RESIDENT BECOMES FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNER PAGE 3 AFFORDABLE HOUSING • FINANCIAL LITERACY • FOOD SECURITY • CONTINUING EDUCATION • COMMUNITY • LIBRARIES • EVICTION PREVENTION

OPENING THOUGHTS // PROGRAMS MANAGER DOUG YAMAGUCHI It’s hard to believe that half of 2026 has already passed—time has flown by! As we reflect on the last three months, one theme stands out above all others: community.

Community is a local business owner taking time to lead a cooking class for our residents.

It’s another business owner investing in a teenager by teaching the basics of owning and maintaining a vehicle. It’s neighbors of all ages and backgrounds gathering over hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream, building relationships one conversation at a time.

mission with others, you create opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. Because of your support, a single mother and her son were able to move out of their car and into a safe apartment—a place they can finally call home and build relationships with neighbors.

Thank you for the many ways you partner with Greccio. Your generosity, compassion, and commitment make stories like these possible. We hope the organization updates in this newsletter encourage you as much as your support continues to encourage us and those we serve.

Community is also you. Whether you support Greccio through volunteering, making a financial contribution, or sharing our

Sincerely, Doug Yamaguchi, Programs Manager

RESIDENT RESOURCES // SUMMER PROGRAMS

STAFF HIGHLIGHT // 2025-2026 INTERN

GRECCIO LAUNCHES SUMMER LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM FOR TEENS This summer, Greccio Housing launched Level-Up Life Skills, a new educational program designed for teens aged 14–19. The program was created to help young residents prepare for the transition into adulthood through handson workshops led by local professionals and community partners. Each session covered important topics that many young adults might not have the opportunity to learn elsewhere, including budgeting, job readiness, and basic vehicle maintenance.

The series opened with a session on vehicle safety and basic maintenance, taught

by Michael MacMasters of Adam & Son Auto Repair. MacMasters led students through an introduction to basic car care and guided them through hands-on learning opportunities, such as checking oil levels and replacing a damaged tire with a spare.

Level-Up Life Skills reflects Greccio’s commitment to providing residents with opportunities that go beyond housing and prepare them for long-term success. By connecting teens with trusted mentors and empowering them with practical life skills, the program helps them build confidence, make informed decisions, and take the next steps toward independent adulthood.

GRECCIO.ORG /// PAGE 2

When Sam Abrahams arrived at Greccio last September as an intern through the Mennonite Church’s Service Adventure Program, he was eager to experience life outside his small town in Kansas. His strong work ethic and heart for service quickly made him an invaluable member of the Resident Resources and Maintenance teams.

While Sam’s maintenance work built on skills he learned in his family’s mechanic shop, his naturally reserved personality made his time at the Resident Food Pantry an opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and build relationships with residents. “At the beginning of the year, I would kind of just stand there and watch them,” Sam shared. “But now I feel way more comfortable helping them or guiding them.”

Those weekly conversations soon became the highlight of his internship.

As Sam concludes his year with Greccio, he leaves behind a lasting impact on our residents and staff. In return, the experience broadened his perspective, strengthened his leadership and interpersonal skills, and affirmed his plans to pursue a future in business. His advice to future interns reflects the growth he experienced: stay open to new opportunities, build relationships with residents, and trust that the experience will shape you in unexpected and meaningful ways.

RESIDENT HIGHLIGHT // NEW HOMEOWNER

ORGANIZATION NEWS

after, she received an offer for a job that paid what she needed to put nearly half of her paycheck into savings.

On June 22nd, Jamie turned in the keys to her apartment at Clark Mellen, officially marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Jamie was the proud owner of her very first home.

The journey to this incredible milestone was not easy. Just six years prior, Jamie had $10,000 in credit card debt, no savings, and no one to help her forge the path to financial freedom. But when she was accepted to Greccio Housing, she finally had a sense of hope and a plan.

With her lowered rent, she was able to start saving part of her paycheck.

Determined to pay off her credit card, she took on a second job, which allowed her to officially pay off the debt. Soon

After years of hard work and financial discipline, Jamie had paid off her debt, built a strong credit score, and established a healthy savings fund. As a veteran, she was able to purchase a home with $0 down, so when a beautiful house in her favorite neighborhood dropped its asking price within her budget, she was able to put in an offer.

Today, as she admires at her home with its charming white picket fence and yard for her two dogs to play in, Jamie is deeply grateful for both God’s guidance and the affordable housing Greccio provided. Her story is a powerful reminder that affordable housing is more than a place to live; it can be the foundation that gives people the stability, opportunity, and support they need to build a future filled with possibility and hope.

GRECCIO SECURES GRANT FOR MAJOR TECH OVERHAUL For many years, our technological infrastructure has relied on aging and outdated equipment. While we replaced devices as they failed, we had never been able to complete a comprehensive technology upgrade. In May, we applied for the Colorado Springs Health Foundation Capacity Building Grant, requesting $67,100 for critical technology improvements. In June, we were notified that our full request had been approved.

To date, the grant has enabled us to upgrade or replace 22 desktop computers and six laptops across the organization, including a computer capable of supporting modern design and communications work for our marketing needs. These improvements strengthen cybersecurity, streamline daily operations, and equip our team with the reliable technology needed to better serve our residents.

PROPERTY HIGHIGHT // SUNRISE AT SHILOH MESA PROJECT UPDATE

LEASE-UP EVENT

The construction phase of Sunrise at Shiloh Mesa, our new senior living community, was successfully completed one month ahead of schedule. We received our Certificate of Occupancy, allowing us to prepare for possession of the property and resident move-ins in early July.

Sunrise at Shiloh Mesa’s lease-up event was held on June 1st-2nd at Woodmen Valley Chapel’s Woodmen Heights campus, located directly across the parking lot from the Shiloh Mesa building.

The project has gone smoothly from both a schedule and budget perspective. This success allowed us to invest in upgrades for our residents, such as a snowmelt system for sections of sidewalk to keep areas free from ice and snow, vinyl planking throughout all units, quartzite countertops, upgraded landscaping, and the addition of an electric fireplace in the fourth-floor social area.

The event provided a first-come first-served opportunity for qualifying attendees to apply on-site and secure their new home in this highly-desired community. Greccio leasing agents assisted all applicants through each step of the application process.

Attendees were also offered a tour of a staged one-bedroom unit and the first-floor community spaces. The tour provided a tangible experience for hopeful applicants, allowing them to envision their life in the vibrant community.

GRECCIO.ORG /// PAGE 3

GET INVOLVED // VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Labor Day Lift-off VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Greccio Housing is ramping up for our annual Labor Day Lift-off Parking Lot Fundraiser!

From Sat., September 5th to Mon., September 7th, our admin parking lot will open to the community, providing convenient parking for those attending the city’s iconic hot air balloon launch and festivities. All fees collected will support our work in the Pikes Peak region.

LAST YEAR WE RAISED

$11,880

We are seeking volunteers to help guide traffic to our lot and direct parking vehicles as they arrive. Multiple shifts are available throughout the holiday weekend.

EVENT & VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE Saturday & Sunday Morning shift: Setup begins at 5:00 AM and concludes at 8:30 AM Evening shift: Setup resumes at 4:30 PM and concludes at 7:30 PM

Monday Morning shift: Setup begins at 5:00 AM and concludes at 8:30 AM No afternoon launch.

To learn more about the event or to sign up, contact Resident Resources at ResidentResources@greccio.org or (719) 419-5609.

SUPPORT OUR LIFE-CHANGING WORK Your partnership directly impacts the lives of those we serve here at Greccio Housing and helps expand access to safe, stable, and supportive affordable housing in the Pikes Peak region.

GIVE ONLINE Donate today! Your support helps us provide affordable housing opportunities and vital resources throughout the Pikes Peak community.

“TO HAVE A KEY, TO OPEN A DOOR, TO HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE, ESPECIALLY BEING DISABLED... THESE ARE THE SMALL THINGS THAT I DON’T TAKE FOR GRANTED.”

GIVE BY MAIL Make your check payable to Greccio Housing, and mail it to: Greccio Housing, 1015 E Pikes Peak Ave., Ste 110, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. For Enterprise Zone donations, please email amcclure@greccio.org or call 719-475-1422.

Lenetha, Greccio Resident

THANK YOU FOR EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY! GRECCIO.ORG • (719) 475-1422 • INFO@GRECCIO.ORG 1015 E. PIKES PEAK AVE. STE 110, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80903