July 2015 Nonprofit News

Nonprofit News Your Community Connection

July 2015 • gazette.com/nonprofit Seniors

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CASA volunteer:

‘I am for the child’

BY TRACY SELLARS

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region

Local families participate in a Kids on Bikes PopCycle Ride on the Santa Fe Trail. Riders meet up at 1 p.m. every Sunday in America the Beautiful Park for the six-mile ride. Photo courtesy of Kids on Bikes

Kids on Bikes celebrates decade of supporting pedaling youth

BY NIKKI MCCOMSEY Kids on Bikes

Kids on Bikes is celebrating 10 years of building healthy, happy and active kids, families and communities.

Join Kids on Bikes for a

free family PopCycle Ride at 1 p.m. every Sunday at America the Beautiful Park through the summer. The six-mile ride creates a fun space for kids to connect through their bicycles.

Riders travel north on the Santa Fe Trail with plenty of stops along the way. After about three miles, the group stops at the PopCycle Bridge near

Jesse Murillo is a busy professional with a fulltime job in the education, and because he is passionate about the well-being of children, he makes time to volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Pikes Peak Region.

CASA trains and supports citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom and community. Volunteer advocates like Jesse are empowered by the courts to offer judges the critical information they need to ensure that each child’s rights and needs are being attended to while in they are in the foster care system.

In addition to being a great Court Appointed Special Advocate himself, Jesse has volunteered to take on an additional level of leadership as a Peer Coordinator (PC). As a PC, Jesse provides mentorship, coaching, and support to new volunteers as they come out of training. PCs have been specially trained to support other CASA volunteers throughout their cases.

In his role as PC, Jesse supports seven volunteers and continues to carry his own CASA case. In total, Jesse and his group of advocates – CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 –

– CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 –

Collaborative seeks to improve community health in southeast Springs

BY DANIELLE OLLER

El Paso County Public Health

A new collaborative project in Colorado Springs recently became one of 18 in the nation to receive a grant for a ground-

breaking project that aims to improve health in low-income communities.

The initiative, Project ACCESS, was chosen for its approach to

addressing the social and environmental factors that have the greatest impact on health.

“Health is more than going to – CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 –

Sign up for the weekly nonprofit newsletter:

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Cardiac surgeon treats the hearts of the Springs

BY CORTNEY QUINTERO PHOTO BY GREG O’LOUGHLIN

When hearts need healing, nationally recognized Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. John Mehall from Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Associates, is there to fix them.

With his extensive experience in minimally invasive

Dr. John Mehall of CTSA is proud to help hundreds of patients each year throughout the Pikes Peak Region.

Minimally invasive surgery offers a faster recovery due to more precise movement resulting in less bleeding and trauma which significantly speeds up the recovery process and allows patients to return to their normal life.

cardiac surgery, Dr. Mehall has been at the forefront of the

In addition to Dr. Mehall’s surgical practices, he and his

technologies and procedures associated with this type of

family are active supporters of local organizations and

surgery for nearly two decades.

non-profits in the community, to include:

Dr. Mehall (Top Doc, 2011 - 2014) has been published and recognized in a variety of journals and venues. He regularly conducts training for surgeons in mitral valve repair and has trained more than 200 surgeons across the nation; all using programs designed and developed by Dr. Mehall.

   

Boy Scouts of America The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation Catholic Charities The Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center

Dr. Mehall’s passion for helping the community both medically and philanthropically has also led to the development of a free monthly community lecture series

By significantly reducing the amount of trauma and recovery time that is traditionally involved with open-heart surgery, we have seen patients out golfing just two weeks after their procedure.

- Dr. John Mehall

offering Colorado Springs residents the opportunity to learn more about taking care of their heart and lungs. HEALTHY

Complimentary lunch and gift bags to the first 50 RSVPs during these 1-hour educational lectures.

Fri 7/24 Fri 8/21 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Penrose Hospital 2222 North Nevada Avenue, Suite 5011 800.204.9896 ctsurgery.com Facebook.com/ctsurgeryassociates

Fri 9/18 Fri 10/16 Fri 11/13

Pump It

Taking Care of Your Beating Heart

Love is an Open Door

3 Things You Must Know About Mitral Valve Disease

Oh, Rhythm of My Heart

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options

Loving Your Heart

What You Didn’t Know About Aortic Valve Disease

Breathing Made Easy

Lung Disease and Making Your Lungs Work for You

For times & locations or to RSVP email or call us: RSVP@ctsurgery.com or 800.204.9896

2 JULY 2015 NONPROFIT NEWS

Nonprofit News

Your Community Connection JULY 15, 2015

Published by The Gazette 30 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80903

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Dan Steever dan.steever@gazette.com GENERAL MANAGER Brad Howard brad.howard@gazette.com LOCAL SALES MANAGER Erik Carlson erik.carlson@gazette.com EDITOR, NONPROFIT NEWS Hannah Blick hannah.blick@gazette.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Gina Pietramale TO ADVERTISE: 719-636-0130

Welcome to the inaugural issue

Colorado Springs is a beautiful place to live, work and play — thanks in large part to the tireless nonprofit organizations that cast their nets of service locally, nationally and around the world from our humble spot along the Front Range.

From animal rescues to veteran assistance groups to women’s health advocates and family housing programs, your efforts touch almost every corner of our community, bringing relief to tired bodies and hope to broken hearts. Thank you.

We believe stories are powerful: they can change minds, hearts, and even legislation. Follow along with us as we seek to give a voice to the nonprofit community in the Springs and across southern Colorado.

We invite readers to participate: to ask for help when needed, to volunteer, to donate, to show up and offer what you can and receive well.

Colorado Springs is a beautiful place to live, work, play — our vision is to see this grow into a reality for each child, family, animal and patch of land in our communities.

– Your Nonprofit News team

“ Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.”

– Rollo May

“ We are so pleased to be included in the new Nonprofit News and to welcome the publication to our community of media resources. How wonderful to have a publication that supports our nonprofit efforts.”

– Madeleine Mellini, Colorado Springs Conservatory

Want more Nonprofit News?

To submit content for consideration or request to be a publication drop spot: nonprofitnews@gazette.com Visit w w w.gazette.com/newsletters to sign up for the weekly nonprofit newsletter and stay up-to-date on volunteer opportunities and events.

Visit www.gazette.com/nonprofit for stories and photos from local organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, Palmer Land Trust, Springs Recovery Connection, UCCS Aging Center and more.

@CSNonprofitNews /CSNonprofitNews

Visit www.gazette.com/nonprofit for the answer key.

NONPROFIT NEWS JULY 2015 3

CASA:

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

are serving 15 children. Jesse says he jumped at the chance to become a PC. “In this position, I felt I would be able to serve more children at one time as well as supporting an organization I believe in,” Jesse said. “I wanted to share my experiences, skills and love of what I do, with others who were pursuing the same passion to help the children that deserve a voice and someone to stand by them in the court system. I have a great group of Advocates I work with; each and every one of them has my respect and gratitude.”

The PC model does not alter the

KIDS ON BIKES:

pairing of each child with a volunteer advocate, or the goal of ensuring abused and neglected children are placed in safe and permanent homes, or the quality of service. It does allow CASA to serve more children without having to exponentially increase paid staff or budget.

Jesse is one of 24 Peer Coordinators who have stepped into leadership roles. Visit www.casappr.org to learn more about how this capacity-building volunteer leadership model will double CASA’s volunteer base, enabling us to serve every child, every day, every year, by the year 2020.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Fontanero Street, which K ids on Bikes has adopted for its 10 Year Anniversar y Celebration.

Many parents have questions about when and where to let their children ride alone or even in groups. Kids on Bikes offers programs to engage the whole family in bike riding so that freedom, responsibility and confidence can be developed in children. Kids on Bikes sets goals designed to increase the number of children riding bikes, provide access to ride able bikes, educate kids in bike safety, encourage riding that explores neighborhoods, parks and trails, and engage the family in recreating together.

The Kids on Bikes team also offers fun and safety-focused bike camps where kids can practice their biking skills on a variety of terrain, explore the local trail system and develop a love for bicycling at a young age. Riders of all abilities are encouraged to register for

bike camp at www.kidsonbikes.net.

Skilled coaches will give your child individual attention and create a fun and encouraging atmosphere to ensure your rider gets the most from the experience.

The freedom and friendship that come from exploring by bike is one many cherish. Kids on Bikes want to make that possible for kids from all walks of life. For this reason, all proceeds from camp and other fundraising efforts go to the earn-a-bike program — benefiting more than 90 kids annually — and to three Bicycle Libraries at local community centers. In addition, Kids on Bikes offers full scholarships to bike camp for kids via the earn-a-bike program and partial scholarships to kids who cannot afford camp otherwise. Registering your child for bike camp, making a contribution, and spreading the word, makes bicycling possible for children in every Colorado Springs neighborhood.

Members of the Project ACCESS collaborative were honored at the BUILD Health Challenge Award Ceremony on June 9 in Washington, DC. Pictured left to right: Elisabeth Almond, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services; Susan Wheelan, El Paso County Public Health; Mina Liebert, LiveWell Colorado Springs; Aubrey Day, LiveWell Colorado Springs; Mia Ramirez, Kaiser Permanente Colorado; Amy Latham, The Colorado Health Foundation. Photo courtesy of LiveWell Colorado Springs

El Paso County Public Health:

the doctor,” said Mina Liebert, director of LiveWell Colorado Springs.

“Your health is affected by many factors, such as the community in which you live, local employment opportunities, social support, and access to safe parks and healthy foods.”

Project ACCESS (Assessment and Community Collaboration to Engage and Strengthen Southeast Colorado Springs) will engage residents and leaders of southeast Colorado Springs, an area struggling with poverty levels, high unemployment, and violence.

“This community experiences significant disparities in access to services, care, and safe environments; there are no primary care providers and very few organizations serving the community’s needs,” said Susan Wheelan, deputy director of El Paso County Public Health. “As a result, the residents in this area suffer from high rates of chronic illness, pain, substance abuse, obesity, and mental illness.”

This planning grant of $75,000 will support efforts to assess health data and research and engage the community in identifying solutions aimed at improving health.

The collaboration involves YMCA

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

of Pikes Peak Region, LiveWell Colorado Springs, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, El Paso County Public Health, Colorado Community Center Collaborative, Penrose-St. Francis Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, Community Health Partnership, Peak Vista Community Health Centers, and Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

Project ACCESS partners were honored at the BUILD Health Challenge Award Ceremony on June 9 in Washington, DC by Karen DeSalvo, MD, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the five funding organizations: the Advisory Board Company, the Kresge Foundation, the Colorado Health Foundation, the de Beaumont Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The BUILD (Bold, Upstream, Integrated, Local, Data Driven) Health Challenge is designed to encourage communities to build meaningful partnerships among hospitals and health systems, community-based organizations, their local health department, and other organizations to improve the overall health of local residents.

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New Family Day Center to provide services for local homeless families

A local woman helps her daughter try on a dress at the Marian House Life Support Center. The new Family Day Center will also provide services like needed clothing for families experiencing poverty, who are homeless, or on the verge of homelessness. Photo by Barbara Gargus

BY ROCHELLE SCHLORTT

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado

The Family Day Center (FDC), a collaboration of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado and Family Promise of Colorado Springs, will provide services for families experiencing poverty, who are homeless, or on the verge of homelessness. The center, targeted to open late summer at the Hanifen Center at Marian House, 14 W. Bijou Street, will provide services for families from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mondays – Fridays.

Families who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness are faced with unique and serious challenges in our community. They have sought shelter in our public libraries, from friends, family, and neighbors, their cars, and from the limited options for low income housing and homeless shelters. Human service agencies have offered assistance in the form of food, clothing,

and other services, but the options for homeless families in immediate crisis have been limited.

The FDC will provide a space for families to spend time together in a safe environment, provide scheduled family activities, early literacy support and reading circles, opportunities for family relaxation, and adult education and resources that can strengthen the family structure and provide tools needed to begin the journey towards greater stability. Partner agencies will be involved to provide easy access for families to receive services in one location.

Some families will receive basic services such as baby food, diapers and children’s clothing through Marian House Life Support Services. Others will utilize more in-depth case management sessions, along with partner agency referrals and support for services such as low income and affordable housing options.

The FDC will also refer families to the Family Promise IHN network.

The FDC will be highly dependent upon volunteers who will be trained to help with “child watch,” both indoors and outdoors in the soon to be developed Marian House playground, with Computer Lab instruction/help, and as greeters. Interested volunteers should call Erin McNab at 719-329-1244.

NONPROFIT NEWS JULY 2015 5

Young Springs musicians thrive under caring Conservatory instruction

BY MADELEINE MELLINI

Colorado Springs Conservatory

There is room for all local youth at the Colorado Springs Conservatory — regardless of experience, ability or socio-economic status.

The Conservatory offers instruction and performance opportunities for students ages 3 –19 in instrumental music, vocals, theater, dance/ movement and its singular Recording Arts Program.

With founding CEO Linda Weise at the helm, the Colorado Springs Conservatory performs at over 300 community outreach events each year, most of which are for the nonprofit sector.

Since 1994, the Conservatory has served thousands of students in the Pikes Peak region of all socio-economic and skill levels through after-school and summer programs, and more recently, a daytime Partner Program with Harrison School District 2 and CPCD Head Start. The Conservatory is internationally recognized as a Royal Conservatory Founding School for excellence in pedagogy and as an Arts

Schools Network Exemplary School for strategic evaluation, operations and programs.

The Conservatory’s proud family of programs includes A Positive Note for young adults with disabilities and Amateur Pianists International, with its international competition coming to Colorado Springs March 15 –19, 2016. The Conservatory will be the beneficiary of the 25th Annual Wine Festival of Colorado Springs in March 2016.

With a permanent home in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, students enjoy 18,000 square feet of dedicated performing arts space, more than 30 pianos and a Yamaha piano lab, student lounges, a retail store featuring logoed items, recording arts and dance studios. Forty distinguished mentors and guest artists not only prepare students seeking higher education and careers in the arts, but also contribute to the development of creative, focused leaders who strive for excellence in all fields of endeavor.

Members of the Colorado Springs Conservatory provided musical entertainment during the Western Street Breakfast downtown on June 17. Photo courtesy of Colorado Springs Conservatory

The success of the Conservatory is in large measure due to its outstanding board of directors, leadership team, and the support of its 16th Note Society and donors.

Celebrate Western Style with The Resource Exchange

WATCH

Visit www.gazette.com/nonprofit to watch a video and learn more about how the Colorado Springs Conservatory serves local youth.

Saturday, September 26 5:30 to 10:00 pm ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy 101 ProRodeo Drive

q

Join us for an evening of entertainment, dinner, music, spirits, dancing and bidding on great prizes!

Tickets $85 per person Corporate table of ten $850 September 26, 2015 Prorodeo hall of fame

Proceeds will help build independence for thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community.

For tickets or more information, visit

PREMIER sponsor

Member FDIC

SPONSORS Amazing Care Home Health Services American Overhead Door The Arc Current ENT Federal Credit Union Community Fund Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS

6 JULY 2015 NONPROFIT NEWS

www.tre.org or contact Beth Byer (719) 785-6459 or bbyer@tre.org Sponsorships at all levels still available

Black Forest AARP shreds docs to fight fraud, combat hunger

BY STANLEY BECKNER

AARP Chapter 1100 Black Forest

Shredding event volunteers pose with the Mobile Record Shredder truck operators after a day of community service in Black Forest. Photo courtesy of AARP Chapter 1100 Black Forest

Volunteer Opportunity: ‘To Serve, Not to Be Served’ Interested in community service?

Visit www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.weebly.com or call Chuck at 719-749-9227 to learn how you can visit or become a chapter member. There are no age restrictions — all are welcome.

About 9,500 pounds of obsolete or unneeded personal documents were professionally and safely shredded during a free, threehour shredding event on June 13 in Black Forest. All shredded paper will be recycled, along with 900 pounds of cardboard containers that held the documents.

The event took place at the Black Forest Lutheran Church and was hosted by the AARP Chapter 1100 Black Forest. Four hundred and nineteen people from more than 30 ZIP codes took advantage of the chance to safely shred personal documents. Individuals also donated 867 pounds of non-perishable food and $696 in cash to Black Forest Cares, a Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado agency.

AARP Foundation ElderWatch Colorado — a program that fights financial exploitation of Colorado seniors through education and outreach — provided T-shirts for event volunteers. The shirts read “Fight

Fraud — Shred Instead” and listed best practices for protecting from identity theft: Shred, Shred, Shred; Check Your Credit Report; and Keep Your Social Security Account Number Private.

The Black Forest AARP Chapter extends a sincere thanks to all who participated in the shred event.

Special recognition goes to ElderWatch Colorado and Mobile Record Shredders for providing shredding trucks and professional operators.

Thanks also to Wal-Mart, COSTCO and Firehouse on the Run BBQ in Black Forest for their assistance in making the shredding event a success. Additional gratitude is extended to the Black Forest Lutheran Church for the use of their facilities, Black Forest Fire and Rescue for providing traffic safety cones, and especially to Ray Rozak, the Project Leader, and the 41 Black Forest AARP Chapter members and volunteers who donated many hours to plan and make this event a community success.

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Nonprofit Events To submit an event for the Nonprofit News calendar, please send details and contact information to nonprofitnews@gazette.com.

JULY 17

All Breed Rescue & Training Charity Dog Wash Noon – 4 p.m. at Wag ’N’ Wash, 5830 Stetson Hills Blvd. $20 donation for a wash and the owners get to stay clean and dry while we do the messy work for them. All proceeds go to the care of local dogs. More info: www.haveanicedog.org

JULY 18

50 Years of Blessings Jubilee Celebration 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Ln. Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery request the honor of your presence in celebrating “50 Years of Blessings.” Enjoy food, drinks and visiting with the Sisters.

RSVP by contacting Carin at 719-355-1636 or cwillis@benethillmonastery.org. More info: www.benethillmonastery.org

Kitten Adoption Fair Happy Cats Haven 1412 S. 21st St. 719-635-5000 Noon – 4 p.m.

Half off specials in store plus summertime refreshments. More info: www.happycatshaven.org.

JULY 22

Black Forest AARP Chapter Senior Social 1 – 4 p.m. at Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road All community seniors are welcome. More info: www.aarpchapter1100blackforest. weebly.com

JULY 24

Cheyenne Village 6th Annual Shrimp Boil 6:30 p.m. at Country Club of Colorado, 125 Clubhouse Drive Join poolside for a Low Country-style Shrimp Boil.

After dinner and the paddle raise, gather around the fire pit and make your own s’mores! Proceeds to benefit Cheyenne Village. Reservations are required by July 17.

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JULY 26

Fiddles, Vittles and Vino XI 2 – 8:30 p.m. at Rock Ledge Ranch, 3105 Gateway Road Featuring bands Hot Club of Cowtown, Songs of the Fall, Caribou Mountain Collective, and The Stanleytones; restaurants Adams Mountain Cafe, Mackenzie's Chop House, Margarita at Pine Creek; and local wine and beer. Proceeds benefit living history programs and Rock Ledge Historic Site. More info: www.fiddlesvittlesandvino.com.

CPCD Head Start Hops on the Bus 5 – 7 p.m., meet at CPCD, 2330 Robinson St. A free brewery bus tour visiting three local hot spots, including tastings and appetizers at all stops. RSVP at 719-884-2906 or csanderson@cpcd.org. More info: www.cpcdheadstart.org

JULY 29

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region Volunteer Informational Hour 5:30 p.m. at CASA,

701 S. Cascade Ave. Learn how you can make a profound difference in the life of an abused or neglected child. More info: 719-4479898, www.casappr.org

AUGUST 1 & 2

American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Manitou Springs 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. at Manitou Springs Senior High, 401 El Monte Pl., Manitou Springs More info: www.relayforlife. org/manitouspringsco

American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Tri-Lakes 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. at Lewis Palmer High, 1300 Higby Rd., Monument www.relayforlife.org/trilakesco The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is the world's largest and most impactful fundraising event to end cancer. It unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all.

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Monastery to host Jubilee Celebration in Black Forest

BY CINDY COSTANZA Benet Hill Monastery

What do an Ethiopian stewardess from California, a Monument mom of three teens, a Colorado Springs aerospace engineer, a Catholic from England, and a local Baptist minister have in common? Each has participated in programs or retreats offered at Benet Hill Monastery in Black Forest, which is kicking of a year-long celebration of 50 years of service this summer.

Established as an independent monastery of Benedictine Sisters in Colorado Springs in 1965, the community of Sisters will open its home on July 18 for a “50 Years of Blessings” Jubilee Celebration. Guests can enjoy food and conversations with Sisters of all ages and backgrounds, as they honor the rich, Benedictine history and bright future. Visit www.benethillmonastery.org/50th-jubilee for fu-

ture Jubilee event information.

The Benedictine Sisters welcome people from all religious traditions and spiritual backgrounds to participate in programs offered at their spirituality center: The Contemplative Vision Program supports a variety of classes, workshops, and day retreats on prayer and the stories of individuals who have influenced history through their spirituality. First Saturday Prayer Days are free and open to all.

“Walking with Benedict through Scripture” is a method of studying biblical wisdom through Benedictine charisms, such as hospitality and humility. These 12-week courses are offered both on-site and online and challenge participants to make scripture central to their lives.

The Benedictine Spiritual Formation Program is a two-year program

The Benedictine Sisters at Benet Hill Monastery will host a Jubilee Celebration for all on July 18.

Photo courtesy of Benet Hill Monastery

50 Years of Blessings Jubilee Celebration

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. July 18 at Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Ln. Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery request the honor of your presence in celebrating “50 Years of Blessings.” Enjoy food, drinks and visiting with the Sisters. RSVP by contacting Carin at 719-355-1636 or cwillis@benethillmonastery.org.

of classes that encourage prayerful self-reflection and teach skills needed for formal certification in spiritual direction. This program is offered online or on-site in Colorado Springs, Denver and Grand Junction.

A Chamber concert series and a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Institute offer opportunities to participate in the arts

at Benet Hill.

Retreats can be scheduled for one or more days. Participants can share meals and pray with the Sisters if they wish. Spiritual direction and massage can be included upon request. Benet Gifts, a small gift and book shop onsite, and Sisters’ Thrift & Boutique, 8674 N. Union Blvd., support the Spirituality Center programs.

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Falcon Scouts collect more than 6 tons of food Courtesy of High Plains Helping Hands

Boy Scout Troop 149 of Falcon collected 13,278 pounds of food during the Scouting for Food Drive 2015 in April. Cub Scout Packs 149, 159 and 231 also helped collect food during the drive to donate to the High Plains Helping Hands food pantry (HPHH), a Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado agency that serves families in Falcon and the High Plains areas.

More than 100 volunteers, including scouts, siblings, parents, and friends put in 993 hours during the drive. The teams prepared and distributed bags with flyers that were set out at homes all over the Falcon area asking the community to participate in the drive. On April 18, the Scouts collected the food and brought it to High Plains Helping Hands, where they helped sort the items.

Rose Mizer, executive director at HPHH, said the food is the largest

single-day donation the pantry receives during the year and comes at a time when food is desperately needed. The drive carries the pantry through the late spring and summer seasons. Mizer expressed appreciation to the Falcon community for its support and to the Scouts and volunteers who assisted with the drive.

“The Falcon area is starting to realize that this is just something they get to be a part of every April and they seem to give more and more,” said Randy Blevins, who has organized the drive each year.

The annual drive is the capstone community project of the Pikes Peak Boy Scout Council and has become an anticipated event in the Falcon community. Troop 149 has consistently brought in the most food during the drive, helping those in need in their community. For the past five years, troopers have broken their previous year’s collection record.

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Scouts sort through 13,278 pounds of food during the Scouting for Food Drive 2015. Photo courtesy of High Plains Helping Hands

Shelter rehabs, rehomes hundreds of cats annually

BY SARA FERGUSON Happy Cats Haven

Happy Cats Haven (HCH) is a nonprofit rescue and adoption center for homeless cats and kittens in the Pikes Peak region, working hard to match them to their perfect homes.

Since 2011, HCH has rescued more than 900 cats and kittens, including 372 last year. Placing a cat a day means HCH can take in more of the 60-80 cats it receives monthly than it turns away. Every cat adopted saves two: the one that goes home and the scared, homeless cat waiting to be rescued on the other side of HCH’s door.

Cats are the world's most popular pets. At the same time, many people see them as disposable, ready to give up at the first sign of unwanted behavior or circumstance.

At Happy Cats Haven, staff and volunteers treat cats with compassion and respect. Often, their true personalities don't show for several days, if not weeks. Using

Presents

methods like clicker play and play therapy not only to help rebuild the feline-human bond but also give HCH adopters and our community the tools they need to solve problems.

Senior Shilo came to HCH because her family had children and the cats had been relegated to the basement. She was fearful at first, lashing out and screaming in what staff fondly came to call The Voice.

With time and gentle, consistent handling, Shilo learned to trust people again. It took over a year, but finally the right adopter came along, willing to give her a chance.

At first, she acted like she needed permission to even come upstairs to eat. As she realized she was finally home, her loving side blossomed.

She now plays and suns and purrs for her new guardian all the time.

The HCH team doesn’t stop at adoption, offering ongoing support with monthly classes, online reference and advice. Long after

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adopters leave, Happy Cats Haven is here for them and their next best feline friend.

If a problem can be solved, a cat can be saved. Cat behavior can be modified with positive training methods, which means not every cat needs to be surrendered. The more cats we can keep in their homes with education and mentoring, the more cats we can prevent from going homeless.

HCH donors and volunteers give cats and adopters the precious gift of time: • to recover from the trauma of losing everything • to show their true personalities once they’re unafraid • to relax in a home-like haven and make the best possible match A cat can be a 15 – 20 year commitment. The HCH team works hard to find lifetime families for all its homeless cats and kittens, as well as provide the support needed to keep them there.

ENJOY THE SUMMER FUN @ THE MILLIBO!

Ice Cream Theatre!

Jim Jackson

BIG BUBBLE CIRCUS

SEA LION SPLASH

CARNIVAL

DEMOLITION DERBY

JULY 5 (4th of July Sunday) JULY 18 & JULY 19 AUG. 1 & AUG. 2

Fun Family S

LIVE MUSIC

hows...

Ic e C re a m Fo llo we d by ig Te n t!

B e h Under T

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Easy 30 min. drive from Colorado Springs on Hwy 24

A Happy Cats Haven volunteer plays with a kitten at the shelter. Photo courtesy of Happy Cats Haven

Birgitta De Pree

SUITCASE FAIRYTALES JULY 11 & JULY 12

7pm Sat. & Sun. Evenings TICKETS $12 4-PACK $40

WWW.THEMAT.ORG (719)465-6321

1626 SO. TEJON ST. COLORADO SPRINGS

NONPROFIT NEWS JULY 2015 11

Head Start program preps area 4-year-olds for success in school Story courtesy of CPCD

In her short four years of life, Olivia has been through more than most kids: she was removed from her birth home due to abuse and neglect; moved in and out of three foster homes; and finally arrived at the Martins’ home, where she was officially adopted last winter.

Though she is now in a loving, permanent home, the trauma Olivia has experienced since birth still affects her daily. Seeking developmental and emotional help for Olivia and support for their whole family, the Martins found CPCD. CPCD provides comprehensive early childhood services to children and their families in El Paso County, focusing on children living in poverty and children with special needs and severe behavioral struggles. Olivia is one of more than 2,000 children who were given a head start thanks to CPCD teachers, family advocates, speech and occupational therapists, behavioral health specialists, bus drivers and nurses.

But for every Olivia, there are four other children in El Paso County who don’t receive services due to funding gaps. “I’ve seen a lot of children in overwhelming circumstances walk through our doors — situations that most of us can’t imagine,” said Noreen Landis-Tyson, CEO and president of CPCD. “Knowing that our program helps these children to become ready for school, prepared to grow and learn, is what drives us to do more so that we can help more.”

Fifty-five percent of the 4 year olds who started their final year of preschool at CPCD last fall were on course to have the skills needed to enter kindergarten. By the end of the 2014 –15 school year, 90 percent of those same children had met or exceeded those expectations. Research shows vulnerable children who attend preschool are far more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to become dependent on public assistance. CPCD team members are proud to have provided opportunities for 800 4 year olds this year to be

CPCD supports hundreds of children and families in the community through early childhood education programs, including Olivia and Terril Glass, now a CPCD volunteer. Photos courtesy CPCD

ready for success in school and in life.

Terril Glass, community volunteer with CPCD and a former Head Start student, remembered how important it was for him to get on the bus every day as a child. “I know what happened to the kids in my neighborhood who didn’t get on that Head Start bus with me,” he said. “I’ve had so many doors of opportunity open — I know most of my friends didn’t have any doors.”

CPCD also supports parents in setting and reaching goals in the areas of parenting, education and economic stability.

According to the Ascend at the As-

pen Institute, there is strong support for a two-generation approach to early childhood education that cuts across party lines, race, class, age, and gender; 89 percent of Americans support two-generation approaches in moving families from poverty to economic stability. CPCD offers programs that include parenting classes, health and wellness programs, volunteer opportunities, financial literacy classes, job-training workshops, assistance with continuing education.

To learn more about CPCD and the Head Start program in El Paso County visit www.cpcdheadstart.org.

COLORADO SPRINGS CHORALE 2015 Fall SEASON AUDITIONS - Come Sing With Us! August 4, 11, & 19 Visit our website for information or call (719)634-3737 to schedule an audition Star Wars with the CS Philharmonic

October 30 & 31, 2015 • Pikes Peak Center, 7:30 PM

Colorado International Tattoo

Nov. 14 - 15, 2015 • Broadmoor World Arena

Messiah Sing-a-Long - FREE Event

November 29 • First Christian Church, 7:00 PM

Deck the Halls

December 11, 2015 • Pikes Peak Center, 7:30 PM Apply by August 1st Show the creativity of your business, your team, your family, your self!

www.whatif-festival.org 12 JULY 2015 NONPROFIT NEWS

Christmas Symphony with the CS Philharmonic

December 20, 2015 • Pikes Peak Center, 2:30 PM Tickets for all events available by calling (719)520-SHOW. For other information or tickets for the other concerts, call the Chorale office at 634-3737 or visit www.cschorale.org

Volunteer drivers provide critical support to cancer patients

BY LISA BADE

APR, American Cancer Society

Navigating through a cancer diagnosis can be challenging for the patient and their loved ones. Learning about cancer treatments and medications and scheduling time for medical appointments is a critical need for patients.

Road to Recovery® is one of the many free programs offered by the American Cancer Society helping cancer patients overcome an obstacle in their personal cancer journey, so they can focus on getting well. The program provides rides to cancer patients to and from their cancer-related treatments, and trained volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their personal vehicles.

American Cancer Society Road to Recovery volunteer Bill Brown enjoys driving patients and getting to know them. “Every patient is different and offers a lot to learn from,” Brown said. “That is the greatest gift I get from the Road to Recovery program.”

The program is offered to people with cancer who have no means of

American Cancer Society Road to Recovery volunteer drivers provide rides for cancer patients without transportation to and from medical appointments and treatments. Courtesy of the American Cancer Society

transportation or who are unable to drive themselves. Without a ride, some patients might not be able to follow the treatment plan prescribed by their healthcare team.

The American Cancer Society would like to ensure that every cancer patient who needs a ride gets one, and more volunteers are needed to help meet the requests in the community.

“We have many cancer patients in southern Colorado who need a help-

ing hand during this difficult time in their lives,” said Debi Armstrong, American Cancer Society program manager for mission delivery. “By volunteering with this program, people can truly make a difference in the life of someone with cancer.”

Volunteering with the Road to Recovery program is flexible and volunteers can sign-up for times that work best for their schedule. The American Cancer Society has a simple

screening process to help ensure the right volunteers are recruited for the program.

Drivers must complete online training. The American Cancer Society maintains specific standards for driver responsibility, which helps the patient and the driver have positive experiences. Volunteer drivers must also meet the following requirements: • Possess a current, valid driver’s license • Have access to a safe and reliable vehicle • Have a good driving record • Provide proof of adequate automobile insurance For more information on becoming an American Cancer Society Road to Recovery volunteer, contact Debi Armstrong at 970-350-5017 or debi.armstrong@cancer.org.

Patients interested in requesting a ride should contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 a minimum of four business days in advance of when the ride is needed.

SPIRITUAL GATHERING GUIDE CHURCH ON THE RANCH Pastor Scotty Vaughn Coronado H.S. Auditorium, 1590 W. Fillmore St. • 719-531-7444 www.churchontheranch.org Sunday Worship: 9:30am A place filled with grace and truth FORESTGATE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Dr. Robert D. Stuart, Senior Pastor 970 North Gate Blvd. • 719-495-5672 www.home.forestgate.org Sunday School: 9:00am, Sunday Worship: 10:30am Glorifying God and making disciples of Christ in northern El Paso County SAINT JAMES CHURCH Pastor Ted Haggard 4615 Northpark Dr. www.saintjameschurch.com Sunday Worship: 10:00am Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, High School Ministry: Wednesdays 7:00pm 20-Somethings Seekers Meeting: Thursdays 7:00pm The church with resurrection power ST. AIDAN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Rev. Howard Hillman 317 E. Boulder St. • 303-503-1718 www.saintaidansanglicanchurch.com Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m. Coffee & refreshments after service Anglican Service 1928 Book of Common Prayer

central bank and trust krcc

sponsors vintages wine & spirits stoney mesa winery

spring creek vineyards winery carlson messer wine works, inc.

NONPROFIT NEWS JULY 2015 13

New nonprofit shines light on chronic pelvic pain conditions around world LEFT: Aubree Adams, PTA, Physical Therapy Connections, and Carin E. Willis, founder and executive director of Bridge for Pelvic Pain, hosted and led a presentation about chronic pelvic pain in February and are planning more seminars throughout southern Colorado. Photo courtesy of Bridge for Pelvic Pain

BY CARIN E. WILLIS Bridge for Pelvic Pain

Now offering Kitten Kindergarten classes on how NOT to ruin your kitten.

Please call to reserve your space!

A rescue & adoption center for homeless cats & kittens.

1412 S. 21st. Street • Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719.635.5000 • www.HappyCatsHaven.org

SIGN UP A TEAM TODAY! Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 am

America the Beautiful Park

719-266-8773 • 800-272-3900 coloradoalzwalk.org 14 JULY 2015 NONPROFIT NEWS

We live in a society full of irony: it has become acceptable to inundate every aspect of our lives with sexuality, yet we are unable to openly discuss health conditions that occur in the pelvic region of our bodies without being subjected to shame, misunderstanding or enduring misrepresentations of these conditions. But, for the millions of women and men who suffer from chronic pelvic, sexual and genital pain conditions, their pain is real and their quality of life is greatly diminished.

Bridge for Pelvic Pain (BPP) was founded in 2014 in Colorado Springs with the mission to connect the global community of chronic pelvic and sexual pain patients to resources, education and hope. A locally based nonprofit, BPP has a national and international presence via medical doctors, physical therapists and chronic pelvic pain patient advocates. Members understand these conditions are not bound by city, country or continent and are passionate about shining the light on the nearly 20 chronic pelvic pain conditions for the general population and medical community.

Chronic pelvic pain is typically defined as pain within the pelvic region that lasts longer than six months, though there are often overlaps among other chronic pain conditions. Chronic pelvic pain can occur within the reproductive organs, bladder, bowel, nervous system or musculoskeletal system. An integrative approach to diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain has provided hope for many patients, including pain medication, meditation, spiritual counseling, acupuncture, nerve blocks and physical therapy. As with the uniqueness of the individual, an integrative

approach would be tailored to the specific needs of the patient based on their medical history.

Chronic pelvic and sexual pain patients are commonly referred to a variety of practitioners and specialists and undergo multiple invasive diagnostic and treatment interventions, but often, their pain continues. Chronic pain research has developed over the past two decades, but much of the information about chronic pain processing disorders has not yet filtered down to the teaching level for pelvic specialties. BPP is dedicated to raising awareness of this gap in medical education. “Chronic pain is itself the diagnosis, but we medical doctors have not been taught to consider this possibility, especially with pelvic, genital and sexual pain disorders,” said Robert J. Echenberg, MD, FACOG, and BPP founding board member.

The BPP team provides resources for integrative treatments through www.bridgeforpelvicpain.org and social media. BPP is also expanding its educational program reach by working with doctors and physical therapists to host workshops about chronic pelvic pain conditions. In February, BPP gave a presentation about a chronic bladder pain condition called Interstitial Cystitis with Aubree Adams, PTA of Physical Therapy Connections in Pueblo.

Similar educational seminars are being planned throughout southern Colorado, in Denver and in other states in the next year with physical therapy and integrative medical facilities. Over the next several months, an educational DVD “Healing the Pain ‘Down There,’” featuring two of Bridge for Pelvic Pain's board members, along with chronic pelvic pain advocate and DVD producer, Stephanie Yeager, will be available for educating chronic pelvic pain patients and the medical community.

Taya Kyle to Speak at Home Front Cares Dinner A cocktail reception starts at 5:30 p.m., and the dinner program Taya Kyle, wife of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, will be the begins at 6:30. guest speaker at The Home Front Cares’ annual dinner, ‘For The Love Of Our Troops XI,’ Oct. 16 at The Broadmoor.

Since 2003, The Home Front Cares has raised more than $7.6 million to aid Colorado veterans and military families. In the early The 11th annual dinner is the year’s largest fundraiser for the years, the nonprofit’s aid focused on Springs-based nonprofit, which provides families of soldiers deployed to Iraq emergency grants for Colorado veterans Helping Colorado and Afghanistan. But as the wars and military families to pay essential life have wound down, their clients have expenses like rent and utilities. Past Veterans and shifted. Today, 99 percent of The dinner speakers have included bestHome Front Cares’ clients are selling author Lee Woodruff and Gen. Military Families veterans, already separated from the David Petraeus. More than half of the In their last Įscal year, THFC gave $425,000 in direct service. event’s 100 tables have already been grants to 347 clients. filled, and organizers expect a sell-out.

“These are men and women Although THFC serves all of Colorado, about 60% who have volunteered their lives to Colorado Technical University is of their clients are from the Pikes Peak Region defend our nation, and now they title sponsor for this year’s event. “We Nearly twoͲthirds needed aid for rent or mortgage are honored to be part of this special have come home,” said April Speake, event,” said Beth Braaten, CTU’s vice THFC’s executive director. “They 48% percent needed help to pay utilities president of Colorado admissions. “Both Nearly 70% of clients are disabled are struggling with physical and CTU and The Home Front Cares focus emotional wounds, most have Nearly 70% of clients have children to support on helping veterans transition to civilian families to support, and too many are Learn more or DONATE today at life, so sponsoring this dinner was a homeless and desperate. They www.thehomefrontcares.org logical bond between our organizations.” deserve America’s help.”

NONPROFIT NEWS JULY 2015 15

Family.

Friends.

Community.

Sean P. McCorkle, Agent

1745 S. 8th St. Colorado Spgs, CO 80905 Bus:719-633-4600 sean.mccorkle.fgax@statefarm.com

1211007

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there.

That’s one reason why I’m proud to support Grace Abounds.

Get to a better state®.

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU!!

Grace Abounds is a faith-based, sober living home in Colorado Springs, dedicated to helping women ages 18 and over overcome addiction.

We believe that by helping women, we help their families and communities.

THRIFT STORE Help us help others by donating to and shopping at the Grace Abounds Thrift Store where all proceeds are used to operate our program.

Open 5 Days Tues - Sat 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 2202-2204 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Contact Wendy Quinn-Russett to set up an appointment, donate, volunteer or mentor. (719) 306-7310 wendy@graceaboundscoloradosprings.org