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Below are stories from a few people that were supported through our funded agencies and programs. May their stories provide examples of how your United Way of Larimer County dollars help and support real people...every day.
Your impact on...
Rachel
Caddie
Carol
Shannon
Janet, Amanda and Charlize
George
Karen
Reesa
Amy
Jessica
Leah
Kathleen, Mariah and Megahn
 Your Impact on ...
Rachel
Rachel married her high school sweetheart. Together, they had five beautiful daughters. Her husband, who she devoted her life to, began getting more and more angry until one day his harsh words turned to physical abuse. One night, Rachel was on the main floor of their home, when things took a turn for the worse. She quickly rushed her daughters to the basement to protect them from their father. She tried to calm him down but to no avail. A neighbor heard the commotion coming from their home and called 9-1-1.
Rachel is thankful someone else stepped in. All of a sudden Rachel was a single mother and not able to make ends meet. United Way of Larimer County
programs, like the Boys and Girls Club, and Crossroads Safehouse, were there
for her in this time of crisis. Without them, she says she doesn't know what she would have done.
"You might not see the results of what you give but there are definitely people receiving and you are definitely changing people’s lives. You changed mine." |
Your Impact on ...
Caddie
 I am a single mother of two wonderful boys, Trevor and Brennon. I was working and going to school at the same time. I worked and never got to see my kids and it was very stressful. I would study while they were home, while going to school online. I was getting about four hours of sleep a night. It was so stressful and I would just cry, and in turn my sons would scream and cry. The world seemed so dark at times and hostile others. But the time came when I had to ask for help. It's hard to look someone in the eye and say, "I need help." Just knowing that people are willing to think about us is amazing. To know these people are out there takes my breath away. My children often write thank you notes and we want you to know how much it means to us.
United Way of Larimer County"s WomenGive program and its support of Project Self-Sufficiency have allowed Caddie to stay on her feet, pursue a college degree in Biology, and be on the road to self-sufficiency.
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Your Impact on ...
Carol
Carol was temporarily renting a room in north Fort Collins while continuing her job and saving for a place of her own. After living there for only two weeks, she got out of the  shower on the morning of February 20, 2009 to find that the house was on fire. She barely had time to throw on clothes, let alone grab any of her belongings. She escaped from the second floor while windows were being blown out of the house and smoke was thickening with only the clothes she was wearing, her purse, bills, car keys, phone and her three birds. Fortunately, Carol was not hurt and her nine and a half year old daughter, Aubrey, was at school.
Carol, whose family resides in Oregon, had nowhere to turn. She was at the scene for two hours with fire and police personnel who had responded and then received a call from the American Red Cross in Fort Collins who had heard of her situation. She drove straight to the Red Cross, still smelling of smoke and bird cage in hand. They welcomed her warmly with hugs and provided necessities like a toothbrush and shampoo. They coordinated a room for her at the Residence Inn where she could stay for three nights comfortably with her daughter and gave her a gift card for Kohl’s to purchase clothes.
"My family was miles and miles away from me, and I had no support," Carol explained. "Every single person at the Red Cross was so compassionate, caring, loving, and concerned; it was an amazing experience."
The Red Cross came alongside Carol with their Emergency Services in her most sudden and unexpected time of need. "A gift card to Kohl's to get a few things or three nights at a hotel is not a lot, but on the other hand, it was a huge help for somebody like me," Carol said. "I’m very thankful for having a place like that."
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 Your Impact on ...
Shannon
Shannon, a native of Fort Collins, found herself in difficult circumstances by the age of 17. In and out of drug treatment and youth corrections facilities, she had little family support and direction in her life. At 19, Shannon was welcomed into The Matthews House, a place designed to help youth develop self-sufficiency and a vision for their futures.
Shannon participated in career development - receiving guidance for creating resumes and for interviewing - and successfully earned a position working in Fort Collins. Shannon expressed that learning how to effectively communicate was one of the most pivotal changes in her life. "Being able to communicate was something I hadn’t learned, but it just opens up a whole world of opportunity," she said.
Shannon successfully finished her programs at The Matthews House, but still considers it her home away from home because of the close relationships and life-saving support she received there. “They helped me set a plan for my life so that even if I do one small thing every day to get towards that initial goal, I feel
like I’ve been successful,” said Shannon. “I never knew I could feel this happy.”
Now 21, Shannon has a beautiful one-year-old son, Max, and is giving back to the community that invested in her by creating a mom’s group at The Matthews House. She works with other youth who are walking in the shoes she once walked in.
Because of you, Shannon is thriving and self-sufficient. "In the end it betters the entire community," said Shannon.
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 Your Impact on ...
Janet, Amanda and Charlize
It's very hard to find words to express to people what life has been like for my family and I. The last year-and-a-half we have gone through an emotional upheaval due to the death of my son, Charlize's father. Charlize was born 6 months after his death. Charlize's mother, who never wanted to be a mother, gave up after 3 months. Even with our help she chose a life style that did not include her child. So, 55-year-old Grandma and 32-year-old Aunt Amanda, who were unprepared for full time parenting, took on a life-long journey with the beautiful gift my son left behind.
It did not take us long though to find out just how life changing
caring for a baby can be. Due to my daughter's health problems, my
job became jeopardized because of so much absenteeism on my part. That's when we knew we needed help and happened to stumble upon "The Teaching Tree." When I told a Teaching Tree representative of our strife, she went to work on finding Charlize a spot at their school. It didn't take long, and she was accepted with open arms. Now there is such peace of mind for me, knowing that Amanda gets a little break from full time mothering and that Charlize is in good hands. In 3 short weeks she has doubled her vocabulary, loving the interaction with the other kids and her teachers. Without the help from the Teaching Tree none of this would be possible. It has changed our lives so much for the better. Thank-you Teaching Tree from the bottom of our hearts.
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 Your Impact on ...
George
A year and a half ago, George's life was dramatically altered. He went into the hospital to undergo an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP), an x-ray to investigate a supposed kidney stone; however, he experienced a severe allergic reaction to the contrast dye in the process. "I went into a full anaphylactic shock," George said. With his temperature reaching 108 degrees and dangerous blood pressure levels, George experienced a series of strokes.
After weeks in rehab without much improvement, George's diagnosis was critical polyneuropathy, meaning his nervous system had shut down. George remained in the hospital for six months before he was discharged.
George turned to Elderhaus, a United Way of Larimer County funded program, dedicated to supporting adults with special needs and empowering their caregivers. Due to the trauma, he is unable to walk.
To George, the most important aspect of Elderhaus is the support. "You need the support here," he expressed. "It has really turned into a big family."
Through Elderhaus, George is able to participate in a variety of programs which allow him occupational therapy, transportation and modified daily activities. George is now primarily mobile through a wheelchair and has been making significant progression towards his final goal: Being able to walk again.
"It's a slow progression but with their help here, it's keeping me going," said George.
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 Your Impact on ...
Karen
Living with a disability makes life much more challenging, especially as a mother of two. Karen lives with Multiple Sclerosis, a debilitating and unpredictable disease that attacks the central nervous system. MS makes it difficult for Karen to work and to maintain a normal level of living including cooking, cleaning, and caring for her boys - her 14-year-old who has special needs and her 19-year-old who hopes to attend CSU.
By June of 2009, Karen had lost all income and her utilities had been turned off. "It was a place in my life about as low as someone can go," she recalled. "We didn’t have anything."
Karen was referred to Disabled Resource Services, an agency dedicated to empowering individuals dealing with the challenges of their disabilities and gaining more control over their lives. "Disabled Resource Services acted as a hub where
all the knowledge and the understanding and the help are in one place," Karen expressed. "My case manager provided the basis for me to get back on my feet, and then she started helping me set up a plan so that I could reach some level of independence."
More than serving as a connection to available resources, Disabled Resource Services provided hope for Karen. "The emotional support, not feeling alone, and knowing that I have an advocate working with me and for me and my family has been invaluable," she said.
"The difference in my life has been immeasurable and I’m very grateful," Karen said.
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 Your Impact on ...
Reesa
In 2006, Reesa and her husband were having a difficult time meeting the payments for their home. Reesa had recently been in a car accident leaving her unable to work and her husband was experiencing a lower level of business during the winter months with his fencing job. The couple was referred to Homelessness Prevention Initiative (HPI), an organization in Fort Collins that supports individuals and families in Fort Collins from becoming homeless.
While providing short-term support for their payments to keep from losing their home, HPI also helped them consider the best options for their living situation. "HPI prevented us from being in a desperate situation, scattered frame of mind, and helped us to make a better, clearer decision for our wellbeing," Reesa said. "They were very understanding and helped us to figure out a game plan of how not to let it happen in the future."
Since then, Reesa and her husband have established strong connections and a more stable situation. Shortly after being involved with HPI, Reesa started a new job that she greatly enjoys and through which she has been promoted twice within the last four years. Her husband has also been accepted to a new, more reliable and enjoyable position. The two also found a housing situation that is much more manageable and suitable for their needs.
"It was a very positive experience being involved with HPI; they were very understanding," Reesa explained. “It is a hand up, not a hand out, and it just helped so much."
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 Your Impact on ...
Amy
Giving birth is typically one of the most joyous, exciting times of life. However, if something unexpected occurs,
it can be terrifying for a mother.
Amy went into labor January 17, 2004 with her baby Jackson, but after arriving to the hospital, learned the baby was in distress and underwent an emergency
c-section. Jackson was born with no glucose count,
not breathing and in extremely critical condition.
After being born, Jackson spent many weeks at Poudre Valley Hospital and then was transferred to the
Children's Hospital in Denver due to double pneumonia, heart, liver and kidney issues, possible brain damage, severe acid reflux and inability to eat.
Finally, Amy and her husband Doug were able to take their baby home but not at all in the fashion they had envisioned. Equipped with a machine to feed Jackson, an IV pole and several medications, the family began to worry about how to provide care for Jackson while balancing their inevitable working demands.
The family was referred to Respite Care, a home away from home for children with developmental disabilities. "Once I had my initial meeting with the Respite Care staff, a huge feeling of relief came over me," Amy said. "To our amazement, despite all his problems, Respite Care welcomed him and was genuinely excited to have him! They loved him before they had ever even met him!"
Jackson was ultimately diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hyperinsulinism, and six years later, is still involved with Respite Care. "The Respite Care staff has played such an important role in his development," Amy explained. "I wish I had the words to express the gratitude I have for Respite Care, their staff and volunteers."
And the family has continued to grow! "The peace of mind Respite Care has given our family had an influence on our decision to add a second child to our family. Reese was born April 2, 2007," Amy said. "I sincerely thank anybody who helps support Respite Care. You have truly helped us to be a family!"
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 Your Impact on ...
Jessica Jessica, a struggling single parent, went to Project Self-Sufficiency (PS-S) to gain the
tools to be able to achieve economic independence, and become free from community and government assistance.
"PS-S has taught me that it's OK to go after whatever dreams you may have," Jessica
said, reflecting on her time at PS-S.
Through this project's effort, Jessica was able to finish her Dental Assisting degree at
Front Range Community College; as well as, study and pass her certification exam.
Because of the help Jessica was able to receive through PS-S, and the education that she worked hard to earn, Jessica is now enjoying her new full-time position at a Loveland dental practice.
Jessica's nine-year-old son, Brendon, has enjoyed the benefits of living in a self-sufficient family, too. Brendon now enjoys playing soccer on a local team, loves being in the outdoors and swimming.
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 Your Impact on ...
Leah
The Angel House has so much good to offer. If you've lost your home, you've kind of hit the bottom point; you have nowhere else to go but up. As a part of Angel House, you have to be willing to open yourself up to work with the people that are trying to help you get to where you need to go. The people at Angel House helped me do the hard work it took to get myself to where I am today.
I still meet with AnnMarie, the director of Interfaith, regularly; we talk monthly, sometimes weekly, daily sometimes. Although I have my own house, I still make monthly goals and have to reach certain achievements to fulfill requirements for the program. Angel House has helped me identify the changes I need to make within my lifestyle pattern, and given me the tools to make those changes, so that I don't end up in the same situation ever again.
Now I like waiting up every morning and knowing that I don't have the chaos anymore. I think so many families are struggling and have learned to adapt their lives to the chaos. It's learning to live life without the chaos that’s the hard part. And I find it easier now. Now that I took that step and that initiative to keep going, my steps are getting a little bit easier, it is not as hard to function every day.
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 Your Impact on ...
Kathleen, Mariah and Megahn Sisters Mariah, eleven, and Megahn, nine, will tell you that Boys and Girls Club is much more than a day care.
They enjoy the music room - a combination recording and dance studio; the education room - full of computers and new books; the art room - a crafting haven, and the adventurous field trips.
"The books are awesome - I can read all the time - and I get my homework done," said eleven-year-old Mariah.
"One of my favorite field trips was when we went to a golf course," said Megahn. The girls explained that they learned the basics of playing golf, and were even taught how to drive the ball.
While the girls have their favorite activities, their grandmother Kathleen, values the Club for its positive role in her grandchildren's life.
"When they’re at the Club, I know they’re doing educational-type activities; they’re engaged and growing," Kathleen said. She appreciates the meaningful opportunities that her grandchildren have been involved with, like: leadership development, an inner-beauty fashion show, and learning computer technology.
Kathleen also emphasized how amazing the homework help is for her and her girls. "When I pick them up from here, their homework is usually done," Kathleen said. "Because of the limited amount of time I have; it is great to be able to spend quality time together in the evening."
Because of donations to United Way, youth like Mariah and Megahn have increased access to educational enrichment opportunities, for a strengthened life academically, physically, and socially, both now and in the future.
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