Message from the Executive Director
Hello, friends of Greccio. In this newsletter and in conversations with us, we often talk about changes happening at Greccio, new staff, and exciting opportunities to meet increasing housing needs and household stability. You should know how new ventures are carefully evaluated, and we are actually quite conservative in how we steward Greccio’s name and resources.
Several years ago, our Board of Directors developed a ‘strategy filter’ through which every new venture, relationship, program, or opportunity would be considered.
This ensures that we remain singularly focused on what is best for the mission and the organization over years and decades rather than the excitement of the moment. Every new opportunity 1) must be consistent with our core mission, benefit residents and the community, and be thoroughly evaluated, 2) must have directly related, matching, and sustainable funding, 3) must support and contribute to the Greccio brand, and 4) must be sustainable in terms of staff capacity, financial viability, and organizational support. We know that your support and confidence are based on our ability to steward resources and achieve our mission diligently. So as you read the headlines and articles below, or hear of new ventures in our community, do so with the knowledge that Greccio is being built to last, for the benefit of our residents and community. Please enjoy, and thank you for celebrating Greccio’s impact! - Lee Patke, Executive Director
Greccio Expands to Teller County!
Greccio Housing is moving on up…up to the mountains of Woodland Park, that is! We are excited to announce that we have obtained our first property outside Colorado Springs, in the beautiful Teller County. This is Greccio Housing’s 28th property and a milestone in our mission to provide safe, stable, and supportive housing and the resources to help residents thrive. Valley View Place is a five-year-old, fully occupied, 24-unit property with a blooming community garden and a great playground on the property for residents to enjoy.
As Greccio extends its reach beyond El Paso County, we are dedicated to fully immersing ourselves in the Woodland Park community. Our goal is to learn and connect with the best resources available, so we can better serve our new residents. As the demand for affordable housing continues to grow, Greccio remains steadfast in our commitment to expand access and create solutions throughout the Pikes Peak region.
Resident Resources: Cooking Matters
Every Thursday of this past July, Greccio families gathered ‘round the clubhouse tables of Bentley Commons and then the Ridge to learn all about nutrition and cooking basics from the experts at Cooking Matters.
We had about seven families that were able to make it to every class in this Summer series to learn new recipes and get the kids excited to get in the kitchen and get cooking. This is our second year of Cooking Matters classes and the enthusiasm for the program has only grown as we were able to bring in more kids this year to chop veggies, blend up fruit smoothies, and whip up healthy snacks and meals for the whole family. Parents walked away from each class with packets of recipes, enough groceries to keep cooking, and gift cards for their pick of either Walmart or King Soopers.
Ongoing Improvement Projects
Our Kittyhawk apartments are getting a facelift with special thanks to grants from the City of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Springs Health Foundation. Construction crews are hard at work painting all of the exterior walls, replacing trim and soffits, and laying down a fresh coat of sealer on the parking lot and walkways. This much-needed makeover is expected to take about three months.
Our upcoming Fall project includes a full exterior upgrade, corridor improvements, and a full laundry room renovation at our Bijou apartments.
Welcoming New Staff at Greccio
Join us in welcoming all the newest members to the Greccio Housing team: Brian Baker, Sr. Dir. Operations, Ritalee Roman, Leasing Manger, Lisa Miller, Leasing Agent, and Bill Stanley, Maintenance Tech.
Brian Baker, Senior Director of Operations
Greccio Housing could not be more excited to have Brian on board with us. He has an impressive history in the nonprofit world, coming to us from a 13-year run at Goodwill. He is responsible for culture, leadership, team engagement and performance, affordable housing advocacy, and representation of Greccio Housing in the community.
Email: bbaker@greccio.org
Greccio Housing staff is excited about their upcoming annual staff training day on August 25th, which is sponsored by Trimountain Corp. The sponsorship will allow the staff to bond as a team, receive growth opportunities, and receive vital training. The staff expresses gratitude towards Trimountain Corp for the support.
Pikes Peak United Way Grant
We are excited and grateful to announce that Greccio Housing's Family Stability Initiative, which is part of our Resident Resources department, has been granted $13,800 by Pikes Peak United Way. This grant will help us continue our mission of providing affordable housing by offering a range of supportive services.
These services include emergency assistance, family enrichment programs, educational and vocational opportunities, and capacity-building family support. Our services also include the Eviction Prevention Program, no-cost food pantry, welcome home baskets, Thanksgiving food baskets, Adopt-A-Family gifts, community gardens, and financial literacy programs. The official check presentation will take place on August 21st at 1:00 pm.
National Nonprofit Day: Ways to Give
August 17th is the official National Nonprofit Day! While we like to celebrate nonprofits every day of the year, it's nice to have a specific day to appeal to donors. Here are some of the ways you can give:
Enterprise Zone: Greccio Housing is part of the El Paso Country Enterprise Zone. This allows you to support our Affordable Housing Preservation Initiative to maximize the impact of your contribution. Learn more about how to make an EZ donation at https://www.greccio.org/financial-donations
Financial Contribution: Big or small, monthly or one-time, we are always grateful for individual, corporate, or foundation donations. Click the button below to donate to Greccio Housing.
In-kind: Books, hygiene products, household goods, etc. Just drop them off at Greccio Housing!
Donate online, by sending a check, or by calling (719) 475-1422 Thank you!
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