A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO:
The Safety Net
I am out in the community almst daily and when I talk about PPCAA most people say, “Who are you and what do you do?” Folks are surprised to hear that PPCAA has been serving El Paso County Citizens for 45 years and has helped tens of thousands of households remain, or become self-sufficient. PPCAA continues to serve nearly 18,000 citizens per year and during these tough economic times our demand is holding steady at about 20% above previous “non-recession” years. We simply “get on with it” and through our unique and innovative programs find creative solutions to serve “vulnerable” families by providing a hand-up, not hand-outs. Most of our families are otherwise stable households, working paycheck to paycheck, that have suddenly found themselves in crisis for one reason or another. PPCAA steps in to stabilize these families and help them stay on the path towards self-sufficiency, or get on the path, and avoid having to apply for welfare – We are the county’s safety net.
Unfortunately, the safety net has been required a bit more during these tough economic times and we are continuing to meet the need. PPCAA is doing everything from stabilizing households with rent, utilities, rehab, medical assistance, IDs, food, clothing, transportation, job skills training, income tax assistance, matched savings programs, and post-secondary education. Every case is unique and we are flexible enough to handle each case on an individual basis and develop a plan tailored specifically to the situation that will have impact, with measurable outcomes and successes. We are not an entitlement agency and our clients know that when we help them we expect them to “help themselves” and develop a plan to avoid being in crisis again next month, or next year. We walk with our clients, and sometimes carry them, but they all know this is a “quid pro que” – They do something, we do something and together we move toward true and lasting self-sufficiency.
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Thank You for Helping Make Groovin' in September a Success
Dotsero
Pikes Peak Community Action Agency raised over $10,000 to help low-income people increase their capacity to be self-sufficient during our Fourth Annual Groovin’ in September, held at the Norris Penrose Event Center on September 19.
Approximately 120 guests joined us for a family style dinner of chicken chardonnay, curried quinoa, grilled vegetables, caesar salad, and flourless chocolate torte, prepared by Head Chef Barry Dunlap. Chef Dunlap donated delectable Hors’ d’ Ourvres which were enjoyed by VIP attendees, along with with Barefoot Bubbly, also an in-kind contribution.
Regina Lewis, PPCAA Board of Directors Past President, spoke to the audience about the role that the agency played in her life when she needed it the most. The counselors and staff at PPCAA are part of what Lewis calls her “success entourage”. Lewis, a successful business woman, Dean at Pikes Peak Community College, and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and who is now working on her Ph.D. said that without her “success entourage” she would not have been able to become the person she is today. Believing in people and giving them the tools to succeed, Lewis emphasized, is what Pikes Peak Community Action Agency is all about.
Our guests also bid on an eclectic array of silent auction items including a Royal Gorge package, Salsa lessons from Springs Salsa, Colorado College Hockey tickets, two hot air balloon rides, sports memorabilia by Latitude Sports Marketing, Grant Family Farms small farm share, and even a heated toilet seat!
Special Thanks to our Sponsors!
A Success Story
Jennifer Hanson has always been a self-motivator – and she has discovered with the help of Pikes Peak Community Action Agency that she is one savvy business woman. Early on in her professional career, Jennifer realized family funds were not going to stretch far enough for her to go to college to study art, particularly during the 1980s recession. She, however, was determined to “buckle down and do what you have to do” to pursue her dreams: She worked multiple jobs in high school, saving enough funds to pay cash for her first university semester.
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