Reflecting on 25 Years of Caring
As we approach the end of 2024, we are looking back at some special moments and gifts to community that were part of Caring for Colorado’s 25th Anniversary. We are proud of our 25 years of giving, in which we’ve awarded over $200 million in grants throughout Colorado to bring health, well-being, and opportunity to people in our state.
Celebrating Board Leadership
In September, we celebrated our 25th anniversary with former and current Caring for Colorado board members, staff, and partners. Joined by members from our inaugural board through the present, we celebrated the contributions of 72 board members who have led the organization through many changes in our state, while holding true to our mission of improving health and well-being for Coloradans. The funding principles from our founding board – listen to community, fund statewide, work in partnership with others, and address problems of today while working to improve systems for future generations – remain true for the foundation 25 years later.
Our $1M Gift will Help Fund a New Health Clinic
To honor our legacy of funding safety net clinics, we made a $1 million gift to support Mercy Housing and its partnership with Denver Indian Health and Family Services. This grant will help fund a co-located health clinic in Denver’s first affordable housing complex dedicated to serving the American Indian and Alaska Native community.
This new development, breaking ground in March 2025, will feature:
- A 17,000-square-foot health clinic offering primary medical, dental, vision, and behavioral healthcare, operated by Denver Indian Health and Family Services
- 94 homes reserved for individuals and families experiencing homelessness
- 96 homes for those earning 40-60% of the area’s median income
This project, developed in collaboration with the Denver American Indian Commission and the Native American Housing Circle, is a wonderful example of how partnerships can address complex challenges. By combining comprehensive, culturally relevant healthcare services with affordable housing, this development will provide dignity, stability, and access to the resources people need to live healthy lives.
Expressing Hope through Student-led Murals
To uphold our founding principle of listening to the community and acknowledging the new strategic direction announced at our 25th Anniversary celebration, we invited students from four high schools to collaborate with professional artists to create student-led murals with the theme of “hope.” Students worked alongside the artists to bring their inspirations to life on the walls of their schools. The murals were guided by Carlos Fresquez (Alamosa and Holyoke high schools), the art duo Aiko Szymczak and Corinne Trujillo of Koco Collab (Central High School in Grand Junction), and Tony Ortega (Cañon City High School).
One student shared, “Having hope come into our school was really important to me because our community needs to come together more.” Another student explained, “Hope is knowing I have support from my family and friends who I can trust and talk to when I need help.”
Hope is a Caring for Colorado value that helps us remain committed to achieving a shared, positive vision of the future in the face of uncertainty. We are optimistic about what we learned through this process. The stories, messages, and energy we witnessed reinforce our belief that involving young people is a valuable part of building more equitable systems and communities.
Donor Support Raised Critical Funds for Choose When
Supporters of our Choose When Colorado Gives Day campaign helped us raise more than $33,000 to supplement Caring for Colorado resources dedicated to ensuring that anyone who experiences financial barriers to contraception has access. By offering grants to safety net clinics across the state, Choose When eases the financial burden on patients who are uninsured or underinsured or require confidential services, ensuring that contraception is available at no cost to the patient.
If you missed Colorado Gives Day, there is still time to give. Please visit our campaign page to make your year-end donation today.
Welcoming New Team Members
Earlier this fall, Lauren and Carley joined the Caring for Colorado team.
Lauren Czajka is a senior philanthropy lead for our Youth Health and Well-Being funding priority. In this role, she supports organizations on the Western Slope that work to advance the health and well-being of young people ages 9-25. Before working at Caring for Colorado, Lauren spent a decade serving in a variety of roles at YouthRoots, including as Executive Director. Outside of work, Lauren loves to spend time with her family and adventure throughout and beyond the beautiful state of Colorado. Read more about Lauren on our website.
Carley Noerr is the operations and project manager. In this role, she oversees the organization’s operational efficiency and effectiveness, collaborating with staff on key areas including business operations, project and systems management, facilities maintenance, information technology, and human resources. Outside of work, Carley enjoys exploring Colorado’s natural beauty through hiking, cultivating her garden, and creating meaningful moments with friends and family. Read more about Carley on our website.
Current Open Funding Deadline Reminder
Part 1 applications for our Caring for Pueblo County Children, Youth, and Families funding opportunity are due on January 16, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Learn more about the Caring for Pueblo County funding opportunity.