State of the Street: Boulder County Division of Homeless Systems and Coordinated Response

Finding Folks with Liz (Colorado Friendship)(Audio Only)

Welcome to “Finding Folks” This is part of The Community Project: Will Work for Change campaign — a multimedia storytelling effort amplifying the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Boulder County. If you’d like to find out how to help or connect with us and our social media check out our webpage at http://www.thecommunityproject.orgTo find out how you can assist, contact us at info@thecommunityproject.org (www.thecommunityproject.org). The Community Project is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit.In today’s interview, Liz shares the inspiring mission of Colorado Friendship, detailing how her team provides weekly hot meals and clothing to unhoused individuals while distributing weekend food bags to local schoolchildren. From Amazon wishlists to hot meals and school partnerships, Liz paints a vivid picture of how Colorado Friendship operates and why empathy, not judgment, drives every decision they make.Key Points:• Meals on the Street serves hundreds each year with hot food and supplies.• Weekend food bags help fight childhood hunger in Longmont schools.• Volunteers have shown up every Sunday for over 27 years.• Judgment-free, compassionate service is central to Colorado Friendship’s mission.• Community partnerships and donations make their work possible.To find out more about Liz’s work, check out www.Coloradofriendship.org Who is Colorado FriendShip? Colorado FriendShip is a 501(c)(3) mobile food and clothing nonprofit based in Longmont, CO, serving Boulder County and surrounding areas (coloradofriendship.org). Its mission is to reduce suffering and improve lives throughout the community by providing food and clothing to those in need.Key ProgramsIncrEdibles Food Program- Sends nutritious, kid-friendly weekend food bags to school children who receive free meals during the week.- In 2024, delivered over 22,100 bags to 650 children across 12 schools.Hot Meals on the Street- Weekly mobile meal service and clothing distribution for unhoused individuals.- Served around 2,775 hot meals in 2024 via a mobile trailer since 1998.Disaster Relief- Originally founded for emergency aid, Colorado FriendShip still responds to disasters statewide.- Past efforts include local disasters and larger national emergencies like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.Volunteer & Community Support- Primarily volunteer-operated — in 2024, volunteers logged over 6,100 hours.- Partners include King Soopers, Amazon Wish List, vehicle donation programs, and local civic groups.2024 Snapshot- Meals/Bags: 2,775 meals; 22,100 food bags- Children served: ~650- Volunteer hours: 6,152- Clothing distributed: Thousands of coats, boots, pajamas, and more- Revenue: ~$230K (donations & grants)- Expenses: ~$280K (primarily for programs)- Careful budgeting to meet growing demand and rising costs Why It MattersColorado FriendShip fills critical gaps in food security, emergency relief, and basic necessities—especially for children, unhoused individuals, and communities affected by disaster. Its volunteer-powered, mobile model is responsive and community-centric. _________________________ A special thanks to our outreach sponsors! You make our outreach possible!!!! ArcThriftStores https://arcthrift.com/ Eldorado Natural Spring Water: https://www.eldoradosprings.com/ COLERC: https://www.colerc.org/ Denver lions Club https://www.denverlions.org/ Conscious Alliance: https://consciousalliance.org/ Sock it to’em: https://donatesocks.org/ Superteam Foods: https://superteamfoods.com/ Remember, it’s better together! #StreetWisdom #MentalHealth #UnhousedVoices #OutsidersSeries #Colorado #Homelessness #TheCommunityProject #HousingCrisis #EndHomelessness #DataMatters #PolicyChange #ColoradoHousing #Unhoused #HomelessInColorado #SocialJustice #HousingIsAHumanRight #Equity

Finding Folks with Liz (Colorado Friendship)

Welcome to “Finding Folks” This is part of The Community Project: Will Work for Change campaign — a multimedia storytelling effort amplifying the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Boulder County. If you’d like to find out how to help or connect with us and our social media check out our webpage at http://www.thecommunityproject.orgTo find out how you can assist, contact us at info@thecommunityproject.org (www.thecommunityproject.org). The Community Project is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit.In today’s interview, Liz shares the inspiring mission of Colorado Friendship, detailing how her team provides weekly hot meals and clothing to unhoused individuals while distributing weekend food bags to local schoolchildren. From Amazon wishlists to hot meals and school partnerships, Liz paints a vivid picture of how Colorado Friendship operates and why empathy, not judgment, drives every decision they make.Key Points:• Meals on the Street serves hundreds each year with hot food and supplies.• Weekend food bags help fight childhood hunger in Longmont schools.• Volunteers have shown up every Sunday for over 27 years.• Judgment-free, compassionate service is central to Colorado Friendship’s mission.• Community partnerships and donations make their work possible.To find out more about Liz’s work, check out www.Coloradofriendship.orgWho is Colorado FriendShip?Colorado FriendShip is a 501(c)(3) mobile food and clothing nonprofit based in Longmont, CO, serving Boulder County and surrounding areas (coloradofriendship.org). Its mission is to reduce suffering and improve lives throughout the community by providing food and clothing to those in need.Key ProgramsIncrEdibles Food Program- Sends nutritious, kid-friendly weekend food bags to school children who receive free meals during the week.- In 2024, delivered over 22,100 bags to 650 children across 12 schools.Hot Meals on the Street- Weekly mobile meal service and clothing distribution for unhoused individuals.- Served around 2,775 hot meals in 2024 via a mobile trailer since 1998.Disaster Relief- Originally founded for emergency aid, Colorado FriendShip still responds to disasters statewide.- Past efforts include local disasters and larger national emergencies like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.Volunteer & Community Support- Primarily volunteer-operated — in 2024, volunteers logged over 6,100 hours.- Partners include King Soopers, Amazon Wish List, vehicle donation programs, and local civic groups.2024 Snapshot- Meals/Bags: 2,775 meals; 22,100 food bags- Children served: ~650- Volunteer hours: 6,152- Clothing distributed: Thousands of coats, boots, pajamas, and more- Revenue: ~$230K (donations & grants)- Expenses: ~$280K (primarily for programs)- Careful budgeting to meet growing demand and rising costsWhy It MattersColorado FriendShip fills critical gaps in food security, emergency relief, and basic necessities—especially for children, unhoused individuals, and communities affected by disaster. Its volunteer-powered, mobile model is responsive and community-centric._________________________A special thanks to our outreach sponsors! You make our outreach possible!!!!ArcThriftStores https://arcthrift.com/Eldorado Natural Spring Water: https://www.eldoradosprings.com/COLERC: https://www.colerc.org/Denver lions Club https://www.denverlions.org/Conscious Alliance: https://consciousalliance.org/Sock it to’em: https://donatesocks.org/Superteam Foods: https://superteamfoods.com/Remember, it’s better together!#StreetWisdom #MentalHealth #UnhousedVoices #OutsidersSeries #Colorado #Homelessness #TheCommunityProject #HousingCrisis #EndHomelessness #DataMatters #PolicyChange #ColoradoHousing #Unhoused #HomelessInColorado #SocialJustice #HousingIsAHumanRight #Equity

State of the Street: Harold

“People don’t need a handout, they need a hand up”-Harold In this interview, Harold shares his journey through the Recovery Café and his involvement in the State Opioid Response program, highlighting how peer support transforms recovery outcomes.Harold gives a passionate breakdown of how wraparound services, community, and human connection create meaningful change for people struggling with homelessness and addiction. With honesty and heart, Harold reflects on his own recovery path and explains why trauma-informed care, lived experience, and second chances matter so much. Harold talks about what it means to walk alongside others in their journey, emphasizing recovery, dignity, and the need for systemic change in behavioral health services.Add the key points• Harold works with Recovery Café and the State Opioid Response initiative.• Peer support is central to recovery.• Behavioral health services often overlook key barriers for unhoused populations.• Harold speaks to the importance of trauma-informed care.• Recovery is deeply human and rooted in connection and respect. “Welcome to “State of the Street” This is part of The Community Project: Will Work for Change campaign — a multimedia storytelling effort amplifying the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Boulder County. If you’d like to find out how to help or connect with us and our social media check out our webpage at” http://www.thecommunityproject.org“To find out how you can assist, contact us at info@thecommunityproject.org (www.thecommunityproject.org). The Community Project is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit.”Remember folks, it’s better together!#StreetWisdom #MentalHealth #UnhousedVoices #OutsidersSeries #Colorado #Homelessness #TheCommunityProject #HousingCrisis #EndHomelessness #DataMatters #PolicyChange #ColoradoHousing #Unhoused #HomelessInColorado #SocialJustice #HousingIsAHumanRight #Equity

State of the Street: Boulder County Division of Homeless Systems and Coordinated Response

Hey Gang, in today's episode we sit down with Heidi Grove and Trevor Baringer from Boulder County’s Division of Homeless Systems and Coordinated Response. Recorded on May 20, 2025, this candid conversation explores Boulder’s efforts to address homelessness, improve coordinated entry, and support housing-first initiatives.📌 Topics Covered: • Coordinated entry system • Emergency shelter programs • Permanent supportive housing • Community partnerships • Challenges and future strategiesWhether you’re a policymaker, advocate, service provider, or concerned resident, this discussion provides insight into what’s working—and what still needs to change.🔗 Learn more at: https://bouldercounty.gov/departments/community-services/homelessIf you’re inspired to take action or want to stay connected with our work, we invite you to visit thecommunityproject.org. There, you can learn how to support local initiatives, volunteer, or follow us across social media as we work toward meaningful change—one community at a time. It's better together!To learn more or support the mission, visit http://www.thecommunityproject.org 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for more community-centered contentHashtags:#Homelessness #BoulderCounty #HousingFirst #PublicPolicy #SocialServices #CommunitySupport #AffordableHousing #EndingHomelessness #NonprofitLeadership #HumanRights

State of the Street: Boulder County Division of Homeless Systems and Coordinated Response (audio only)

Hey Gang, in today's episode we sit down with Heidi Grove and Trevor Baringer from Boulder County’s Division of Homeless Systems and Coordinated Response. Recorded on May 20, 2025, this candid conversation explores Boulder’s efforts to address homelessness, improve coordinated entry, and support housing-first initiatives.📌 Topics Covered: • Coordinated entry system • Emergency shelter programs • Permanent supportive housing • Community partnerships • Challenges and future strategiesWhether you’re a policymaker, advocate, service provider, or concerned resident, this discussion provides insight into what’s working—and what still needs to change.🔗 Learn more at: https://bouldercounty.gov/departments/community-services/homelessIf you’re inspired to take action or want to stay connected with our work, we invite you to visit thecommunityproject.org. There, you can learn how to support local initiatives, volunteer, or follow us across social media as we work toward meaningful change—one community at a time. It's better together!To learn more or support the mission, visit http://www.thecommunityproject.org 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for more community-centered contentHashtags:#Homelessness #BoulderCounty #HousingFirst #PublicPolicy #SocialServices #CommunitySupport #AffordableHousing #EndingHomelessness #NonprofitLeadership #HumanRights