Community Impact
Let’s Make a Difference!
Colorado Springs is a remarkable place to live and work, thanks to its landmarks, outdoor recreation, economy, culture, and having Pikes Peak in our own backyard. But what also makes our community so special is the rich network of nonprofits and social service organizations who are committed to serving our most vulnerable members. Investing in these front line nonprofits helps create a more thriving Colorado Springs for all of us… and we want to be a part of that. Research shows that employees and customers alike find it important that businesses give back to society rather than just making a profit. We know that people not only value the services and experiences we provide our customers and employees, but also our demonstrated commitment to social causes.
We believe in the importance of these social causes, so we’ve set up ways to connect and give back to the community. Currently, we support three major non profit organizations in Colorado Springs through employment and mentorship programs, donations, and fundraisers.
The incredible non profit organizations we’ve chosen to work directly with include, Springs Rescue Mission, The Place, and Food to Power.
Springs Rescue Mission
Homelessness, poverty, and addiction are difficult to overcome. Springs Rescue Mission recognizes these issues don’t have a quick fix, and they’ve built a holistic approach to finding pathways for their clients. They offer a variety of services to address the complex issues the homeless experience, including: a resource center that hosts case workers, bathrooms, laundry, mail services, and more; a kitchen that helps proved warm meals 3 times a day for anyone in need; men’s and women’s shelters to provide a safe place to rest; a transitional housing unit for those that have begun their transition off the streets; and a donation center. In 2021 alone, they provided shelter for 2,596 men and women totaling 116,906 nights, and cooked 186,651 meals for their clients.
For more info: www.springsrescuemission.org
The Place
The real life challenges of youth experiencing homelessness can be overcome. That’s where The Place comes in - they offer three vital programs that support young people on their journey. At The Place, youth find skills, support, and insight that allow them to step off the streets and step towards a brighter future. Their Outreach program meets youth where they’re at, connecting them with shelter, housing, or even helps them to reunify with family members. The Shelter, the only licensed youth shelter in Colorado Springs, provides a warm, safe option to a night on the streets while offering meals, clothing, and a health clinic. Finally, their Housing program helps youth live safely while they build their self-sufficiency. In 2020, 394 youth were contacted on the streets; 314 youth received gateway services (food, harm reduction, supplies, clothing), 90% of youth engaged in other programs at The Place, 26% of youth contacted on the street exited to a safe and stable environment).
For more info: www.theplacecos.org
Food to Power
Food to Power believes fresh food is a human right. Did you know that depending on which Colorado Springs neighborhood you’re born in, there can be up to a 16-year difference in average life expectancy? Many variables contribute to a person’s health, but fresh food access and food insecurity are strong indicators. And the neighborhoods with the poorest health in our community, which are considered “food deserts,” only have convenience stores and fast food, and no grocery store. Food to Power is working to create an equitable and thriving food system, by addressing the systemic issues that lead to food-insecurity in the first place. They do this by providing opportunities for neighbors to access, learn about, and grow fresh food. Their work uses neighborhood-based food solutions like the Hillside Hub, low-cost and no-cost fresh food retail options, urban farming, composting, community organizing, education, and youth employment. In 2021, Food to Power utilized 3722 volunteer hours to recover and distribute 435,008 pounds of food to 45,776 individuals, diverted 191,940 pounds of food scraps from the landfill reducing 169,061 pounds of CO2e (Carbon Equivalency) from entering the atmosphere, graduated 12 high school aged youth from its FLY paid internship, and broke ground on the Hillside Hub, Colorado Springs’ first neighborhood food center!
For more info: www.foodtopowerco.org