a Place for everyone

A crucial conversation about navigating the complex challenges of homelessness, building community trust, and changing perceptions in the Pikes Peak region. Two prominent leaders driving local, grassroots solutions in Colorado Springs take this deep dive: Kristy Milligan , CEO of Westside CARES Beth Roalstad , CEO of Homeward Pikes Peak They share frontline insights on serving at-risk and unhoused...

The Street Outreach team from Homeward Pikes Peak discuss the daily realities of engaging with unhoused individuals in the Pikes Peak region. Steve Wayant, LCSW and Haley Crist, MSW student share how they build trust, navigate systemic barriers, and help people transition from the streets into stable housing. Hosted by Beth Roalstad, Executive Director of Homeward Pikes Peak. LINKS: Street Outreac...

Jarron Cook, the visionary behind Father’s First , a new and vital organization in Colorado Springs discusses the critical role of fathers in the family unit and how this innovative program provides the housing, mentorship, and recovery support men need to become the pillars their families deserve. We also speak with Benjamin Herbert, the first staff member of Father’s First who is putting a new s...

The "Extended Family" Model: Discover how Fostering Hope uses a volunteer-based support system to act as "aunts and uncles," providing a safety net that prevents youth from reaching a point of crisis. Healing Through Connection: How developmental psychology and trauma-informed care are integrated into volunteer training. Brian Newsome oversees the Fostering Hope Foundation , a Colorado Springs-bas...

We dive into the vital work of Hope COS , a Colorado Springs-based organization dedicated to supporting individuals at their most vulnerable points. Executive Director Melissa Wallace discusses how their values-driven approach provides a lifeline for those navigating homelessness, battling addiction, or reentering society after incarceration. Key Discussion Points Providing compassionate, values-d...

A new recovery program called Step Springs helps men in a state of desperation end their cycle of addiction, take back control of their lives , and transition to a safe and sober living environment. There, they can become productive, contributing members of their families and our community. Step Springs CEO Meghan Shay shares details with our host, Beth Roalstad, CEO of Homeward Pikes Peak. For Mo...

Clean & Safe is a unique pilot program designed to make the heart of the city of Colorado Springs more welcoming to all and to connect people with needed resources to resolve homelessness. Beth discusses the program with Pat Rigdon, Director of Downtown Safety and Public Space for the Downtown Partnership of Colorado Springs. Clean & Safe Program: https://downtowncs.com/clean-safe-pilot-pr...

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado’s Deana Hunt covers the range of programs CC provides in our community and the footprint they have in our region. Deana is Vice President of Family Services for Catholic Charities of Central Colorado.  LINKS: Catholic Charities of Central Colorado: https://www.ccharitiescc.org/ a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak. We empower indi...

Beth sits down with long-time friend and professional colleague, Aimee Cox - chief of the Housing and Homelessness Response Department. The core activity of the City of Colorado Springs Housing and Homelessness Response Department is the strategic management and investment of public funds to strengthen neighborhoods, increase the availability of quality affordable housing, and prevent an...

Homeward Pikes Peak and the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) have worked together for several years providing street outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness. This episode explores when CSFD began doing street outreach and their unique role in our community. More information about the CSFD Community and Public Health Division can be found at  https://coloradosprings.gov/f...

A small but mighty organization is doing critical advocacy and organizing work of low-income residents who are renters in our community. Host Beth Roalstad sits down with Max Kronstadt and Will Smith of the COS Pro Housing Partnership. Through their efforts, tenants are using their voice to organize for better living conditions and for vital community services. The group uses grassroots organ...

Pikes Peak Housing Network’s mission is to foster innovative and collaborative solutions that advance housing affordability, access and production in the Pikes Peak Region. Executive Director Jill Gaebler shares data and details about her work. Jill is a former member of the Colorado Springs City Council where she served two terms. Prior to that, Jill worked for Greccio Housing and...

How does behavioral health contribute to homelessness, and how does Homeward Pikes Peak help people facing this obstacle? Homelessness is quite complex – often multiple contributing factors such as the cost of living, the cost of housing in our community, and then the complexities of broken family relationships, compounded by mental health and substance misuse by people. When someone has...

The Place offers housing, a drop-in center, and supportive services for youth up to age 24 years old. CEO Becky Treece shares details about The Place. Their mission is to empower Colorado youth to break the cycle of homelessness and forge supportive relationships and have self-sufficient, successful lives. The Place website - https://theplacecos.org/    Telephone - (719) 338-9257 a Place...

Learn about valuable housing resources for working families provided by Greccio Housing. Homeward Pikes Peak Executive Director Beth Roalstad sits down for this conversation with Lee Patke, Executive Director of Greccio Housing. Greccio's mission is to provide stable, safe, and affordable housing, to offer resources for residents to achieve stability, and to promote solutions to the affordable hou...

Why a surge in downtown housing isn’t causing costs to drop, plus the story behind a new affordable live/work space for artists. Host Beth Roalstad discusses these issues with Susan Edmondson, President and CEO of Downtown Partnership. Susan explains the structure and activities of the Downtown Partnership, and she provides details about an exciting project to break ground in early 2023 – Artspace...

Matthew Ayres, CEO of Dream Centers, joins host Beth Roalstad to share how the Dream Centers and Mary’s Home serve women of low income in our community and provides women and families with services ranging from health care to housing.  They also discuss resources for men, and the longtime collaboration between Dream Center and Homeward Pikes Peak.  LINKS: Dream Centers https://www.dreamc...

Learn how Springs Recovery Connection is helping individuals enter recovery and build skills to stay sober, thrive as adults and be active in our community. Trudy Hodges, CEO of Springs Recovery Connection, discusses the growth of her organization, its dreams for the community and how important being involved with others in Recovery contributes to  lifelong  sobriety. Trudy and host Beth Roalstad...

Help for children experiencing abuse is discussed, since April is child abuse prevention month. Host Beth Roalstad notes there’s an intersection between families facing multiple barriers or facing homelessness, and child abuse. Stacie Kwitek Russell, executive director of El Paso County’s Department of Human Service discusses the issues with Beth.  They are joined by El Paso County Public Informat...

We speak with a dynamic leader who not only knows how hard the transition is from prison to community at a community level, he knows it from a personal level. too. After serving 20 years in a Colorado prison for what was deemed a “hate crime,” Howie Close is now a leader in a movement to improve the pathway for men and women as they exit prison and return to our communities. Howie leads the Woodme...

What are the top affordable housing issues and what is being done to address these in Colorado Springs? It’s a hot issue and means different things to different people. We discuss it all in this conversation with three area affordable housing leaders.  Randy and BJ Scott are two of the founders of the Affordable Housing Collaborative, an advocacy organization that seeks to be a hub of information...

Today’s library is not just about books anymore, it is a vital hub where community, people, art, and technology intersect. John Spears, Chief Librarian and CEO of the Pikes Peak Library District, joins host Beth Roalstad to discuss how the Pikes Peak Library District is carrying out a new form of community library. What is most interesting to Homeward Pikes Peak is that our library has had a socia...

Today on this episode of - A Place for Everyone. we will tackle the issue of substance use in our community. The frequency or how often it occurs and where can someone get help when they are ready. My guests are colleagues from Diversus Health. Amanda Smith, Director, Substance Use Disorders and Case Management and E.J. RICKEY, MCG, Vice-President of Marketing and Communication Strategy | Diversus...

Peaceful Household’s Mission is To improve the health, social-emotional and economic outcomes for children and families by providing the foundation, leadership and education to build and sustain a trauma responsive community.  More information about this organization can be found at https://www.peacefulhouseholds.org/ .   Our Guest today is Kathy Orr, Executive Director of Peaceful Households; a R...

The Pheonix Colorado Springs is part of a national movement that offers a free sober active community to individuals who have suffered from a substance use disorder and to those who choose a sober life.  Using a peer support model, The Phoenix helps members heal and rebuild their lives while also striving to eliminate the stigma around recovery.  You can find more information about the p...