Stride

Due to a series of unfortunate events a few years ago, my family of four ended up at a shelter. We were lucky enough to find a shelter that would take all four of us in, including my husband, which was unique because 98% of shelters are for single woman or single man. Once we were in the shelter, we then had to find that 2% of help that would allow us to stay as a family in this transition period. STRIDE was the ONLY one that would allow this to happen. After going through an extensive evaluation and qualification period, we then had to find housing under the amount allowed. In Denver this was challenging, but Stride continued to work with their network and got us into our first three bedroom apartment and allowed my son and daughter to have a room of their own for the first time. After the 2 years of transitional housing, financial education, emotional and mental support, and continuous case management, we were able to qualify and move into another house on our own income and good word. A lot of people underestimate the affect these nonprofits have on the community and also underestimate who these services really benefit. As for me and my family, we know that our pride had brought us this far together and Stride was courageous enough to support us and have faith that their services will help make our dream of self sustainability a reality. I was born in poverty but worked since the young age of 14. I have kept a full time position before, during, and after our homeless situation. We are and have always been drug and alcohol free, and continue to pay for my health care, food, school lunches, and housing on my own, free from government assistance. Stride is made for families who are working, who are trying to be stable and provide for their families but just landed on hard times. I graduated from the Stride program 2 years ago, and still receive follow ups from my friends at Stride. If you are looking to donate to a non-profit that will truly make a difference, please consider Stride as your choice. Not only did their financial assistance go far in helping us, but it helped mold and provide an example of community for my children and push me to become the mother/wife/employee/friend i've always dreamt I could be.

Stride at help my family to a lot of help me during the holiday season have also help to intern the beginning of the year when school starts with supplies and or help if we need clothing. The Caseworkers are very a very inviting and respectful towards the clients. they also help out in many other ways as far as employment education and motivation.

The Stride program began to help me and my family in 2011. My family and I moved to Colorado and we didn't have much without this program. All the things that the caseworkers do for you is always over and beyond. They provided my family with Christmases, helped with Thanksgiving, finding a job, finding another place to live and they've also helped with transportation getting back and forth to work . I am very grateful for the people that work at Stride and the caseworker that I have, Julie Young. All the other workers that also participate with stride are excellent people as well. We appreciate all your help throughout these years. Not only are they there for you when you're having a hard time but even when you just need to talk to somebody . They have the best listening ears ever . I think that we need more organizations like Stride and I am very grateful when we need someone. Thank you very much to everybody who works for Stride for helping out my family .

Stride goes above and beyond to help their clients. In my year volunteering here at Stride, I have witness the lengths Stride goes to help these families. They take donated furniture, food and personal hygiene items, and personally deliver these essentials to new clients. I was able to experience their wonderful Christmas program where toy donations and gift cards for families and children fill their little office. Last Christmas, every child in Stride programs received what they asked for and more. Stride accommodates clients that may not have means of transportation, or gives clients gas vouchers (when available) that are in crisis situations so they can get to a safe place. Clients set goals and Stride caseworkers help in any way they can so people can achieve their goals. I feel like Stride is an essential part to helping the Lakewood community by providing housing services and a support system that many families don't have.

Our family ended up homeless, we just couldn't afford housing even though my husband and I both worked. Stride helped us get housing assistance! They didn't stop there. Stride helped us with Christmas gifts. My children even got to experience going to camp... We could never afford that. They provided resources to help our children get beautiful blankets. Stride gave me resource to help me provide school clothes. Stride helped me get clothing for job interviews. Through the goal setting, I eventually was able to obtain a job with benefits, well my dream job. I am still working there now. I have been living in the same place for more than 5 years. We now have a good rental history, and I feel that our family has a brighter future ahead. We are no longer with Stride but I will do what I can to pay it forward. I will pay it forward.

My name is Tia Jones and I am very fortunate to have been a client of STRIDE for the past six years. It started back in 2009, Being a single parent of four kids ages 24, 17, 15 and 9(two boys two girls) finally getting a mental health evaluation. I was transitioning out of Arapahoe House New Directions for Families (alcoholism) and finally received Section 8. I was assigned a wonderful counselor from STRIDE (Peggy Shannon) who began assisting me in my transition to self-sufficiency. It was a blessing. the organization helped me get the basic necessities to start and maintain a functional house. (cleaning supplies, kitchen supplies, and several other items. every Christmas has been a blessing. Also, STRIDE helped me with counseling which I thought at the time I didn't need but turned out I did. I had great success until I had a relapse, but STRIDE never gave up. Over the years I have had several different counselors but the help was still there. (relapse or not.) I had a major situation( DUI) in 2010 which opened my eyes. It took me a while but I faced all of my issuses and paid all of my fines. I excepted who I was and began to gain confidence in myself. Maintaining my counseling with mental health and with STRIDE I finally reached my goal (which I though was unobtainable) I GOT A JOB!!! at King SOOPERS 6-15-13 and have maintained employment and received a promotion and a raise. I am now a full time employee. I had a student loan that needed to be paid, done. I have a bank account, done. I am alcohol free for the past 4 years and I love it. The STRIDE organization never gave up on me and that made all the difference in the world. I do have family support and a great friend but, STRIDE had me make small goals and move up from there (no pressure). I did it and now I just need a little bit more help, I would like to move into a bigger place so my family can breath and feel comfortable but I don't have the money for a deposit. Now I can pay all bills required to maintain a household but the Deposit is the main issue stopping my process. If there is any way anyone can help me reach my goal my family and I would appreciate it. Thank You Tia Jones