a Place for everyone

26: The Power of Consistency: How Fostering Hope Builds Lasting Bonds for Foster Families

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:30:00 -0400

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-based nonprofit that recruits volunteers to serve as "aunts, uncles, and grandparents" to foster families. His work focuses on providing the emotional and practical support—like date nights, transportation, and a "listening ear"—that the traditional child welfare system often lacks.

Fostering Hope was established in 2006 after four years of research into the foster care system. Their goal was to better understand the plight of children in foster care and the challenges of foster parents who step up to provide them with a home. What began as a little more than a hunch and a heart for helping these families is today an organization impacting hundreds of lives.

Fostering Hope: https://fosteringhopefoundation.org/

How to become a volunteer: https://fosteringhopefoundation.org/volunteer/

Donate now: https://fosteringhopefoundation.org/give/

Get involved and Support HPP: https://homewardpp.org/get-involved/

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak and hosted by Executive Director Beth Roalstad. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability. Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

25: Emergency Shelter in Colorado Springs - Hope COS Delivers an Alternative

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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-driven support to bridge gaps in the community with justice, love, and humility. The team has lived experience which provides a key differentiator for high impact services.

Hope COS: https://hopecos.org/

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak and hosted by Executive Director Beth Roalstad. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability. Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

24: Getting a Step Up: Introducing Step Colorado Springs

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:42:00 -0400

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 More Information:

Step Springs: https://stepsprings.org/

23: Clean & Safe Pilot Program

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:45:00 -0400

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-program/

Downtown Partnership: https://downtowncs.com/

22: Catholic Charities of Central Colorado Steps Up Their Housing Game

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:15:00 -0400

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 individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability. Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

21: Colorado Springs's Long-Time Advocate to Address Homelessness: Aimee Cox

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:04:00 -0400

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 and address homelessness.

Formerly known as the Housing and Community Vitality Department, the renamed Housing and Homelessness Response Department clarifies its focus on creating a thriving community by tackling housing instability and homelessness. While the department does not typically provide direct services to individuals, it acts as a crucial hub for funding and coordinating with non-profit organizations and other agencies that do.

https://coloradosprings.gov/HousingHomelessnessResponse

For more information on the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care: https://www.pikespeakcoc.org/

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability. Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

20: Colorado Springs Fire Dept – More Than Just Putting Out Fires

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:21:00 -0400

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/fire-department/page/community-and-public-health-cares. Additional questions about their work can be through email with the Director: Steven M. Johnson, Steven.Johnson@coloradosprings.gov

19: Building a Housing Justice Movement in Colorado Springs

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 15:20:00 -0400

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 organizing and social justice ideals to advance the rights of our community members.

COS Pro Housing Partnership: https://cosphp.org/

18: Housing Affordability - A Conversation with Pikes Peak Housing Network’s Jill Gaebler

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 07:49:00 -0400

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 served in the Us Air Force. Jill is also a former board member of Homeward Pikes Peak.

Website: https://pphousingnetwork.org/

State of Housing Report: https://pphousingnetwork.org/resources.html

17: The Intersection of Behavioral Health and Homelessness

Sun, 25 May 2025 13:58:00 -0400

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 untreated mental health issues or substance use turns into misuse and addiction it has a negative impact on everything – housing, employment, and overall health. Homeward Pikes Peak has an outpatient treatment clinic and today we speak to its director Katie Edelson Milo.

Resources:

Homeward Pikes Peak http://www.homewardpp.org/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/

National Healthcare for the Homeless Council: https://nhchc.org/

16: The Place Connecting At-risk and Unhoused Youth to Vital Services and Housing

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:40:00 -0400

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

15 Greccio: A Solution Focused Housing Organization

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 21:36:00 -0400

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 housing needs of our community.

Greccio currently serves over 1,000 residents per year through properties across Colorado Springs. Beyond providing affordable housing to lower their cost of living, they offer access to a variety of services, guidance, community events, educational workshops, and ongoing assistance that helps on their path toward self-sufficiency and financial independence.

Greccio Housing https://www.greccio.org/

Homeward Pikes Peak https://www.homewardpikespeak.org 719-473-5557

a Place for everyone, and Studio 809 Podcasts, appreciate the generous support of Gold Hill Mesa https://www.goldhillmesa.com/

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you a Place for everyone with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing.

14 Intersection of Housing and a Vibrant Downtown

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 12:24:00 -0400

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, an affordable live/work space for artists with rent priced for artisans earning up to 60% of average median income.

Downtown Partnershiphttps://downtowncs.com/

Downtown Ventureshttps://downtowncs.com/ventures/

Artspacehttps://www.artspace.org/

a Place for everyone, and Studio 809 Podcasts, appreciate the generous support of Gold Hill Mesa https://www.goldhillmesa.com/

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you a Place for everyone with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing.

Homeward Pikes Peak https://www.homewardpikespeak.org 719-473-5557

13 Filling a Gap in Healthcare and Housing: Dream Centers of Colorado Springs

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 23:07:00 -0400

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.dreamcenters.com/

12 Springs Recovery Connection: A Local Solution Based on National Model

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 23:09:00 -0400

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 (executive director of Homeward Pikes Peak) compare notes on this vital work that engages both organizations.

Recovery community organizations (RCOs) are the heart and soul of the recovery movement. In the last ten years, RCOs have proliferated throughout the US. They are demonstrating leadership in their towns, cities and states as well as on the national landscape. They have become major hubs for recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carrying out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and becoming players in systems change initiatives. Many are also providing peer-based recovery support services. RCOs share a recovery vision, authenticity of voice and are independent, serving as a bridge between diverse communities of recovery, the addiction treatment community, governmental agencies, the criminal justice system, the larger network of health and human services providers and systems and the broader recovery support resources of the extended community.

MORE INFO:

Springs Recovery Connectionhttps://srchope.org/ (719) 465-2295.

New Recovery Community985 W. Fillmore St.

Faces & Voices of Recovery https://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/

a Place for everyone, and Studio 809 Podcasts, appreciate the generous support of Gold Hill Mesa https://www.goldhillmesa.com/

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you a Place for Everyone with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing. Homeward Pikes Peak provides re-entry housing for men and women who have had a history of substance abuse and are at risk of becoming homeless. Learn more at our website. https://homewardpp.org/

11 Child Abuse Prevention Month

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 19:23:25 -0400

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 Information Specialist Kristina Iodice.

LINKS:

DHS helped to create Family Treatment Drug Court: https://www.courts.state.co.us/Administration/Custom.cfm?Unit=prbsolcrt&Page_ID=448

El Paso County Department of Human Serviceshttps://humanservices.elpasoco.com/

Additional resources to receive training on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. https://www.peacefulhouseholds.org/

Homeward Pikes Peak https://www.homewardpikespeak.org 719-473-5557

a Place for everyone, and Studio 809 Podcasts, appreciate the generous support of Gold Hill Mesa https://www.goldhillmesa.com/

and the support of the MeadowGrass Music Festival 2022, coming up this Memorial Day weekend. https://rockymountainhighway.org/index.php/information/

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you a Place for Everyone with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing.

10 Prison Re-Entry: How to Ease a Rough Transition

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 18:54:05 -0400

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 Woodmen Valley Chapel Prison Ministry https://woodmenvalley.org/prison.

This is a dynamic team of over 160 volunteers who work inside and outside of prisons around the state of Colorado. It is part of a statewide and national movement. Not only does it bring spiritual support to inmates, but it also assists in building life skills, setting up employment success and locating housing when these folks return to our cities and towns across the state.

More information about how organizations can become involved with the Colorado Dept. of Corrections: https://cdoc.colorado.gov/about/community-engagement

Homeward Pikes Peak provides re-entry housing for men and women who have had a history of substance abuse and are at risk of becoming homeless. Learn more at https://www.homewardpp.org

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you a Place for Everyone with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing.

9 Affordable Housing in Colorado Springs

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 13:03:59 -0400

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 and lead efforts to increase affordable housing in El Paso County. Barb Van Hoy is a Policy Analyst in the Community Development Division of the City of Colorado Springs.

Randy Scott has been a corporate leader in Colorado Springs and led a capacity building and strategic planning nonprofit organization that supported the leadership and strategic initiatives of other nonprofit organizations in our community.

BJ Scott retired from her role as CEO of Peak Vista Community Health Centers a few years ago after dedicating twenty years to the health and welfare of some of our community’s most vulnerable members.

As a policy analyst with the City's Community Development Division, Barb supports public policy and impact analysis, along with public engagement for the programs supported by entitlement grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Community Development Division allocates about $5 million annually in federal formula block grants through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program. The Division is managing an additional $41 million through recent federal COVID relief and stimulus packages to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus impacts.

LINKS:

Affordable Housing Collaborative Information Hub https://affordablehousingelpasoco.org/

City of Colorado Springs Community Development Division https://coloradosprings.gov/communitydevelopment

City plan for Housing https://coloradosprings.gov/homecos

Homeward Pikes Peak www.homewardpp.org

Hope Never Ends Event for HPP https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTIyNjMz

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you a Place for Everyone with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing. For more information visit our website http://www.homewardpp.org or contact the organization.

8 Library for the People

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 20:17:34 -0400

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 social worker on staff for about three years. This staff person is considered a subject matter expert on the needs of the library guests who experience homelessness. There is a librarian for business, children, and research… why not a “librarian” for people? You can find more information on the Pikes Peak Library District and Homeward Pikes Peak in the links below.

LINKS:

Pikes Peak Library District

Library Programs

Homeward Pikes Peak

Strengthening Communities: The Role of the Public Library as a Site of Connection

Extending Our Reach: Reducing Homelessness Through Library Engagement

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you a Place for Everyone two times per month with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing. For more information visit our website or contact the organization.

7. Substance Use and Mental Health Barriers in Our Community

Mon, 24 May 2021 18:55:05 -0400

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 Health. Diversus Health recently changed its name recently from AspenPointe.

Diversus Health offers health care services focusing on counseling, psychiatry, addictions, and crisis intervention. Navigating the way to the proper kind of care can be tricky but the message is that there is help available. https://diversushealth.org/

Homeward Pikes Peak brings you A Place for Everyone two times per month with interviews on different dimensions of substance abuse, homelessness, and housing. For more information visit our website or contact the organization.

6 Lasting Impact of childhood trauma

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 20:04:14 -0400

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 Registered Nurse, Master Trainer of ACES and a community leader and advocate regarding reducing trauma experienced by young children and their families.

5. Rise Recover Live - The Phoenix of Colorado Springs

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 20:47:00 -0400

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 programs and find a gym and a community near you on their website click here.

Today's guest, Dan Hugill is a coach, peer recovery coach and advocate for individuals in recovery and those exiting the criminal justice system. Dan shares his story of drugs, alcohol and criminal behavior that started as a teen in Colorado Springs. Now he is able to give back to his community. He has repaired relationships and found new purpose and uses his story to help others.

Both organizations are participating in the Indy GIVE! campaign of 2019. Please consider a gift to HPP with this link. Donations to The Pheonix can be done here

4. How does data inform services?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 03:51:31 -0400

This interview with Dr. Tatiana Bailey will examine what we know through research about individuals who experience homelessness in Colorado Springs – how do we define the problem and what are common characteristics? In 2017, HPP began working on program evaluation to better understand the challenges our clients face and which interventions work well. Data collection continued in 2018 and results were published in 2019.

Tatiana Bailey has her Master's in economics and her doctorate in public health, both from the University of Michigan. In the health care arena, Dr. Bailey has focused on programs that aim to increase access and quality while reducing costs, particularly for at-risk populations. She also presents to audiences who wish to be better informed about the general framework of the health care system in the United States. In the economic development field, she has focused upon economic growth initiatives primarily through the venues of workforce readiness and entrepreneurship. Currently, she is the Director of the UCCS Economic Forum within the College of Business and serves as an economic development resource to local businesses and government. She aims to inform audiences about our national and local economy and participates in initiatives that leverage the region's many assets.

UCCS Economic Forum

Who Are the Colorado Springs Homeless? Part One Colorado Springs Business Journal

Who Are the Colorado Springs Homeless? Part Two Colorado Springs Business Journal

A Place for everyone is the Pikes Peak region’s podcast about housing, homelessness, resiliency, and recovery. It’s produced by Homeward Pikes Peak. Our mission is to support individuals to achieve their full potential in recovery from substance abuse and to exit homelessness and move towards permanent housing. Learn more at homewardpp.org.

3 Roofs, Resources, and Relationships- Three Keys to address youth who experience homelessness

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 16:20:53 -0400

A PLACE for Everyone, the Pikes Peak region’s podcast about housing, homelessness, resiliency, and recovery. The podcast is brought to you by Homeward Pikes Peak. Our mission is to support individuals to achieve their full potential in recovery from substance abuse and to exit homelessness and move towards permanent housing.

Today's interview is with Shawna Kemppainen, the CEO of The Place, a former affiliate of Urban Peak. The Place ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives. This organization is about 20 years old and has played a critical role in serving youth – both teenagers and young adults.

Look for more information about The Place check out their website https://theplacecos.org/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/theplacecos/ or at the Indy GIVE! page https://indygive.com/nonprofit/the-place/

More information about Homeward Pikes Peak at https://homewardpp.org/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/homeward-pikes-peak Or at the Indy GIVE! https://indygive.com/nonprofit/homeward-pikes-peak/

2 Westside CARES

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 18:08:50 -0400

Food, financial and medical assistance top the list of critical services Westside CARES provides “neighbors” in need. CEO Kristy Milligan shares her perspective and information about her programs and community needs with host Beth Roalstad.

The conversation addresses the power of compassion and equalizing in developing relationships with neighbors experiencing homelessness. Milligan discusses the acute trauma that often leads people to homelessness, and how finding relationship and solidarity as well as addressing profound issues of economic injustice in our city is necessary to solve the issue. She and Beth also discuss gentrification, Housing First models, the importance of mental health services, and what community members can do to help the most vulnerable members of our community.

A Place for everyone is the Pikes Peak region’s podcast about housing, homelessness, resiliency and recovery. It’s produced by Homeward Pikes Peak. Our mission is to support individuals to achieve their full potential in recovery from substance abuse and to exit homelessness and move towards permanent housing. Learn more at homewardpp.org.

LINKS:

Westside CARES

Homeward Pikes Peak

1 Housing Challenges in Colorado Springs

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 14:50:56 -0400

What does home mean to you? What is the connection between homelessness and housing stability? A person would need to work 73 hours a week at minimum wage to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Colorado Springs.

Who are the homeless, how did they get here, and what do they need? This inaugural episode of the podcast defines the problem of homelessness for our community – central El Paso County and Colorado Springs.

Executive Director Beth Roalstad invites two Homeward Pikes Peak staff members into the studio for a conversation defining homelessness, providing some surprising data, and dispelling some myths. Her guests are Housing Specialist Nina Miller and Street Outreach Worker Jansen Howard.

A Place for everyone is brought to you by Homeward Pikes Peak. Our mission is to support individuals to achieve their full potential in recovery from substance abuse and to exit homelessness and move towards permanent housing. Learn more at homewardpp.org.

Point in Time Survey data from Community Health Partnership and the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care:

State Housing Wage as researched by the National Low Income Housing Coalition Out of Reach 2019

Homeless youth in schools in Colorado Springs by the Colorado Dept. of Education