project leader
June W
location
506 E Moreno Ave
(Hillside Neighborhood)
latest update rss
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the project

Hillside, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, consists of many single and elderly residents ranging in age from 55-90+ years.  Hillside is one of most diverse neighborhoods in the city and many of our elders moved into the neighborhood in the 1950’s and 1960’s, as this was one of the few neighborhoods where non-white families who had a family member stationed at ENT air force base could live. Now, nearly 60 years later, many of these residents are now aging in place.For over 40 years, the Older American’s Act and the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments have funded daily lunches to seniors aged 60 years and older.  Lunches were served at various sites within El Paso and Teller counties to include two senior meal locations in the Hillside neighborhood.  However, earlier this summer, Hillside seniors were advised that their two sites would close due to budget constraints.

In September, the Savvy Seniors, The Urbanites Leading the Pikes Peak Region and Lil'Howard's BBQ worked together to host their own Senior Luncheon. It was a huge success. There were over 40 seniors in attendance who were grateful to not only have a meal together, but to see their friends and neighbors who they had not seen since the senior meal programs were discontinued. The pilot luncheon then turned into a brainstorm, how to continue this opportunity on a monthly basis so that seniors in the neighborhood had an opportunity to spend time together, share a meal and connect with their neighbors around everything from important issues to playing cards.

See event photos here:   https://www.mahoneyimages.com/Colorado-Trust/Urbanites-savvy-seniors-soiree-hillside-colorado-springs/n-FpSXGS/

the steps

We will follow the steps we took during our September pilot.

In September, these three organizations worked together to host their own Senior Luncheon. It was a huge success. There were over 40 seniors in attendance who were grateful to not only have a meal together, but to see their friends and neighbors who they had not seen since the senior meal programs were discontinued. The pilot luncheon then turned into a brainstorm, how to continue this opportunity on a monthly basis so that seniors in the neighborhood had an opportunity to spend time together, share a meal and connect with their neighbors around everything from important issues to playing cards.

See event photos here:   https://www.mahoneyimages.com/Colorado-Trust/Urbanites-savvy-seniors-soiree-hillside-colorado-springs/n-FpSXGS/

why we're doing it

The truth of the matter is that many of the Hillside neighborhood’s single and older seniors have been deeply affected by these site closures. Sharing meals is a major element of health equity, and it motivates our senior community to thrive and build social connections. The data shows that seniors who are more connected to their community and have a strong social support system tend to live longer than seniors living in isolation. As demonstrated in our September luncheon pilot, senior lunches allowed our elderly residents to enjoy a hot meal and to socialize amongst themselves, which curb isolation in the Hillside senior community.  Volunteers in the Hillside neighborhood car pooled and coordinated ride shares for those homebound and for those advised not to drive.   

Furthermore, according to our community data collected by the Hillside Advisory Team (a project of The Colorado Trust), Food Insecurity is our second greatest challenge in the Hillside neighborhood second only behind crime and safety. Access to fresh and nutritious foods poses a challenge to all ages in the Hillside neighborhood. The recent decision to eliminate both of the senior meal programs only further exacerbates the problem.

Unlike other senior meal programs, Hillside community seniors will have an opportunity to work with the onsite caterer and to select the menu items for the delicious home-style meal served each month.  This program will also offer a chance to socialize and to participate in a variety of music and activities, including door prizes.  Themed monthly programs will also include a range of guest presenters who will share vital information related to services and activities available in the city of Colorado Springs.  The landscape of our city is rapidly changing and Hillside seniors should have access to these new experiences and to the exchange of information in order to break the cycle of isolation.

budget

Food - $2000

Room rental - $800

Event promotion - $200



PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED = $3,000
ioby Platform Fee $35
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) $165
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $99
TOTAL TO RAISE = $3,299

updates

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photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • VNP of Denver
  • Andrea
  • Anonymous
  • The Waller Family
  • Nate