City Testimonials: "I hope that you have received 500 calls saying THANK YOU for the new playground at Bonforte Park! It is a terrific neighborhood park and we so appreciate the improvements. I walk by every day and see so many children and parents enjoying themselves." -Citizen Comment "The crew from Engine 15A were professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and extremely helpful, not only did this group of professionals represent the Fire Department in a positive light, they also speak to a city government that is responsive and courteous to the public."- Citizen Comment "We've found with projects we're doing, the City seems to be as proactive as they possibly can be." -Real Estate CEO "Grateful for the progress made by CSPD to curb shoplifting." -Business Loss Prevention Manager "Not only was my concern addressed in a professional and timely manner, but Finance Planning & Analysis Manager Leslie Hickey took the time to let me know that changes were on the way. This is the direct opposite of some folks' perception of local government." -Citizen Comment "Thank you very much for fixing the potholes on the round about for Squirrel Tail and Brainard as well as the divot by the water outlet on Squirrel Tail towards Musgrave. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Citizen Comment "Accounts Payable Supervisor Patti McFarland was true to her word, she called me back within days to give a status report. Then she called again to update me. Then, she called today to let me know she had been able to contact the unreachable tow company, received an invoice, and would be reimbursing the portion the business manager agreed to pay! I know that it was a sustained effort because I tried for several months and got nowhere. I can't express my overwhelming gratitude to Patti and your office for their work in this matter. We run a service-based business and try to learn from other organizations whenever we can. I will bring up this instance at our weekly meeting as an example of good service to be commended and followed.Thanks to you and Patti for the surprisingly positive experience I had with your office." -Local Small Business Owner "Thanks to Traffic Technician Pete Doyle, his community attitude to work with the residents is commendable. Thank you once again." -Citizen Comment "Streets Operations Manager Bard Lower has provided me superb customer service, above and beyond what could reasonably be expected. I know that this has been a priority for your administration, and I felt it important to let you know that it is working. Mr. Lower and his associates deserve kudos for their proactive, thorough handling of this five-year-old snow plowing issue and I am grateful to you as well for making the City more responsive to citizen requests." -Citizen Comment "As a new resident of Colorado Springs, it’s apparent that the City really does excel in taking care of its residents and treats its citizens more like neighbors and friends than just customers on a long “to-do” list. Thank you for all your exceptional service." -Citizen Comment

Suzi Bach Tours Marion House Soup Kitchen

May 16, 2012 By

Mayor Bach’s wife, Suzi, learned a whole lot more about the Catholic Charities’ Marion House than just how many meals are served. Even though the Soup Kitchen did serve more than 208,000 meals last year alone, they provide a smorgasboard of benefits to those in need.

(L-R: President and CEO Mark Rohlena, Sam Edwards-VP of Poverty Reduction Services, Suzi Bach, Jeremy Silva-Security Supervisor and Operations Manager, Eric Evans-Director of Marion House Client Services)

The property and buildings were donated by the Tutt family and began by serving 120 meals per day. Last year their food budget was $35,000. They have 19 staff and over 1600 volunteers each month. Collaboration with other community organizations is key to being able to provide resources for every need.

They want to figure out the person’s needs but first they try to find out if the person is safe. They provide a meal and then ease into the assessment. They turn away those who are intoxicated and violent behaviors are not tolerated and will get someone banned.

“We try to meet them where they’re at,” said Jeremy Silva. “We try to serve everything we can; the main ingredient we serve here is love!”

Marion House is the largest soup kitchen in the state and is seen as a model agency for new soup kitchens. Some volunteers have been there for 27 years and there are 50 volunteers who run all the operations. 

Their calls have decreased 65% since collaborating with law enforcement.

Food that’s going bad, like lettuce, gets donated to the zoo so nothing goes to waste.

We were out of coffee, so we put it in every church bulletin and before we knew it we were flooded the coffee. So we call this (below) The Wall of Coffee!” said Sam Edwards.

Peak Producers, a group of the top 10% of all Realtors in the Pikes Peak area formed a partnership with the Marion House to sponsor families in need.

Through the Life Support Program, low income pregnant women and families with young children receive material goods, education, support, information and referrals. Parents have an opportunity to learn Parenting with Love and Logic®, receive financial counseling, and attend classes taught by Security Service Federal Credit Union. Their typical family has an average household income of $7800/year.

Eric said, “We are teaching people to fish. Close to 150 people a day get their mail delivered here. Through Client Services, we assess their needs, help them get get their birth certificates, etc. and help them achieve financial literacy education.”

 ”Partnerships make it happen!”

 

Following the tour, Suzi Bach expressed her appreciation for the work the Catholic Charities Marion House does for others. “I saw immediately the connection people have with you. We’ll keep this partnership going and it will be an honor to come back and volunteer!”

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Leadership Tagged With: , , , ,

Volunteers Drive Community Advancing Public Safety

April 6, 2012 By

Colorado Springs is a beautiful community with a very active volunteer population who generously invest their time and heart into a city they love.

 One of the fastest growing volunteer groups are those who support public safety organizations - police and fire.  The Community Advancing Public Safety (CAPS) is a new partnership between citizens and the city’s public safety guardians of police and fire.

The CAPS mission is to enhance quality of life through volunteer public safety services to the community and they do it quite well!

In 2011, the CAPS Program grew to almost 450 public safety volunteers supporting police and fire departments, a 25% increase in volunteers over the year prior. During that time, those volunteers dedicated over 48,000 service hours through the following programs:

Downtown Ambassador Program: Volunteers strolled throughout the downtown area, providing customer service to guests and merchants during the 2011 holiday shopping season. They served as extra eyes and ears for public safety.

Phase II of the program is planned for the summer months. Ambassadors are assisting with gathering business emergency contact information for the city’s 9-1-1 Communications Center, so it is readily available in case of an emergency.

Wildfire Mitigation: Volunteers have also managed the Chipping Program where they removed over 300 tons of slash mulch from 100 acres in 2011 in an attempt to mitigate fire danger. Over 1700 homes participated in this program across the city.

 

The Neighborhood Watch Program. This is a community-police crime prevention partnership. It’s led by a volunteer and under supervision of the city’s Crime Prevention Officers with over 800 block captains participating.

 

Victim Advocacy Unit: The Colorado Springs Police Department’s Victim Advocacy Unit assists victims of crime by providing immediate crisis intervention, follow-up support and information on victim rights and community resources. Over 20 volunteers are attending CSPD’s new 10 week Victim Advocacy Training Academy, expanding the previous volunteer base to provide a broader support to victims.

Want to get involved?

  • Join CAPS by visiting SpringsCAPS.org  and find the online volunteer application link
  • Sign up for a citizen ride-along with either the Fire Department or Police Department. There is no waiting, with 20 fire stations and four police stations from which to choose.
  • Register for the CSPD’s Citizen’s Academy, an 11-week series of informative sessions at a variety of locations that give an inside look at police operations.

Colorado Springs is fortunate to have so many civic-minded citizens willing to get involved. Stay tuned for more stories in the future on community members who are help to make things better – and safer – all around the town!

 

 

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Filed Under: Community Relations, Mayor Bach News, Public Safety Tagged With: , , , ,