Overview

Jeffco Action Center's mission is to provide an immediate response to basic human needs and to promote pathways to self-sufficiency.

 

Vision

To be a fluid and financially sound agency that identifies and responds to the basic human needs of the residents of Jefferson County.

 

Intervention, Prevention, Connection

Since 1968, Jeffco Action Center has been committed to expanding and refining its services to meet clients ever-changing needs.The Action Center's goal is to give clients a continuum of services to meet their current needs and the means to become self-sufficient. In working toward this goal, Jeffco Action Center's services focus on three areas: Intervention, Connection and Prevention.

 

Intervention

When a situation arises that could cause strife in a client's life, Jeffco Action Center helps by stopping the situation from getting out of hand. These situations are often where clients have to make a decision between paying their rent/mortgage payment or paying for food, medicine or utilities. The Action Center responds by providing immediate help and counseling to reverse the effects of the situation.

Programs in this area include: food, utility and rental assistance, bus tokens, homeless shelter and tenant/landlord counseling.

 

Prevention

Many Action Center clients aren't faced with an immediate situation, rather they are struggling during certain times of the year that could turn into a crisis situation. For these clients, Jeffco Action Center helps by fulfilling their need and bridging the gap between what they have and what they need.

Programs in this area include: food, clothing, household items, utility and rental assistance, bus tokens, medical assistance, tenant/landlord counseling, homeless prevention and seasonal programs (school supplies, holiday food and Santa Shop.)

 

Connection

Often the Action Center finds that the solution to many client's situations is simply a matter of connecting them with services they may not be aware they qualified for. Jeffco Action Center works in this area by educating clients and connecting them to services that are designed to help them break the cycle of poverty while becoming self-sufficient.

Key partners include: Metro Community Provider Network and Exempla Medical Center, Red Rocks Community College, Volunteers of America, Meals on Wheels and Jefferson County Human Services.

History

Past

For more than 40 years, Jeffco Action Center, a human-service non-profit, has stood as a beacon of hope to the homeless, near homeless and working poor of Jefferson County. It has help thousands of families and individuals break the cycle of poverty and improve their lives and their community.

Jeffco Action Center (originally called Jeffco Support Inc.) was started by Jefferson County Human Relations Council May 20, 1968 at Applewood Valley United Methodist Church as an information and referral service. The idea was to provide basic human services to residents of Jefferson County on an immediate basis and in a non-judgmental environment. Formal partnership with Church Women United began in May 1969.

During the 70's, the Action Center was growing in leaps and bounds thanks to efforts by local churches. In 1970, more than 700 families received clothing from two clothing banks at Lakewood Church of Christ and Wheat Ridge United Church of Christ. By 1971, three food banks were giving out supplies at First Presbyterian Church of Golden, Mountain Christian Church and Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church. Also in 1971, the Action Center had its first office at First Presbyterian Church of Lakewood.

The Santa Shop distribution started in 1972 and one year later, more than 600 children received gifts. This rapid growth trend would continue and by 1976 more than 1,300 children received gifts from Santa Shop. Other areas also expanded including the Meals on Wheels program and the first Beautiful Junk sale was held in 1977 at two locations.

All of this growth meant that the Action Center facilities needed to grow into its own space. After collecting Betty Crocker coupons and negotiating with the U.S. Government, a World War II barrack from Lowry Air Force Base were given to the Action Center. The barrack was cut in half to allow easy transport and the Action Center staff negotiated with local municipalities to raise street lights to allow the barrack to be transported across town. The move faced many hurdles and delays yet the barrack was finally transported to 45th and Wadsworth to become the main headquarters for the Santa Shop. Once in place, the Action Center held an open house for its new headquarters. However, only have of the barrack was moved and the open house was really an open house with half of the barrack exposed.

By the end of the 70s, the name had changed to Jeffco Action Center (1975), Santa Shop building moved to 44th and Kipling (1977) and emergency services personnel increased to a full-time position (1979).

The 80's were a period of new ideas, plans and continued growth. A new fundraising approach was stated in 1980 with the first Annual Walk with JAC raising $5,000. Also, the first Give Your Heart to JAC dinner was held (1987) through a partnership of CWU, churches and Kiwanis. In 1981, a five-year plan was developed and in 1985 the shelter program began. By 1986, Nancy Osborn was hired as Executive Director and the Action Center was serving 14,491 Food Bank Clients and 3,811 Shelter Clients. As the 1980's ended one more new idea was born as a new medical clinic was started (1989) as a joint venture between Jeffco Action Center and First Baptist Church of Lakewood.

The 90's were a period of continued facility growth with a new building dedicated in 1991 and a new shelter built in 1997. In 1992, the Beautiful Junk sale moved to First Baptist of Lakewood. The growth of the these facilities coincided with growing community needs and by 1993 (25th Anniversary) more than 28,000 five-day supplies of food and more than 146,000 pieces of clothing were being given away annually. Also, in 1999 the Beautiful Junk Sales total had climbed to more than $12,000 and a School Supply distribution began.

After decades of growth, the Action Center continues to grow to meet the need in the community. Since 2000, client-service numbers continue to climb, the Estes Street Community Clinic began (2001) and the Beautiful Junk sale has expanded to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds (2005). In 2002, the Action Center moved into a newly renovated facility and a strategic plan was unveiled. Fundraising also changed and grew with the final Give Your Heart to JAC dinner being held in 2004. That same year the first Where Action Matters breakfast raised more than $280,000 from the 405 attendees. Internal changes were also taking place with Mag Strittmatter being named as the new Executive Director (2006) and the Action Center using a new Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to better track client services.

Present

Through all the changes one thing has remained constant, as long as the need is there the Action Center will work to fill that need. Each year Jeffco Action Center gives out supplies to more than 25,000 clients, raises thousands of dollars to provide rent and utility assistance, utilizes more than 450 volunteers and shelters hundreds of clients. It serves a beacon to those in need giving them help, hope and dignity as they work to break the cycle of poverty.

 

Staff

Executive Director

Mag Strittmatter mags@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 205

Operations

Director of Operations	Pam McPhee pamm@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 206
IT Manager	Dan Marks itmanager@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 245
In-Kind Donations Manager	Herbert Floyd Muñoz herbertm@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 226
Finance Manager	Elaine Rule elainer@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 230
Office Manager	Linn Stanley linns@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 238
Senior Project Manager	Cathy Hatfield cathyh@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 246
Site Manager	Chris Gray chrisg@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension 249
In-Kind Donations Coordinator	Vacant
Dock Coordinator	Cody Russell codyr@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 226
Driver/Dock Coordinator	Kevin Rapp kevinr@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 226

Program Services

Director of Program Services	Mary Yendrek maryy@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 207
Manager of Client Services	Brooke Wuchner brookew@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 209
Manager of Shelter Programs	Jennifer Murphy jenniferm@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 218
Tentant/Landlord Coordinator	George Kellogg Phone: 303-237-0230

Volunteer Programs

Director of Volunteer Programs	Barbara Penning barbarap@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 243
Volunteer Coordinator	Tamra Padgett tamrap@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 229

Development

Director of Development	Joe Haines joeh@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 204
Development Officer	Denise Sealover denises@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 251
Grants Officer	Christine Groves christineg@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 247
Development Database Coordinator	Adele Najjar adelen@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 203
Communications Coordinator	Amanda Denning amandad@jeffcoac.org Phone Extension: 246

 

2010-2011 Board of Directors

OFFICERS

President - Rev. Ron Holmes
Vice President - Roger J. Mattson
Secretary - Leslie Mitchell
Treasurer - Jon Halverson
Past-President - Dave Norwood

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cindy Baroway President, Baroway Group LLC. Lakewood City Council Ward 2 Theron J. Bell Consultant Becky Cunningham Community Volunteer Doug Gier Consultant/Community Volunteer Allyson Gottsman Associate Director, Colorado Clinical Guidelines Collaborative Jon Halverson Vice President, Key Bank Martin Hartley Technical Manager, Jefferson County Government Rev. Ron Holmes Pastor, Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church Colleen Jorgensen Vice President of Instruction, Red Rocks Community College Linda Kirkpatrick Interim Resources Consultant, Community Activist

José A. Martinez Executive Director, School Management, Jefferson County Schools Roger J. Mattson Retired Engineer Leslie Mitchell Vice President, FirstBank Dan T. Moyle, Jr. Retired Attorney Dave Norwood Lakewood Branch President, Citywide Bank Brian Olson Owner/Consultant of Conversation Starters LLC Susan Paddock Owner, Paddock Realty LaDawn Sperling Communications Specialist, Newmont Mining Corp. Paula Stearns, RN Retired Nurse

 

Job Opportunities

 

In Kind Donations Dock Coordinator—Part-Time

Hours: Monday - Friday 9am–1pm and rotating Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm                                            

Job Summary: Accept in-kind donations from donors and vendors, unload vehicles, collect donor information and provide receipts, collect/sort/organize donations and stock shelves. Assist with special drives and events as required. Provide outstanding customer service as a representative of the Jeffco Action Center. To view a full job description, please click here.

Salary: DOE

Date Position starts: Immediately

Apply: Send resume and cover letter to jobs@jeffcoac.org  

 

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In Kind Donations Driver—Part-Time

Hours: Monday - Friday 9am–1pm and rotating Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00pm                                            

Job Summary: Make deliveries and pickups as assigned in Jeffco Action Center vans or trucks. Assist with loading/unloading any deliveries received. Assist with special drives and events as required and provide outstanding customer service as a representative of Jeffco Action Center. To view a full job description, please click here.

Salary: DOE

Date Position starts: Immediately

Apply: Send resume and cover letter to jobs@jeffcoac.org  

 

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Tenant Landlord Coordinator—Part-Time

Hours: Monday - Friday, 15 hours per week, schedule TBD                                            

Job Summary: Coordinate and oversee efforts of volunteer Tenant Landlord Counselors (TLC) providing telephone counseling.  These volunteers advise on tenant landlord disputes concerning applicable laws and rules. Prepare, maintain and update all forms and maintain reporting responsibilities. To view a full job description, please click here.

Salary: DOE

Date Position starts: Immediately

Apply: Send resume and cover letter to jobs@jeffcoac.org  

 

 

Jeffco Action Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Tours

Have you ever wondered what it takes for the Action Center to distribute more than three tons of food every day, what happens to a family when they walk through the front door seeking assistance or what the inside of the shelter looks like? Come take a look at how the Action Center makes it all happen! The tour schedule is listed below. Each tour is just one hour. Additional tours can be scheduled. Send an e-mail to Development Officer, Denise Sealover at DeniseS@jeffcoac.org, or call 720-407-6714 for more information or to sign up!

 

Day of Month	Time	Tour Location
1st Tuesday	Noon	Jeffco Action Center
2nd Thursday	4:30pm	Shelter
3rd Thursday	4:30pm	Jeffco Action Center
4th Tuesday	Noon	Jeffco Action Center

 

Client Stories

The following stories are real-life examples of the Action Center's work.

Angelina Gabaldon
Success is defined as the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors. It is to try and try again. For Jeffco Action Center, success is seen in their client’s strength and determination to improve their lives. Clients like Angelina Gabaldon.  

Angelina’s life began as an uphill battle. During her adolescent years she had already been through foster care, emancipated herself from her parents and became a mother herself. Faced with the pressures of being a middle-school student and single parent, she dropped out in order to work full-time.

“I was a baby having a baby,” Angelina said. “I have been forced to make hard decisions without feelings of regret.”

With hopes of changing the life of her young daughter, Angelina moved her small family out to Colorado to live with her mother. However things were still not going Angelina’s way. Her mother was still living the life that Angelina had tried to escape from as a child and soon they found themselves homeless.

Compounding her problems, Angelina’s boyfriend, now fiancé, broke his leg and was no longer able to work. Dealing with the financial and emotional stress of several surgeries and diabetic medication, Angelina’s full-time job as a Certified Nursing Assistance soon too slipped away. Her small family had now reached a critical point and was in need of serious help.

Angelina and her family turned to Jeffco Action Center. The young family needed help paying rent, medical bills, buying diabetic supplies, food and clothing.

Jeffco Action Center’s mission is to provide an immediate response to basic human needs and promotes pathways to self-sufficiency for its clients. All clients meet with a Client Services Counselor who evaluates their needs and arranges for the immediate services they can provide. Clients can make use of the Action Center's food bank, receive rent or utility assistance, medical assistance, peruse the clothing bank, receive bus tokens and get work readiness support.

“Jeffco Action Center is a one of a kind in Jefferson County,” said Angelina, “They provided us with hope and dignity. We utilized the Action Center at the darkest time in our life without shame. Every suggestion they made we took it.” 

It is success stories like Angelina’s that prove Jeffco Action Center to be a thriving and successful non-profit. It is not the number of people helped but rather the people themselves that choose to take that step and get the help they need to survive on their own.

Jeffco Action Center’s counselors also help clients connect with other community resources through referrals, including Red Rocks Community College. In just five years at RRCC, Angelina’s hard work and dedication paid off. She was able to earn her GED, Phlebotomy Certification and in May, 2009 Angelina graduated with an Associates of Applied Science.  She was the first in her family to earn a GED and is a first generation college graduated. Angelina plans to continue her education and is now working on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

Following the lead of Jeffco Action Center, Angelina is now giving back to her own community by working in the Gateway Program at RRCC. It is a program for those who have been involved in the criminal justice system and experienced the same difficult hardships as Angelina.  They are men and women looking to start their career and end the cycle of poverty.

She credits the Action Center for helping her to be the strong woman she is today.

 “My future now has unlimited opportunities. Once we had finally caught our breath from the knockout of our burdens we refused to let the resources go without success.”

Angelina thanks the Action Center for strengthen her family and teaching her the self sufficiency needed to lead her family down the right path. 

“I have experienced a lot of life’s curve balls,” Angelina says. “And when they are pitched I can always remember the hope and dedication from Jeffco Action Center.”

 

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Ed Michel
For nine years, Ed Michel was a pit boss at a Black Hawk casino. He got paid well, took his family on vacations and owned a house in Indian Hills.

A layoff last year was not in the 43-year-old's plans. Neither were two subsequent layoffs from jobs as a ranch hand and a Target overnight stocker. And certainly, he never planned to be sitting in a crowded room waiting for emergency food to feed his wife and kids.

"I was making $52,000 a year, and now I'm sitting here looking for bread," Michel said.

Michel's and son Tim Michel's families represent just two of the thousands of families that account for the 30 percent spike nationwide in the number of people accessing food from nonprofit agencies in the past six months due to the struggling economy.

Michel and 20-year-old son Tim, who lives with his girlfriend and their baby, visited the Action Center Monday after a morning of job hunting. It was Tim Michel's first visit after having been let go from jobs twice last year.

After losing his job at the casino, the elder Michel sold his home, tried a move to Oregon that proved fruitless and moved his family to an apartment in Lakewood.

"I just hang in there; it's got to turn," he said. "If I didn't have the kids with me I could go live in the woods myself."

 

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Melissa Devier
Sitting in the busy waiting area of the Jeffco Action Center, Melissa Devier is eager to talk about her new son and daughter: one-and-a-half-month-old twins.

"It's fun," she said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."

But her new babies, in addition to her 3-year-old, have brought some financial strain on Melissa's household.

"It's hard to come by extra spending money when I'm trying to keep the electricity on," she said.

That's why Devier comes to the Jeffco Action Center when she needs help.

"It's just when I really need it; when I'm down and out and scraping by," she said.

 

 

The Need in Jefferson County

Suburban poverty is difficult to see or measure. It is estimated that every night in Jefferson County, there are more than 2,000 homeless families living in their cars, hotels or overcrowding single-family homes. According to the 2007 Census, more than 42,000 Jefferson County residents are below the poverty line. Even more staggering is the poverty rates of those below the age of 18 which the census found to be more than 13,000 residents or 11.1 percent of the total population.

Yet the need in Jefferson County is more than just statistics. The individuals themselves that walk through the doors of Jeffco Action Center looking for help in such dire times explain the condition we are in. Jeffco Action Center’s mission is to provide an immediate response to basic human needs and promote pathways to self-sufficiency. The Action Center is a human-service nonprofit that arranges meetings between Client Services Counselors and clients to determine the client's needs. The services provided include a food bank, rent or utility assistance, medical assistance, clothing bank, bus tokens and work readiness support.

Shelter is a crucial part of the work readiness support. Often the poor and unemployed are unable to afford monthly rent so they are forced to live in motels as temporary solutions. Known as the “motel trap,” Jefferson County residents get caught up spending so much money on weekly rates that it is impossible to save enough for a deposit on their own home. The Action Center provides the only working shelter in Jefferson County. At least one member of the family must be working to stay and the clients can then save money to move out on their own.

School also is a challenge for children in need because they are not prepared for their day. Families spend hundreds of dollars a year on school supplies and the price keeps going up year after year. Jeffco Action Center is fighting this battle with its yearly school supply distribution, helping families stretch their budgets and get their kids off to a better start.

Besides having inadequate school supplies at the start of the year, many children in need are often attending school without having had a proper meal.  The Jefferson County Schools district reports that more than 20,000 students are on the free or reduced lunch program. Studies have shown that proper nutrition is critical to a child's ability to learn.

The Action Center’s food bank distributed more than 47,000 5-day supplies of nutritionally balanced food last year and  helped more than 25,000 Jefferson County residents last year alone. The 5-day supplies help families waiting for food stamps and other food assistance programs.    

Without a healthy and balanced diet, residents are put at risk for preventable diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. And with the rising cost of health care many of the working poor can no longer afford preventative medical care. Jeffco Action Center does its part by providing health assistance including financial help with prescriptions, glasses or dental requests, as well as providing case management services and access to the Estes Street Community Clinic.

Jeffco Action Center is the organization in the county providing an immediate response to the challenges that residents are facing. Basic human needs such as food, clothes and shelter are being met because of the Action Center. It is a vital part of rebuilding self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty. With the support of staff and volunteers, the Action Center is changing the picture of poverty in Jefferson County.