Archive stories

Dakota

Dakota and his family, a single mom and two siblings, came to Colorado Homeless Families as a last resort.  His mother had nowhere to go, was unable to pay the bills, and suffered from the after effects of emotional, mental, and physical abuse that left her feeling weary and beaten down.  Read more about Dakota

Darcella

Darcella grew up in the foster system.  She was bounced around from house to house until she turned 18, when she was left to fend for herself.  She became a mother herself soon after, and stayed at a shelter for pregnant teens until her son became too old for their assistance.  Read more about Darcella

From Tears to Laughter

A mother and 9 year-old daughter became homeless after the husband/father abandoned them. Although the mother worked hard as a Nurse’s Aid, they had to resort to living in their truck. Read more about From Tears to Laughter

Janeen

Janeen, a mother of 7 children, was married to a successful obstetrician with a six-figure income.  She had her Bachelors Degree in Psychology...  Due to some serious problems with Janeen's husband, she found herself homeless with no money and no place to go.  Read more about Janeen

Mary Lou

Mary Lou was a dedicated mother who was home schooling her two boys and supporting her husband as he worked on his PhD.  However, her husband would occasionally burst into fits of raging anger.  Read more about Mary Lou

Sue

One day, a mother, Sue, came into Colorado Homeless Families sobbing, desperate to speak to Connie Zimmerman.  She was at her wits end.  In between sobs, she told her story, what started out with such promise, turned out to be heart breaking.  Read more about Sue

Tim and Sara

Tim and Sara had only known each other a short time when she became ill.  They were planning to be married when they found out that Sara's kidneys were failing.  Read more about Tim and Sara

Helen

Helen is a young professional and only 23 years old.  She worked hard and graduated from college with a Bachelor's Degree, and was planning on going to graduate school when her family's life dramatically changed.  Helen's grandmother died, and upon her death, her mother's mental illness meant that she was no longer able to care for Helen's twin teenage brothers.  With her brothers' futures at stake, facing life in foster care, Helen sacrificied her own future to raise her brothers.  She worked two jobs, but it wasn't enough.  Helen and her brothers weren't able to pay for the necessities of life, rent, and food.  She was looking for a safe place to live when she happened to meet a former CHF resident, who graduated from CHF the previous year.  The former resident was so moved by Helen's story that she contacted Connie Zimmerman to ask for help on Helen's behalf.

Helen and her brothers are currently living at CHF.  The road hasn't been easy.  Her brothers' father suddenly appeared on the scene and insisted on having custody of the boys.  Their father had abandoned them when they were babies and they had NEVER met him, so Helen fought for her brothers once again.  The court system found Helen in favor and awarded her the sole legal guardianship of her brothers.

Helen is a remarkable young woman who is determined to change the world, not only for her brothers' sake but for others, as well.  Although she only moved into CHF in April, 2007, she has already organized and faciliitated a 16 week support group in her home that benefited the other mothers living at CHF.