EOC Spending $9.375 Million to Support Energy Affordability
Energy Outreach Colorado plans to distribute $9.375 million statewide through its 2007-08 programs to help Colorado households afford home energy.
This funding, which Energy Outreach raises through foundation, corporate, government and individual donations, includes:
With Colorado energy costs predicted to increase again this winter, Energy Outreach Colorado is working to help limited income households manage their way through emergency situations with energy assistance and gain long-term control over their energy costs through more efficient housing and energy management education.
“We’re very committed to helping our low-income recipients not only keep their heat on, but also participate in Colorado’s growing commitment to energy efficiency,” said Skip Arnold, executive director of Energy Outreach Colorado. “By helping these households afford higher efficiency heating systems and better insulated homes, we can lower their home energy costs while helping them reduce their impact on the environment.”
For information about how to get assistance or make a donation, go to our website at www.EnergyOutreach.org or call toll-free 1-866 HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435).
EOC IN ACTION
Energy outreach colorado outlook
by Skip Arnold, executive director
This year marks my 5th anniversary working with Energy Outreach Colorado. When I joined the organization in the winter of 2002-03, I knew there was a significant need for energy assistance. I’ve since learned how truly critical energy assistance is for the health and safety of Colorado’s limited income population – and what a daunting task it is to secure adequate funding.
Based on the 2000 U.S. census, more than 1 in 5 Colorado citizens is considered low-income – meaning they earn below the level that qualifies them for assistance from the federal LEAP program. Many of these seniors, families, and individuals with special needs pay 40% or more of their total income for heat and electricity. That leaves precious little for food, housing, medical care, clothing, transportation, and other basic necessities.
Federal LEAP resources in 2002-03 were actually less than in the winter of 1981-82, when Jimmy Carter was president. Many limited income households were doing without what most of us consider items that are not optional just to pay their utility bill. For example, 4 in 10 households that received assistance still had to do without medicine and medical care at some point just so they could pay their utility bill.
How has the situation changed in the past five years, and how has EOC and its donors responded? I think you’ll be surprised.
· Prices are up…way up. Comparing the winter of 2002-03 to what we believe the situation will be this coming winter, the cost for home energy has gone up 84%, or nearly doubled, for all residential consumers. Even worse, limited income households have seen the amount they have to pay out of their own pocket go up 171%, or nearly triple, because overall assistance funding has declined.
· In comparison, federal assistance has changed little since 2002-03. Federal LEAP funding has increased 10% in the past 5 years.
· EOC’s average grant to recipients has gone from $201 to $379, and through our network of partner agencies, we have helped twice the number of households.
· In the winter of 2002-03, homeless individuals rarely mentioned the cost of utilities as the reason they became homeless. Now, the cost of utilities is the second leading cause of homelessness based on statements from those without a home.
EOC’s programs have grown to address the need. In 2002-03 we distributed $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements. This year we will distribute nearly $1.9 million. In 2002-03, we distributed $4.15 million in energy assistance. This year we will distribute more than $7.8 million.
Because of our donors’ generosity, we have been able to increase our funding for low-income seniors, families and individuals with special needs. As we face the worst winter ever for our clients, we know we can count on you again. Thank you for helping us generate the power to help.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gayle Berry
Howard Boigon
Dian Callaghan
Adam Goldman
John Harpole
Joel Johnson
Jim Lightner
Patricia Nelson Limerick
Michael McFadden
Tom O’Donnell
Mark Sexton
Mark Sunderhuse
Jack Swift
Troy Whitmore
STAFF
Skip Arnold, Executive Director
Jennifer Gremmert, Deputy Director
Heather Gullen, Administrative & Program Assistant
Peggy Hofstra, Communications Director
Lisa McDonald, Development Director
Jennie Miller, Assistant Deputy Director
Rose Reed, Director of Administrative Services
Bethany Therrien, Director of Web & Database Management
Shelly Wallace, Director of Long-term Energy Solutions
To learn more visit us online at www.EnergyOutreach.org or call 303-825-8750.
Energy Assistance Helps Senior Greeley Couple
Forty-one years ago, Leona and Kenny H. vowed to support each other in sickness and in health. Little did they know how challenging that would become.
Leona, now 63, suffers from chronic pancreatitis, as well as an esophagus condition and other disorders that require her to maintain a strict diet and juggle 17 prescriptions. Kenny, 69, is diabetic and has survived a major stroke, a bleeding ulcer and a heart blockage that required angioplasty and the insertion of three stents.
The Greeley couple lives on a fixed income of social security benefits. Both had long, productive work careers – Leona as a bookkeeper and Kenny as an information technology specialist with Storage Technology after serving six years in the U.S. Navy.
They saved for their retirement, but their disabilities required that they both retire early. Their savings have gone toward medical bills and daily living expenses. Because they were earning relatively high wages before retirement, they aren’t eligible for most assistance programs.
“When you’ve got $10 to last two weeks, you know things are bad,” Leona said. “It’s very difficult for senior citizens who are disabled and on a fixed income.”
This summer they received a shut-off notice for their electricity. They turned to the Faith Community Service Fund in Weld County, which had provided them with other assistance in the past. With the help of Energy Outreach Colorado funds, part of the outstanding amount on their Xcel Energy bill was paid so they could set up an average monthly payment plan.
“There’s just miracle after miracle,” said Leona, who tries to maintain a positive outlook on life in spite of their difficulties. “It’s actually a miracle that Kenny and I are both still alive.”
With a smile, Leona recalled the first time she met Kenny – one Friday evening in 1965 when she was working her weekend job managing a restaurant in Brighton. He walked through the door, she looked into his kind eyes, and she told her friend, “that’s the man I’m going to marry.”
Looking forward to celebrating their 42nd anniversary in January, Leona added, “we’re still best friends.”
Energy Outreach Awards $800,000 in Energy Efficiency Grants
Energy Outreach Colorado is awarding $800,000 in grants to 18 Colorado organizations in 2007-08 to fund energy efficiency measures for new and renovated affordable housing projects across the state.
As a result, limited income residents will use less energy to heat and light their homes, allowing them to stay warm and safe while reducing their energy costs and reliance on energy assistance.
“We can’t control how high energy prices will climb, but we can manage how we use energy,” said Shelly Wallace, EOC’s director of long-term energy solutions. “These grants support programs to make homes more efficient and provide energy efficiency training to help residents stay healthy and safe for the long-term, while limiting their impact on the environment.”
Energy Outreach Colorado energy efficiency grant recipients include:
EOC also awarded grants to promote energy conservation education to:
“The interest in energy efficient housing projects and conservation education has increased among developers, educators and donors since our long-term energy solutions program began nearly 10 years ago,” said Wallace. “I expect interest will continue to grow as energy supplies and protecting the environment remain important issues for us all.”
More information about grant recipients and projects is available at www.EnergyOutreach.org/join-esg.asp.
Saving Energy a Gift for Limited Income Families
Thousands of limited income families in Colorado are receiving free energy saving kits for their homes through a new Energy Outreach Colorado program funded by the Governor’s Energy Office.
The kits contain compact fluorescent light bulbs, high efficiency shower heads, thermometers to adjust refrigerator and water heater temperatures and educational materials. Energy Outreach Colorado is working with 10 assistance agencies in locations around the state to provide the kits along with one-on-one training to families needing assistance.
Metro CareRing of Denver, one of the agencies helping distribute the kits, has seen an enthusiastic response from their clients. “Not only do they leave with the financial assistance they need, but also with tools to help them conserve energy and save money,” said Minerva Ortiz, a Metro CareRing case worker. “Some clients also have said the kit will help them teach their children about how to save energy.”
Agencies distributing energy savings kits are: Colorado Springs Utilities – Northern Churches and Pikes Peak Community Action Agency (El Paso and Douglas counties), Denver Urban Ministries, Faith Community Service Fund (Weld County), Family and Intercultural Resource Center (Summit County), Grand Valley Catholic Outreach (Mesa County), Jeffco Action Center, La Puente Home (Alamosa County), Metro CareRing (Denver County), Pueblo Catholic Charities and Thistle Community Housing (Boulder County).
Estate Planning Can Establish Your Charitable Giving Wishes
If you haven’t thought much about charitable giving and how to continue giving into the future, now may be the time. Planned giving is a strategy that lets you designate charitable contributions through your will, trust, retirement fund or insurance policy. This can maximize your personal objectives while minimizing after-tax costs.
Depending on the gift asset and type of arrangement you select, you can generally expect to obtain some or all of the following benefits:
Susan Spancers, an Energy Outreach Colorado donor and certified financial planner, went through this process with her husband last year when they implemented a living trust.
“We felt strongly that we wanted to be able to control how we give to charitable organizations well into the future, even beyond our lifetimes,” she said. “We set up our trust to be able to specifically alter and adjust our list of charitable organizations if our focus and interests should change over time.”
The Spancers have donated to Energy Outreach Colorado since 2003.
“EOC is highly rated by Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau, and about 95 cents of each dollar donated goes directly to services,” she added.
For more information on making a planned gift to Energy Outreach Colorado, please contact Jennifer Gremmert at 303-226-5052. To contact Spancers & Associates, Inc., call 303-766-9599.
Donate to EOC Through Employee Programs
If you participate in an employee giving program at your workplace, consider directing your donation to Energy Outreach Colorado. If you are a Denver-area federal employee, you can contribute to Energy Outreach Colorado by selecting number 25950. If your company participates in a United Way program or Community Shares, you can designate your contribution specifically to Energy Outreach Colorado.
SPOTLIGHT
National Fuel Marketing, in partnership with St. Mary Land & Exploration, raised $175,000 to benefit Energy Outreach Colorado at the Third Annual Natural Gas Industry Charity Golf Tournament at Inverness Golf Club on Aug. 23. The event more than doubled what was raised last year in spite of a little precipitation.
“Being in the energy industry, National Fuel Marketing is particularly aware of and sensitive to high energy costs and how they impact our fellow Colorado citizens,” said National Fuel Marketing President Dan Joss. “We’re thrilled to assist Energy Outreach Colorado as it helps those who struggle to cope with this issue.”
Thank you golf tournament supporters:
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Coal Sponsor
Methane Sponsors
Solar Sponsors
Team Sponsors
CHFA Golf Tournament Benefits Energy Outreach Colorado
Energy Outreach Colorado received $56,200 as one of the beneficiaries of the 18th annual J. David Barba golf tournament hosted July 31 by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA).
IPAMS Bikers Donate $30,000 to EOC
The Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States (IPAMS) Bicycle Club raised more than $30,000 in donations for Energy Outreach Colorado during the 2007 Colorado Triple Bypass, a 120 mile ride from Evergreen to Avon.
Donors included Oil and Gas Investor Magazine, Forest Oil, Cordillera, Bill Barrett Corp., Sequel Energy Ventures, Prima Exploration, Tracker Resource Development, EOG Resources, Quantum Resources, Hogan & Hartson, J.L Obourn Jr. & Co., National Fuel Corporation, Bank of the West, Enerplus Resources, Dudley & Associates, Robert L. Bayless LLC, Stonegate Resources, Lario Oil & Gas, Forest Oil Corp., Energy Spectrum Advisors, Plexus Capital, EnCap Investments, Ernst & Young, Delta Petroleum, Hexagon Investments, Tristone Capital and Black Creek Capital. Individual sponsors included Jim and Kathy Lightner, Jim Schroeder, Randy Pharo & Joey Porcelli, Steven Kris, Kevin Stowe, Ward Polzin and Tad Herz.
“Colorado’s energy industry has an outstanding record in supporting our mission of assisting low-income families with their energy needs, and IPAMS has been instrumental in fostering this support,” said Skip Arnold, executive director of Energy Outreach Colorado.
EOC Increases Efficiency Help for Non-Profits
Energy Outreach Colorado is expanding its program to provide free energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades to nonprofit facilities that provide shelter or other 24-hour services.
The Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP), launched in March 2006, has received additional funding through a franchise agreement between the City and County of Denver and Xcel Energy. The agreement designates more than $600,000 a year from funds allocated to low-income energy assistance programs to go toward NEEP operations within the City and County of Denver.
In addition, the Daniels Fund has provided a grant for EOC to assist nonprofit organizations outside of the City and County of Denver. And EnCana, a leading North American oil and gas producer, is designating NEEP funds specifically for Weld County.
“The idea for NEEP was born from our discussions with Xcel Energy about the adverse impact of rising energy costs on nonprofit organizations,” said Shelly Wallace, director of long-term energy solutions for Energy Outreach Colorado. “Because of increasing energy costs, many agencies that serve the low-income population are facing difficult decisions of whether to cut services or charge fees in order to manage their costs.”
Through partnerships with the Xcel Energy Foundation, Denver Foundation, Daniels Fund, Mile High United Way, and the Governor’s Energy Office $160,000 was initially raised to launch a pilot effort of this program last year. Five Denver nonprofit organizations participated in the NEEP pilot – Family Tree, Gateway Battered Women’s Shelter, SafeHouse Denver, Urban Peak and Volunteers of America. These organizations typically serve men, women and children on the brink of homelessness, individuals who are coming out of domestic violence and individuals with mental illness. Like most organizations that shelter people during the day or around the clock, these organizations have a ‘high load factor’ which means they use energy every day, all day and at night. Because they can’t easily change their energy-use patterns their facilities will greatly benefit from energy improvements such as insulation and higher efficiency appliances and lighting.
Family Tree
Family Tree received energy efficiency measures in three of its shelters for women and children in crisis, along with two transitional housing apartment units for the homeless. According to Scott Shields, CEO of Family Tree, “The energy efficiency measures that have been installed in our facilities will allow us to re-invest the savings generated from such measures back into our programs for the people who rely on us.”
Greeley Network Provides Energy Assistance and Hope
Two years ago, 18 volunteers from faith-based and non-profit organizations serving the Greeley area joined efforts to form Faith Community Service Fund.
Today, the organization has grown to provide assistance and funding for utilities, rent, medical prescriptions, food, transportation and other specific needs. It works closely with the Weld County United Way and 2-1-1 organizations and is supported by 38 churches and agencies and 29 dedicated volunteers.
“By working together, our partner organizations are able to leverage resources and personalize services so that individuals and families get the specific assistance they need to move closer to self sufficiency,” said Dale Dowling, executive director of Faith Community Service Fund. “We have three sites where our volunteers meet with prospective clients to assess their needs, arrange for assistance and provide referrals.”
Since its inception, the organization has provided Energy Outreach Colorado funding to 73 households. In total, it has served about 410 families and individuals and provided $61,431 in assistance funding, with volunteers donating more than 3,410 hours. In addition, seven families have received budget counseling and two families have met for a year or longer with faith group mentors. This year, Faith Community Service Fund won the Volunteers of Excellence Award for its group of dedicated volunteers.
“We’re glad to be a part of the Charitable Energy Network,” Dowling added. “By being able to provide Energy Outreach Colorado funding to families in need, we can free up resources for their other needs.”
Charitable Energy Network
Thanks to your generous donations, Energy Outreach Colorado is providing $7.55 million in 2007-08 energy assistance funding to the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and the following agencies:
Denver-Metro and Boulder
ACS-LIFT
Adams County Housing Authority
Almost Home
Association for Senior Citizens
Aurora InterChurch Task Force
Boulder County AIDS Project
Broadway Assistance Center
Castle Rock Comm. Inter-Church Task Force
Catholic Charities, Denver
City of Arvada Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization
Colorado AIDS Project
Community Ministry
Cross Community Coalition
Denver Indian Health and Family Services
Denver Urban Ministries
Emergency Family Assistance Association.
EMPOWERMENT
Family Tree
First Mennonite Church
FISH of Broomfield
Helping Hearts and Hands
House of Neighborly Service
Inter-Church ARMS
Inter-Faith Community Services
Jeffco Action Center
LifeBridge Christian Church
Lowry Family Center
Lutheran Family Services
Metro CareRing
OUR Center
Parker Task Force
Rebuilding Together
Salvation Army, Denver
Sara Brown Memorial Fund
Senior Support Services
Seniors’ Resource Center
Seniors! Inc.
Sister Carmen Community Center
St. Vincent De Paul Society
Mountain
Catholic Charities, Glenwood Springs
Clear Creek County Department of Human Services
Family & Intercultural Resource Center
First Presbyterian Church of Salida
Help the Needy
Lake County Health and Human Services
Loaves and Fishes Ministry of Fremont County
Manna House
Mountain Family Center
Mountain Resource Center
Park County Crisis Shelter
Salvation Army, Teller County
Salvation Army, Vail Valley
Northeast
Caring Ministries of Morgan County
Catholic Charities North, Weld County
Colorado East Community Action Agency
Community Assistance Network, Elbert County
Cooperating Ministry of Logan County
Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park
Faith Community Service Fund
Morgan County Family Center
Northern Colorado AIDS Project
Phillips County Department of Human Services
Rural Communities Resource Center
Sedgwick County Economic Development
Northwest
Community Budget Center
Independent Life Center
Jackson County Department of Human Services
Lift-Up Routt County
WARM
Central, Southeast
Advocates Against Domestic Violence
Catholic Charities, Pueblo
City of Fountain “Lighten the Load” Program
Colorado Springs Utilities, Project COPE
Crowley County Department of Human Services
Ecumenical Social Ministries
La Junta Associated Charities
Las Animas Helping Hands
Northern Churches Care
Pikes Peak Community Action Agency
Prowers County Department of Human Services
Salvation Army, Colorado Springs
Salvation Army, Baca County
South Central Council of Governments
Southeastern Colorado Homeless Shelter
Southern Colorado AIDS Project
Tri-Lakes Cares
San Luis Valley, Southwest, Western Slope
Community Emergency Assistance Coalition
Comm. United Methodist Church, Pagosa Springs
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach
Gunnison/Hinsdale County Dept. of Human Services
Housing Solutions for the Southwest
La Puente Home
MADA
Pinon Project
Telluride Foundation
San Juan Cooperative Parish
United Methodist Church of Dove Creek
Western Colorado AIDS Project
Statewide
Brain Injury Association of Colo.
National MS Society, Colorado Chapter
Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation
Military Families
The Home Front Cares
Give a Holiday Gift that Warms the Heart and Home
Looking for a unique and meaningful holiday gift? Consider donating to Energy Outreach Colorado in honor of friends, family members, co-workers, service providers or anyone else you’d like to recognize.
For each Holiday Gift donation of $10 or higher, Energy Outreach Colorado will send you a specially-designed card that you can give to the recipient. It will convey your gift and the role it plays in helping limited income Coloradans remain warm, safe and healthy in their homes.
To make a holiday gift donation to Energy Outreach Colorado, please go to www.EnergyOutreach.org and select the “Holiday Gift Program” button on the home page. Or, to order over the phone, call 303-226-5056. If you’d like to develop a customized gift program for a larger group, such as employees or clients, please call 303-226-5056.