Colorado Springs Together: The Center - 9/20/12

Sent 9/20/12

The Colorado Springs Together Center is now open in direct support of people affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire. The Center will serve the community through mid-2013 and beyond, if required, and is located at 6840 Centennial Boulevard, Suite A, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.

For the last three weeks, we have been serving the community, helping folks as they stop by. At the same time, the Center has been the temporary home of the Small Business Administration (SBA) as they assist homeowners and local businesses to secure much needed financing to recover from the fire. The SBA has now provided over $2.8 million in disaster loans.

As we have started up, we have been pleased to have AspenPointe as one of our major partners at the Center. AspenPointe has received FEMA funding to offer crisis counseling services to those affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire. Their staff can be found at the Center or conducting outreach support throughout El Paso County.

What is the purpose of The Center?

The Center has two functions:

First, the Center is a central support hub to help those would like assistance recovering from the fire with anything and everything they need. Experts from across the city, county, non-profits and other organizations will be at the Center during scheduled times to answer questions and offer solutions or resources for clean-up, restoration and rebuilding activities. Brochures and other take-home literature are also available at the Center for residents. PCs are also available for neighborhood use so homeowners can access online resources that will help them restore their lives and property.

Second, the Center serves as a meeting place for the community. Thanks to one of our sponsors, the facility has the equipment for presentations as well as several conference tables to support meetings for a few people up to over 100. Several HOAs, associations and neighborhood groups are already using the facility during the day, as well as in the evenings or during weekends. Please schedule your meeting by calling Annie Hawley-Reilly at 719-593-0010. We will be adding additional informal meeting spaces in the near future. Feel free to come in and use the facility to meet with your architect, insurance agent or with friends on your rebuilding and restoration projects.

Who will be at The Center?

Representatives from the following entities are available on a predetermined schedule. This list will evolve according to the needs of the residents:

• Parkside HOA
• Mountain Shadows Community Association (MSCA)
• Better Business Bureau (BBB)
• Housing and Building Association (HBA)
• Aspen Pointe Waldo Support Team
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• Insurance Consultant
• Neighborhood and Community Volunteers
• CST Office Manager
• CST Team Members
• Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU)
• County Support Services / Customer Service
• City of Colorado Springs Planning Department

Please stop by or check the schedule online to determine when representatives of these organizations are scheduled to be available.

Typical Weekly Calendar:

Again, to check for specific times, visit the current schedule online or stop by the Center for the posted schedule. Other resources will be added if neighbors have a need in a specific area.

Other Activities:

A calendar of upcoming events will also be posted weekly at the Center. Some examples of upcoming or ongoing events are:

• HOA meetings
  • Parkside HOA meeting 1st & 3rd Wednesday evening of the month
  • MSCA Board meeting 2nd & 4th Wednesday evening of the month
• Seminars and Lectures
• Neighborhood working groups
• Neighborhood events

What can I expect when I come in?

The Center will be staffed with friendly volunteers whose sole purpose is to support the neighborhood community and provide assistance. We will offer you some refreshments when you stop in and say "hi" and tell us how we can lend a helping hand.

Where are you located and what are your hours?

We are located next to Ent Federal Credit Union (where the Blockbuster Video store used to be).

Our address is:

6840 Centennial Blvd., Suite A
Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Our hours are:

Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

You can reach us by phone at:

719-593-0010

Colorado Springs Together would like to thank our sponsors who made the Center possible through their donations and ongoing support:

• Ent Federal Credit Union
• OfficeScapes
• Bircham's Office Products
• Comcast
• CenturyLink

____________________________
Colorado Springs Together is an independent 501(c)(3) Non-Profit
Colorado Springs Together is a community-driven volunteer effort, and is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The team members are distinguished citizens and business professionals in the community facilitating and coordinating a quick and effective rebuilding process for the neighborhoods devastated on June 26th by the fire. The donations received will go towards the activities required to help restore the lives and the neighborhoods affected by the fire at the same time maintaining a strong sense of community during the rebuilding process.

Please visit:
www.ColoradoSpringsTogether.org
www.facebook.com/ColoradoSpringsTogether
www.twitter.com/COS_Together