Denver Catholic

11 DENVER CATHOLIC | NOVEMBER 11-24, 2017 Evening of Hope GALA Saturday, November 18, 2017 The Brown Palace Hotel 321 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202 BENEFIT FOR HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS Beverly, Sts. Peter and Paul student Buy tickets at EOHGala.org of Catholic Charities Denver, led the celebratory ribbon-cutting, remarks by collaborators and reception, and thanked the many volunteers, part- ners and organizations that made the 16-month project possible, including US Bank, the Colorado Department of Housing, the city of Greeley, the Carrico Foundation, North Range Behavioral Health, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The project was paid for through the sales proceeds of federal low-income housing tax credits and state tax credits, oªcials said. "Recently, the report from Freddie Mac about rental a¡ordability in Colo- rado is not good, because it says it con- tinues to worsen," Smith told the crowd. "The beauty about what we've been able to do here by bringing together a part- nership of many individual groups … is to bring about housing … that a¡ords people who were previously homeless, dignity and respect." Jerry Garner, Greeley chief of police, was among the collaborators delivering remarks. "We know, in our business, you need first a place that is safe to be before you can work on some of the other issues that may be going on in your life," he said. "So this [facility] is helpful to all of us and not just to the people who will be living here." Archbishop Samuel Aquila sprin- kled holy water on the main door as he blessed the facility. "O Lord our God," he prayed, "…pour out your blessing on all who will live here throughout the years and upon this neighborhood community and upon this city." Guadalupe Apartments began leas- ing the units in September, Raddatz said, adding that nearly every unit is already occupied. Noting the dire need for a¡ordable housing, he said 150 households are on a wait list. "The income limit to qualify for a unit is 30 percent of the area median income," he told the Denver Catho- lic. "This is truly for people who have nothing." Ashley Trujillo, 24, and her two children, ages 5 and 7, moved into a two-bedroom unit two weeks ago after being homeless for six months, during which time they stayed with family, couch-surfed, and slept in their car. "This is a good thing and a bless- ing—and we're more than thankful," the single-parent mother said, adding that with stable housing, she can now focus on furthering her education. Her hope is to become a dental hygienist. The apartment came beautifully furnished, Trujillo said, from the fur- niture and appliances down to dishes in the kitchen and towels in the bath- room. Additionally, the facility includes a computer lab, a family room, a laundry room and a fitness center. "I love it—it's perfect," Trujillo said. "We went from having nothing to having all this. "Now my kids are like, 'Are we going home after school?'" she recalled with a smile. "And I said, 'You know it!'" Catholic Charities held the grand opening of the Guadalupe Apartments Oct. 27. The facilities are the first permanent supportive housing in Weld County. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES

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