At BeyondHome, we restore HOPE and provide RESOURCES to families escaping poverty and homelessness. Our comprehensive approach provides service enriched housing to empower families toward economic self-sufficiency and family stability.
BeyondHome offers a comprehensive approach for families to become self-sufficient for life. At BeyondHome, families work hard to achieve personalized goals for their education, housing, finances, and family.
In 1986, Denver and the surrounding suburbs faced an unprecedented homelessness crisis that left many facing winter without shelter. This hit close to home when Connie Zimmerman, an employee at an assisted living facility in Jefferson County, witnessed a colleague facing homelessness. Touched by his plight, she embarked on a mission to support his family. As she watched them achieve stable housing with her help, a passion ignited within herself. In 1987, fueled by her determination and compassion, she established Colorado Homeless Families (CHF), a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to assisting working families in securing housing. Beginning with just six HUD homes, CHF steadily expanded over the next three decades to include 37 homes.
As Denver’s population expanded, so did the number of people in critical need of holistic home support. To dynamically address the multifaceted roots causing homelessness, the Board of Directors invited Karen Allen to shoulder the responsibility of Executive Director in 2016. Leveraging her background in social work and counseling, Karen brought a fresh perspective to CHF's programming. Recognizing the profound connection between trauma and poverty, she spearheaded an evolution in services, advocating for an all-inclusive approach to economic self-sufficiency. Alongside affordable housing and career readiness initiatives, every resident gained access to private, trauma-informed therapy—a crucial component for both adults and children.
In 2020, CHF underwent a rebranding initiative, emerging as BeyondHome—a name chosen to reflect the organization's unwavering commitment to progress and the myriad possibilities that accompany stable housing.
Today, BeyondHome remains steadfast in its mission to empower and equip working families experiencing homelessness or teetering on the brink of it. Since its inception in 1987, BeyondHome has provided housing to hundreds of families, with 47 families graduating since 2016 alone. Of these, 28 families have achieved homeownership, while all but one family continue to thrive independently. Serving approximately 200 individuals annually, BeyondHome remains dedicated to propelling families toward lasting success, one step at a time.
Organization name
BeyondHome
other names
BeyondHome, Colorado Homeless Families
1987
Tax id (EIN)
84-1049318
Category
Housing & Shelter, Mental Health & Crisis Intervention, Youth Development, Human Services
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
PO Box 740130Jefferson County, CO, US
Arvada, CO, US
Denver, CO, US
Adams County, CO, US
Arapahoe County, CO, US
