Grace Village

Imagine a place where:

• Children, seniors, and families...  can get the help they need in times of crisis.
• Social service agencies...  share the same goals under the same roof.
• Volunteers... contribute their time, resources, and talents to helping fellow community members.
• Community members...  can gather to socialize, learn, create, and grow.

This place is the Community Services Center of Wellington and it’s about to come to life in Wellington, Colorado.

BREAKING THE CHAINS OF POVERTY

The faces of poverty in our Wellington, CO community are varied. They are children, youth, seniors, the disabled and the mentally ill. They are veterans, formerly middle class, and those on the brink of homelessness.

The number of people living in poverty has increased with population growth in the area. As a result, the demands for social services have escalated. Every day, clients are unable to access those life-changing social services for a variety of reasons. For a person or family in crisis, this can be devasting. The struggle of transportation and time away from work and family is impossible for some. We are working hard to keep them from falling through the cracks, that is where the CSC model comes in.

• 6.1% of Wellington residents had income below poverty level in 2019. That is over 700 people in just Wellington and over 1,200 people in the Wellington area.
• 7.5% of the children in Wellington live in poverty.
• 10.8% of the people in Wellington lack health insurance.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 data: https://data.census.gov/cedsci/

For the first time, Wellington residents will be able to access emergency and basic needs services in one building, close to home.

With 7200 square feet of space to accommodate the most needed social service agencies, in addition to a permanent home for the Wellington Food Bank and Clothing Pantry, this will be a modern facility to serve the Wellington community.

Partnerships are in place. Several non-profits and Larimer County agencies have committed to renting space in the CSC including Larimer County Human Services Department, and SummitStone Health Partners. Larimer County Food Bank will be working with Grace Village to expand the current food pantry.

WHAT WILL THE COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER INCLUDE?

Along with the Wellington Food & Clothing Pantry, this facility will serve as permanent home for non-profits and services such as:

• Larimer County Human Services, including Office on Aging
• Summitstone Health Partners
• Counseling & Mental health assistance
• Income tax & financial assistance
• Educational support services.
• Space for community groups and youth activities. A place where groups of people “can just come to talk.”

Though this building project is new, Grace Village has been working with Food Bank for Larimer County for several years operating the Wellington Food Pantry. They have watched the need grow as the population has grown. They are local community members who recognize the needs of the community, have worked with those in need and have committed to helping meet those needs through this center.

PHASE 1: ACQUISITION OF LAND TO LOCATE THE BUILDING (COMPLETED) 

CSC has the land in place thanks to a 50-year, one dollar per year lease from Zion Lutheran Church. A central location with easy access to the community.

PHASE 2: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A 7,200 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING AT A COST OF $2,300,000. 

Dohn Construction has been chosen as the general contractor for the building. Having completed work at The Food Bank for Larimer County among others, they have a good understanding of the scope required for the Wellington Community Services Center project.

The project includes a designated space for the Wellington Food Bank with walk in freezer, cooler, warehouse space, truck bay and offices. The building will also include 8 different rental offices, 2 community spaces, Clothing Closet, elevator and front office area.

Construction will begin when funding for the project is complete.

Larimer County Department of Human Services has donated $500,000 to the project to date. That money is in the bank.

Total Campaign Costs:

• Total Construction Costs                         $2,300,759
• Furnishings                                                 $    52,395
• Start Up Costs                                            $ 200,000
• Campaign Costs                                         $   50,000

Total Campaign                                                $2,603,154