Westside CARES

Westside CARES (WSC) is all about growing hope, offering true compassion and a listening ear to every neighbor that walks through our doors, reaches out by phone, or sends a desperate email.

Since our inception in 1984, Westside CARES has been unwavering in our commitment to providing a robust menu of services for our neighbors. We recognize that someone experiencing housing instability of any kind may also be grappling with mental health or medical issues, may also be facing food insecurity, may also struggle with transportation, may also have trouble keeping the heat on or having weather-appropriate clothing, may also not have a safe place to receive their mail. We proudly offer all these services, and more, because we know that poverty is intersectional—it usually does not impact just one facet of someone’s life. And to offer each of these supports under one roof creates the conditions that we can address the whole person, in a way that does not compound their trauma. This is why your donation supports 100% of our programs, and every one of the 10,000 neighbors we see each year.

WSC is all about stabilizing and supporting those in need so they can achieve long term sustainability. We have a mighty force of 338 volunteers who provided 19,920 hours of service in 2023 to make this happen. Hours and volunteers alone cannot provide all the resources we need. It takes donors. We invite you to walk beside us. 

In 2023, Westside CARES:

• prevented homelessness for 586 families through our rental assistance program
• assisted 475 neighbors with housing navigation, and placed 56 previously homeless neighbors into permanent  housing
• supported 279 households with utility costs through LEAP or Project COPE
• provided 631 IDs, birth certificates and/or school records, enabling neighbors to attain housing and employment
• gave clothing to 3,550 neighbors who needed weather-appropriate or work-appropriate attire
• supplied over 35,661 neighbors with a four day supply of healthy food through our pantries
• offered benefits assistance (including SNAP) to 231 households
• provided mail, a delicious snack bag or meaningful supportive services to 11,000 neighbors who entered WSC's doors
• shared phone, email, and social media referrals with 3,855 neighbors
• supplied 625 local school children with new backpacks filled with age-appropriate supplies
• assisted 93 families with Thanksgiving meal gift cards, and 56 families with holiday gift cards
• provided 2,900 round trip bus tickets to neighbors needing to get to job interviews, work commitments or medical appointments; and 676 neighbors with gas cards
• helped 4 neighbors were helped with vehicle insurance, registration or repairs to keep them on the road, and reunited 20 neighbors with out-of-state family members
• offered medical consultations, care coordination, prescription assistance, and/or eyeglass vouchers to 503 neighbors

A community or village is only as strong as its weakest link. It truly takes a “village”. Westside CARES invites you to partner with us to stabilize and support those in need so that they can reach a point of sustainability in their lives. Together we can work to restore the dignity and honor that all human beings deserve. 

We thank you for choosing to be a part of our beloved community. 

Westside CARES is pleased to be part of the HOMELESS INCOME TAX CREDIT. If you would like your gift of $250 or more to be considered for this special tax credit, please indicate that while making your gift, and provide the last four of your social security number, either with your donation or by calling us at 719-389-0759 x104.  Please contact Westside CARES if you need additional information: email us at info@westsidecares.org or give us a call, 719-389-0759.