An amazing Saturday with our amazing Quota NOCO volunteers! Once again, special thanks to our members of Quota NOCO who volunteered at the recently held MS Walk on Saturday May 13, 2023 in Windsor, Colorado.
Walk MS empowers supporters and those individuals who are living with a MS diagnosis and connects others who share a similar story. The “Living with MS” program is nationally sponsored by Sanofi-to celebrate and honor the resilience of those who live with this disease and by linking all with resources and tools available within the community.
(Left to Right) Presenter Pam Johannsen & Quota member Theresa Reid
Pam Johannsen, Meals on Wheels Board President of Fort Collins, Colorado, taught members of Quota Northern Colorado about the tremendous work Meals on Wheels does in and for our community. Pam has been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels for 21 years.
Meals on Wheels was first established in Colorado in 1969. The Organizations mission “is to support the dignity, well-being and independence of primarily homebound older adults and eligible clients in our community with a hot, nutritious meal and social interaction for up to 5 days of a week.” The Ft. Collins chapter relies on community support to complete its mission of ensuring no senior is hungry or alone. One of the many facts Pam shared with us is that the Meals on Wheels program only uses grant funds and donations for the program, they do not receive any federal funding. In addition to their incredible individual donors, Meals on Wheels partners with many community resources but especially with PVH/UCHealth Hospital.
Volunteers in the Ft. Collins area delivers hot meals to approximately 300 meals every week which are delivered by twenty-six (26) drivers. The volunteers not only deliver meals but make real personal connections with the individuals who receive the meals to ensure they are safe and well. The program also provides “blizzard boxes” which have non-perishable items in case inclement weather that may prevent the delivery of meals.
For more information on this tremendous program and/or to volunteer check out their website at: https://www.mealsonwheelsfc.org/
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During our March 2023 dinner meeting Quota members were honored to have as our guest speaker the Operations Manager of Vindeket Foods, Emily Klee. The Vindeket Foods organization is a remarkable and innovative organization that truly does so much for our community.
The word “Vindeket” is a made-up word that is a combination of “vindicate and advocate” – which speaks to the purpose of Vindeket’s mission of being “advocates of food vindication” to work towards reducing food waste. Participants, shoppers, donors, and volunteers join together to make their mission a reality. Did you know last year Vindeket rescued over 1 million pounds of food? Yes, over 1 million pounds of food that would have landed up in our local landfills.
Vindeket is a non-profit food rescue program located in north Fort Collins, Colorado. The organization partners with local grocers, farms, restaurants and businesses to “rescue” soon-to-expire or excess foods that would normally be thrown away. Vindeket then provides those items such as frozen goods, bread bakery items, yogurt, eggs pasta, produce, milk, etc. (items vary on a weekly basis) to the community. Shoppers select what they would like to “purchase” however are asked to only pay what they are comfortable paying. The “no-cost” market is open to anyone and is staffed by volunteers.
Check Vindeket out today to pick up items you may need or better yet volunteer!
Members of Quota gathered for an AMAZING evening on January 26th! We were graced with a presentation from two dynamic leaders from the Crossroads Safehouse agency, Executive Director Stacy S. and Director of Development & External Relations Kylie M. shared the history, mission and vision and educated us about all the services the Crossroads Safehouse programs provides. We also learned our own special Quota member, MA Martell, was Crossroads Safehouse first director prior to MA retiring.
Crossroads Safehouse has been providing shelter, outreach, and prevention in the Fort Collins area for 42 years addressing concerns regarding victims of domestic violence and abuse. Prior to opening in 1980, there were not enough services for victims to find safety and receive the support needed. On the first day they opened their doors, every room was filled. Since that day in 1980, the need to support victims of domestic violence and interpersonal abuse persists. Crossroads has served close to 4,000 victims since the agency’s inception.
Crossroads Safehouse is now housed in a 29,000 square foot facility with 31 rooms, serving victims and their families every day of the year. Five of its 31 rooms are dedicated to the newly formed rapid and transitional housing program, “Road to Home” which was launched in 2020. The agency provides “wrap-around services” to victims in need such as trauma informed care through advocacy and support. Crossroads programs and services include the crisis line (answered by an advocate 24/7), emergency shelter (accessible 24/7), non-resident advocacy, domestic abuse response, legal advocacy, legal representation, rapid and transitional housing, prevention and education, and youth and bilingual advocacy.
One of the agencies newest programs “Time-to-Talk” trains high school junior and seniors in a peer-led awareness curriculum which is now offered in all four high schools in the Poudre School District and is reaching out to schools in the Timnath schools as well.
Crossroads Safehouse knows and understands that the intersectionality of identity compounds the risk of violence. Domestic violence can be a form of gender-based violence and disproportionately affects women. Crossroads also knows and serves men experiencing abuse who face unique challenges based on societal norms of masculinity and often lack access to services responsive to their needs. Crossroads supports all in need.
Volunteers and donations are greatly needed and welcomed. For additional information about this program contact https://crossroadssafehouse.org/.
Linda & Mitzi
Glenda, Jane & Karen
Judy W. & Jan
Leah & Glenda
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Quota had another joyful dinner meeting in October 2022 and invited l quest speaker, Executive Director Jami Fries from the Colorado Families for Hands and Voices.
Colorado Families for Hands & Voices is dedicated to supporting families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or method. Colorado Families for Hands and Voices are a parent-driven, non-profit organization providing families with the resources, networks, and information needed to improve communication access and educational outcomes for their children. “Our outreach activities, parent/professional collaboration, and advocacy efforts are focused on enabling Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children to reach their highest potential”. This was an amazing and very informative evening, Quota Northern Colorado is proud to be one of their sponsors. For additional information please click on their link; https://co-hv.org.
Quota Program Chair Kim M. & Jami Fries: Executive Director of Colorado Families for Hands & Voices
Induction Of New Member Membership Chair Judy W. & New Member, Karen R.
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During Quota’s August 2022 dinner meeting we were honored to have Whitney Reid the McKinney-Vinto Program Specialist speak to our members. During Whitney’s presentation, Whitney shared that in 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) strengthened the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program. McKinney-Vento services provides students experiencing homelessness with resources and protections that remove all educational barriers with emphasis on educational enrollment, attendance, and success. The McKinney-Vinto Act strives to provide services for children and youth from birth to 21 years of age who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Between 2015 and 2021 this program served over 7,000 students. Quota was honored to present Whtiney Reid for the McKinney-Vinto program with $1500 dollars in gift cards to be used for the families they serve.
Quota Club of Northern Colorado 2021-2022 Allocations
Liv Peterson, Quota Allocations Chair Presents $1500 in Gift Cards to McKinney-Vinto Program
As we are closing out our club’s fiscal year, we are proud of the programs we were able to support this year. We allocated funds to the following programs and scholarships.
Connect Hearing, Deaf & Hard of Hearing (HOH), Project Self Sufficiency, Weld County Food Bank, Food Bank for Larimer County Community, St Joseph’s University, Scholarship Aspen Camp for Deaf & HOH, All About Hearing, Community Foundation Boulder Count – Local disaster relief Scholarship, Scholarship to UNC, Loveland Youth Gardeners, Ear molds and Audiology equipment to PSD.
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Guest speaker Annette Zacharias and dinner host Kim Miller
During our July 27, 2022, dinner meeting, the QCNC members were fortunate to enjoy our guest speaker Annette Zacharias, Executive Director of the Family Housing Network (FHN). During Annette’s presentation she shared the history of FHN and its current and ongoing successes within our community.
Members learned that in 2009, leaders from different faith communities began discussing the possibility of expanding the work of Loveland’s Angel House. Recruitment of faith communities were brought together with the intention of extending the 10-year-old Loveland program to Fort Collins.
Today, FHN provides services to families with children who are homeless, ranging from day and/or overnight shelter and case management to short term rental subsidies or short term supported housing. In partnership with Homeward Alliance, FHN provides area case managers with a fully stocked emergency pantry and children’s closet as well.
Our members were fortunate and enthused to learn more about this outstanding service and all that they provide to the many families who benefit from the services available.
On June 22nd, eight Quota Club members toured Loveland Youth Gardeners. Quota has supported this 501(c)3 organization for many years and is pleased to see this wonderful youth-based service continue to grow each year. Ryan Abbott, Interim Executive Director facilitated our tour. It was a WONDERFUL tour and multiple times Ryan mentioned their appreciation for Quota’s support.
To learn more about Loveland Youth Gardeners click on this link to view their website:
In 2021, they took an old abandoned BMX track and turned it into a beautiful wheelchair accessible teaching farm that hosts chickens, bees, medicinal and culinary gardens, production rows, student raised beds, a farm stand and more!
Loveland Youth Gardeners was the vision of its founding director, Joanna Rago, a Clinical Social Worker who believed that working with young people to cultivate skills and strengths through growing an organic garden would benefit youth, the environment, and the community.
In May of 1996 with the help of Thompson School District, City of Loveland Department of Solid Waste, and the Larimer County Master Gardener Program of CSU Extension the first pilot intervention program began to serve Loveland area youth with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Loveland Youth Gardeners received 501(c)3 nonprofit status in 2000 and has grown to include four youth education programs (Youth Gardening Program, Leaf Out Program, Enterprise Internship Program, Branch Out Program) serving young people ages 3-21, as well as numerous community service projects, including the Loveland chapter of Plant a Row for the Hungry (since 2005).
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Quota Club members were treated to an interesting program at our May 26 dinner meeting. We were fortunate to welcome Ann Hutchison, Chief Executive Officer of the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce.
Ann was recently appointed the CEO of the chamber, but she is certainly not new to community leadership. With a BA in Speech Communications from UNC, Greeley, Ann has worked for the Chamber for 18 years. FC Chamber is the 3rd largest Chamber in Colorado, with over 1100 members. Clearly knowledgeable and with her enthusiastic smarts, Ann blasted us with the most current employment, business and industries stats. https://fortcollinschamber.com/
Great evening, great information, great presenter!
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Quota Club of Northern Colorado 
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