Nonprofits

An unprecedented community effort to encourage El Paso County residents to eat healthfully, exercise and stem the rise of obesity will make its debut April 27 with an expo and screening of an HBO documentary, “The Weight of the...... Full story

The diagnosis Jeannette Greer received during her visit to the Penrose Hospital emergency room in March was cellulitis, a skin infection that can have any number of causes.But Greer says she knows the source of her infection: bedbugs. She started...... Full story

The area’s providers of services to the homeless population might have a big heart for people in need, but judging from their response to a proposed no-panhandling zone downtown, they have a lot less sympathy for people who beg for money on...... Full story

Rita Beam was a young nurse working in the mother-baby unit at Denver's Rose Medical Center three decades ago when she noticed a disturbing disparity, which would forever define her career. An unusually high number of African-American babies were...... Full story

If the HealthGrades annual hospital rankings were the Oscars, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services could be its Meryl Streep, winning accolades year after year after year.On Tuesday, HealthGrades posted its list of America’s 50 Best Hospitals,...... Full story

Johnny Wilson spent 24 years as a Navy photographer. When he retired in 2009, he started aiming his lens at people with interesting stories to tell: combat veterans, breast cancer survivors, heart transplant patients. But the one of the young woman...... Full story

Springs Rescue Mission has received a $100,000 grant from the Denver-based Daniels Fund to expand a program that helps men overcome drug and alcohol addiction.The New Life Program currently has space for about 43 men, many of whom come for help...... Full story

At the sound of the police officer’s voice, the shabby, bearded man looked out from his dirty, cramped home — a 20-degree wedge atop a steep embankment beneath a highway overpass.Within minutes, a clean-up crew from Keep Colorado Springs...... Full story

A 30-year-habit may be hard to break, but the nonprofit formerly known as Northern Churches Cares is committed to the challenge. Last week, the organization unveiled a new name, Mercy’s Gate, to better reflect its broader geographical reach...... Full story

With help from funds distributed by a federal program to revitalize older, distressed neighborhoods and communities, Greccio Housing has purchased a 36-unit apartment building on East Bijou Street — the third addition to its affordable housing...... Full story

Cindy Fowler, longtime community volunteer and active board member for many nonprofits, died Wednesday night in a local hospice. She had gone into hospice on Tuesday. Family and friends had set up a caringbridges website Tuesday where tributes and...... Full story

Frank Stampf, executive director of the nonprofit Partners In Housing since 2007, is retiring Dec. 31, he announced Tuesday. He’ll be replaced by Mary Stegner, Partners In Housing’s finance officer. Stampf, who served in the Air Force...... Full story

Nothing quite perks up a meal at the Marian House Soup Kitchen like a good cup of coffee. “Coffee is one of the simple pleasures our guests look forward to having with their meals,” says Rochelle Schlortt, spokeswoman for Catholic...... Full story

Notice to North End homeowners: The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary wants to take over your digs. It’s just for a weekend, and it’s for a good cause, but so far, the organization is having trouble finding enough people willing to...... Full story

Households with annual income of less than $50,000 can get free help completing their 2010 tax returns. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is in its third year, according to its sponsor, Catholic Charities. No appointments will be taken....... Full story