3+ week, 4+ day ago (594+ words) Since mid-September, about 15 families a day have been turned away from receiving emergency overnight shelter at the The Salvation Army's Family Hope Center, which has been difficult, said Maj. Stephen Ball, El Paso County coordinator and corps officer. "These are very strenuous times," he said Tuesday. But community contributions of about $250,000, including $100,000 from Colorado Springs-based El Pomar Foundation, along with donations from private individuals and a $5,000 contribution from Colorado Springs Rotary Club with a matching donation component, will enable the shelter for homeless adults with children to reopen five more units, Ball said. That will bring the total to 20 spaces for families to stay for up to 90 days while they work on regaining stable housing and self-sufficiency. The five additional living quarters will reopen "as quickly as we possibly can," according to Ball. The church announced in August that it…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (408+ words) In El Paso County poverty is hidden in plain sight. At least 34% of the community population basically lives paycheck to paycheck. Many are part of the working poor who regularly struggle to cover basic needs. Upcoming holidays can lead to a tight budget becoming even tighter. One extra expense, an overdue bill, unforeseen job cutbacks or layoffs can place security at risk. The mission statement for Mercy's Gate states that: "for people in crisis, we offer relief, the hope of the Gospel, and a vision for restoration." Established in 1982 as Northern Churches Care and renamed Mercy's Gate in 2012, the nonprofit serves anyone in El Paso County seeking assistance, regardless of religious affiliation, officials said. Support is provided by more than 50 church partners, businesses, individuals and government grants. The numbers for 2025 are not yet available, but in 2024 over 16,000 people were served…...

4+ day, 11+ hour ago (512+ words) From football to parade floats to delicious feasts and the kickoff of the Yuletide season, Thanksgiving means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Yet, at its core, the annual holiday is a triumph of persistence and a model for how we should live not just on the fourth Thursday of November, but on every other day of the year, too. Despite what popular culture might suggest, the Pilgrims didn't pioneer the feast day. In fact, it was Sir Martin Frobisher, an English sea captain and explorer, who called for his 400 men spread across his 15-ship flotilla to give thanks to God for their safe journey to North America in 1578. They landed in the Canadian Arctic, 42 years before the Mayflower made it to Plymouth Rock. Most of us have been taught from childhood to be grateful…...

4+ day, 5+ hour ago (558+ words) ARIES (March 21-April 19) A friend could be a disappointment, don't let this drive any pessimism or sense of unworthiness, it's not personal to you. Let feelings pass on by instead of acting on what should be a temporary issue. Workplace drama could drive some cynicism but don't let it undercut your sense of self or faith in your future. Sharing with others may require boundaries and conflict resolution skills but peace is possible. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Experiences don't always meet expectations, don't let it become personal. People behave in accordance with their characters, it's very simple. You have the ability to give with special grace now. CANCER (June 21-July 22) An old trigger could get tapped today, don't make decisions or take important action until you've moved past any reactivity or overwhelm and settled into a regulated place. A partner or…...