EVICS Celebrates a Milestone: New Grant Brings Hope and Support to Valley Families

Last Friday morning, something special happened at the EVICS Family Resource Center. The doors opened wide, not just to welcome visitors, but to celebrate a moment that's been years in the making-a transformational grant from the Colorado Health Foundation that's set to change the landscape of family support in our valley.

If you've ever walked through EVICS's doors seeking help-or know someone who has-you already know what makes this place different. It's more than an office. It's more than a program. As one community member put it during the Open House, EVICS is a "one-stop shop," a trusted hub where families can find real support without having to navigate a maze of agencies and referrals.

What EVICS Means to Our Community

In a mountain community like ours, where the cost of living can stretch family budgets thin and resources aren't always easy to access, EVICS has become a lifeline. From childcare tuition assistance to mental health support, from youth programming to family development services, EVICS offers wraparound care that meets families exactly where they are.

"Being described as the hub and a vital resource reaffirmed our mission," EVICS shared after the Open House. And it's true-throughout the morning, people spoke from the heart about what this organization means to them. Many talked about the relief of having local support, of not feeling alone when facing challenges, of knowing there's a place in the valley that truly has their back.

Building More Than a Building

The grant from the Colorado Health Foundation isn't just about funding-it's an investment in relationships, in trust, in the kind of community where children thrive and families prosper. This support will help EVICS create a future facility designed specifically around the needs of valley families, a space where connection and care are built right into the walls.

As EVICS looks ahead, they're inviting all of us to be part of what comes next. Community members can direct gifts specifically toward the future facility, helping lay the foundation-literally and figuratively-for a stronger support system in the Estes Valley.

Why This Matters

In a world that often feels disconnected, EVICS reminds us what it means to be a true community. It's neighbors helping neighbors. It's recognizing that when families have the support they need, everyone benefits. It's the simple but powerful idea that no one should have to face life's challenges alone.

As one attendee put it during the celebration, EVICS exists so families "do not have to navigate challenges alone." And in these mountains we call home, that's not just a mission statement-it's a promise we make to each other.

To learn more about EVICS Family Resource Center or to support their mission, visit their office or reach out to get involved. Because together, we're building more than a building-we're building a future where every family in the Estes Valley has a place to turn.