United Health Group donates $400k to Colorado Springs homeless youth non-profit
EL PASO COUNTY, CO. (KRDO) - Homelessness is something several people in our county are facing, and some are even dealing with it in their youth. UnitedHealth hopes to help ease the burden by donating $400,00 to The Place to support youth experiencing homelessness in El Paso County.
The Place is the only non-profit organization in the Pikes Peak region focused on programs to support youth experiencing homelessness. Young people from age 15 through age 24 can access housing, education and employment support, healthcare, case management, life skills courses, meals, and more.
"This generous investment from UnitedHealth Group means that more youth living unhoused will find help, healing, and hope for a pathway out of homelessness," says Shawna Kemppainen, Executive Director of The Place.
The new funding will support programs for youth through shelter, housing, employment, outreach, education, and health services.
The grant will also help improve the organization's training capacity for staff and volunteers.
"To improve services for all young people, we must support youth who are targeted by discrimination, such as youth of color, justice-involved youth, young people who identify as LGBTQ+ and nonbinary, and youth with disabilities," says Kemppainen.
This funding is part of a $30 million donation announced by UnitedHealth Group to increase access to healthcare across Colorado.
