Partners in Housing board member shares a personal story about being homeless at event

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)--Saturday, Partners in Housing held an event called "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." Partners in Housing is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides one year of transitional housing and supportive services for families experiencing housing crises or homelessness. The event was aimed at spreading awareness about the organization. One of the organizers said not many people know about one of their resource centers, the Colorado House.

"This used to be an old hotel and a restaurant. So people drive by and often wonder, what is that? What are they doing? So we were just raising awareness. We've got so many new neighbors in this community," said Keri Ellen White, board member for Partners in Housing.

They had games, food, and fun at the newly renovated downtown location, the Colorado House and Resource Center. Some games at the event include corn hole and a growler toss, beer tastings, food trucks, photo opportunities, and several giveaway prizes (including an inflatable paddle board!) with free ways to enter the drawing on-site. All proceeds made from the event go to Partners in Housing.

White is now a member of the board that gives back to the organization that once helped her and her family when they were experiencing homelessness. She said she was going through a tough divorce, and her job at the time was not providing her with enough money to pay the bills. In 2008, one of her friends introduced her to Partners in Housing which helped her get back on her feet.

"My kids and I started the program and had two years to get our lives turned around," White said.

14 years later, she is doing well. White is now a kindergarten teacher in Colorado Springs. But, she said the journey was not easy especially asking for help.

"When you first think homeless, you think about the guys on the corner that are either in mental health crisis or drug addicted or, you know, battling alcoholism. And you don't think a mom and two kids who still go to work and school every day could be homeless because we were so functioning, but we didn't have a home of our own," she said.

White is thankful for Partners in Housing helping her get back on her feet. Now, she helps with events like "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" because she wants to be able to help others who were once in her shoes.

White said the organization is always accepting donations for anyone in the community willing to help.

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