The Rotary Club of Castle Rock’s Foundation last week provided a $3,000 grant to help Colorado’s servicemen and women.
The grant was given to The Home Front Cares, a non-profit that provides emergency grants to pay essential life expenses like rent, utilities and car repairs.
Christina Webb Thomas, Acting Executive Director of The Home Front Cares, said the grant would go a long way to help fulfill its mission.
“This money will go directly to helping make sure that our service men and women have a home and utilities.”
According to the organization’s website, THFC serves all of Colorado and has strong partnerships with other non-profit and referral agencies, military installations, the VA and other veteran service organizations.
The organization provides grants, not loans, and clients are vetted to confirm their military service and financial need. THFC pays the vendors, such as the landlord or utility company, directly to ensure that the financial assistance goes to pay exactly what it's intended for.
Despite this due diligence, THFC is structured to act fast, according to the website. Many grants are approved in less than 24 hours—an essential capability because quite often, its aid is the last "save" that keeps a veteran from being evicted or a military family from having their power turned off.
THFC began in 2003 as an all-volunteer initiative led by two retired Air Force colonels. In 2004, the organization incorporated as a 501(c)3, and in its first full year it provided about $34,000 in aid to military families in the Pikes Peak region. Since then, THFC has grown into a statewide agency. The Home Front Cares provided over $400,000 in direct financial assistance provided to Colorado military and veteran families last year.
The Rotary Club of Castle Rock’s Foundation is a separation non-profit foundation established to distribute funds raised by the club. The primary fundraiser is the annual Ducky Derby and Street Festival that will be June 9 in downtown Castle Rock.