While COVID-19 has brought plenty of challenges and uncertainty, it’s important to take time to celebrate some of the wins and exciting things happening around our organization.
Hilltop has received some very generous funding in the past few weeks. Western Colorado Community Foundation committed to sending Hilltop $50,000 to respond to clients’ needs and to keep people safe. Rocky Mountain Health Foundation donated $20,000 to the Montrose Family Resource Center for emergency response dollars assisting individuals in Montrose and Delta. Colorado’s Division of Housing just funded $144,000/year for five years for tenant support services in providing case management at Pathways Village. The National United Way doubled their funding to support Western Colorado 211 as their calls have increased dramatically with people seeking direction in where to find services. All great news and a testament to the outstanding work you all are doing.
A bitter sweet celebration is in order as one Hilltopper closes the book on over 30 years at Hilltop. Walt Brandstoettner started at Hilltop’s Life Adjustment Program in its infancy while it was housed at Nellie Bechtel Gardens. From day one, Walt was a calming and stabilizing figure with residents and employees alike, earning the nickname of Father Walt. And for those three decades, Walt has been the consistent rock for LAP. He will be missed beyond measure, but we congratulate him on his retirement and wish him nothing but the best. We will be celebrating this milestone properly once life gets back to normal.
We know amazing things are happening all around us. If you have good things to share, please email stories or photos to mikeg@htop.org.
Together, we got this.
Mike
