Success Stories

Go back to complete list of articles.

Family Tree, Inc:

Women’s Shelter Saves Woman
from On-the-Road Abuse

Terri was trapped: she had given up her job to join her husband on the road while he worked as a truck driver. But she soon found herself the target of his escalating abuse and rage that lasted for days. She was hundreds of miles from home, captive, and penniless.

At an opportune moment, Terri was able to reach a pay phone to call police for help. They connected her with Family Tree’s Women in Crisis shelter in Jefferson County. Family Tree specializes in helping people overcome domestic violence, and quickly assisted Terri with the resources she needed. Shelter, medical attention, counseling and legal advocacy were among the many services she was able to access. Now, the income from a new job enabled her to rent an apartment and enjoy a safe and independent life.

This is a success story Family Tree is proud to share—and it is only one of thousands each year. The nonprofit organization provides services and shelter to over 30,000 people in metropolitan Denver annually. As its mission, Family Tree helps people overcome child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness to become safe, strong and self-reliant.

Community First Foundation supports the work of Family Tree by offering grants and services that support its long-term financial health. In recent years, the Foundation awarded nearly $50,000 total in an Endowment Challenge Grant and a Strengthening Partners Grant. Both grants were designed to encourage financial stability through endowment-building.

“The grants provided by Community First Foundation have made an enormous impact on human services across the Denver metro area. We at Family Tree are proud to be partners with Community First Foundation,” says Ruth Ann Russell, Family Tree CEO.

Community First Foundation supports Family Tree, Inc. with grant opportunities and nonprofit partner services. The Foundation awarded the organization nearly $50,000 in grants in recent years.