The "Extended Family" Model: Discover how Fostering Hope uses a volunteer-based support system to act as "aunts and uncles," providing a safety net that prevents youth from reaching a point of crisis.

Healing Through Connection: How developmental psychology and trauma-informed care are integrated into volunteer training.

Brian Newsome oversees the Fostering Hope Foundation, a Colorado Springs-based nonprofit that recruits volunteers to serve as "aunts, uncles, and grandparents" to foster families. His work focuses on providing the emotional and practical support—like date nights, transportation, and a "listening ear"—that the traditional child welfare system often lacks.

Fostering Hope was established in 2006 after four years of research into the foster care system. Their goal was to better understand the plight of children in foster care and the challenges of foster parents who step up to provide them with a home. What began as a little more than a hunch and a heart for helping these families is today an organization impacting hundreds of lives.

Fostering Hope: https://fosteringhopefoundation.org/

How to become a volunteer: https://fosteringhopefoundation.org/volunteer/

Donate now: https://fosteringhopefoundation.org/give/

Get involved and Support HPP: https://homewardpp.org/get-involved/

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak and hosted by Executive Director Beth Roalstad. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability. Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

We dive into the vital work of Hope COS, a Colorado Springs-based organization dedicated to supporting individuals at their most vulnerable points. Executive Director Melissa Wallace discusses how their values-driven approach provides a lifeline for those navigating homelessness, battling addiction, or reentering society after incarceration.

Key Discussion Points

1. Providing compassionate, values-driven support to bridge gaps in the community with justice, love, and humility. The team has lived experience which provides a key differentiator for high impact services.

Hope COS: https://hopecos.org/

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak and hosted by Executive Director Beth Roalstad. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability. Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.

A new recovery program called Step Springs helps men in a state of desperation end their cycle of addiction, take back control of their lives, and transition to a safe and sober living environment. There, they can become productive, contributing members of their families and our community. Step Springs CEO Meghan Shay shares details with our host, Beth Roalstad, CEO of Homeward Pikes Peak.

For More Information:

Step Springs: https://stepsprings.org/

a Place for everyone is produced by Homeward Pikes Peak and hosted by Executive Director Beth Roalstad. We empower individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, increase recovery and achieve economic stability. Learn more at http://homewardpp.org/. You can reach us at (719) 473-5557. Street Outreach, housing, and clinical services are provided.