• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Energy Outreach Colorado Distributing Additional $960,000 for Energy Assistance

Posted on: Monday, 30 April 2007, 09:00 CDT

Energy Outreach Colorado is distributing $959,931 in energy assistance funding this week to nearly 100 organizations across the state to help income-limited families and seniors pay energy bills they can't afford.

The distribution, Energy Outreach Colorado's third of the 2006-07 heating season, provides a much-needed influx of funds for many agencies that have run out of energy assistance dollars. In total, the non-profit organization plans to contribute $6.15 million for energy assistance this year -- $1.15 million to the Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and the remainder to 99 non-profit emergency assistance sites across the state.

Colorado LEAP, which administers government energy assistance funding, will stop accepting applications for winter 2006-07 home heating assistance today and will not accept applications again until November 1, 2007. Energy Outreach funding, which is raised through private donations from utility companies, corporations, foundations and individuals, is available year-round to income-limited residents through its network of emergency assistance sites. EOC also funds grants for energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing in Colorado.

One agency receiving Energy Outreach Colorado funding is the Sister Carmen Center in Lafayette.

"If we can provide people with utility assistance, it literally can help keep them in their home," said Suzanne Crawford, executive director. "They can use their other funds for medical bills or whatever got them into their financial difficulties and they don't have to move or pull their kids out of school."

As of April 23, emergency assistance agencies receiving Energy Outreach Colorado funds have:

Distributed a total of $2 million in energy assistance

Helped pay the energy bills for nearly 6,000 households

Provided an average household payment of $343

Increased the total amount of funding distributed by 7 percent and the average payment amount by 9 percent over 2005-06

To find an emergency assistance site with funding available, or to make a tax-deductible donation to Energy Outreach Colorado, go to www.EnergyOutreach.org or call toll-free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435).

Energy Outreach Colorado Funds Distribution by Region

Denver-Metro and Boulder -- $558,476

ACS Lift, Adventist Community Service

Family Tree

Adams County Housing Authority

First Mennonite Church

Almost Home

Helping Hearts and Hands

Association for Senior Citizens

House of Neighborly Service

Aurora InterChurch Task Force

Inter-Church ARMS

Boulder County AIDS Project

Inter-Faith Community Services

Broadway Assistance Center

Jeffco Action Center

Castle Rock Comm. Inter-Church Task Force

LifeBridge Christian Church

Catholic Charities, Denver

Lowry Family Center

City of Arvada Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization

Lutheran Family Services

City of Broomfield

Metro CareRing

Colorado AIDS Project

OUR Center

Community Ministry

Rebuilding Together

Cross Community Coalition

Salvation Army, Denver

Denver Indian Health and Family Services

Seniors Support Services

Denver Urban Ministries

Seniors' Resource Center

Emergency Family Assistance Assoc.

Seniors! Inc.

EMPOWERMENT

Sister Carmen Community Center

St. Vincent De Paul Society

Mountain -- $48,678

Catholic Charities, Glenwood Springs

Manna House

Clear Creek County Dept. of Human Services

Mountain Family Center

Family & Intercultural Resource Center

Mountain Resource Center

First Presbyterian Church of Salida

Park County Crisis Shelter

Help the Needy

Salvation Army, Teller County

Lake County Health and Human Services

Salvation Army, Vail Valley

Loaves and Fishes Ministry of Fremont County

Northeast -- $47,284

Caring Ministries of Morgan County

Faith Community Service Fund

Catholic Charities North, Weld County

Northern Colorado AIDS Project

Colorado East Community Action Agency

Phillips County Department of Human Services

Community Assistance Network, Elbert County

Rural Communities Resource Center

Cooperating Ministry of Logan County

Sedgwick County Economic Development

Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park

Northwest -- $11,298

Community Budget Center

Lift-Up of Routt County

Independent Life Center

WARM

Jackson County Department of Human Services

Central, Southeast -- $117,012

Advocates Against Domestic Violence

Pikes Peak Community Action Agency

Catholic Charities, Pueblo

Prowers County Department of Human Services

City of Fountain Lighten the Load

Salvation Army, Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Utilities, Project COPE

Salvation Army, Baca County

Ecumenical Social Ministries

South Central Council of Governments

La Junta Associated Charities

Southeastern Colorado Compassion Center

Las Animas Helping Hands

Southern Colorado AIDS Project

Northern Churches Care

Tri-Lakes Cares

San Luis Valley, Southwest, Western Slope -- $157,983

Community Emergency Assistance Coalition

MADA

Comm. United Methodist Church, Pagosa Springs

Pinon Project

Grand Valley Catholic Outreach

Pregnancy Resource Center

Gunnison/Hinsdale County Dept. of Human Services

San Juan Cooperative Parish

Housing Solutions for the Southwest

United Methodist Church of Dove Creek

La Puente Home

Western Colorado AIDS Project

Statewide -- $9,750

Brain Injury Association of Colo.

Rocky Mountain Center Centers Foundation

National MS Society, Colorado Chapter

Sense of Security

Military Families -- $9,450

The Home Front Cares

About Energy Outreach Colorado

Energy Outreach Colorado is the only independent, non-profit organization in the state that raises money to help income-limited Coloradans afford home energy. Since 1989, EOC has distributed more than $73 million to fund energy bill payment assistance, energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing and energy efficiency education. Energy Outreach Colorado relies on private donations, corporate contributions and foundation grants. It was named 2006 Outstanding Foundation by National Philanthropy Day in Colorado, has received top ratings from Charity Navigator for five consecutive years and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Energy Outreach Colorado, www.EnergyOutreach.org, can be reached at 303-825-8750 or at 225 E. 16th Ave. Ste. 200, Denver, CO 80203-1612.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category