COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — The Salvation Army Colorado Springs has launched the "Hope Needs Help" Campaign to ask for community support as Colorado's $1.2 billion budget shortfall threatens funding for some of the organization's programs.
The Salvation Army in Colorado Springs is facing a budget shortfall of over $1 million due to reduced funding, rising costs for services, and increased demand. This reality has forced us to make the incredibly difficult decision to temporarily reduce the capacity at our emergency family shelter, The Family Hope Center, starting in October 2025.
Unfortunately, we are forced to take this painful step while El Paso County is seeing an increased need for emergency sheltering for families experiencing homelessness. However, we believe that we will be able to raise sufficient funds to restore the Family Hope Center to full capacity through our “Hope Needs Help” fundraising campaign once the community is aware of our need.
The Family Hope Center provides a safe shelter for families with children and has an incredible track record of helping families escape the cycle of homelessness and transition into stable housing. We’re asking the community to help us serve the most vulnerable families in our city and county by donating to helpcoloradosprings.com. All donations will stay in El Paso County and will go to providing lifesaving and life-changing aid to those in the most need.”
The Salvation Army states that, with increased demand for services, reduced funding, and declining donations, the local organization is facing a $1,000,000 shortfall in its 2025 operating budget.
“We’ve never turned away someone in need, and we don’t intend to start now. But to keep from reducing our key services to the community like food, shelter, and hope for families in crisis, we need the community to step up and help us meet this shortfall.”
The new campaign will also include an open house on Wednesday, September 3, a the Salvation Army Family Hope Center (709 South Sierra Madre Street) for community members to take a tour of the facility.
They say that 100% of donations will stay in the local community to support the following programs;
- Emergency food distribution
- Homelessness prevention
- Veteran support
- Youth mentorship
If you'd like to make a donation, visit the Salvation Army's website.
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