Has there ever been a time in your life when you had to rely on an unreliable vehicle to get to work? Did a snowy day ever fill you with worry about whether your tires could make the trip? Did a sudden, unexpected expense ever wreck your carefully planned budget?
Christian Living Communities attracts and keeps amazing team members because we provide competitive wages and benefits, a great culture, and a supportive work environment. But life can present unexpected hardships, especially as the cost of living in Colorado continues to rise. Team members are facing increased costs for rent, gas, childcare, groceries, and medical care. So, a sudden unexpected car repair or an emergency medical expense can challenge the best of budgets.
Understanding the Critical Needs Fund
Fortunately, they also have kind people in their corner, ready to extend a helping hand – caring supporters like you! When facing an unexpected, emergency expense that they could otherwise not afford, team members can apply to the Team Member Critical Needs Fund and receive up to $1,000 to help them navigate that emergency.
Last year residents, team members, families, and other amazing citizens of CLC generously gave nearly $41,000 to support the Critical Needs Fund. That incredible generosity was still outpaced by the need. 43 team members (from communities across CLC) requested and received Critical Needs Fund support in the amount of $44,000.
The Impact of Your Generosity
Fortunately, supporters like you made it possible for us to fill that gap. Kind gifts to General Mission Fund provided CLC with the flexibility to meet the current greatest need, including supplementing the Critical Needs Fund so that no team member would be turned away due to lack of funding.
Recipients remain anonymous to protect their dignity and privacy. Randy Davis, Director of Employee Relations, receives and process requests for the Critical Needs Fund. He is moved by the care and generosity of the CLC community. “Over my 30-plus years in working with senior living, this is the first time that I’ve truly been able to help meet those unmet needs. Especially at a dollar amount that is able to help actually meet the needs,” he said.
Real Needs, Real Solutions
Rent, medical bills, and car repairs are the top areas of need that he sees come through. Requests for help with car repairs particularly surge in the winter. From bald tires to bad batteries, bad weather hits cars especially hard. In 2024, he saw nearly a dozen requests for financial assistance with car repairs.
“I try to put myself in their shoes,” he explained. “I’ve had times in my life when I had to worry about having a reliable vehicle, and I didn’t work for organizations that cared about helping. Many are just starting their careers. They are trying to get to work – and so we want to help them do that.”
Team Members’ Transportation Challenges
Team members asked for help replacing worn-out tires and bad brakes. They shared their fears that they wouldn’t be able to get their kids to school or to their appointments with pediatric medical specialists. They also worried about the residents who depend on them to be at work.
One team member who requested assistance with car expenses last year took three buses each day to work and three buses home to be there for the residents who were counting on her. Whether cleaning an apartment, making a repair, or helping with a shower, CLC’s amazing team members serve with love and compassion. They know more than anyone that their kindness and care can be the difference between a good day and a bad one for the older adults they support.
Because of the love, care, and generosity of CLC citizens like you, team members were able to get support to help pull them through. You provided much more than safe tires and brakes that work. You also gave team members freedom from the angst that comes with an unexpected, unaffordable expense. And you ensured that residents received excellent care from team members that they know and trust.
Making a Difference in Lives
It is an incredible blessing that team members truly appreciate. “It helped me at a difficult time of year to repair my vehicle to be able to get to work,” said a Holly Creek team member. “I love working at Holly Creek and it’s important to me to have reliable transportation. Thank you to the donors who helped me.”
More team members will need support this year. “I anticipate we will see more needs,” Randy said. “I worry given the overall economy what will happen with housing costs, gas prices, groceries.” We are hopeful that the CLC community can help to meet these needs with a caring gift to the Critical Needs Fund.
How You Can Help
A gift of $50, $100, $250, or more to the CLC Team Member Critical Needs Fund will provide team members with vehicle repairs, new tires, and help meet shortfalls for rent, food, and medical expenses. Please visit our Give Today page for information on impactful giving options that will help remove angst and worry for team members experiencing unexpected emergencies.
We are deeply grateful for your generous support. The CLC Critical Needs Fund provides vital assistance to team members across all our communities, reflecting our shared commitment to care and compassion. While we cannot designate Critical Needs gifts to a specific community, please know your support makes a meaningful difference organization-wide.