Paolo Diaz, chief executive officer of the nonprofit Family Tree, updated the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners on June 30 about the organization’s Goals campus in Aurora and House of Hope in Englewood and described who the nonprofit served and how the county’s Aid to Agencies funding was used.

Diaz said Family Tree receives $80,000 for Goals and $20,000 for House of Hope under the county’s Aid to Agencies program, and that the midyear presentation was part of the organizations’ reporting requirements. “For fiscal year 2023, 2024…we’ve served over 407 hundred individuals through direct in person services,” Diaz said, adding that the crisis and helpline supported about 17,000 calls in the same period.

The update focused on client demographics and outcomes for the two shelter programs. Diaz said House of Hope provided nearly 4,500 shelter nights in the first five months of the fiscal year to about 70–75 individuals in 26 households, including 45 children; he said 72% of House of Hope clients were Arapahoe County residents and that most reported annual incomes under $20,000 at intake. Diaz said Goals provided about 6,700 nights of shelter for 83 individuals in 24 households, including 55 children, and that about 89% of Goals residents were Arapahoe County residents.

Commissioners asked for clarifications. Commissioner Jessica Campbell asked whether the program tracks how many clients increased income after exiting; Diaz said the dataset used to report “maintained or increased” income can be supplemented and the organization would provide details to county staff. Commissioner Rhonda Fields noted both programs report that about 81% of households exit to safe and stable housing; Diaz said the figure is a key program metric and called the programs a “bridge” to longer-term stability.

Diaz detailed recent accomplishments: renovating the Evergreen property, starting housing there in December, hosting volunteers who repaired playgrounds and built a garden, and partnering with local workforce programs such as ArapahoeDouglas Works (as discussed during the presentation). He said average length of stay at House of Hope is about 55 days (the site allows up to 90 days) and that Goals average stays run three to five months though nine months is permitted.

On funding and risks, Diaz said Family Tree’s board recently approved a budget that shows a modest shortfall and that the nonprofit is pursuing fundraising and sustainable funding strategies to maintain core services. He said Family Tree receives some federal funding, including HUD Continuum of Care grants that were temporarily delayed earlier in the year, and some Medicaid funding; Diaz stressed uncertainty about future federal and county funding decisions and possible impacts on services. “Medicaid is certainly one of those complexities,” he said.

Commissioners thanked Family Tree for the work and noted the county’s interest in preserving programs if state or federal funding changes. Commissioner Carrie Warren Gulley said she appreciated the partnership and noted staff responsiveness. Family Tree said it will share additional data requested by commissioners with Daniella, the county staff member responsible for Aid to Agencies reporting.

The presentation was informational; no formal action or change to county funding was taken during the meeting.