At this time of year, when we look back over the last 12 months and look forward to a new year, at PIE we are grateful for the many ways that we continue to see lives changed and new hopes, dreams, and futures begin. By saving consistently, learning and practicing new financial skills, and planning, we see that purchasing a home in a challenging market is possible, that new businesses are prospering, and that education degrees are attained.
This year, 12 new families purchased a home, 5 in the City of Longmont, 5 in the City of Boulder and 2 in Weld County. 11 families invested in secondary education and are pursuing degrees from visual communications, to music performance, to environmental design. 29 new participants joined the program for a total of 67 currently enrolled participants. 34 participants are focusing their saving for homeownership, while 19 are developing new businesses and 14 will pursue education opportunities. Overall, since 2001, there are 245 graduates who have reached their goals and made an asset purchase through the PIE program.
These new and exciting endeavors are possible because of many people and organizations coming together to make a difference. Whether you have provided in-kind or direct financial support; shared your saving story or referred a participant to the program; assisted a participant with a business plan or provided matching funding; we thank you for your part in working in Boulder and Broomfield Counties to make a stronger, more vibrant community for the future.
Thank you to the following donors, both through in-kind contributions and financial support of the program:
- Assets for Independence
- Boulder County
- Boulder County Learning and Empowering Program
- City and County of Broomfield
- City of Boulder
- City of Longmont
- Boulder County Community Action Programs
- Education Opportunity Center
- Foothills United Way
- Boulder Small Business Development Center
- Wells Fargo Bank
Thank you to the following partner organizations that provide referrals to the PIE program:
- Amistad Center
- Boulder County Head Start
- Boulder County Housing & Human Services
- Boulder Housing Partners
- Boulder Shelter for the Homeless
- Casa de la Esperanza
- City and County of Broomfield
- City of Boulder, Children, Youth and Families
- Emergency Family Assistance Association
- Family Self-Sufficiency
- Flatirons Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley
- Longmont Housing Authority
- Mental Health Partners
- Outreach United Resource Center
- Sister Carmen Community Center
- The Inn-Between of Longmont, Inc.
- Thistle Communities
- Workforce Boulder County
- YWCA of Boulder County
We would like to share three recent updates from several graduates expressing their gratitude for PIE in their own words in the following ways:
A letter from an education participant : “I am deeply appreciative of the generous funds you provided me for assistance in my education. I am writing this letter to express my gratitude in addition to telling you a bit about myself.
I am a junior at the University of Colorado, Boulder, working toward my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design. I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran and move to the US in 2009 with my husband, who is also a student at CU Boulder, studying mechanical engineering. I started my education at a community college where I spent much of my time as a student taking English as a Second Language courses and learning how to adapt to a new culture.
During our first few years in Boulder, I was a part-time nanny and babysitter and my husband worked in teaching, sales, and various engineering-related internships. Our combined income as well as scholarships and grants from the university helped us continue our education while maintaining a modest lifestyle in the university family housing environment.
My husband and I were blessed with a baby boy who is now 18 months old. As you can imagine, with my husband and I taking care of an active toddler while both being full-time students, we have very little time for anything else.
The funds that you have provided for my education are much appreciated. They will greatly aid in alleviating financial pressures on our family. Most importantly, the financial aid will allow me to spend more time focusing on my family and studies with less stress or worry about finances. Additionally, my husband and I have gained invaluable knowledge and insights from the PIE financial classes that have boosted our confidence and ability in managing our money, both for the present and the future.
With the help of your generous funds, I hope to excel more in my studies and future career and be of good service to society.
Thank you so much!”
An e-mail update from a PIE participant describing their hair salon : “Here at District 303 “Art of Hair” we offer good feelings and
solutions. Customer service is the most important thing we do, you will appreciate the personalized attention as we share with you our hands on experience in the world of hairdressing.
Our philosophy at District 303 “Art of Hair” is education. It is the key to our success! We specialize in the latest trends, we don’t survive, we thrive. We put passion into our work!
We offer a range of services that will prepare you for your day to day to special occasion.
Haircuts for Women and Men, Color for Women and Men, Hair Art, Bridal Styles, Special Occasion Styles, Makeup, Hair Bling, Smoothing Treatments and Facial Waxing.”
News from a PIE participant homeowner, who has shared her experience with other family members: “I can’t describe the gratitude that I have for the PIE program. It has been so much help and a guidance on understanding how with even a small income, you can manage a budget that will pay for the essentials.
Since this class and after we bought your house with the PIE program, my husband and I have been an influence to his aunt and also my parents. They both bought their homes this year and my brother is also in the process of fixing his credit to buy a home in the future.
Again thanks so much for your assistance and in making these classes available to the community.... Thanks again, for your help and guidance you provide.”
So, with these PIE participants, we thank you, our community partners, for the ways that you have given back this year. We wish you the best in the New Year from the PIE program!
