By Collin Lessing, JVA Consulting

At JVA Consulting, we are always excited to see grantees of the Colorado Compassion Initiative (CCI) taking innovative steps towards greater impact. CCI is a capacity building program for faith-based and community organizations that provide services to people 55 and older and involve this population as leaders and volunteers. JVA has served as an intermediary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) through CCI since 2002.

The Human Services Network of Colorado (the Network) is the latest CCI grantee to launch a new initiative to increase impact. The Network provides opportunities for case managers to network, exchange information and resources, and to participate in low-cost trainings targeted to their needs. The Network also hosts monthly networking or training sessions on topics ranging from childcare to legal services and operates a discussion list.

“There are many people who are hungry for poverty awareness,” said Heidi Baker, executive director of the Network. “And the more awareness of poverty people have, the more discussions we can have with different view points.”

To encourage discussion, the Network recently launched the Colorado Bridges Consortium—a Web forum where people can post and find information on poverty awareness curricula and facilitators. There are two main sub-forums on the Colorado Bridges Consortium. The Poverty Awareness Discussion is where you’ll find information on upcoming events, an open forum and area to discuss best practices. The Bridges Continuum Directory lists the names of certified poverty awareness trainers. To get your name added to the list, click here.

“These discussions need to be happening, and an online forum is a low-entry point for discussion,” added Heidi. “There’s no formula to fix this—we need the discussions to happen.”

To join the discussion at the Colorado Bridges Consortium, click here.