HBA Cares, the philanthropic arm of the Colorado Springs Housing & Building Association (CSHBA) is excited to announce its involvement in The Guest House at Penrose-St. Francis Hospital. In the past, HBA Cares partnered with the Penrose-St. Francis Foundation to build John Zay House One and Two. The Guest House is a brand new and exciting addition to St. Francis Hospital Campus. The Guest House, located off Powers Blvd. and Woodman Rd, will be a home away from home for outpatients and families. The House will provide living space to those who are 30 miles or more outside of Colorado Springs who have members staying at the hospital for treatments. This includes patients in the NICU, outpatient cancer treatment, and those that need more extended stays in the hospital. The House will offer a warm and inviting home with 24 suites, a day-room, family dining hall, large living room spaces, outdoor living, and a children’s playroom. This amazing opportunity allows us to serve our community and help those in need. We are thankful for the involvement of the Colorado Springs construction industry, CSHBA members, as well as others who have donated time, materials, and funds to help make this project possible. If you would like to be a part of The Guest House at St. Francis, please feel free to reach out to our HBA Cares Coordinator, Lisa Weidenbach at lisa@cshba.com.

In November of 2017, then 10-year-old Joshua Gomez was in a car accident on his way back from Thanksgiving break. Joshua suffered multiple injuries in the accident, and he is now in a wheelchair. Joshua spent one year in Children’s Hospital in Denver recovering from the accident. He was able to move back home to his Colorado Springs residence in November of 2018. The home is a split-level house, and entry to the house was difficult for Joshua because he had to be picked up from his wheelchair and carried into the house.

HBA Cares is continuing to work with Mary’s Home to build the second of two Dream Centers. Construction of the Family Services Center, a new building that will house several administrative and counseling offices, is underway. The administrative and counseling offices are currently housed inside Mary’s Home, and the construction of the Family Life Center will open up more housing space within Mary’s Home for single mothers transitioning out of homelessness.

HBA Cares recently partnered with Family Promise to renovate several mobile homes in the central Colorado Springs area. Family Promise is helping to place families that are transitioning out of homelessness in each of the units, one of which has become a new home for a single mother.

One of the ways we connect community needs to the local resources of the housing and building industry is by assisting housing-related nonprofit agencies with construction projects.  Colorado Springs-based Dream Centers is committed to ending generational poverty and family homelessness in the Pikes Peak Region.  With the support of HBA Cares, they will renovate two building for a Family Life Center and Family Services Center, allowing space for more families at Mary's Home. 

In August, HBA Cares partnered with the local nonprofit organization Cheyenne Village to build three ramps in a home for disabled individuals.  Cheyenne Village provides assistance and support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  One ramp was built inside of the garage, a second one in the front of the house, and a third around the back of the house. 

Every child benefits from playing outside; it's not only fun but play teaches children how to make friends and learn new social skills.  Special needs children are presented with many challenges, especially on the playground.  In many instances, special equipment is needed, which is not found in traditional play settings. 

The weather may have been chilly, but the words spoken at the ribbon cutting for the John Zay Guest House addition on October 20 were entirely heartwarming.  Nine years to the day after the celebration of the original Guest House, members of the community came together to celebrate yet another labor of love. 

When Chuck Armstrong received a letter of recognition from the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs in 1957 (known then as the Colorado Springs Home Builders Association) for a heroic act he performed at a local pool, he didn't imagine that 59 years later he would in turn be thanking the HBA for extending a helping hand to him. 

On June 23 of 2012, a fire began sweeping through the Waldo Canyon community of Colorado Springs, burning 344 homes and leaving many people displaced - both physically and emotionally. The HBA was a resource for homeowners in the recovery efforts that followed the disaster.

​