West End Family Link Center, founded in 1993, held it’s annual meeting July 10 at the Nucla Community Center with a meet and greet, luncheon and then an official board meeting. With a mission to “empower the people of the west ends of Montrose and San Miguel counties” by providing no-cost supportive services, including referrals, education, evidence-based programs, emergency assistance services and resources, the nonprofit released its annual data for the public.
Currently on the board are Doris VanNess (chairman), Glade Hadden (vice president), Jim Womeldorf (secretary), Annie Johnson (treasurer), Ashley Tomlinson and Jim Guire. Staff include executive director TJ Jones, family development coordinator Josh Yarbrough, pantry manager Kerri Cook, pantry and delivery specialist Lorraine Skees and bookkeeper Maggie Nelson.
Family Link serves 2,069 square miles in the remote and rural area that is the West End, and VanNess told the Forum, the nonprofit is doing more and serving more. In fact, The Emergency Food Assistance Program distributed 1,891 boxes in 2023, up from 1,296 the previous year. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program distributed 417 senior boxes in 2023, up from 295 boxes distributed the previous year. Additionally, the food pantry saw an increase from 1,633 visitors in 2022 to 2,411 in 2023. Family Link also provided 636 meals and snacks through the backpack program for kids in local communities.
“We serve so many people,” VanNess said in an interview after the board meeting. “Food prices have gone up, and people are coming to us for food.”
Additionally, Family Link received a $15,000 grant from Energy Outreach Colorado and helped locals with utility bills — giving more than $11,000 — since October of 2023.
Some of the Family Link classes offered in 2023 included parenting, anger management, emotional competence and more, and some services included family advocacy, bill assistance, life skills and application assistance.
VanNess said the services are important, and with inflation and the stress of the economy, there’s a need to help. She added senior citizens, though, those over the age of 60, are by far the biggest demographic served by Family Link.
Last year, Family Link served people in 3,736 instances, and households in 1,890 instances. Of those, 666 were the same person coming for support, and 325 were the same household receiving support.
Nelson’s bookkeeping report states that all financial information is transparent and available for anyone who wishes to sort through it.
The annual meeting acknowledged those who give to Family Link, through grants and donations, so that it can remain in existence. That includes Telluride Foundation, the Montrose Board of County Commissioners, Food Bank of the Rockies, Angel Baskets, AV Hunter Trust, USDA, Temple Hoyne Buell, Energy Outreach Colorado, Montrose Community Foundation, Office of Early Childhood, Family Resource Center Association, Kenneth Goldman Trust, Rocky Mountain Health Foundation and the Department of Human Services.
VanNess, who’s served the board for 16 years, said the current board and staff are excellent. She said there’s been growing pains over the years, and turnover. At 31 years old, she said Family Link is in a good place.
“The staff goes above and beyond,” she said, “and the board too; it’s a thankless job. I’m very proud.”
Board meetings are the third Wednesday of every month at Hopkins Regional Airport, unless there is a wildfire, in which case the meeting will be moved. The next meeting is Aug. 14.
