by Sandi Austin

“When I needed to talk to someone, I met with Guillermo pretty often. He helped me with insurance, food stamps and everything. I wouldn’t have been able to do that on my own.” ~ Eli Lucio

Because of his guardian’s ill health, Eli ended up in an emergency overnight youth shelter while still attending Boulder High School. In 2015, Eli got a room at The Inn Between and entered their Student Incentive Program.

Students who enroll in this program have a full course schedule, with the requirement that both grades and attendance remain in good standing. In addition to no-cost housing, students are connected with resources and guidance that keep them in school and maintaining healthy lifestyle choices. The students also learn skills in independency and self-sufficiency. These classes are taught by experts from the community.

The stability and support that are given to the youth in the programs are so important in encouraging educational success and life skills. The program offers youth like Eli a safe, stable environment that lets them focus on their studies.

The Inn Between’s onsite Education Center program provides after-school enrichment and tutoring two days a week. The goal is to give children living at The Inn Between a safe, positive and healthy setting. Resident children receive homework assistance, learning enrichment, after school one-on-one tutoring for grades K through 12, and healthy after-school snacks.

Not only do the youth receive support from The Inn Between in many ways, the entire community also offers enrichment opportunities, and offers its support with activities like back-to-school backpack and clothing drives, holiday celebrations and giving programs.

Eli has made a successful life for himself, thanks to The Inn Between. The people of The Inn Between were so impressed by Eli’s fortitude and strong will, despite going through struggles like so many other teens do. But Eli never lost his focus on the goals he wanted to achieve for himself and his future.

In providing supportive housing and services, The Inn Between’s mission remains: To promote stability to diverse homeless families and individuals by utilizing community resources, advocacy, and life skills training.

The Inn Between is our Compassion Offering for the month of March, so please keep this valuable organization in your minds as the collection plate is passed around. Next week, learn about The Micah Homes Project of The Inn Between.