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Home My WebLink About20112076 SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW (USR) APPLICATION • FOR PLANNING DEPARTMENT USE DATE RECEIVED: RECEIPT#/AMOUNT# /$ CASE#ASSIGNED: APPLICATION RECEIVED BY PLANNER ASSIGNED: 0 8 0 1 _ 0 6 2 0 0 0 0 9 Parcel Number . . (12 digit number-found on Tax I.D.information,obtainable at the Weld County Assessor's Office,or www.co.weld.co.us) Legal Description Lot A,RE No.0801-6-2 RE-4372 , Section 6 , Township 6 North, Range 64 West Zone District A , Total Acreage: 5 Acres , Flood Plain: n/a , Geological Hazard: n/a Airport Overlay District: n/a FEE OWNER(S) OF THE PROPERTY: The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado Name: Work Phone# 9/U-545-05/5 Home Phone# 9/0-284-6284 Email thegeneslsproJect@skybeam.com Address: P.O.Box 20008/ Address: City/State/Zip Code Evans,CO 80620 Name: Work Phone# Home Phone# Email Address: Address: City/State/Zip Code Name: • Work Phone# Home Phone# Email Address: Address: City/State/Zip Code APPLICANT OR AUTHORIZED AGENT (See Below:Authorization must accompany applications signed by Authorized Agent) Name: Karla Grieser Work Phone# 9/U-302-99 I/ Home Phone# 9/0-284-6284 Email kmgrieser@skybeam.com Address: 20110 Jubilee Way Address: City/State/Zip Code LaSalle,CO 80645 PROPOSED USE: To establish a home and support system to enable single young mothers to attain the necessary education,career and life skills training to live a more productive life of self-sufficiency free from dependency programs. I (We) hereby depose and state under penalties of perjury that all statements, proposals, and/or plans submitted with or contained within the application are true and correct to the best of my(our)knowledge. Signatures of all fee owners of property must sign this application. If an Authorized Agent signs, a letter of authorization from all fee owners must be included with the application. If a corporation is the fee owner, notarized evidence must be includ Indi a�at the signatory has to 46o'/ legal authority to sign for the corporation. Signature: Owner or Authorized Signature: Owner or Authorized Agent Date e EXHIBIT 1 2 2011-2076 The Genesis Project 1 be 11mepa Prvl[[I of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 February 11, 2011 This is to verify that Karla Grieser is the duly elected president of Executive Board of The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado and as such is the person authorized to act on behalf of The Genesis Project in all legal transactions regarding land use applications. Signed, • Barry Bartram, Secretary for The Board of The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado "...with deep compassion I will bring you back...with everlasting love/will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord,your Redeemer. " Isaiah. 54:7-8. Kim Ogle 0o:3M: Raymond Sears [talmidim@frii.com) t: Thursday, April 14, 2011 10:47 AM Kim Ogle Cc: Karla Grieser Subject: Genesis Project USR application Attachments: GENUSR1OF2.pdf; GENUSR2OF2.pdf; USR QUESTIONAIRE NARRATIVE.docx Department of Planning Services Planning Division 1555 N. 17th Avenue Greeley, CO 80631 Attn: Kim Ogle Dear Kim... Attached are the updated cover sheet and revised site plan, as well as the revised Questionnaire,all of which address the requests for additional information in your completeness review letter dated February 27,2011. Please replace documents previously submitted with these updated submittals. In conversations between Mark Taylor with Freese Engineering and Clay Kimmi, it was determined that if the area of the proposed water retention pond would percolate,then a water quality capture volume feature would not be necessary. After digging a test pit in the southwest corner of the property,and having it inspected by Mark on Sat. Mar. 19, it was determined that percolation is possible. Hence, a retention pond only is shown on this revised plan. Please contact me with any questions or comments,or if you need further information. •nks for your attention in this matter. C. Raymond Sears,Architect 13644 WCR 64 Greeley, CO 80631 Phone: 970-392-9000 e-mail: talmidim@frii.com • 1 , - The Genesis Project The Genesi.?mite' of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 Weld County Department of Planning Services 1555 N. 17th Ave. Greeley, CO 80631 Re: Use by Special Review Questionnaire on five acre parcel located at 35740 Weld County Road 49 Owned by: The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado PO Box 200087, Evans, CO 80620 Ministry phone number: 970-545-0575 Contact: Karla Grieser, President, 20110 Jubilee Way, LaSalle, CO 80645 Home phone: 970-284-6284; Cell phone: 970-302-9917 The Genesis Project wishes to apply for a Use by Special Review permit for a residential therapeutic group home at the above mentioned site. The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado, aka The Genesis Project, is a faith based not for profit organization dedicated to developing a ministry and support system for young single mothers. Our vision is to build a residential home for up to six or seven young mothers and their small children with space for resident house parents who will function in twenty-four hour supervisory and security positions. The house parents will be the only employed individuals at the • site. Programs will be administered on a volunteer basis. The home will operate on a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week basis. This residence will be a refuge for distressed young single mothers where they can be taken out of their nonproductive and unhealthy circumstances for a season, the period of time that is needed by a client to stay at the facility. They will enter a protected environment and be nurtured in an atmosphere of unconditional love and support where hope can be restored, and they can begin to build a new future free of dependency programs. They will be prepared to reenter the world better equipped to meet the challenges they face in everyday life. Plans are to provide support according to each individual's needs. This includes emotional and spiritual support as well as programs that will address such things as education, career, job and business opportunities; life skills training including homemaking skills, household budgeting, Godly parenting; abstinence training and preparation for a Godly mate. Educational programs will be administered by tutors and will not require the use of the public school system. Our clients will experience healing and wholeness from the abuses and offenses they have endured in their lives through spiritual guidance and the power of God's unconditional love demonstrated by those ministering to them. Our goal is to graduate clients from our program fully equipped to live a more productive life of self sufficiency; truly becoming an asset to any community and society. • "...with deep compassion 1 will bring you back...with everlasting love I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord,your Redeemer." Isaiah. 54:7-8. The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 Our plans include constructing an eight bedroom residence and a future activity center. There is an existing 16 x 24 storage shed on site which houses banquet and other miscellaneous supplies for The Genesis Project. A common area will be provided for the mothers to utilize for child care of their children. They will provide their own cooperative child care with teaching and guidance from the volunteers at the facility and under the supervision of the house parents. Clients will prepare their own food utilizing a common kitchen and dining area. The proposed use is consistent and compatible with surrounding land uses. The five acre parcel referenced above is a recorded exemption lot in a rural setting. There are other small acreages with homes and livestock to the north and south. A farm operation is to the west, and agricultural land to the east. The parcel is located approximately one mile west of the community of Galeton where Triangle Cross Ranch also has a ministry. The neighbors that we have met in the area are very favorable toward having another ministry in the community. We have sponsored a chili supper to meet the neighbors of the community and to introduce them to the ministry of The Genesis Project. The proposed use is consistent with the Weld County Code, Chapters 22 and 23. Our plans are to maintain the rural character of the area by constructing a country estate type • home and setting with proposed buildings set off to one side of the parcel and open pasture on the balance of the land. The future activity center will be a barn type building. We also plan to have a limited number of farm animals including a horse, and/or possibly a calf, rabbits, a few chickens for the clients and children to care for, love and enjoy. This will give them the added dimension of experiencing the beauty and serenity of country living for a season. Landscaping will maintain the rural character of the surrounding land use and utilize xeroscaping techniques as much as possible to conserve water consumption. The land without improvements will be in dry land grasses and mowed at least twice a summer for proper maintenance. Our minor dust abatement plan will include planting grasses, and hiring a local farmer to rip ground in case of a need for emergency dust control during construction. All buildings and improvements will be reviewed and inspected by the proper jurisdictions for code compliance. An engineered septic system is proposed for the site. Water will be provided by North Weld County Water District. Fire protection will be provided by the Galeton Fire District. Waste handling is presently being done by The Genesis Project transporting waste to the landfill west of Ault. We do not have enough activity on site to warrant a waste handling contract at this time. We have contacted waste handling companies for service and both Northern Colorado Disposal, 970-353-4090, and Bunting Disposal, 970-339-3023, would • "...with deep compassion I will bring you back...with everlasting love I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord,your Redeemer." Isaiah. 54:7-8. \ � The Genesis Project The Gen.'s °rc' ' of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 be willing and able to service our waste needs. A determination of the provider will be done when we are ready to have regular trash service for construction and the residence. Vehicular traffic will be limited to those coming as service providers and to staff and volunteers coming to teach clients. Clients will not have access to their own vehicles while enrolled in our program. Any necessary transportation will be provided by The Genesis Project. Construction and landscaping is not currently scheduled to begin at any specific date. Our organization is totally funded by donations and fund raisers and our guiding principles dictate a debt free facility. We will start construction as funds come in. We will begin by bringing in the infrastructure necessary to the facility. Timelines are totally dependent on the availability of donations. The site is not located in a floodplain. Storm water drainage follows the natural flow of the land from the northeast corner of the property toward the southwest corner and into the existing road ditch along Weld County Road 49. A preliminary drainage plan to accommodate run-off is identified on the plat drawing. • If there is termination of the Use by Special Review activity there will be no need of reclamation procedures as the entire property will be constructed as a country estate capable of being sold as a single family residence. This is not a commercial enterprise. There will be no revenue produced from this ministry. It will be cost free to all clients and depend strictly on donations. Clients need to know that we care enough for them to offer this ministry free of charge and that we are not trying to take advantage of their situations. Many of them have been drained dry from all the programs that charge. We do not care to be one of them. Thank you for your consideration of this application. Respectfully submitted by Karla L. Grieser, President for the Board of The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado i "...with deep compassion/will bring you back...with everlasting love I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord,your Redeemer." Isaiah. 54:7-8. L7- _V0 C°6-4\ 06 \ Weld County Public Works Dept. !� 1111H Street ACCESS PERMIT cr, y P.O. Box 758 .sc-- Greeley, CO 80632 APPLICATION FORM JC.. 9 Phone: (970)304-6496 Fax: (970)304-6497 Applicant Property Owner(If different than Applicant) Name Karla Grieser Name Company The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado Address Address PO Box 200087 City State Zip City Evans State CO Zip 80620 Phone Business Phone 970-545-0575 Fax Fax E-mail E-mail thegenesisproject@skybeam.com ♦= Existing Access A= Proposed Access Parcel Location &Sketch The access is on WCR 49 Nearest Intersection: WCR 74 &WCR 49 WCR 741 Distance from Intersection 1375 feet Parcel Number 0801-06-2-00-009 A Q% Section/Township/Range 6/6North/64West ,), cc cc . 3 3 Is there an existing access to the property?®YES NO 0 N Number of Existing Accesses one Road Surface Type&Construction Information Asphalt © Gravel 0 Treated in Other WCR Culvert Size&Type 40 feet x 18 inches CMP Materials used to construct Access fill by WC Public Works Construction Start Date 7/9/09 Finish Date TBD Proposed Use °Temporary(Tracking Pad Required)/$75 •Siagle Residential/$75 °Industrial/$150 0 Small Commercial or Oil &Gas/$75 °Large Commercial/5150 °Subdivision/$150 O Field (Agriculture Only)/Exempt Is this access associated with a Planning Process? ONo •USR ORE OPUD °Other Required Attached Documents - Traffic Control Plan -Certificate of Insurance -Access Pictures (From the Left, Right, & into the access) By accepting this permit,the undersigned Applicant, under penalty of perjury,verifies that they have received all pages of the permit application;they have read and understand all of the permit requirements and provisions set forth on all pages;that they have the • authority to sign for and bind the Applicant, if the Applicant is a corporation or other entity; and that by virtue of their signature the Applicant is bound by and agrees to comply with all said permit requirements and provisions, all Weld County ordinances,and state laws regarding faciilittii sconstruction. �[/) J 7 /1 Signaturei ,"""� Printed Name >k r t h r ere'escr Date c04—c:C0/,/ Approval or Denial will be issued in minimum of 5 days. Approved by Revised Date 6/29/10 The Genesis Project The Genesis `°"" of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 Weld County Department of Planning Services 1555 N. 17th Ave. Greeley, CO 80631 Re: Use by Special Review Questionnaire on five acre parcel located at 35740 Weld County Road 49 Owned by: The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado PO Box 200087, Evans, CO 80620 Ministry phone number: 970-545-0575 Contact: Karla Grieser, President, 20110 Jubilee Way, LaSalle, CO 80645 Home phone: 970-284-6284; Cell phone: 970-302-9917 The Genesis Project wishes to apply for a Use by Special Review permit for a residential therapeutic group home at the above mentioned site. The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado, aka The Genesis Project, is a faith based not for profit organization dedicated to developing a ministry and support system for young single mothers. Our vision is to build a residential home for up to six or seven young mothers and their small children with space for resident house parents who will function in twenty-four hour supervisory and security positions. The house parents will be the only employed individuals at the • site. Programs will be administered on a volunteer basis. The home will operate on a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week basis. This residence will be a refuge for distressed young single mothers where they can be taken out of their nonproductive and unhealthy circumstances for a season. They will enter a protected environment and be nurtured in an atmosphere of unconditional love and support where hope can be restored, and they can begin to build a new future free of dependency programs. They will be prepared to reenter the world better equipped to meet the challenges they face in everyday life. Plans are to provide support according to each individual's needs. This includes emotional and spiritual support as well as programs that will address such things as education, career, job and business opportunities; life skills training including homemaking skills, household budgeting, Godly parenting; abstinence training and preparation for a Godly mate. Educational programs will be administered by tutors and will not require the use of the public school system. Our clients will experience healing and wholeness from the abuses and offenses they have endured in their lives through spiritual guidance and the power of God's unconditional love demonstrated by those ministering to them. Our goal is to graduate clients from our program fully equipped to live a more productive life of self sufficiency; truly becoming an asset to any community and society. • "...with deep compassion/will bring you back...with everlasting love 1 will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord,your Redeemer." Isaiah. 54:7-8. The Genesis Project • °`°"""°"" of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 Our plans include constructing an eight bedroom residence and a future activity center. There is an existing 16 x 24 storage shed on site which houses banquet and other miscellaneous supplies for The Genesis Project. A common area will be provided for the mothers to utilize for child care of their children. They will provide their own cooperative child care with teaching and guidance from the volunteers at the facility and under the supervision of the house parents. Clients will prepare their own food utilizing a common kitchen and dining area. The proposed use is consistent and compatible with surrounding land uses. The five acre parcel referenced above is a recorded exemption lot in a rural setting. There are other small acreages with homes and livestock to the north and south. A farm operation is to the west, and agricultural land to the east. The parcel is located approximately one mile west of the community of Galeton where Triangle Cross Ranch also has a ministry. The neighbors that we have met in the area are very favorable toward having another ministry in the community. We have sponsored a chili supper to meet the neighbors of the community and to introduce them to the ministry of The Genesis Project. The proposed use is consistent with the Weld County Code, Chapters 22 and 23. Our plans are to maintain the rural character of the area by constructing a country estate type • home and setting with proposed buildings set off to one side of the parcel and open pasture on the balance of the land. The future activity center will be a barn type building. We also plan to have a limited number of farm animals including a horse, and/or possibly a calf, rabbits, a few chickens for the clients and children to care for, love and enjoy. This will give them the added dimension of experiencing the beauty and serenity of country living for a season. Landscaping will maintain the rural character of the surrounding land use and utilize xeroscaping techniques as much as possible to conserve water consumption. All buildings and improvements will be reviewed and inspected by the proper jurisdictions for code compliance. An engineered septic system is proposed for the site. Water will be provided by North Weld County Water District. Fire protection will be provided by the Galeton Fire District. Waste storage and removal will be contracted with a commercial trash removal company. Vehicular traffic will be limited to those coming as service providers and to staff and volunteers coming to teach clients. Clients will not have access to their own vehicles while enrolled in our program. Any necessary transportation will be provided by The Genesis Project. Construction and landscaping is not currently scheduled to begin at any specific date. Our organization is totally funded by donations and fund raisers and our guiding principles dictate a debt free facility. We will start construction as funds come in. We will begin by bringing in the infrastructure necessary to the facility. Timelines are totally • dependent on the availability of donations. "...with deep compassion I will bring you back...with everlasting love I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord,your Redeemer. " Isaiah. 54:7-8. :� The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 The site is not located in a floodplain. Storm water drainage follows the natural flow of the land from the northeast corner of the property toward the southwest corner and into the existing road ditch along Weld County Road 49. If there is termination of the Use by Special Review activity there will be no need of reclamation procedures as the entire property will be constructed as a country estate capable of being sold as a single family residence. This is not a commercial enterprise. There will be no revenue produced from this ministry. It will be cost free to all clients and depend strictly on donations. Clients need to know that we care enough for them to offer this ministry free of charge and that we are not trying to take advantage of their situations. Many of them have been drained dry from all the programs that charge. We do not care to be one of them. If possible, The Genesis Project would appreciate your consideration in waiving or substantially reducing the application fee that is typically charged. Thank you for your consideration of this application. Respectfully submitted by '. Karla L. Grieser, President for the Board of The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado • "...with deep compassion I will bring you back...with everlasting love I will have compassion and mercy on you, says the Lord,your Redeemer." Isaiah. 54:7-8. The Genesis Project n..r....0 r.ol.n -�� of Northern Colorado P. O. Box 200087. Evans, CO 80620 Supporting Document addressing Section 23-2-280, E.7 Background of The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado by Karla Grieser, President. On days that I need refreshing, I can step through my door into the open spaces around my home and start off down the gas road that borders our property. The meadowlarks are singing; the air is warm and embracing; and a panoramic view spreads out west over wheat and alfalfa fields toward the Front Range—or east toward Beebee Draw valley. The Greeley area is visible to the north. It is so refreshing and peaceful to have such a place to get away from the cares of the world and drink in the beauty that God has created. As I have walked down that path, many times I could see that such a setting is exactly what • emotionally wounded young mothers need as they seek answers to the challenges they face in life. • A place of refuge full of peace and quiet where clients can find solitude and spend time alone with God free to really experience God's love and find Him as their only true refuge. • A refuge where the lies they believe about themselves, others and the world around them can be exposed and replaced with the truth of the Word of God. • A place of healing and renewal where clients can discover their true personal value. • A place where clients and their children can enjoy the pleasures and benefits of rural life as they receive ministry in the social, emotional and spiritual areas of their lives. • A refuge where these young moms can come out of their world for a season, step back and see it for what it is, and realize they do have a choice in how they live. Many of these young mothers are so caught up in their circumstances that they have never seen any other options. • A refuge where our clients and their children can enter into a greenhouse environment, be nurtured like tender young plants and be prepared to reenter the world equipped to meet the challenges they face in life. This vision was birthed on that path and as I shared the vision with others it became their own. The Genesis Project was formed and filed articles of incorporation with the State of Colorado as a not • for profit organization in 2002 and maintains good standing with the Secretary of State. On January 24, 2005, we received our determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service formally confirming our 501c3 status to establish a residential facility and ministry support system to minister to single mothers • and their children. Our assigned identification number is 27-0028078. Our mission is to guide clients into healing and wholeness and effectively break the cycle in which they live. The first priority of Genesis is to reach out with God's unconditional love and acceptance to each young mother and her children who come into our program. At the same time we are striving to equip single mothers to obtain the necessary educational, career and life-skills training needed for self-sufficiency, freeing them from dependencies and allowing them to support themselves and their family with dignity. The Genesis Project is its own entity. It is not associated with any other organization, but its vision is supported by other ministries and churches in Northern Colorado. Since 2002 Genesis has put in place the foundational work for the ministry. We have established a building fund and have purchased our five acre parcel by Galeton for our facility. Our membership is comprised of all volunteers with a heart and passion for ministry to single mothers and their children. Our Executive Board consists of the officers of The Genesis Project. The Executive Committee includes the officers and committee heads and some of our faithful volunteers. In addition we have our Advisory Board members. Experience: • During the process of researching and evaluating other similar facilities, we were led to one particular ministry that shares much of the same vision as the one God has lain on our hearts. Mercy Ministries started because the founder Nancy Alcorn experienced the failure of state and medical treatment centers to make a lasting difference in the lives of troubled young women. With over a 25 year track record, Mercy is seeing a ninety percent success rate of girls transformed and living a victorious life, free from the past. State run programs see less than three percent success with most girls returning to the same lifestyle. Our guiding principles, goals and policies are patterned to a great extent after Mercy Ministries. We are also drawing on the experience of similar ministries such as Hope House of Colorado in Arvada and Champa House in Denver. A letter from Hope House of Colorado is included with this submittal detailing their experience with security and domestic violence. Likewise our facility will not be a shelter or emergency housing. It will require an application process where only those young women sincerely desiring to make a lifestyle change will be admitted. Each applicant will be evaluated on an individual basis. The accepted clients must be willing and able to learn and live by the rules, and must be open to spiritual training. It will be a different clientele than a shelter from domestic violence such as A Woman's Place. We plan to put security measures into place, but experience would indicate that the risk of harm is very similar to other Christ based or rural family residences. • From 2004 through 2008 The Genesis Project held weekly support ministry for single mothers called New Beginnings. Leaps & Bounds ministry for their children was held in conjunction with New Beginnings. In 2008 we turned this support ministry over to Carrie Adolf who was our ministry • coordinator and had been leading the group. We are currently offering classes at Zoe's in Greeley in the areas of faith based parenting and finance. The parenting classes accept parents who are beyond the limits of the parenting classes offered by the Pregnancy Resource Center so that we do not duplicate efforts. Our experience from working with this ministry has clearly demonstrated the need for a residential facility where we can minister to the tremendous needs of our clients on a twenty-four hour, seven day a week basis. The clients need a time of concentrated care giving to make a lasting difference. Need: Out of 70,028 live births, 17,525 or 25.1% of Colorado babies are born to unwed mothers (Colorado Vital Statistics, 2008). In Weld County close to twelve percent of households are homes of a single parent with children —over 7,000 households. In their 2010 annual report the average yearly income of Weld Food Bank clients is $13,640. They distributed 7.9 million pounds of food last year. Poverty rates for children in Greeley doubled over the last decade to the second highest level in • Colorado among the state's largest cities and counties. Many single mothers are only earning minimum wage or barely above — in the range of $1300-1500 per month. They are forced to turn to government programs for sustenance for themselves and their children. 3,450 grandchildren in Weld County are living with their grandparents as their parents struggle with many challenges. Welfare dependency programs continue to swell costing the taxpayers millions. The Genesis Project intends to provide the support necessary to help these young mothers mature and develop job skills that will qualify them to acquire work paying high enough wages to meet their expenses and provide a quality life for themselves and their children — free of dependency programs. Those clients willing to change will keep from becoming another statistic on county welfare rolls and help reduce the tax burden. Many of these young single mothers feel alone and ostracized by family and friends with no place to turn for emotional and spiritual guidance and support. They experience feelings of self-doubt, low self-esteem and expectations, emptiness, embarrassment, loneliness and worthlessness. As their children grow up in this type of environment, these same negative emotions attach themselves to the children and begin a cycle not easily broken. Colorado lacks programs of quality resources and the answers to produce a lasting change. Single mothers need faith-based support to attain wholeness and the necessary educational, career and life skills training to succeed as mothers with dignity. • The links between education, employment and income are widely recognized. Overwhelmingly studies show that children being raised in homes with both a mother and a father enjoy many benefits that children from single parent homes do not. In two parent homes there may be a higher level of • financial security, less dislocation and a shared workload of maintaining the home and parenting. Their kindergartner's chances of being in the top quartile of readers are increased by more than fifty percent with single mothers who earn college degrees rather than drop out of high school (Colorado Literacy Research Initiative, 2004). Encouraging parents to return and complete their own education is likely to have a dramatic effect on the achievement levels of their children. This would go far toward closing the achievement gap between children from two-parent and single parent families and the outcome would also be self-sufficient capable mothers supporting themselves and their children without public assistance. Growing up as the child of a single parent is linked with lower levels of academic achievement. While some may receive lower marks and class standings, others have to repeat grades in school. They have increased levels of depression, stress-related symtoms, aggression and in some cases impaired physical and mental health requiring treatment of emotional and behavioral problems. All of these effects are linked with a lifetime in poverty, poor achievement, susceptibility to suicide and the likelihood of juveniles committing crimes and being arrested. The ministry of The Genesis Project will be helping the future of single mothers as well as the future of their children by providing a Godly environment where training will help prevent poverty, poor achievement and criminal activity from becoming a part of their lives. Each mother and child will • be in a positive environment where he or she will have the best opportunity of reaching his or her potential. Included is a letter from the Pregnancy Resource Center in Greeley addressing the need locally. Financial capacity and licenses: The Genesis Project holds an annual benefit and solicits donations throughout the year from contributors who support our vision. We maintain a general fund for operating expenses and administrative costs. We maintain a building fund for proposed facilities. Currently we have over $62,000 in the building fund. We purchased the five acre parcel proposed for the residential facility and it is unencumbered. We have constructed a storage shed on the parcel which is also paid for. Our guiding principles dictate a debt free facility so that general operating expenses are the only thing that we have to raise once the residence is constructed. While our financial approach may take longer, Genesis is on a very sound financial basis. As soon as the permitting is complete, we will pursue large donations and will begin construction when funds are in place. • The Genesis Project will comply with all licensing requirements as we get closer to the actual • beginning of operations at the facility. Impact: The previous owner of our parcel divided two lots off by recorded exemption because of the lack of water to maintain its agricultural use. The proposed use will have little impact on agricultural production as it is essentially dry and already out of production. Neighbors adjacent to the property are very receptive to and supportive of the establishment of the ministry in their neighborhood. A positive impact can be projected with neighbors who will show love and acceptance to our clients and their children with the possibly of becoming positive role models for them. The facility will be constructed as a country estate capable of being sold as such giving us an exit strategy if and when we need it. As there will be no construction without the ability to pay for it, no suggested blighting impact of the area will occur. The proposed layout blends with the other small acreages nearby and we will maintain a similar rural character to fit with the surrounding countryside. The land is close to Galeton, a community who already embraces the ministry of Triangle Cross • Ranch. The Galeton Community Church and the other people that we have visited with are very supportive of our locating in the community. The Genesis Project will not have an impact on the public school system, rather we will be utilizing tutoring methods by volunteers and mentors. Most of the children will be preschool age and will not be attending public school while in residence. There will be security where drugs, alcohol and other substance abuse will not be tolerated and will be cause for immediate dismissal from the facility. All visits will be monitored. Plans include a safe room to be located in the residence for additional security and storm protection. Fencing around the property in keeping with the rural character will be installed with gated entry. An additional well fenced playground area adjacent to the house will be constructed for the safety of the children who will be supervised at all times. These children will be as safe or safer than most children who live in agricultural or urban areas. A fire hydrant will be installed at the property that will benefit the surrounding neighbors as well as provide better fire protection for our ministry. As this is a refuge that will provide a peaceful and positive environment and not just a shelter • from violence, we do not anticipate a significant increase in the need of fire or police protection over other residences. In the event we need fire or police service, the response times of the Weld County • Sheriff's office, paramedics and fire protection districts is exceptional. The impact of this facility on the neighborhood should be minimal. A positive impact for Weld County will be a reduction of those on government dependency, welfare rolls and unemployment. Although this may be small in the overall picture, each life changed makes an impact; each cycle broken frees not only the mom but the children as well. • • From Karla Grieser, President for the Board of The Genesis Project of Northern Colorado. This is an email I received late Saturday night 7/9/2011 from a new volunteer for Genesis Lori Vandiveer that clearly demonstrates the need for ministry to single mothers in our County. Please read it carefully. Karla "This is me: more determined than ever to see a place where single mothers can get away from unhealthy environments and learn to grow healthy! I met with Jane between 5:00-6:30 tonight in her temporary housing with a friend in Johnstown, whose name also happens to be Jane (I'll call her Jane 2). They met on facebook some months ago. When Jane's family's behavior got out of control, Jane knew she had to get away; scratch marks on her neck and a cut on her leg were evidence of the volatile situation, a result of an altercation with her older sister and irrational family drama which caused the mother to reject Jane in favor of the older sister who had been arrested for beating her own husband the prior week. The grandmother seems to be the only stable support for Jane, albeit ineffective. The family dynamics are not uncommon, unfortunately; here we have a perfect application of the "crabs in a bucket" analogy whereby when one crab reaches the edge of the bucket (wants to reach beyond the family's scope), all the other crabs tend to pull her back in the bucket. Jane is enrolled in Greeley for her GED. She wants to enroll in a Medical Assistant program and feels very capable of being successful academically. She is only able to take one day at a time. Her vulnerabilities are growing. For example, she reported, and Jane 2 corroborated: a friend of Jane's said she could stay in his uncle's apt while the uncle was away. But, after she had bought$200+worth of food for the place and gotten somewhat settled, the uncle who had not yet left town made it clear to her that he had a sexual requirement. Jane 2 was with her, and they left immediately, leaving the food behind. So Jane, with 18 mos old son (who needs surgery for a club foot), is staying with Jane 2 and her own 2 month old son, all under the roof of Jane 2's parents (father, Dan & ill mother who was at the ER all day alone). Dan said that a 3 year struggle with Jane 2 had been too stressful on his wife and she was having multiple medical issues. Dan confessed to discussing with his wife that they find a place for Jane 2 because, although she is a"good mother', she still behaves like a teenager; Dan explained to Jane 2 that she cannot be both. Dan is also planning to move away in lieu of the drama that his own daughter is so easily sucked into. I wanted so much to stay and talk to Dan about the fact that his daughter was, indeed, both a mother and a teenager, and to help him make a plan for dealing with those realities. But, there was much •oing on and it was time for me to leave. Both children stole my heart in a moment. The single mothers have each other. Whether they will drag each other down or lift each other up is unknown, but Dan fears for their safety in lieu of Jane's family drama. What is known is that if they had a Genesis place, they would be able to learn how to work together and encourage each other to be the best parent they could be. So, instead of identifying one very likely application candidate for Genesis Project, I found 2... at the same time... in the same place. What Christian does not realize that our culture is toxic? Who cannot see toxic families and the cycles they create for following generations? Who has reached the outside of the bucket and is willing to pull others out of the bucket? This can also be likened to Plato's Myth of the Cave, which turns out not to be a myth at all (his education philosophy which has, ironically, inspired many Christians, including me, to help others flee from the dark cave and into the light). Jane admitted past mistakes for which she is now paying consequences. Jane was told by a social worker that if she did not secure a place, she would likely get her son taken from her. She applied for housing but was declined because she had no previous rental history. She was told to do the paperwork over again. Hmmm... are they going to change their minds about requiring rental history if she applies again? Wuzzup with that?! • Moreover, Jane says she hates being on food stamps (she used the phrased "dependant on the government"), but did not have a choice. She used keywords that suggests that someone has planted seeds of freedom in her mind. Jane does not have a car, needs to get to school in Greeley, and to doctor appointments for her son. Her stressful past led to a circumstance that requires her to either pay a fine of$200 before she can get her driving permit, or wait until she is 21. What will Genesis eventually make available for single moms who need to network and interview for jobs, for .xample, but do not have cars or cannot drive? All this has not only made me more determined to make a difference but also causes me to think about what questions should be on the Genesis Application and Intake Form. The culture has eroded the family, and families are helpless. Yet, within those families are some who see hope for a better life that the rest of the family cannot see (nor does it have a desire for better). I cannot thank you enough, Karla, for holding onto your vision! It was in knowing that you (and others with you) are doing something in the direction of solution for those who have made it to the edge of the bucket that gave me strength to listen to Jane's story, and offer hope and encouragement to Jane, Jane 2, and Dan today. Otherwise, I might simply have curled up in the fetal position and cried helplessly. Thank you for letting me download. Thank you for letting me be a part of the solution." Lori • • • June 22, 2011 To the Board of Weld County Commissioners and Weld County Planning Commissioners: I am writing on behalf of the Genesis Project in hopes that you will consider my personal testimony as one example of the success that this organization promotes. I believe my experience speaks to the critical need and countywide benefit of approving land use for the growth of this non-profit. First, let me say that it is an honor to be able to share with you the difference that the Genesis Project made in my life and that of my beautiful,eleven-year-old daughter. I am happy to say that while the plight of single motherhood is a real ongoing issue,there are those like the founders of this non-profit who truly care and strive to make a difference in the lives of those in this difficult situation and hardship. My name is Lisa Rickard, and I am happily celebrating my first year of marriage with my husband Darrick. Prior to my recent marriage, I was a single parent for 10 years and can therefore speak to the unique challenges and struggles faced by single parents on a daily basis. Like many single parents, I started parenting as a teen. I had my whole life ahead of me, and I was unprepared for the demands that come with providing for and caring for a child. When I began my journey as a parent, I was full of need—the same needs that every parent has when first faced with the daunting task of raising a young one in today's world - but I had an extra dose of those needs due to the fact that I was embarking on this journey all on my own. I had a need for • instruction. I did not have a mother or any other role model in my life to help answer my questions. I was paralyzed by my fears, doubts, and the unknown. How would I provide for my child with such limited means? How would I juggle the costs of care for my daughter while I went to work or school? How would I plan for my future or my child's future? But in my case as in the case of every other woman in this position, these questions are underscored with an overwhelming number of other unanswered questions because of the disadvantages presented by teen parenting. I had the most basic of needs. I needed a safe place to stay since this was also a need that was unmet in my life. During my pregnancy, I was blessed with a shepherding family that invited me into their home and allowed me the place and time to prepare myself for motherhood. Beyond this precious provision during my pregnancy and birth, I relied on the Lord's grace for a place to call home on a shoestring budget. I had the need for an education. I was barely out of my teens but I recognized the value of this and with the blessing of scholarships, I stretched my time between the full-time student schedule, working a low- paying part-time job, and caring for my daughter. I am pleased to say that I did graduate in 2006 with my BA degree. However, as you can imagine, it was nothing short of a miracle for me. It took the support and encouragement of others to keep me going through all six years of my education until I finally crossed the finish line. So, I was raising a child and trying to grow up myself... but that was not all I was coping with. I had • wounds that sometimes crippled my spirit. You see, even if someone handed me all the money I • needed, and I was fortunate enough to have a mother to help care for my daughter and teach me how to mother as well... I still would have had these spiritual and emotional wounds that needed attention. These are the dilemmas faced by the majority of teen moms.And the teen parent population is a growing one. The year I came to the Genesis project, in 2005, there were 403 teen parents ranging from 15-19 years of age. Weld County continues to have a higher rate of teen pregnancy than state rates. I am certain that the majority of these young women share the need for physical, emotional, and spiritual support. This is the purpose of the Genesis Project.Through the support that I received from Genesis, I was able to share my fears, doubts, and pain. I was surrounded by a positive and nurturing environment that created a safe place for me to share myself and therefore receive the support and guidance I desperately needed. In the time I spent with the other single parents participating in the Genesis Project, we explored healthy and effective discipline for our children, money management, and growing in our personal and spiritual identity. We were connected to other resources to help with needs such as clothing, food, child care, and even fun family activities. I remember fondly one of several Christmas holidays in which the Genesis Project put together a night just for us. Mothers and children alike were given gifts—essentials and fun items—as well as the gift of a meal shared together and time spent ministering to each other. We would not go without a night of being cherished and welcomed as family. The auther of love Himself was present in our gatherings.The leaders of this program were able to tend • to the individual emotional and spiritual wounds we had because they relied on Him for the inspiration, words, and answers.There were several times that I arrived to the group, completely broken: though outwardly and by all appearances I was fine, inside I felt myself falling apart. It was there, in that safe place that I could allow myself to unravel a little bit. I could be surrounded by the touch and prayers of other women who shared my grief and pain and gave me a hope and the strength to believe in a future for myself and my little girl. This is a small window into my story, but I am not writing to put my story out there. I share this with you to simply echo the need for the Genesis Project, and in that way my story counts as one of many. For years, it has been the vision of Karla and Merle to provide a place—as they did for me and many other single mothers—of safety and renewal and authentic support. I was able to grow and overcome many of my own obstacles those Wednesday nights I spent in the group. But for so many, the need is greater. These women need a fresh start and the kind of support that is currently not available in Northern Colorado. They are in need of a physical place to live, learn, and love every day.The Genesis Project envisions a home that will simultaneously provide for all these needs. For those who don't have the strength, resourcefulness, or the will,tp search out all the different sources of help. It takes faith to believe that each need will be met and that there is the time to do it all.All of the needs and demands of parenting are overwhelming, but they can by crippling for a young woman who has a troubled past or abuse in her history. I imagine a home where there is no fear of eviction or how to pay the electric bill, where one can gather • with others like herself to share a full meal and talk about her day, where she can join others in prayer • for continued hope and healing. She can ask the tough questions and receive healthy guidance. She is not alone—and she sees a brighter future because not only are her basic needs met, but so is her greater need for emotional and spiritual support.This all-inclusive approach has the potential to change whole generations if the cycles are broken as a result of the healing these young mothers receive. To transform this vision into reality,the Genesis Project needs your support.Again, I thank you for your time and consideration. Blessings, Lisa Rickard • • -4kegnancy Resource `f May 31St, 2011 .,Center - To whom it may concern: The Pregnancy Resource Center of Northern Colorado has been providing resources and advisement to pregnant single women in Weld County for nearly 30 years. Among the BOARD OF DIRECTORS OVA"IENN'ESSEN many referrals we make to assist our clients during their pregnancy,the most trying has Chairman been housing. SUE FLOCS Secretary VINCE SCHMU11L For example,just since the beginning of 2010, the PRC has worked with 21 women who Treasurer MICHAEL DECKER needed housing.When a client expresses this need,we refer her to an emergency JULIE FORSTER shelter in the area. However,currently none of these institutions can adequately meet DAVE.7Y)nr) PATTY ULMER the needs of single pregnant women on a long term basis.We feel that it would be GREGOR/A RUMERU Member Emeritus extremely beneficial to have a housing facility specific to single pregnant women in GAIL HOLIv1ES Weld County. Currently,the closest facilities that meet these criteria are located in Executive Director Denver. If a woman needs to be in this type of living situation,she must relocate to Denver or beyond; there are no comparable facilities for single pregnant women in Weld County. MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD Based on our own client's housing needs,we can assure you that a home for single rARA'ee`k Direct Mn pregnant and parenting women would be tremendously valuable to our community. iik;Ivft:dical Director INDYAMOS, RN We think it's also important to take into account that we are only one of several urse Manager TOM ATWOOD, DPM agencies in this community who serve pregnant women. We can only assume that the JOSII CRIDER:PA need is greater than our singular assessment at the PRC. MELANIE CIPHERS,RN LC?RI FOLLETT, RN BRAD KEENEY,DC Just this week,we served a young pregnant woman whom we learned was sleeping in TARRI MCDANIEL, RN LORI A.RIPLEY, MD her car.After making several phone calls to local housing facilities,we failed in finding a MICHELLE S701-1Z, MD place for her to stay overnight where she felt safe. It would have been a great blessing JOHN VOLK, MD JEFF WUNDER, MD to know that there was somewhere local where she could not only stay the night, but MARK YOUNG, MD receive a mentoring relationship, practical assistance and possibly a long term living YOUNG, RN P situation. This is just one example of the 21 women previously mentioned who would have greatly benefited from the services of the Genesis Project or a similar institution. Respectfully,,,----„, _ ..) :,..:6,1_.„.:,,........./..,.,_i ,..____:,_._.,1_ Janelle Cecil Director of Client Services The Pregnancy Resource Center of Northern Colorado PregnanCy Resource Center of Northern Colorado • 1403 10th Ave. • Greeley. CO 80631 • !:,';err: 470-'53-2673 • idk 970.353-7606 ip Mission Statement: ;tie Preg.orcy Resnurce C.?ntc7 ul Nott"er't Colorado iS o r.hrisIi n rite-attirnlnr,o•ga:uzolion oiov dine contideraial ar.ly serneot.educaticu and practical assictjr:ce to pregnant.pnr?r?i!rc and p(s1-abotrivc'rrdi,iduals. yq Hope HouseAiS To Whom It May Concern, I am writing this letter on behalf of The Genesis Project. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Hope House of Colorado. Hope House opened in 2003., and offers self sufficiency programs to parenting teenage mothers. We operate a Residential home in Arvada for up to five teen mothers and their children. The building also houses our offices, and we also use its classroom for Parenting and Life Skills classes for the teen moms in our Mentoring and GED Programs. Hope House serves up to 110 at-risk teen mothers annually. Unfortunately, domestic violence is not uncommon inl the population we serve. Therefore, we made a decision as an organization that we would not serve a teen mother in our Residential Program if she were coming directly out of a domestic violence relationship. These young moms are referred to a local domestic violence shelter..We do, however, follow several safety and security procedures, as there is always the rsk that an angry boyfriend or family member may be a cause for concern. Hope House has doors that triple mock, and are required to be locked at all times. We have a security system that is monitored hen set at night. We have outdoor lighting that is motion sensitive. Our address is not publicly identified, and we have several procedures for staff to follow in the event of an emergency. That being said, we have never had one single incident of domestic violence occur at Hope House. In the 8 years we have been in existence we have called the police three times for suspicious vehicles parking near the house. These cases were never confirmed as being linked to Hope House, and no interaction between the drivers and our staff occurred. We also called the police once after a teen mother became aggressive with a staff member. This incident was resolved peacefully. The women served by The Genesis Project have much in common with the teen mothers served by Hope House. These are women who want, more than anything, tor build strong, stable families for their children. They are willing to commit to a structured program I order to learn how to do that. They are more likely to make healthy choices sin fuse relationships because they have built strong support systems while in the program. These are young women who just need a second chance, and someone to believe in them. It i a blessing to watch how God moves in the lives of our girls when they commit to making a change for their children. I wish The Genesis Project and its neighbors the best of success as they build their community together. ilkincerely, Lisa Steven, Executive Director Hope House of Colorado Hello