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Solid Rock Community Development Corporation Awarded $2,000 to Tell ‘Stories of Hope’ Within Southeast Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— Investing in healthy environments, housing, business, and infrastructure in Southeast Colorado Springs since 2018, Solid Rock Community Development Corporation has received $2,000 from the Colorado Equity Compass (CEC) to share local “Southeast Stories”, highlight inspiring community members and shared projects and altering the area’s storied narrative of economic hardship and struggle. “Solid Rock CDC intends to compile stories about each of the social determinants of health (SDOH) and the organization's corresponding program. For example, to combat food insecurity we’ve recently been awarded grant funding to launch a Food Security for Southeast Colorado Springs program and will be working with other area partners on this important initiative. We’ll feature a story on the expansion of our CommUNITY Food Bank, its supporters, patrons, and volunteers.” says Stephanie Surch, Solid Rock Grants and Development Manager. “To highlight the built environment [element we support], we'll feature a story on The Village at Solid Rock, set to break ground on April 22, 2022, and the need for affordable housing in the region. We will also feature the upcoming creation of the Southeast Hub as part of the Southeast Community Investment Trust, a novel initiative which improves financial literacy and promotes community property investment.”
Stories featured as a result of CEC’s award will take the form of interviews, written narratives, and pictures highlighting individuals, projects, and businesses that correspond to each of Solid Rock CDC’s programs and the SDOH addressed by the organization. “We’ll create print material and will feature links to the ‘Solid Rock CDC’s Southeast Stories’ section of our website and on social media platforms,” Solid Rock CDC representatives went on. “The Southeast community is rich in culture, community engagement and heritage. Solid Rock CDC would like to recognize those who are working toward the creation of a thriving economy and healthy community.”
“The CEC is pleased to support Solid Rock CDC’s vision to inspire Coloradans to invest in their communities,” says CEC Project Lead Dr. Rachele Espiritu. “Each of the story products mentioned will shed light on the impact that the SDOH can have on not only individual health but community wellbeing.”
These products are below:
About Solid Rock Community Development Corporation Solid Rock Community Development Corporation's mission is to build a diverse Southeast Colorado Springs economy that emphasizes the importance of affordable housing, small business development, and healthy community environments. Its goal is to address and dismantle concentrated poverty in the Southeast through leading and building strong partnerships that invest in projects which improve the area's economy and the quality of life for residents.
The organization's current programs include its Youth Center and Civic Ambassador Programs, the CommUnity Food Bank, the Southeast Community Investment Trust (CIT), and forthcoming — The Village at Solid Rock, a 77-unit affordable housing complex. Southeast Colorado Springs is affected by barriers in all the listed Social Determinants of Health. As a result, Solid Rock CDC offers programs that address all these determinants. The organization recognizes that each of the determinants are interrelated and crucial to establishing a thriving economy and healthy Southeast community.
About the Colorado Equity Compass Across Colorado, communities are facing inequities that impact their health and wellbeing. Different factors, including systemic racism, a lack of affordable housing, and environmental concerns, contribute to these inequities.
As a project of The Colorado Trust, CEC helps communities — and the organizations that serve them — better understand these issues and advocate for change using data and stories. This work consolidates diverse resources, connects peers, and both aligns and empowers communities and institutions via an interactive data model. The model showcases inequities and the social determinants of health (SDOH) across communities. CEC also serves as a hub for community storytelling and information-sharing.
For more information and to view the data model, visit coequitycompass.org. For media inquiries, contact the CEC at [email protected].