Hand Up Cooperative provides employment education and career opportunities for the homeless community in Fort Collins and Loveland, Colorado. Here is a storiy about one of our clients who received a 'hand up'.

1. strategy for quickly earning the steady income
he needed to get resettled. Based on his
dedication to the HUC program, the Case
Manager knew that Josh had the potential to go
much further.
Staggering into the frigid February night, 30
year old Josh Krovec* was tired. He was tired of
After only two months, Josh had saved enough
being cold. He was tired of trudging the streets
money to make a down payment on a pickup
in search of a little warmth. And mostly, he was
truck. It wasn’t new, but it was the first
just plain tired of spending his days hung-over
substantial thing he had owned since his life on
with no place to call home. It seemed like
the streets. Two months later Josh quit his job.
forever since Josh had held a steady job, and he
Not because of a relapse, but because he knew
had no idea how to go about finding one. The
he was ready to branch out on his own. In
only thing he knew for certain; he needed help.
September 2011 Josh paid another visit to Hand
Up Cooperative. This time he didn’t need a job.
Instead he wanted employees for his new
roofing company. “If I can find a crew as
motivated as I was, I know I can make this
business a go,” Josh told the Case Manager.
“You helped me get the hand up I needed. I
want to give back, and I know the guys that
leave your program will be ready to work.”
Arriving at The Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center
for Hope, Josh was directed to Hand Up
Cooperative (HUC). Before he could start the
HUC job placement program, Josh had to
overcome his drinking problem. The HUC Case
Manager suggested he attend Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA). Once enrolled and connecting
with his sponsor, Josh was able to commence
* This is the true story of a recent HUC client.
the HUC program that would lead to a new
The name of the individual is disguised to
beginning. Working with the HUC Case
protect his identity. Josh’s company has been
Manager, Josh sharpened his job seeking skills,
profitable since its first month of operation.
wrote a resume and started answering
Since 2008, Hand Up Cooperative has placed
employment ads. Josh had worked on a roofing
over 90 homeless people from Fort Collins and
crew a few years back and he and the Case
Loveland in steady jobs that have allowed them
Manager felt that a roofing job was the best
to become self-reliant.
Hand Up Cooperative ● 242 Conifer Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 ● www.handupcooperative.org