Connections is a Center for Independent Living, an inclusive place where people who live with disabling conditions, and those who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, come together to challenge barriers, become empowered, and live with greater independence. It is our mission to enrich the communities we serve with the self-determination, productivity, and leadership of every citizen.

It is with gratitude to The Women's Fund of Weld County for their foresight into solving a housing issue that was at the core of many community members' gap in finding stable housing. In the first grant of funds for the Housing Deposit Assistance Program, The Women's Fund of Weld County saw an opportunity to support the removal of a roadblock that prevented many people with disabilities from permanent and secure housing. In 2019 the board and staff at Connections saw a recurring problem with recipients of coveted and hard-won Section 8 Housing Vouchers being unable to complete the process as they failed to acquire the deposit funds needed to secure a lease. With the creation of the Housing Deposit Assistance Program, micro grants of less than $900 were accessible to anyone who had successfully completed the Department of Housing process and a Deposit Assistance application. It is due to this process and support that Connections was able to assist 13 people with disabilities to secure stable housing in the past year. The Department of Housing recently reported that Connections was the largest administrator of Section 8 Housing vouchers for people with disabilities in our area, and holds the highest success rate in the state of Colorado for finalizing local leases with community members. We know that this success rate is due in large part to removing the barrier that deposit costs pose for people experiencing homelessness.