National Coalition for the Homeless Announces Strategic Alliance with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2019
Contact:
John Parvensky
President and CEO
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
720-660-6453
jp@coloradocoalition.org
Donald H. Whitehead Jr
Board President
National Coalition for the Homeless
dwhitehead@msn.com
310-275-7341
Cathy Alderman
Vice President of Communications and Public Policy
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
303-312-9638
calderman@coloradocoalition.org
National Coalition for the Homeless Announces Strategic Alliance with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless in Call to Double Federal Investment to End Homelessness
Washington, DC—The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) announced today that it has entered into a strategic alliance with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) to leverage the strengths of each organization towards a renewed focus on elevating the crisis of homelessness being experienced in communities across America and increased organizing and advocacy for immediate action at the Federal level to end homelessness and reduce its trauma on the millions of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and those at imminent risk of losing their homes.
The organizations signed a management services agreement that will allow the National Coalition to build its capacity to focus on its strength of bringing together those experiencing homelessness to share their experiences with our nation’s leaders in a call for immediate action to end homelessness. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless will bring its administrative, financial and policy capacity to support NCH’s renewed efforts in this time of critical need.
The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), founded in 1981, is the oldest national organization focused on ending homelessness in America. It is a national network of people currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to their mission of: To end and prevent homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness are met and their civil rights protected. Over the last 38 years through advocacy efforts addressing the root causes of homelessness including lack of affordable housing, and partnering to write landmark legislation including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.
The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is the nation’s largest state coalition addressing homeless, founded in 1984 to create lasting solutions to homelessness. Since that time, CCH has advocated for national, state and local policies to end homeless while implementing innovative and sustainable programs to create integrated health care and housing for more than 20,000 individuals.
As part of this strategic alliance, John Parvensky, current CEO of the Colorado Coalition, will serve as the Acting Executive Director of National Coalition to help rebuild and reengage communities across the country to address the failed federal system which is accountable for widespread homelessness. Through 35 years of expertise, advocacy, and creative vision at the Colorado Coalition, he is pleased to bring his experience to the national stage. He will continue his role as President and CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Megan Hustings, who has served as the interim executive director of NCH since the passing of its long-term leader Michael Stoops in 2017, will continue to serve NCH as its Managing Director in the Washington, DC office.
“It is critical that the federal government immediately double its funding to support local and state efforts to end homelessness” said John Parvensky. “Many communities across the nation are facing a state of emergency as more people are suffering and losing their homes. While cities and states are increasing their efforts to address this crisis, the federal government’s investment is not keeping pace with this increased need.”
Donald Whitehead, President of the National Coalition for the Homeless’ board of directors called this agreement a great opportunity for reenergizing the Coalition’s historic and critical role of lifting the voices of those experiencing homeless to achieve immediate action to end the trauma of homelessness. “This alliance could not have come at a more critical time. We are experiencing the longest unabated homeless crisis in this country’s history. Our goal is that our combined voices can drown out the disinformation emanating from an administration that proves daily that it is ill equipped to provide the leadership and resources necessary to end the suffering of those experiencing homelessness.”
John Parvensky has served as President and CEO of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless since 1985. Under his leadership, the Coalition, which began as a single health center, has grown to serve over 20,000 people experiencing homelessness per year through comprehensive housing and healthcare in Colorado. John has been a leader in developing integrated housing and health care for people experiencing homelessness and low-income families and individuals, developing the state-of-the-art Stout Street Health Center, and bringing the Housing First approach for those who chronically experience homelessness to Colorado.
During his tenure, John has received local and national recognition for his work. Most recently, John was awarded the 2018 Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award from the National Healthcare for the Homeless. In 2016, the ACLU of Colorado presented him with the Carle Whitehead Memorial Award for 30 years of dedication to furthering civil liberties and social justice for Colorado’s homeless population. John received the 2012 Be More Award from Rocky Mountain PBS for his outstanding, innovative leadership and direction in social justice benefiting the entire community.
About National Coalition for the Homeless
The National Coalition for the Homeless is a national network of people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, activists and advocates, community-based and faith-based service providers, and others committed to a single mission: To prevent and end homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness are met and their civil rights protected. We envision a world where everyone has a safe, decent, affordable and accessible home.
We are committed to creating the systemic and attitudinal changes necessary to prevent and end homelessness. We take as our first principle of practice that people who are currently experiencing homelessness or have formerly experienced homelessness must be actively involved in all of our work. Our programs are centered around public education, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing, and are focused on the issues of housing justice, economic justice, health care justice, and civil rights. Learn more at www.nationalhomeless.org.
About Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. Since its founding in 1984, the organization has earned state and national recognition for its integrated healthcare, housing and service programs. The Coalition’s comprehensive approach addresses the causes of homelessness, as well as the consequences, offering critical assistance to over 20,000 individuals and families each year. Learn more at www.coloradocoalition.org.