In 2011, Esther found herself driving through the streets of Colorado Springs. As she navigated through one of the city’s many low-income neighborhoods, she felt a profound calling to assist those struggling to meet their basic needs. This personal revelation led her and her husband, Tony, to adopt the neighborhood. They began visiting families, extending their support with bags of groceries, and thus, their journey of giving began.

Soon after, Esther keyed on the plight of people experiencing homelessness and set out to make a difference. Beginning with a few family members, she set out on a mission to feed groups of homeless individuals and provide words of encouragement to help fight the helplessness and isolation often experienced by people experiencing homelessness.

From that simple beginning, the blessing and the volunteers’ passion continue to grow. ANEW Community has a monthly homeless outreach, provides a Thanksgiving gift by handing out turkeys with all the fixings to families across the city each year, hosts Christmas toy giveaways and Easter egg hunts in the neighborhood, and recently partnered with a local church to provide groceries and clothing to an adopted school for needy families and children.

For over a decade, Esther and her dedicated team of volunteers have worked tirelessly to create a brighter and restored future for those in need. Their commitment to’ paying it forward’ remains as strong as ever, touching and transforming lives wherever they can.