The group has grown, but still relies on caring volunteers
The valley’s leading advocate for domestic violence prevention and care is celebrating a special birthday in 2024.
The Bright Future Foundation turns 40 this year. In that time, trained volunteers have answered more than 10,000 calls to the crisis line. In 2023, more than 900 calls came in. The group, originally called the Women’s Resource Center, has always tried to help. That used to be more difficult, particularly for those who needed to quickly get out of an abusive situation.
The Freedom Ranch safe house was created in 2002. That facility, on the southwest side of the Eagle County Regional Airport property, provided a welcoming place for those who often got out of their homes with little more than the clothing on their backs.
The location was supposed to be confidential, but it didn’t take long until plenty of people in the valley knew the house was there.
Before Freedom Ranch opened, foundation CEO Sheri Mintz said people who needed quick help were taken to private homes or to vacant hotel rooms. People who took advantage of that help often weren’t able to continue with their jobs. Some had to take their kids out of school.
Foundation CEO Sheri Mintz said the situation is different today.
1981: An informal group, Women in Focus, was formed in Vail.
1982: A phone line and answering machine were installed in the local Catholic church.
1983: The group, now the Women’s Resource Center, sponsored its first training program for its advocates.
1983: Advocates staffed a 24-hour on-call service. The number is still 970-949-7086.
The BrightHouse facility in Gypsum is in a very public place, right in front of Ridley’s grocery store. The five efficiency apartments at BrightHouse can house as many as 24 people, and the units are often full.
Too visible?
While some have worried that putting BrightHouse in such a public place might be a risk to those staying there, Mintz said there are a lot of advantages to having that kind of visibility.
People are carrying on with their lives for the most part, Mintz said.
“If a perpetrator really wants to make contact, they’re more likely to go to (someone’s) work or school rather than a facility,” she said. And BrightHouse can be locked down quickly if an unauthorized person comes.
BrightHouse is close to Gypsum’s elementary and high schools, it’s close to a bus stop, the town’s recreation center, restaurants and the grocery store.
“That’s important to families rebuilding their lives,” Mintz said. “It’s stigmatizing to hide.” A small child may not understand why friends can’t know where they’re staying.
The BrightHouse model is becoming more common. That road often includes a new place to live, a tough task in this valley. But if a family is able to find a place — often with the foundation’s help — there’s aid available to help provide a fresh start. When a parent and kids leave an abusive situation, they’re usually leaving in a hurry.
That’s where Yvonne Jacobs gets to work. The owner of Jacobs + Interiors has been on the Bright Future board for more than a decade. In that time, she and her employees have been filling those usually-empty spaces.
“Everybody wants to help,” Jacobs said of both her employees and people from White Horse Solutions, which moves furniture and other items.
Jacobs said a client “usually has no idea” the crew is coming. “They think they’re just getting a couple of things,” Jacobs said.
Before the truck shows up, Jacobs said she works to get as much information as possible about the people they’re helping. That often includes clothing from the Thrifty Shop and household items from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Volunteers started Bright Future, and still play a major role with the organization. But the group’s staff has grown over the years, and now includes behavioral health and legal professionals, as well as bilingual and housing advocates.
At a Feb. 26 celebration, Alma De Lara was one of the presenters to the Eagle County Board of Commissioners. De Lara, Bright Future’s advocacy and housing supervisor, has worked the past six years full-time with the organization. Before that, she spent another couple of years as an intern.
“I love it, I’m very passionate about it,” De Lara said when asked why she’s stayed with Bright Future. “A lot of people in my own life, friends and family, have experienced (abuse),” she added.
That led to a desire to help others. “I didn’t know how (before), but I think I’ve found my way.”
