The Lyons Elevating All Fund (LEAF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential services such as a food pantry and Meals on Wheels, has purchased a new building in Lyons to enhance its community support efforts. This new facility, located at the former Valley Bank and Trust site, marks a significant step forward for LEAF, which has been operating out of a church basement since its inception in 2013.
Key Takeaways
- LEAF has acquired a new building to better serve the Lyons community.
- The organization has been operating from the basement of the Lyons Community Church since 2013.
- The new facility will include a food pantry, behavioral health center, and a small clinic.
- LEAF aims to normalize access to various services for community members.
- A capital campaign is underway to fund renovations and operations.
New Home for LEAF
The new headquarters at 304 Second Ave. will allow LEAF to expand its services significantly. Executive Director Lory Barton emphasized that the nonprofit currently serves about 30% of the greater Lyons population, with many residents relying on their assistance weekly or even daily.
"It’s not like an agency where you see somebody one time, you help them, and then they’re gone," Barton stated. "We have a real relationship with people, and we need a place to serve them better."
Community Hub
The renovated building is designed to be a community hub, providing various services under one roof. Key features of the new facility include:
- A fully equipped kitchen
- A dedicated food pantry
- Fire-safe landscaping
- A behavioral health center on the first floor
- A small clinic for a visiting medical professional, addressing the lack of local healthcare providers
Barton noted that the old bank vault will be repurposed as a storage area for shelf-stable food, further enhancing the facility’s functionality.
Enhancing Access to Services
The new location aims to normalize visits to LEAF, whether individuals are seeking therapy, food assistance, or simply a place to volunteer. Barton remarked, "You might be coming for therapy, you might be coming for food, you might be coming to volunteer. You might be coming because we have a dog and a cappuccino maker. You can come for any number of reasons, and no matter what that reason is, it’s normal."
Funding the Expansion
The acquisition and renovation of the new building is a $1.9 million project, supported by a capital campaign. Funding sources include:
- A $575,000 federal grant from U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse
- $400,000 from the Boulder County Worthy Cause Fund
- Approximately $130,000 raised through local donations
Despite these contributions, LEAF is still $225,000 short of its fundraising goal. Barton mentioned that there is an outstanding grant application that could help close this gap, and the organization hopes to raise an additional $150,000 from the community.
A New Identity
In addition to the new building, LEAF has recently rebranded itself. Formerly known as the Lyons Emergency and Assistance Fund, the organization has adopted the name "Lyons Elevating All Fund" to better reflect its expanded range of services.
Cherie Maureaux, the clinical program director for LEAF’s mental wellness and addiction recovery program, expressed optimism about the new space, stating, "I think once we have it up and running, it’s going to be something that grows and blossoms, because it’s something we’ve never had before."
With a reported revenue of $1.7 million in 2023, LEAF is poised to make a significant impact in the Lyons community as it prepares to move into its new home in January 2025.
Sources
- Nonprofit LEAF buys new building in Lyons to expand help services, Colorado Hometown Weekly.
- Nonprofit LEAF buys new building in Lyons to expand help services, Longmont Times-Call.
- Nonprofit LEAF buys new building in Lyons to expand help services, Boulder Daily Camera.
