LASA

Under the leadership of City Manager John Caulfield, the City of Lakewood has played a pivotal role in supporting the Living Access Support Alliance (LASA) in its mission to prevent homelessness and provide housing solutions for vulnerable families.

During the 12 years Caulfield led Lakewood, he worked with the Lakewood City Council on various initiatives that included several substantial financial contributions to benefit LASA.  This includes a recent commitment of $3.9 million to support LASA’s Gravelly Lake Commons project. The development will add 25 affordable housing units comprising one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The city's financial commitment was instrumental in advancing LASA's $10.5 million fundraising goal for this project.

With Caulfield’s commitment, the city's support for LASA’s mission extended beyond direct financial assistance. Lakewood leaders have actively collaborated with LASA to secure funding from state and federal sources to support this project and LASA’s new client services and hygiene center. Notably, under Caulfield’s guidance the city facilitated a request for $500,000 from the state capital budget and $1 million in federal funds to address the urgent need for more affordable housing as part of the Gravelly Lake Commons project. This effort underscores the city's dedication to addressing housing affordability and homelessness within the community. ​

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Lakewood partnered with LASA to implement the Lakewood COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program. In August 2020, LASA was awarded $407,640 from the city's allocation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds. This program assisted approximately 175 Lakewood households affected by the pandemic, providing much-needed relief during unprecedented times. ​

The city also provides annual funding totaling $25,000 to LASA for emergency shelter services and another $25,000 in support of LASA’s client services and hygiene center from the city’s human services grant awards each biennium. 

The city has consistently partnered with LASA in its broader strategies to combat homelessness. By contributing funds and assisting in securing additional resources, Lakewood has demonstrated a sustained commitment to collaborative solutions addressing homelessness and housing instability. Through these concerted efforts, the City of Lakewood has significantly bolstered LASA's capacity to serve the community, exemplifying a model partnership in the fight against homelessness.

To the Board and Leadership of LASA,
Living Access Support Alliance

Dear Friends at LASA,

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Lakewood, we are deeply honored to accept the Non-
Profit of the Year Award from LASA. This recognition is especially meaningful because
it comes from an organization that embodies the very spirit of service and compassion.
Mother Teresa famously said, “Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is
about love. Charity and love are the same—with charity you give love, so don’t just give
money but reach out your hand instead.” For many years, the Rotary Club of Lakewood
has entrusted our financial contributions to LASA, knowing that in your capable hands,
these resources transform into tangible support for those in need. Your commitment to
serving our community with dignity and care has made this partnership a truly rewarding
one.

Over the last 15 years, Lakewood Rotary and our affiliated Partners group have
contributed thousands of dollars to LASA—funds that have been stewarded with great
responsibility and impact, including your new laundry facility. Our Rotarians have served
on your board and other Rotary spouses have been volunteers. And, of course, our
support extends even further back. But beyond the numbers, it is the shared mission of
service that strengthens our bond. LASA provides an invaluable service to our
community, and we are proud to stand alongside you in this work.

We at Lakewood Rotary are grateful for this award, and even more so for the
opportunity to support LASA’s mission. We look forward to many more years of
partnership, ensuring that together, we continue to make a lasting difference in the lives
of those who need it most.

With gratitude and admiration,

Carl Bronkema
President
Rotary Club of Lakewood