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Steamboat Springs — The health and human services agencies that take care of Routt County residents are themselves in need this year, as an economic downturn and tighter-than-usual budgets are forcing the caring organizations to cut back. But because of a new Community Cares initiative, six local groups will benefit from a total of $47,000 in contributions.

The Yampa Valley Community Foundation and Routt County United Way awarded the money to six private and government organizations during the first round of funding from the Community Cares Initiative.

The campaign has raised more than $68,000 for local health and human service organizations that "serve those in need of food, housing, health care and safe refuge" in a continuing fundraising campaign that started July 1.

The Routt County Department of Human Services, Colorado West Regional Mental Health Center, LIFT-UP of Routt County, Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, Advocates Building Peaceful Communities and the Yampa Valley Autism Program all received a portion of the money.

Advocates Executive Director Diane Moore said her organization saw a big increase in demand since about a year ago, and the organization dipped into reserve funds to cover the shortfall.

"We have a nine-bed (women's) shelter in Routt County, and it's not always full by any stretch, and it was full for about 3 1/2 months, and we were at the same time occasionally using a hotel or condo," she said. The demand dropped slightly during the winter but is picking up again this year, she said.

Advocates will use the $6,000 grant to cover some transportation costs, including helping clients get to doctor appointments and other small trips.

Moore said Advocate's reserves still are healthy, but with a decrease in donations this year, the money will help.

LIFT-UP received $20,000 in assistance after reporting that utility assistance requests have doubled since 2008, and housing assistance requests have increased 170 percent.

The Human Services Department's grant application stated that the public assistance caseload increased by 67 percent in the last year. The $5,000 awarded in grant money will help provide financial assistance to people whose health or safety is jeopardized.

United Way Executive Director Kelly Stanford said that grant applications were given to each of the health and human service agencies in Routt County.

The group was looking for agencies that had systems in place to distribute the money to needy residents and funded all of the six grant requests that were submitted.

The Community Cares fundraising efforts will continue. The group will receive the proceeds from the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club's second annual barn dance and will distribute that money, with the remaining $21,000 from the first round of fundraising, in January.

- To reach Zach Fridell, call 871-4208 or e-mail zfridell@steamboatpilot.com