It is never too late to step up one more time
Joe and Barb Gschwendtner in the Badlands, South Dakota, in July.
To say that Joe Gschwendtner, our neighbor in The Village at Castle Pines (CPV), is involved in the greater community is an understatement. His compassion and resolve run deep. At present, he is returning to Providence Network (PN) to support development efforts (see related story about Providence Network on page 14).
Joe previously served on the organization’s board for six years beginning in 2008. PN is a Christian nonprofit that provides transformational housing, counseling, mentoring and life-skills support for people recovering from addiction, homelessness and domestic violence.
Joe said it is his wife, Barb, who instilled his desire to do good and be good. The two meet on a blind date during the late 1960s while juniors in college in New York. The two came to Colorado in 1976 and raised three children –Alison, Darrell and Stephanie—in what is now called Centennial.
Joe has lived a vast life and has championed much. Joe is a retired army captain and was a successful payables recovery consultant. Over the years, he has traveled to more than 70 countries and has dedicated himself to ministry groups, philanthropic organizations, homeowner association boards and youth athletics. He and Barb built and curated the Wildlife Corner mini museum in CPV; Joe is also a published author and passionate storyteller and photographer.
Back when Joe served as treasurer on the PN board of directors, he went all in; he slept in one of the transition houses (called Providence House) and shared dinner with residents on several occasions to get to know them, hear their stories and to get a feel for resident experiences during their healing journeys.
Joe said it is the holistic approach there that helps those facing addiction, abuse and homelessness. “These people have found a haven—people who care for them, hang in there with them and also hold them accountable,” said Joe.
In a twist of fate, Joe discovered that the son of family friends was a resident at one of the homes. It was a boy he knew from his son’s growing up years. Unfortunately, the friend found a path to alcohol addiction and eventually homelessness. “He fell from being a pretty smart, quiet kid to hopeless despair,” shared Joe. Fortunately, though the program, he found recovery, is working, and is living independently.
“I am so passionate for this ministry,” said Joe. He is spreading the word, talking with friends and using his voice and passion to encourage others to get involved so PN grows and continues serving those who are ready and willing to be helped.
“We change the trajectory of people’s lives,” Joe concluded.
To learn more about Providence Network, visit providencenetwork.org.
Joe Gschwendtner with Providence Network Executive Director Derek Kuykendall in front of one of the nonprofit’s homes.
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Joe Gschwendtner
