Colorado Spirit Mountain Outreach Team supports flood survivors

The recovery process from a natural disaster, whether fire or flood, can be long and difficult, fraught with ups and downs.

Colorado Spirit Mountain Outreach Team, formed to support survivors of the 2012 wildfires, has expanded its mission to aid survivors of the September floods.

While the losses suffered by flood victims may be different than those experienced by people affected by the fires, the recovery process is similar, said Karina Sweitzer, a member of the Colorado Spirit Mountain Outreach Team, which is sponsored by Touchstone Health Partners.

The team holds weekly support group meetings at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays alternating between Fort Collins and Loveland. Fort Collins meetings are held near Macy’s in Foothills Common at 344 E. Foothills Parkway, Suite W-5. In February, the meetings are scheduled for the 5th and 20th. Loveland meetings will be held at 1511 11th St. on Feb. 13 and 27.

In order to be more accessible to residents in the LaPorte area, a team member will be available 1-5 p.m. Thursdays through February — longer if needed — at the Me Oh My Coffee Shop 1-4 p.m.on U.S. 287, across from Cache La Poudre Elementary School. Sweitzer also said anyone is welcome to request a support group gathering in their neighborhood. Contact the team at 970-494-4245 or at [email protected] to set up a meeting.

The team welcomes everyone, from those who simply want to share a cup of coffee and chat, to survivors in a critical situation who have many questions. Team members are from the local area and have backgrounds in crisis counseling and mental health services. They are equipped with information about community resources and are happy to make referrals as necessary.