Faith Partners is a Colorado nonprofit humanitarian services organization originally formed by several El Paso County churches under the Charitable Choice provision in response to welfare reform and The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Relocation Act of 1996. Our purpose is to assist individuals and families to end their dependency on government assistance programs by providing support, skills and mentorship during their transition into the work force. Faith Partners' outreach program receives referrals to provide a “hands-up” to families that receive financial assistance due to temporary circumstances which have contributed to their financial or emotional setbacks and also to those who come from generations of welfare recipients. Whatever the individual situation may be, we at Faith Partners identify those problems and respond by providing services for each individuals specific needs.

Charitable Choice is a key provision through the legislation which recognized that some issues of separation of church and state should be laid aside and acknowledged the need for partnerships between churches and local government to effectively implement welfare reform. Together the “hands-up” policy is being accomplished through referrals and the widespread distribution of materials about Faith Partners services.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Relocation Act of 1996 in which the U.S. Congress affects families on public assistance by having benefits terminated within two years and limits assistance to a five year lifetime cap. Able-bodied persons are now required to participate in job training or self-employment in order to receive any assistance. The El Paso County Department of Human Services works with Faith Partners to replace the “hand out“” policy with the new “hands-up” policy.