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Outline of Need:
Don't let her last name fool you, Dixie Lee Hartless, has more heart than the average person. Hartless came to Alamosa in 1978 as a student, at Otero Junior College in La Junta, with her three daughters. She graduated with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and went on to receive her Bachelors in Psychology and Social Work from Adams State College.
How Rural Development Helped:
Upon retiring from the childcare facility she bought in 1987, Hartless became one of the first residents to move into the newly built Totten Manor Apartment Complex in Alamosa. The complex, which was built through funding provided by the USDA Rural Development Multi Family Housing Program, provides 26 units of elderly housing for residents in the community.
The Results:
After moving into Totten Manor, Hartless' commitment to her community increased. She was instrumental in reviewing the San Luis Valley Day Camp for the Girl Scouts in the valley and worked closely with their membership director for several years, while becoming a lifetime member of the Scouts. Additionally, she volunteers four days a week at Christian Community Services, serves as the director of the Old Age Pension Dental Program, and Co-Director of the VIDA Volunteer Program, which helps young adults volunteer 12 months of service to their community.
She is very active in the First United Methodist Church in Alamosa with the prayer chain and organizes meals for groups at the church. It is not unusual to see Dixie driving around town in her electric wheelchair; Hartless has cerebral palsy, but has learned incredible patience since she has also been diagnosed with degenerative, osteo-arthritis. Though faced with physical challenges, Hartless has tremendous spirit and a zest for life, which serves as a role model for us all.
But perhaps the most important thing to Hartless is her involvement with her family. She spends many quality weekends with her children, grandchildren, and her great grandchild. Hartless was recently recognized for her outstanding community involvement at the USDA Rural Development Multi Family Conference in Colorado Springs. Hartless was nominated for recognition by the complex Management Company, Landmark Management and also from the site manager and residents of Totten Manor.
Hartless receiving award from Gigi Dennis, State Director, Rural Development. Hartless with family, Dennis, S.A. "Sam" Mitchell, Multi Family Housing Director, and Ona Gonzales, Multi Family Housing Specialist.
(June 2002)
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