At age 69, Pam owned her own home in Colorado Springs and expected to enjoy retirement after a lifetime of hard work. She thought she might visit the grandkids and find volunteer work to pass the time. But life had other plans.

Pam had been divorced for decades and, craving companionship, she decided to try her luck at online dating. At first, she wasn’t sure — it had been a longtime since she last dated and modern dating seemed intimidating. But then she met “Ron.”

Ron swept Pam off her feet, and the two soon began to get serious about planning a life together. Pam agreed that after selling her vehicle and her home in Colorado Springs, she would move to California to live with Ron.

He told Pam he was wealthy and would take care of everything. Because he was so good with money, Ron convinced her to wire the proceeds from the sale of her home to his account. He promised to invest it wisely.

“I gave him money; with the assumption he was coming. ... So I sold my house, I sold my car, I sold everything I had. He was supposed to come and pick me up. I was at the hotel waiting for him. He never showed up.”

Pam was devastated. After a year of fruitless legal action and a dead-end search for justice, talking about it even now brings tears to her eyes. It’s not just about the money but the betrayal. Pam was in love. She trusted Ron. Now, it felt like she had nothing left.

“They call it online senior romance fraud,” she said.

But Pam gets up every day, puts a smile on her face, and works hard to pull herself back up.

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So Much More Than Shelter

When she arrived at Springs Rescue Mission, she had little more than a few changes of clothes and a deep sense of uncertainty about the future. But the kindness of those around her helped fill in the gaps.

“This is a nice place to come if you need it,” she said.“ It’s helped me to sort of center myself a little bit and to learn some new things that I can use in my life later on.”

Pam credits the camaraderie at Springs Rescue Mission as one of the most meaningful aspects of her experience. She has built friendships with others facing similar struggles, and they lift each other up together.

“The staff is great,” she said with a smile. “If you ever need to talk to anybody, even if they’re not your caseworker, they’re always available.”

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Staying Busy, Staying Strong

Pam thrives on staying active.

Having worked in retail, Pam has a background in floral design and enjoys decorating her home for the holidays. At SRM, she channels that enthusiasm for work into vocational training and serves others in her role.

“I take everybody's orders and I bring in paper towels, toilet paper, all the cleaning chemicals, so on and so forth,” she said proudly. “It’s sort of fun because I get to ride around on the golf cart and say hi to everybody.”

Despite the challenges she has faced, Pam remains upbeat and full of energy.

“People don’t believe I’m 69 years old because I run circles around a lot of people,” she said with a laugh.

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Faith and Purpose

Pam’s faith has been a constant in her life. In her lowest lows, God comforted her. On a bright, sunny day, she can’t help but see His blessings in her life.

“I talk to God every day, pray every day, and read my Bible,” she said. “And I know He’s there; He gives me clues.”

As an intuitive and caring person, Pam feels called to help others and believes God has used her experience at Springs Rescue Mission to show her just how true that is.

“That was my gift from God: to help other people in any shape, way, or form,” she said. “If it's a hug, if you just need to cry and you want somebody’s shoulder to cry on, here I am.”

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Lessons and Advice

Pam has learned many lessons throughout her life and time at the Mission.

“Be careful who you trust,” she said. “Don’t give money away to anyone, not even family sometimes.”

But while she warns against online scams and urges people to be cautious, especially when dealing with financial transactions, Pam can’t help but to also mention the goodness of so many others and the importance of community.

Springs Rescue Mission has provided her with stability, support, and a sense of belonging. And as she looks to the future, she knows that she will keep finding ways to give back, stay busy, and most importantly — don’t give up on your goals.

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A Message for Donors

Pam is incredibly grateful for the donors who help sustain Springs Rescue Mission.

To Pam, they are more than just financial supporters; they are the unseen lifeline that provides warmth, safety, and dignity to those in need.

“I just thank you,” she said. “The money means a lot to a lot of people here. It helps us get everything we need. … If I could tell them [donors] anything, it would just but a big thank you — and maybe a hug.”