“It has given me a lot of confidence and that I’m capable of doing a lot more than I thought I could. I’m never worried or scared when I’m at home.”
GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING
One person, one village, one community at a time
Who We Are
We Fortify is reimagining affordable housing and homelessness prevention. We don’t just build homes—we build transformational communities rooted in dignity, support, and long-term success.
With two distinct divisions—Elevate Villages (supportive housing for young adults) and Noble Villages (affordable housing for essential workers like teachers, firefighters, nurses, etc)—we address both sides of the housing crisis to create generational change.
At a Glance
● Founded: 2018 by Shelley Jensen
● Flagship Project: Working Fusion at Mill Street—a trauma-informed tiny
home village for young adults overcoming adversity
● Team: 5 local staff + a large, engaged volunteer network
● Model: Supportive housing with built-in therapy, life skills, mentorship, and
community connection
Awards & Recognition
Community Investment of the Year – Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC (2024)
Proposition 123 Land Banking Award – State of Colorado (2024)
ULI Chairs’ Award – ULI Colorado (2023)
Jefferson Award for Public Service – Multiplying Good (2021)
Media Kits
We Fortify's Mission
We Fortify is a seamless fusion of two dynamic divisions (Elevate Villages and Noble Villages) into one powerful force of social impact.
Our mission at We Fortify is to change the trajectory and create positive and compounding generation shift – one person, one village, one community at a time.
Elevate Villages
Our primary mission is to build programmed communities that elevate young adults out of poverty into a state of economic and emotional stability and social connectedness.
We do this by providing safe dignified housing within a small supportive community, individualized trauma-responsive therapies, life skills education, and living wage career placement.
Download:
Working Fusion Village
Prospect Village
In the works!
Noble Villages
We also build dignified and affordable communities to support noble public service professionals, such as teachers, police, firefighters, and nurses, so they can focus on their calling to serve.
Noble Villages generate a modest income that helps support key programming for Elevate Villages. This makes our mission even more powerful by moving it toward financial sustainability.
“In the village I am able to focus on what I need to get done.”
What was your living situation
before coming to Working
Fusion?
Couch Surfing
Working Fusion Resident
“Being back in the village has been a major support. In general, the staff and community is very supportive. It’s refreshing. When I was out, there was a lot going on in my head and when I got back into the village I was able to dial it back in and focus on what I need to get done. As far as being safe, in a situational sense, I guess and for the most part I feel safe. Mental health wise it has been really good for me to focus and block out outside noise. Before I came here there was always something going on and sometimes I get days of nothingness in the village and it really helps me slow down and settle.”
“In the village I am able to focus on what I need to get done.”
What was your living situation
before coming to Working
Fusion?
Couch Surfing
Working Fusion Resident
“Being back in the village has been a major support. In general, the staff and community is very supportive. It’s refreshing. When I was out, there was a lot going on in my head and when I got back into the village I was able to dial it back in and focus on what I need to get done. As far as being safe, in a situational sense, I guess and for the most part I feel safe. Mental health wise it has been really good for me to focus and block out outside noise. Before I came here there was always something going on and sometimes I get days of nothingness in the village and it really helps me slow down and settle.”
What was your living situation
before coming to Working
Fusion?
Foster Home
Working Fusion Resident
“It’s meant a lot, the independence and the community piece are big. It is nice to still have your own space though. I recently started building my credit with a credit card because of one of the life skills classes. It gives me a higher chance for success out in the real world when I move out because of all of the resources I have here. It has given me a lot of confidence and that I’m capable of doing a lot more than I thought I could. It has helped me open up a lot and ask/accept help when I need it. You all take our safety very seriously and are on top of anything that happens. I’m never worried or scared when I’m at home.”
“It has given me a lot of confidence and that I’m capable of doing a lot more than I thought I could. I’m never worried or scared when I’m at home.”
What was your living situation
before coming to Working
Fusion?
Foster Home
Working Fusion Resident
“It’s meant a lot, the independence and the community piece are big. It is nice to still have your own space though. I recently started building my credit with a credit card because of one of the life skills classes. It gives me a higher chance for success out in the real world when I move out because of all of the resources I have here. It has given me a lot of confidence and that I’m capable of doing a lot more than I thought I could. It has helped me open up a lot and ask/accept help when I need it. You all take our safety very seriously and are on top of anything that happens. I’m never worried or scared when I’m at home.”
