For more than 20 years, the Boulder nonprofit Circle of Care has provided low-income seniors an avenue to experience the best cultural and performing arts events the community has to offer— for free.
Participants attend plays, symphonies, silent movies and even Shakespeare and the Colorado Music Festival, accompanied by volunteers who serve as drivers, escorts and companions at events.
Circle of Care primarily serves seniors living in lower-income facilities in the Boulder Housing Partners network, including Golden West, Presbyterian Manor, Hilltop and Hi-Mar.
It has won many honors over the years, including a Best Practice award from the MetLife Foundation and Partners for Livable Communities, and a Women Who Light Up the Community award from the Boulder Chamber.
But now the organization, which offers some 200 events a year through tickets donated by leading cultural venues, is in need itself. Circle of Care was not renewed for a key $22,000 city funding grant for 2026 and may have to shut down at year’s end.
Elizabeth Crowe, Boulder’s deputy director of Housing and Human Services, said that the city is facing greater demands for “more critical basic assistance needs,” such as food, shelter and childcare. Circle of Care was among about 10 nonprofit grants that the city cut from two funds, the Human Services Fund and the Health Equity Fund.
The city’s proposed 2026 budget would close a $7.5 million General Fund shortfall that prompted a hiring freeze earlier this year. Crowe told Boulder Reporting Lab that, for 2026, four programs that received single-year Human Services Fund grants in 2025 “were not invited to apply in the closed fund round.” Those programs — Circle of Care, Community Cycles, the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition’s Grupo de Apoyo program and Boulder County Public Health’s Generations program — collectively received $82,500 in 2025.
“Unfortunately, the need is always greater than the city could ever fund. It doesn’t mean these organizations weren’t doing good work,” Crowe said. “We really value the work that Circle of Care has done, and hope that the community members will continue to be generous” in contributing.
To make up the shortfall and provide some financial breathing room, founder and director Joan Raderman is launching a peer-to-peer fundraising effort that she hopes will attract enough support to continue operating. Raderman said it is “essential” for Circle of Care to raise $50,000 by Dec. 1 to stay open, but she is aiming for $150,000 to operate effectively over the next three years.
Raderman is focusing on grant applications and appealing to supporters to get the word out to their friends, rather than underwriting an expensive campaign.
“We are hopeful that a miracle will happen by December 1,” said Raderman, 72, who noted she is not in a financial position to continue operating without new financial support.
Raderman emphasized that Circle of Care is about more than providing access to top echelon entertainment. “Our whole purpose as an organization is to end social isolation for older people, and to improve their health and quality of life,” she said. “There is a healing that happens.”
Part of that purpose is intellectual stimulation, Raderman said. For example, Circle of Care recently received approval for a third year to partner with Masterclass, which will provide 500 lower-income local seniors with one-year scholarships. Masterclass is a national organization that offers about 200 online classes, taught by experts, in subjects ranging from music to science and business, among many others.
The seniors, most of whom are in their 80s and 90s, say the loss of Circle of Care would leave a huge hole in their lives.
As low-income residents, many can’t afford pricey concert and play tickets. Cultural organizations, however, donate them free to Circle of Care. Participants who can afford it pay only $5 apiece, which goes not for the ticket but to defray Circle of Care’s transportation, training and program coordination costs.
In an open letter, Circle of Care’s volunteer coordinator at Presbyterian Manor, Carol Warner, expressed “deep concern” for its residents who may now miss out on “access to citywide opportunities that enrich the lives” of residents. Ticket donation and volunteer drivers “ensure that seniors are not just barely surviving but thriving in an enriched cultural environment.”
Volunteer drivers also provide critical support for older adults with physical limitations by giving them the rides and the supportive arm, for a frail senior, that let them stay connected, engaged and included in the cultural community. Outings also help quell the social isolation seniors sometimes feel, while enabling them to gather informally with other participants before events.
Golden West residents echoed Warner’s plea.
”I can’t afford to go to all these things, which enrich my life immensely,” said Dana Pakalnis, 88, a Golden West resident who attends events once or twice a week. “It gives us something to look forward to, dress up for, something to talk about, and we make a lot of friends. Every time it is something different and surprising to enjoy.”
That’s what Carol Gittes, 85, has also found. “It would leave a big void in my life. I don’t ever get bored because I participate in Circle of Care. It’s very good for our physical and mental health. I’m very happy, and a lot of that is Circle of Care. It’s my number one favorite activity.”
Nathalia Davis agreed. Davis, who at 92 still makes a point to walk up the stairs to her seventh floor Golden West apartment at least once a day, says that Circle of Care helps her feel vital, wanted and connected.
“Lots of people think older folks don’t need to get out. But it’s good to be out with people and makes you feel good,” she said. “It gives you something to look forward to and not just be looking at the four walls.”
“Don’t shut down Circle of Care, don’t do that,” Davis said. “Oh my, don’t do that.”
Those wishing to donate may send a check to Circle of Care, P.O. Box 4204, Boulder CO. 80306. Donations are tax-deductible. Anyone wanting to contribute in other ways may contact Joan Raderman at 303-358-4300.
How much are we paying or did we pay for legal services to close the airport?
In the grand scheme of things $22,000 is not a lot. I get we have to cut the budget, but I really question the division of the money that we do have.
This is a sad state of affairs, indeed. $22,000 is a pittance and the payoff is enormous for seniors facing social isolation and a lack of resources. Unfortunately, we voters just recently deemed it MOST worthwhile to fund the coffers of our very financially stable city council members by raising their salaries for showing up to city council meetings to the tune of $40k each (and more for the mayor who is just another council member). That’s around $300k more money for the people who need it least (except Speer who lost her job and somehow can’t manage without that payout). Also, remember how several of the city council members INSISTED this raise would not be for them? It was supposed to be an incentive to encourage low-income candidates to run for council who otherwise couldn’t afford the time commitment (reading all those staff memos and study session packets, responding to emails). It is a big responsibility, in theory anyway (they can always chose do the least amount possible), but it also comes with perks. All of a sudden, council members are local celebrities, and important people ingratiate themselves to gain favor. Being launched into the highest echelon of Boulder political influence is great for the ego, and it’s usually very difficult for them to give that up once they integrate themselves into that system. But, hey, priorities! Who needs services for low-income elderly folks?
This was a very good article that didn’t just state the budget shortfalls (of both the City of Boulder and the Circle of Care), but gave in depth reasons as to why this is an important benefit to the Boulder County seniors. The various interviews really made it come alive, and especially interviews of the seniors who have used this service. Thank you.
Hello, When I lived in Colorado, I volunteered for Circle of Care for 5+ years. Joan did an awesome job with her non-profit. She talked about her dream of going U.S.-wide someday. I believe and know this is a very important idea (cause, if you will) of protecting the elderly in our country from social isolation. Families are so very busy in our society, they often don’t have or make enough time to spend with their parents/grandparents. Participants & volunteers alike enjoyed all the activities and camaraderie Joan lovingly provided through her organization. Her volunteers often, for the most part, also couldn’t afford the prices charged for Boulder-based cultural events, and Circle of Care did an excellent job of pairing these two parts of society. I wish Joan’s non-profit had grown across the country. Many elderly tend to be very isolated in their own little world. My entire life, I have non-professionally volunteered to spend time with elderly people in my life’s circles, and I am a senior citizen myself, so I know what I’m talking about. Joan has put her heart, life & voice into this program. This non-profit deserves funding for the precious gift Joan provides.