Building Community Through Creative Projects: An Overview of Concrete Couch

Concrete Couch is a Colorado Springs nonprofit dedicated to building community through creative projects. Our mission is To work with kids and community groups to create public art, to build community, and to create environments and experiences that humanize our world…  During this presentation, attendees will learn how Concrete Couch has transformed an abandoned concrete dump and former homeless encampment into the vibrant Concrete Coyote Community Park, where we now host youth programs, festivals, cultural events, workshops, and community gatherings.

Furthermore, the program will dive into the Sam Dunlap Wall of Inspiration, a community-built mosaic celebrating unsung community heroes in Colorado Springs. This project was made possible in part through the support of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs, whose grant helped advance this meaningful community collaboration. Together, we’ll explore how creativity, service, and partnerships can beautify our city, teach valuable skills, foster belonging, and inspire communities to work together toward a shared vision. (Public Art Archive)

Presenter Bio

Thomas Pantoja is a lifelong Colorado Springs resident, raised in the Mill Street neighborhood and now residing in the Hillside neighborhood. A graduate of UCCS, Thomas has dedicated his career to strengthening the local community. Before joining Concrete Couch as Community Integration Manager, he worked with youth experiencing homelessness at Urban Peak Colorado Springs (now The PLACE). At Concrete Couch, Thomas builds partnerships, connects people with programs and volunteer opportunities, and helps advance the organization’s mission of building community through creative projects. Thomas is also an official member of the Men of Influence group in Colorado Springs  whose mission is to bring local gangs together to open the lines of communication between all factions, to help prevent violence in our community, foster open communication, prevent minor issues from escalating into street violence, and to safeguard our children and community from gun violence. Outside of work, he enjoys being a father, hiking, camping, fishing, exploring Colorado’s outdoors, and playing dominoes with his friend Coach T.