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The mission of EChO is to provide assistance to residents of the Evergreen mountain communities who are unemployed, under-employed, dealing with a long term illness, or experiencing other forms of person crisis.
EChO is organized to proclaim the saving work of Jesus Christ, the only divine and unique Son of God, specifically by following His commands to “feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and “to love one another as He has loved us” (John 13:34).
EChO relies on contributions from local churches, charitable organizations, corporate and individual donors. In addition, EChO operates a Resale Shop for the purpose of supplementing its income in order to accomplish its mission.
It was in 1985 that Father Bob Bryan of the Church of the Transfiguration initiated an emergency food and clothing closet in the church. Soon it was discovered that Evergreen Fellowship and the Evergreen Lutheran Church were reaching out in the same way, and 
conversations were begun to explore combining the ministries. All local Christian congregations were invited to participate. By 1986 a director was led to the ministry, and the Board began an application for a 501 ( c ) 3 designation from the State of Colorado.
Within 5 years, the ministry had moved from the closet in the Church, to Whitney House, and then to Bancroft Hall, on the campus of the Church of the Transfiguration. In January of 2008, Whitney House, EChO’s clothing and household goods closet, moved into the completely renovated St. Raphaels, also located on the campus of the Church of the Transfiguration.
At first, a few families were served each week. In 2010, over 300 families were served each quarter. Over the years, more than 2500 different individual family units have been served. Now, 20 churches, thousands of donors, and a score of organizations have participated in reaching out to those in need in the Evergreen area and beyond.