Life & Work with Charla Coleman of Colorado Springs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charla Coleman.

Hi Charla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Charla, and I’m the founder of Jackie’s WAR—Women At Risk—an organization born from tragedy, rooted in love, and driven by the urgent need to protect women and girls from domestic violence.

In 2019, my 19-year-old daughter Jackie became a victim in a murder-suicide, taken from us by her fiancé while my oldest son and I were on the phone with her. That moment forever changed our family and the course of my life.

Jackie was the sixth of my seven children—my youngest daughter. She was sweet, gentle, bubbly, and kind. She had a big heart for children, especially those with special needs, and she was studying to become a speech therapist to help children find their voice. Now, I carry that purpose forward in her name—fighting to give voice to the voiceless.

What most people don’t know is that my connection to domestic violence didn’t begin with Jackie—it began with me. At 18, just after graduating high school, I experienced my first physically abusive relationship. I escaped that situation by joining the Air Force, but within six months, I found myself in a five-year emotionally and mentally controlling relationship, eventually becoming a mother of two.

A few years later, I entered yet another abusive relationship, and not long after leaving that one, I found myself in a marriage where I became a victim-turned-perpetrator. It’s hard to admit, but it’s part of my truth. Thankfully, our love for our family—and our faith—compelled my husband and me to completely change course and eliminate all toxic, abusive behavior from our marriage.

Today, I stand as a victim-turned-perpetrator-now-survivor and advocate—with hard-earned insight into every side of this epidemic.

What’s perhaps most surprising is that I didn’t come from a background of violence. I was raised in a loving home—safe, supportive, and “normal”. But even that wasn’t enough to protect me from the reality so many women face: that love alone can’t shield you from manipulation or control if you don’t know what the red flags look like. That’s why relationship education is so important, and it’s one of the cornerstones of Jackie’s WAR.

Our family saw the red flags early in Jackie’s relationship. We knew something wasn’t right. But like so many families, we didn’t know exactly what to do or how to intervene effectively. That helplessness is something no family should have to endure.

Jackie’s WAR began as a cry for justice—but it has become a mission to save lives.

(The work we’re proud of)

In a world where 1 in 4 women is impacted by domestic violence, we stand on the frontlines to empower women and girls with relationship intelligence and self-preserving boundaries—so they don’t become casualties of abuse.

We want to be the most sought-after warriors in our community’s fight to:

Promote responsible teen dating

Normalize healthy intimate relationships

Provide accountability through mentorship

Build capacity to annihilate domestic violence from every home, every community, and every life we can touch

Honor the Fallen Angels who perished in the fight—like Jackie

We also work with family members who have loved ones trapped in abusive relationships. Our goal is to equip them to:

Recognize relationship red flags

Become trauma-informed and stop asking, “Why don’t you just leave?”

Start saying, “I’m here to help when you’re ready.”

Become their loved one’s strongest advocates in the war against abuse

And most of all—never give up hope

(What sets us apart)

We believe in strong partnerships. Rescuing women at risk is not a competition. You could have a thousand agencies in one city fighting domestic violence, and it still wouldn’t be enough unless we fight together.

We know there is power in unity—and together, we are stronger.

This is how I honor Jackie.
This is how I fight for justice.
And this is why Jackie’s WAR will never stop.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, as is the case when stepping into a deliberate role of changing the trajectory of those who are deeply, actively impacted by abuse.

Just as there are layers to what keeps a victim trapped in abuse, the needs are vast but access to resources that exist is limited with many of them being nonexistent, with two of the greatest needs being emergency safe houses for women and their children along with affordable legal representation/counsel.

Another obstacle is that good intentions are not enough to get to the root of how individuals find themselves in toxic, unhealthy relationships, let alone help them overcome the trauma so many are plagued by. Trauma-informed training is imperative coupled with advocacy training.

Finding enough consistent volunteers to help with the mission fluctuates.

To add to those challenges is the fact that I have never started a nonprofit before, though I’ve been serving in various nonprofit sectors for over 20 years. I’ve instantly become a student of two schools; the school of serving women in crisis and the school of building a nonprofit.

Despite these obstacles, every facet of what we are doing is making a difference, bringing hope, and embracing people who desperately need it, just like Jackie did That is our unwavering focus and inspiration.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am employed full time in Donor Engagement for a Christian Media Organization based in Houston, Texas. I have the privilege of cultivating meaningful interactions with our donors through inviting them to take part in local events, volunteer opportunities, and sharing their stories of the impact we’re having in their lives.

A beautiful back story is that Jackie was receiving automated daily scripture emails from this organization that I didn’t find out about until after she passed away. Shortly after making this discovery, I was invited by a friend who worked for this organization to volunteer during their support drive. I accepted the invitation and, after serving as a volunteer for a year, accepted a position in their Donor Care department.

I’m likely most known for my resilience, my grit, as well as my ability to make others feel seen, valued, and welcomed. I am kind on purpose and I am passionate about building positive, healthy relationships.

I’m most proud of my children who, despite the tragic loss of their sister, continue to be kind-hearted, life-giving and positive young adults.

I believe what sets me apart is- in the midst of my immeasurably deep loss – I genuinely see Jackie’s fiancé as a life God created and had purpose for, and I grieve the fact that he will not have the opportunity to come into that purpose. He mattered…plain and simple.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have many, but the one that comes to mind in this moment is this one.

In 4th grade, I had my first crush on Bobby. My best friend (Sheryl) had a crush on his best friend (Charles). These boys were kind, funny, respectful, and always so happy to see us. For an entire year, the four of us were best of friends until I moved away. I had never been so heartbroken over leaving friends behind, and I’ve never forgotten the happiness of our little kiddie bond. That was 50 years ago, and I can’t help but believe we, as adults in pursuit of love, often overlook the simplicity of the qualities we loved in our childhood crushes… Kindness, friendship, laughter, butterflies in our stomach, no drama, no pressure, acceptance in it’s purest form, and good untainted love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jackieswar.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558224380967