$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE ELEVTING LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES West Denver Small Business Coalition’s new gift card program showcases the area’s vibrancy while supporting family-owned businesses in Southwest Denver. PAGE 6 THE LINK BETWEEN FOOD AND HOUSING HUNGER RELIEF COMPANY ADDRESSES FOOD SECURITY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT DENVER STARTUP WEEK. PAGE 4 DISABLED AND HOMELESS ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE UK, DISABLED PEOPLE ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY HOMELESSNESS. PAGE 8 LURED BY JOBS, SOLD AS BRIDES IN MANY PARTS OF INDIA, WOMEN ARE TRAFFICKED AND SOLD TO MEN WHO FIND IT HARD TO FIND BRIDES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. PAGE 9 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 5, 12 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 OCTOBER 2023 | Vol.28 Issue 10 SINCE 1997, WE HAVE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO WORK. DONATE TODAY TO ENSURE OUR VENDORS CONTINUE TO HAVE JOBS. (DENVERVOICE.ORG) FROM YOUR VENDOR: JESUS REYES, LA GOTA DE MIEL: COURTESY OF WEST DENVER MARKETPLACE
EDITOR’S NOTE WHEN WE LET DENVER VOICE VENDORS know our Ask a Vendor question, which Lando Allen suggested for this month — “What can you do to accomplish your goals?” — I was happy to see how many of them submitted answers. All of the answers are good, but a few of the responses stood out to me. To accomplish his goals, John ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR Alexander, who is one of the sagest people I’ve met, applies what he calls his “constant persistence” formula. As he explains, when it comes to success, one can’t work for it “sometimes” but, instead, must approach a goal with unwavering faith and firmness. Jason Martin believes it is better to set simple goals he knows he can achieve. When he wakes up each morning, his first goal is to make his bed, so by the time he heads out to begin his day, he already has achieved something. Our vendors’ answers show how differently people approach their goals. Regardless of what they are and whether we share them or not, goals are personal, and we are the only ones who can determine how successful we are in meeting them. Whether our goal is to get through the day without touching a drop of alcohol, cross the street before the light turns red, or be a best-selling author, our goals are our own. And if anyone reading this isn’t sure where to begin with goal-setting, VOICE vendor Larmarques Smith reminds us that the first step is to HAVE a goal, and then, to come up with a plan for how we’re going to meet that goal. ■ DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James Kay MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS ROBERT DAVIS is an award-winning freelance reporter for the Denver VOICE. His work has also appeared in Colorado Newsline, Business Insider, Westword, and Medium.com. FRANK DEANGELI is a PNW transplant who has spent six years in Colorado. He has previously spent much of his professional career working in case management at a homeless shelter. He loves movies, making music, and throwing any kind of flying disc. WHAT WE DO The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We give our vendors a job and help them tell their stories; this creates a space for them to be part of a community again. Vendors purchase copies of the VOICE for 50 cents each at our distribution center. This money pays for a portion of our production costs. Vendors can buy as many papers as they want; they then sell those papers to the public for a suggested $2 donation. The difference in cost ($1.50) is theirs to keep. WHO WE ARE The Denver VOICE is a nonprofit that publishes a monthly street newspaper. Our vendors are men and women in the Denver metro area experiencing homelessness and poverty. Since 2007, we have put more than 4,600 vendors to work. Our mission is to facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. We are an award-winning publication, a member of the International Network of Street Papers and the Colorado Press Association, and we abide by the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics. PROGRAM COORDINATOR Connie Gaitan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Lanie Lee Cook Aaron Sullivan ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Gigi Galen WRITERS John Alexander Lando Allen Rea Brown Michael Burkley Robert Davis Frank DeAngeli Raelene Johnson Jason Martin Jerry Rosen Larmarques Smith Steve Szloboda BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Jeff Cuneo, Treasurer Zephyr Wilkins, Secretary Michael Burkley Antonio Diaz Jennifer Seybold Julia Watson Cabal Yarne With the money they make selling the VOICE, vendors are able to pay for their basic needs. Our program provides vendors with an immediate income and a support group of dedicated staff members and volunteers. Vendors are independent contractors who receive no base pay. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT editor@denvervoice.org VENDOR PROGRAM program@denvervoice.org • (720) 320-2155 ADVERTISING ads@denvervoice.org MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 VENDOR OFFICE 989 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. 2 DENVER VOICE October 2023 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
AUTUMN WISH LIST Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., or by appointment. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: • Socks • Toiletries (individual or travel-size) • Toothpaste, deodorant • Chapstick, sunscreen • Bottled water GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: • Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) • Men’s jackets (sizes L, XL, XXL) • Women’s jackets (sizes M, L, XL) • Backpacks, carrier bags • USB-C charging cables VENMO YOUR VENDOR: If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code below to make a payment through Venmo. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments. Thank you! @DenverVOICE HOW TO HELP The money we take in from vendors helps us cover a portion of our printing costs, but we depend largely on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations to help us pay our rent and keep the lights on. 1 4 GET THE WORD OUT We rely on grassroots marketing to get the word out about what we do. Talk to people about our organization and share us with your network. Support us on DONATE Donations to the Denver VOICE are tax-deductible. Go to denvervoice.org to give a one-time or recurring donation. You can also mail a check to: Denver VOICE | P.O. Box 1931 | Denver, CO 80201 3 VOLUNTEER We need volunteers to help with everything from newspaper distribution to event planning and management. Contact program@denvervoice.org for volunteering information. 5 SUBSCRIBE If you are unable to regularly purchase a newspaper from our vendors, please consider a subscription. We ask subscribers to support our program with a 12-month pledge to give $10 a month, or a one-time donation of $120. Subscriptions help us cover our costs AND provide an amazing opportunity to those who need it most. Go to denvervoice.org/subscriptions for more information. @denverVOICE 2 ADVERTISE Our readership is loyal, well-educated, and socially concerned. Readers view purchasing the paper as a way to immediately help a person who is poor or homeless while supporting long-term solutions to end poverty. If you are interested in placing an ad or sponsoring a section of the paper, please contact us about rates at ads@denvervoice.org. October 2023 DENVER VOICE 3
LOCAL FEATURE GOODR’S JASMINE CROW, COLORADO SEN. JAMES COLEMAN AND ELEVATED DENVER’S JOHNNA FLOOD TOLD THE CROWD AT DENVER STARTUP WEEK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH HUNGER AND HOW IT IMPACTED THEIR HOUSING SITUATIONS. CREDIT: ROBERT DAVIS HUNGER RELIEF COMPANY CONNECTS FOOD SECURITY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT DENVER STARTUP WEEK BY ROBERT DAVIS DENVER STARTUP WEEK often attracts businesses that are tackling the country’s most pressing issues. This year, a hunger relief startup spoke to attendees about the links between food security and affordable housing. Goodr, a food waste and hunger relief organization headquartered in Atlanta, was featured in a live Elevated Denver podcast recording on September 18. The discussion was moderated by Colorado Democrat Sen. James Coleman of Denver. The conversation happened at a time when issues surrounding food security and homelessness have also become more acute for low-income earning households since the pandemic began. For example, more than 156,000 households across Colorado report not having enough to eat, according to census data. One-third of those households have children, the data shows, and more than half of these families reported using their savings or borrowing money from friends and family to buy food. There is also a deep connection between access to affordable housing and food security. Affordable housing is defined as a dwelling that requires about 30% or less of an individual’s income for rent. As people spend a higher proportion of their income on rent and utilities, they often have less to spend on food, which can create a vicious cycle that ultimately ends in someone losing their home. About 50% of households in Colorado are considered “rent burdened,” meaning they 4 DENVER VOICE October 2023 pay more than 30% of their income on rent, according to the Colorado Housing Finance Authority. Goodr founder Jasmine Crowe said the data shows that there are a lot of vulnerable households that are making tough choices between paying their mortgage, rent and utility bills, or buying food. According to the latest consumer price data, food prices were up 4.3% for the 12-month period ending in August 2023. For comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics measured the U.S. core inflation rate at 3.7% in August. These figures were even higher in the Rocky Mountain region, according to BLS. “These issues shouldn’t exist in a country as rich as ours,” Crowe said. “But there is so much food wasted everyday that it boggles the mind.” Food waste is not a new issue in the U.S., but it is one that seems to be getting worse. Data from the national nonprofit ReFED shows the U.S. produced about 91 million pounds of surplus food in 2021, a nearly 5% increase since 2016. However, about 32.7 million tons of food was sent to landfills across the country, with households making up the largest chunk of that waste. Colorado produced about 1.55 million pounds of surplus food in 2021, but more than 58% of that surplus ended up in state landfills, the data shows. And this trend has impacted low-income earners, households of color, and seniors who live on fixed incomes the most, Crowe said. Traditionally, food banks provide the backbone of support for food insecure families. Food banks are places where food insecure households can get healthy food for free or at a significantly reduced price compared to grocery stores. In theory, buying food from food banks should free up other money to be spent on housing costs. But Crowe said that isn’t always the case because some organizations give out low quality food that spoils quickly or don’t have culturally responsive options for people who eat vegan, halal or kosher diets. “A lot of people think that if you’re hungry then you need to accept the food you’re given and be grateful,” Crowe said. “We need to break that stigma.” These are all problems that Goodr is designed to address, Crowe added. The company takes a two-pronged approach to solving hunger. On one hand, Goodr diverts food waste away from landfills and gives it to nonprofits who can either redistribute the food or compost it. The company also hosts pop-up grocery stores and has a meal and grocery delivery program. The idea behind Goodr’s model is to meet people where they are and to provide them with the healthy options they deserve, Crowe said. Goodr has also teamed up with some Denver-area schools like the Place Bridge Academy to address food insecurity. Goodr operates a free grocery store at the school that is stocked with fresh produce, reduced sugar or sugar-free snacks, school supplies, and clothing. About 200 students and their families use the grocery store every month and another 100 are on the waitlist. Crowe said Goodr’s goals are to reduce food waste by about 15% and hunger by around 10% nationwide. While those numbers may seem small, she said they could have a dramatic impact. For example, reducing hunger by about 10% would mean that 25 million Americans have affordable sources for nutritious meals, Crowe said. One issue that the company has run into is funding, Crowe mentioned. Goodr currently operates on a budget of between $3 million and $4 million per year, which pales in comparison to large food banks like the Food Bank of the Rockies, which has an annual operating budget of about $164 million, according to its tax filings from 2021. “The way we’ve tried to solve hunger in this country is all wrong,” Crowe said. ■
ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS AND STAFF. THIS MONTH’S QUESTION WAS SUGGESTED BY DENVER VOICE VENDOR LANDO ALLEN. Q What can you do to accomplish your goals? A REA BROWN My goals? Young or old? Rich or cold?? Bought or sold? Walked or drove? Silver or gold? Meek or bold? I suppose that purpose I know the goals to goals but sadly no. Badly though Even mad badly “Actually,” probably sadly mad badly I happily hope to grow I mean it’s easy to say this or that but the fact is you don’t know. I suppose that purpose I know the goals to goals but sadly no. Badly though Even mad badly “Actually,” probably sadly mad badly I happily hope to grow I mean it’s easy to say this or that but the fact is you don’t know. Has life ever come at you slow? Can you honestly say you found a road that has obstacles that all show? Has Father Time let you rewind so you’re more knowledgeable than your foe? Can you recognize the backstabber before she slit your throat? Or before he cut the rope? Yes, Sometimes goals get put on hold, Sometimes goals get sold for dope. Some people’s life is way too serious and to some others, it’s all a joke. So, to answer your question about reading glasses, the way to appreciate the kaleidoscope is one pattern at a time. JOHN ALEXANDER One of the things that I do whenever I am faced with trying to succeed at something is to remember to always pursue a simple formula that I call “constant persistence.” This means I must persist and continue to go stubbornly on in spite of difficulties. But this cannot be dealt with on a “sometimes” basis. Instead, it must be a mixture of unchanging faith and firmness – constantly. MICHAEL BURKLEY Your goal may be to do something you’ve been curious about, while thinking it’s something you could be good at. The first step is to not be afraid of achieving it. Don’t force it. Take time to think about it. Do something you believe you can accomplish that is similar to that goal. After you feel you are managing that well for a while, you may be in a prime position to set and meet a new goal. RAELENE JOHNSON The first thing I do every morning is to read inspiring words. I make a point to keep positive words in my mind all day. I also try every day to lift someone up. Before I do that, I first lift myself up, because if I start with myself, I am able to lift up others. If I do that every day, then I have a blessed life. JASON MARTIN I set small achievable goals throughout the day, because if I set “goals for the future,” I tend not to accomplish those. So, to make sure I’m not setting myself up for failure, I try to simplify them. For example, my first goal each day is to make my bed, so by 6 a.m., I’ve already achieved a goal! JERRY ROSEN What I could do is put a list of what I would like to accomplish on paper, think about the list, and put it into perspective. Then, I use that perspective to meet my goals. LARMARQUES SMITH The first thing I can do to accomplish my goal is to HAVE a goal. To reach that goal, I have to have a plan – not just a plan rolling around in my head - but a plan that is written down and put in a place visible to me every day. Anyone can have a plan, but is it really a plan if it’s not written down for us to reference? Staying vigilant is also something I can do to reach my goals. There are always roadblocks on the way to achieving a goal. If I stay focused on my goal and not allow myself to be distracted or misguided by obstacles and remember what the ultimate goal is, my goal will be accomplished. Stay focused! Stay grounded! Stay positive! STEVE SZLOBODA It’s all about the way you approach people. How are you communicating with them? Get to know your customers and build relationships so they keep coming back. Be courteous and pleasant. Pay attention to your presentation and show that you are confident. Also, leave any personal problems aside so you can focus separately on achieving your goals. LANDO ALLEN When I got sick recently, it seemed like all of my goals would be lost. During that time, I told my friend that people should never lose their dreams. He said he lost his goals a long time ago when he had children. I am a big believer in never giving up. A couple of days went by while I was still sick, and I got better. I told myself it was time to force myself to get things going. I knew I was close to losing everything, and I had to build up myself to get my goals done. I just don’t want to fail. That desire and hard work have helped me achieve one of my biggest goals, and it saved me from losing everything. Otb 2023 DENVER VOICOctober 2023 DENVER VOICE 5
COMMUNITY PROFILE SUPPORTING SOUTHWEST DENVER’S SMALL AND FAMILYOWNED BUSINESSES BY FRANK DEANGELI SOUTHWEST DENVER — the area between Colfax Avenue, Florida Avenue, Santa Fe Drive, and Sheridan Boulevard — has long been home to hundreds of small businesses, a number of which are owned and operated by immigrant families residing in the area. After being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, many that weathered the storm have struggled to regain footing. In an effort to provide relief to these establishments, the West Denver Small Business Coalition (WDSBC) created the West Denver Marketplaces program in December 2022. Established in June 2020, the coalition represents an effort by several local leaders to support and advocate for the area’s small businesses, and the Marketplaces program was formulated to do just that. In 2021, WDSBC conducted a survey of 217 businesses in the area. Of these, 78% said their business was doing “ok” or was “struggling some,” and 52% said their business was doing worse as a result of COVID-19. Many respondents listed access to grants/funding and an improved digital presence as some of their greatest needs. The West Denver Marketplaces program seeks to address these needs directly. The program is twofold: help these businesses navigate an arduous grant and loan application process, and assist them in marketing to a broader audience. Describing the grant and loan applications for small enterprises, Anyssa Juarez, planning manager for Denver Housing Authority said, “The biggest issue is access. Southwest Denver is known for being highly multicultural, and a lot of [applications] are only available in English. [Applicants] may not be able to figure out how to get onto an online portal, and if it’s in a different language, forget it.” Juarez also said that this difficulty can be compounded, when the few employees a business may have are focused on running the business — up to 12 hours a day, often seven days per week. Organizations like NEWSED and Mile High United Way are among those partners lending a hand in these hard-to-navigate grant and loan applications. IRMA CENDEJAS, BLOOMING IDEAS: COURTESY OF WEST DENVER MARKETPLACE DANIELA QUEZADA, ESTETICA DEL SOL: COURTESY OF WEST DENVER MARKETPLACE 6 DENVER VOICE October 2023
COMMUNITY PROFILE LUZ VERONICA LOPEZ, NATURISTA LA BOTICA: COURTESY OF WEST DENVER MARKETPLACE MARIA CORRALS, BOTAS EL REY: COURTESY OF WEST DENVER MARKETPLACE DAMARIS RONKANEN, CULTURA CRAFT CHOCOLATE: COURTESY OF WEST DENVER MARKETPLAC MIMI LUONG, TRUONG AN GIFTS: COURTESY OF WEST DENVER MARKETPLACE To spread the word about the business community in West Denver, WDSBC compiled a directory of these small businesses on the program’s website, westdenvermarketplaces.com. This directory consolidates a variety of businesses, ranging from restaurants to auto shops, to art galleries, into an easily accessible virtual guide. Additionally, the coalition has filmed and posted promotional videos for 12 businesses, with more planned for the near future. Another key portion of the West Denver Marketplaces program is the creation of a gift card initiative. Also available on the website, the program allows patrons to purchase one gift card to use at any of 117 different businesses in the area. Juarez said that even though this program is in its early stages, the gift card option has already brought thousands of dollars directly to member businesses. According to Juarez, a driving factor behind the effort to support local enterprise is to mitigate displacement of residents through preservation and stabilization of businesses. “When you look at the data of southwest Denver, it has a higher percentage of doubled-up households than any other part of the city, meaning that people who are living in southwest Denver are at significant risk of displacement and becoming homeless,” Juarez said. “[We want to] make sure that we have continued investment coming to this area, and one of the ways we’re doing that is with this gift card.” Another reason to patronize these businesses? “[They’re] awesome. The area has some of the most culturally authentic businesses and people who live there,” Juarez said. “The restaurants, these are recipes that came from [owners’] great grandparents in Vietnam or in Mexico or other parts of the world, which is really neat to be able to experience. These are mom-and-pop shops that really genuinely care.” Moving forward, Juarez would like to see continued funding for the West Denver Marketplaces program, as well as a steady flow of new businesses to the area. “A lot of people ask, ‘How can I support locally? How can I support small businesses?’ And I’m hoping that if we continue to bring awareness to the program, this is a way that they’ll know how.” ■ October 2023 DENVER VOICE 7
INTERNATIONAL STORY DISABLED PEOPLE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY HOMELESSNESS - GETTING SUPPORT FEELS ‘NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE’ BY BETH STONE AND EMILY WERTANS HOMELESSNESS IS REACHING RECORD HIGHS IN THE UK. The latest statistics on statutory homelessness show that in March 2023, 104,510 households – including over 131,000 children – were living in hotels, hostels, B&Bs, and the like. But disabled people are particularly affected by homelessness, as our new report, commissioned by the Centre for Homelessness Impact, explores. While disabled people represent 22% of the overall population, a recent survey suggests they may represent up to 39% of the homeless population. According to government data, the number of people qualifying for homelessness support – such as emergency accommodation – in England because of a disability rose by 73% from 2018-22. In Wales, the numbers more than doubled from 2015-19. But these figures do not capture people whose disability is not recognized or disclosed, people experiencing “hidden homelessness”, such as sofa surfing, or those who were not found eligible for support. As well as physical disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, such as learning disabilities and autism, are worryingly overrepresented. Learning disabilities occur at 2% in the general population but 13% in homeless populations. Autism is estimated to occur in the general population at 1-2% but at 12-18% in homeless populations. WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE DISABLED AND HOMELESS For disabled people, homelessness can lead to the deterioration of existing conditions or the onset of new ones. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness among local councils and homelessness support charities makes it difficult for people to exit homelessness. Local councils must provide advice and alternative housing options to people who are homeless or facing homelessness, and have a duty to house people if they meet certain eligibility criteria. For disabled people in England and Wales, this involves proving you are more vulnerable than “most other people” because of a disability or health condition. Research shows this clause is subjective and can be inconsistently applied by housing officers. In our report and previous research by Beth Stone, we spoke to disabled and autistic people about their experiences of homelessness. Their experiences reveal some of the barriers people face in getting support. One caseworker at a charity in Leicester told us that not having an official neurodevelopmental diagnosis, such as autism or ADHD, can prevent access to housing or other support. But getting a diagnosis while homeless is exceptionally hard. It is difficult to access health services without a permanent address. And other factors associated with homelessness, such as mental health, can affect how people’s symptoms appear and complicate diagnoses. PHOTO BY MARIANNE BOS ON UNSPLASH When a local council does provide housing, it often does not have the accommodations people may need, such as being wheelchair accessible. Charlston, an autistic man with multiple sclerosis, explained the impact of inadequate housing on his health and wellbeing: “It took 10 months, of the council saying they could do nothing before I got offered a hostel room & another year before I got permanent accommodation. When I did get a tenancy agreement it was not disabled modified, no accessible shower as of yet, I’m still waiting. My health has deteriorated because of the disruptions to my housing. I’m grateful for a place that’s mine, just waiting for the moment I can truly call it home.” Due to resourcing issues in councils and support services, people are left with little choice but to accept unsuitable accommodation. In England, refusing accommodation – even on accessibility grounds – can lead to the council labeling a person “intentionally homeless”. They are then denied further support. As Megan, an autistic woman, put it: “When you have a disability, getting appropriate housing support feels nearly impossible. I don’t feel like my needs were ever taken seriously. I was told the only option was shared accommodation. Being autistic, living with multiple different people is not an option for me. They didn’t listen and I was told if I actually needed the support I would take whatever I could get.” Support from homelessness organizations and charities is essential to help people navigate complex services. But our findings show that many of these services lack the expertise and communication necessary to engage with disabled people. As a result, many are left to navigate with little help, which can significantly prolong homelessness. HOMELESSNESS RISK FACTORS Disabled people are often in precarious and inaccessible housing scenarios, which leads many to become homeless. They are more likely to be in social housing and less likely to own their own homes. And despite a recent government commitment to fully accessible housing, there is a chronic shortage of homes with features such as ramps, lifts, or lowered surfaces. In England, only 7% of homes incorporate the bare minimum of accessibility features. In Scotland, only 0.7% of local authority housing and 1.5% of properties managed by registered social landlords are wheelchair accessible. Disabled people are also more likely than non-disabled people to live in poverty, and are less likely to be in full-time employment. On top of this, they face significantly high additional monthly costs – £500 to £1000 to pay for specialist equipment or higher energy costs, for example – which are under-compensated by disability benefits. Disability benefit spending has been reduced by nearly £5 billion over the past decade. And additional reductions to housing benefits can price disabled people out of the renting market. According to the people we spoke to for our report, there is a postcode lottery when disabled people approach their local councils for support. In England and Wales, there is a lack of clarity on what support people are entitled to from the government, and how they can prove their disability meets the vulnerability clause. Policies at local, regional, and national levels aim to prevent and relieve homelessness. For example, the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017) places a duty on local authorities to try to prevent homelessness at earlier stages. But our analysis shows that these initiatives are not working to protect disabled people. In reality, their risk of entering and remaining homeless is worsening. ■ Beth Stone is a lecturer in social policy at the University of Bristol. Emily Wertans is a criminology academic at the University of Leicester. Courtesy of The Conversation / International Network of Street Papers 8 DENVER VOICE October 2023
INTERNATIONAL STORY WOMEN WALK IN A VILLAGE IN INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR. WOMEN HERE OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES LURED BY THE PROMISE OF A JOB INTO UNSUITABLE MARRIAGES. CREDIT: ATHAR PARVAIZ/IPS HUMAN TRAFFICKING: WOMEN LURED BY PROMISE OF JOBS AND SOLD AS BRIDES BY ATHAR PARVAIZ IT HAS BEEN OVER A DECADE since 32-year-old Rafiqa (not her real name) was sold to a villager after being lured by the promise that she would be employed in the handicrafts industry of Indian-administered Kashmir. But, instead of getting a job, she was sold to a Kashmiri man in central Kashmir’s Budgam district for a paltry sum of 50,000 Indian rupees (USD 605). Before the traffickers lured her, Rafiqa lived with her parents and three siblings in a poor Muslim family in West Bengal, a state in eastern India. Ranging from Rohingya refugees – there are an estimated 40,000 Rohingya refugees in India – to women in other states of the country, such as West Bengal and Assam, women are trafficked and sold as brides to men who find it hard to find brides within their communities. Such grooms often include aged, physically challenged, and men with mental health issues. Rafiqa’s husband, who drives a horse-cart for a living and lives in a one-room wooden shed, had to sell the only cow he possessed to pay the sum to the human traffickers. She has now come to terms with “what I was destined to face in my life.” Embracing the reality, she says, was the only option left with her. “I could have either tried to escape or taken some extreme step, but I decided to apply myself positively to make some kind of life out of what I ended up with,” Rafiqa told IPS while sitting at the base of the small wooden staircase of her house. “My husband’s simplicity and kind nature were also helpful in taking this decision – even though I didn’t like his appearance.” “Now I have three kids for whom I have to live,” Rafiqa said. “I miss my parents and siblings. But it is very difficult to visit them. Even if I convince my husband, we can’t afford to visit them as it takes a lot of money to pay for the travel,” she added, saying her husband hardly provides two square meals for the family. Rafiqa is not the only trafficked woman in that village. Over a dozen women have ended up getting married in similar circumstances. Elsewhere in the region, hundreds of other women from the Indian states of West Bengal and Assam are married to divorced and physically challenged men. When 23-year-old Zarina (name changed), a woman from a poor family in West Bengal, got ensnared in a human trafficker’s trap, she had no idea that she would end up marrying a man whom she had never seen and was almost double her age. Zarina also fell for the false promise that a job in a carpet manufacturing unit in north Kashmir’s Patan area would be arranged for her. But, to her shock, she was sold into marriage. “Now, how will my situation change after talking to you if it has not changed in the last five years? This is where I must be all my life,” an annoyed Zarina told IPS and then refused to elaborate. Some women who encounter human traffickers are far unluckier. In a village of southern Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a young Rohingya woman was sold to a family by traffickers for their son with mental health issues after she was trafficked from a Rohingya refugee makeshift camp in the adjacent Jammu province. “We were surprised when we discovered that the family has got a bride for their son who we knew was not mentally sound since his childhood,” said a neighbor of the family. “We would hear her screaming when her husband used to beat her almost every day. But fortunately for her, the young Rohingya woman was somehow able to escape after a few months.” There are not any accurate official figures about sold brides, but some estimates say that thousands of girls and women are sold annually. The media sometimes reports the arrest of human traffickers, but such reports are not that common. On 26 July, India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ajay Kumar Mishra, told the Indian parliament that 1,061,648 women over 18 years of age and 251,430 girls less than 18 years of age went missing between 2019 and 2021 across different states in the country. Mishra, however, said that most of the victims have been found and added that the Indian government has taken several initiatives for the safety of women. Last year in April, India’s National Commission for Women launched an Anti-Human Trafficking Cell “to improve effectiveness in tackling cases of human trafficking, raising awareness among women and girls, capacity building and training of Anti Trafficking Units, and to increase the responsiveness of law enforcement agencies.” In its 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, the US Department of State identifies India as a Tier 2 country. “The Government of India does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore, India remained on Tier 2,” the report says. ■ Courtesy of Inter Press Service / International Network of Street Papers October 2023 DENVER VOICE 9
INTERNATIONAL STORY MARRAKECH ARTISANS AMONG THOSE HIT HARD BY EARTHQUAKE’S DEVASTATION BY ABBEY STOCKSTILL A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE that hit close to the medieval city of Marrakech in Morocco on Sept. 8, 2023, has killed thousands and injured many more. It has also put at risk buildings and monuments of major historic importance, among them the minaret of the Kutubiyya mosque, a 12thcentury structure that is an icon of the city. The Medina, the medieval walled portion of the city, is now littered with rubble. The cultural significance of the Medina extends far beyond the antiques and trinkets sold to tourists. It is the location of numerous artisan workshops that make the ceramic tiles, carved plaster, and intricate woodwork that decorate the city. Many of these workshops have maintained traditional methods for centuries, transmitting skill sets down through the generations. Part of Morocco’s bid for Marrakech’s UNESCO status was based on these craft traditions being “intangible cultural heritage,” which the UN describes as knowledge or skills that are passed down orally rather than in written form. A MAN WALKS PAST A DAMAGED BUILDING IN THE HISTORIC CITY OF MARRAKECH, FOLLOWING A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE IN MOROCCO, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023. JANA MEERMAN/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS 10 DENVER VOICE October 2023
INTERNATIONAL STORY PAGE TITLE I’ve been working in Marrakech since 2014, living there on and off as I completed research on a book about the development of Marrakech as a medieval metropolis. Although my work focused on the 12th century, the more I learned about the city, the more I realized that most of the urban fabric and architectural sites I was looking at were thanks to the conservation efforts of local workshops. The UNESCO designation was a historical acknowledgment of the traditions of poor and rural communities that can often get left out of larger conversations about art history. It is precisely these communities that have maintained Marrakech’s architectural heritage generations, but the earthquake has destroyed the workshops and residences of many in the Medina. These poor and rural communities are at their most vulnerable just when their skills will be needed the most to help rebuild the city after this disaster. ORAL ORIGINS Marrakech was founded in 1070 by the Almoravid dynasty, which derived from a tribe that was part of a larger nonArab confederation of peoples now referred to as Berbers. It was one of the first major cities in the wider Islamic west, known as the Maghrib – now comprising Morocco, Algeria, and parts of Tunisia - to be founded by a group indigenous to the region. The majority of the community spoke a dialect of Tamazight, an Afro-Asiatic language distinct from Arabic. It was primarily an oral language, meaning that knowledge was more commonly handed down via poetic stories rather than written texts. Some Arabic sources described the Almoravids as “unsophisticated” and “illiterate,” yet the evidence of their architectural and artistic heritage suggests otherwise. In Marrakech, they built an elegantly proportioned dome known as the Qubba al-Barudiyyin and commissioned the elaborate wooden minbar (pulpit) that now sits in the Badi� Palace Museum. They were followed by the Almohad dynasty, another largely indigenous group, that faced similar accusations in historical accounts despite building the Kutubiyya minaret, Marrakech’s signature monument. SITE OF INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENTS The city’s origins as a Berber capital contributed to making Marrakech the epicenter of contemporary Moroccan national identity, rooted in a pride and independence centuries old. Whereas other North African cities had roots in Arab or Roman tradition, Marrakech could claim to be distinctly Moroccan. In the face of Ottoman expansion in the 16th century, the kingdom of Morocco, based out of Marrakech, was the sole region of the Arabic-speaking world to maintain its autonomy from Turkish control. Although the French and the Spanish would compete for the colonial rule of the country, the Moroccan independence movements of the 20th century were largely based out of Marrakech. The city was so prone to revolt that the French administration moved the colonial capital further north to Rabat. Even the word “Morocco” is derived from an etymological transmutation of “Marrakech.” A HIDDEN HISTORY And yet, recovering the city’s significant past is an exercise in reading between the lines. The oral traditions of the city’s founders were rarely faithfully transcribed. Written sources are often scattered and unpublished, and those that do exist are often written by outsiders or visitors to the city. The Ottomans were excellent record-keepers, enabling scholars to explore extensive centralized archives on every part of the Arabic world – except Morocco, whose archives remain dispersed and underfunded. Historians have had to work obliquely to uncover concrete details, relying on archaeological and anthropological research to supplement oral traditions. Integral to these efforts was the role of craft traditions in and around Marrakech. Craft was a key point of France’s colonial efforts in Marrakech, where they established for “artisan schools” in the Medina to ostensibly document and preserve their methods. In doing so, the French Protectorate - which ruled the country from 1912 to 1956 - created a kind of living nostalgia within the Medina, conflating the people who actually lived there with the city’s medieval past. This effectively created a form of economic and social segregation in which craftsmen and their families were siloed into the old town, while the wealthier expatriates and tourists occupied the Ville Nouvelle outside the medieval walls. PRESERVING THE PAST THROUGH CRAFT At the same time, these craft traditions are also what made it possible to preserve and restore many of the sites in and around Marrakech that now draw thousands of tourists each year. The Qasba Mosque, the city’s “second” major mosque after the Kutubiyya and originally built between 1185 and 1189, underwent successive restorations in both the 17th and 21st centuries after political instability led to their decline. In both cases, local artisans were employed to renovate the mosque’s stucco walls and the mosaic tile work known as zellij. The 11th-century Almoravid pulpit required a team of Moroccan craftsmen to successfully restore the minbar’s intricate marquetry. Artisans have also been important ambassadors for Morocco’s place in the larger canon of Islamic art, building a courtyard as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2011 renovation of their Islamic galleries using 14th-century techniques and materials. With the Marrakech Medina partially destroyed, many of these artisans and workshops will face tough choices regarding their future. Gentrification over the last decade has priced many residents out of their ancestral homes, and many of these workshops operate on thin margins – too thin to both pay for damages and retain control over their property. REBUILDING INTANGIBLE HERITAGE Parts of the city walls cracked in the earthquake, and an 18th-century mosque in the main square lost its minaret. The historic 12th-century site of Tinmal, not far from Marrakech and nestled in the Atlas Mountains, has also collapsed. The human toll of the earthquake is still being tallied, and the material damage is likely to be extensive. Nothing can replace the loss of life. Yet the history and resilience of a place are instrumental in any recovery. It will be the role of Marrakech’s intangible heritage – its artists and artisans – to rebuild after this disaster. In the midst of narratives about caliphs and sultans, philosophers, and poets, it can be easy to forget that the people who built these places often went unnamed in the historical texts. But these artists will need support to maintain Marrakech’s history, to preserve the past for future historians to discover. ■ Courtesy of The Conversation / International Network of Street Papers DONATE YOUR CAR! Need to get rid of your car, truck, or motorcycle? Consider donating it to Denver VOICE. Call (855) 500-7433, or go to: careasy.org/nonprofi t/denver-voice. Your donation helps Denver VOICE succeed in its mission to provide individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty the chance towards a more stable life. The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. VOLUNTEER WITH US! We are looking for volunteers to support our program coordination by helping with paper distribution and basic offi ce administration at the Denver VOICE offi ce (989 Santa Fe Dr.) from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you are interested and would like to know more, contact us at: program@denvervoice.org October 2023 DENVER VOICE 11
IN YOUR OWN WORDS BACK ON THE STREETS: HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER BY JOHN ALEXANDER, VOICE VENDOR so many homeless, who may form their own families and communities, but when it comes to interacting with people outside of their communities, they remain invisible. ■ This “Back on the Streets” piece is in homage to Brian Augustine, who passed away in January. When he died, Augustine was writing a monthly column about what it was like to return to living on the streets when he could no longer afford his rent. Through the end of this year, various VOICE vendors intend to contribute something in honor of Brian Augustine’s legacy. SINCE COMING TO COLORADO, I have learned the importance of having self-worth. I learned to care about myself to the point that I will not let anyone ever tell me I am stupid and can’t be anything – that I have nothing useful to say, or don’t know anything, so I should keep quiet. Well, let me tell you, you should never believe this negativity or let it stay in your head. You can do whatever you want to. Only you can stand up for yourself. If you hold onto the mean or hurtful things people say about you, over time, you will believe them. I have learned not to keep those kinds of words in. BE YOUR BEST SELF BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR JOHN ALEXANDER. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN HERE I AM, BACK ON THE STREETS… AGAIN. I spent much of my summer – off and on – as part of one of Denver/Lakewood’s so-called tent communities. I was literally spending time with many homeless people – on the ground, in vacant buildings, parks, vacant lots, vacant tents, working cars, junk cars… you name it, I claim it. All of these were filled with other people (and all of those people there were homeless). I began to know these homeless people – meeting them, living amongst them, caring for and about them. Some times were happy – many of those times were sad ones. Living every day with each of them, learning that some had gone to jail or to the hospital – and finding out that many of us were NEVER coming home – even if that “home” was back on the streets. With homelessness comes sickness and lots of addiction, but nothing in the world is more deadly than the combination of drug addiction and alcoholism. When people are evicted from their homes, they often become homeless. Homeless people face all the hardships of life, and they are forced to live and cope with every hardship every day. During July and August, I spent time with a homeless family – a mother, a son, (whom I saw very little of), and a daughter, who wasn’t more than 17. Both the mother and daughter were drug-addicted, but the girl’s addiction was the worst. She took drugs in all the different ways possible. She popped pills, snorted pills, shot pills and heroin. Several times I was asked to watch over the girl until she got better. The only thing that happened a lot during this period, and something I still do not understand is how the police made many stops at the different camps and places where I would be – but the police never said anything to me. I would catch them, looking at me from a distance, but they didn’t approach me. I heard them ask someone else, “Who is that guy?” or “Do you know him?” Maybe they recognized me from vending the Denver VOICE. Maybe they’ve seen my photo in the VOICE’s marketing materials, but not once did they talk to me. They would carry on just like I was not visible…. This experience of being back on the streets – even if for a little while – reminded me what it is like for ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN Words can lift you up or break you down. It is up to us which we choose. I have learned to believe in myself. When you are so broken and you can’t see anything but the pain you feel, there is no hope for you – only pain. I have learned to forgive myself for staying in the pain for so long. You may do drugs and alcohol to kill the pain, and for a while, it may work, but in time, you become a slave to the drugs and alcohol. Loving words are better than hateful words or actions. We need to look around and see who we can help. If you aren’t able to help others but need help yourself, get help right away. Don’t wait to get help, or you could end up dead. There is no shame in asking for help. Things from our past can hold us hostage when we grow up! If you get help, you can have a beautiful life. Take my words to heart because I have my best life now! I have so much self-worth that I will not allow anyone or anything to take away my happiness ever again. At some point, you need to let go of all the stuff that is RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: CORTNEY TABERNA holding you back. Only when we let go of the negative can we have a better life with less pain. I can’t tell you how important it is to get the help you need. Love yourself enough to better your life. You are worth it! ■ 12 DENVER VOICE October 2023
EVENTS DENVER WALKING TOUR Learn more about the mile high city via this popular walking tour. Tour takes about 2 – 2.5 hours. WHEN: Daily at 10 a.m. COST: Pay-what-you-wish tipping model WHERE: Front steps of Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave. INFO: denverfreewalkingtours.com INTRO TO IMPROV: DROP-IN CLASS Curious to see if improv comedy is right for you? This drop-in workshop will allow you to experience RISE Comedy’s improv classes in a safe, supportive, and fun environment! WHEN: Oct 5, 12, 19, and 26, 6 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. COST: $10 WHERE: RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St. INFO: risecomedy.com PUMPKIN HARVEST FESTIVAL Celebrate the arrival of fall at this annual family-friendly event. Guests can enjoy live music, seasonal treats, a farmer’s market, tractor rides, pioneer games, crafts, demonstrations, and more. WHEN: Oct. 14 and Oct. 15, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. COST: $16 - $35; children 3 and under are free. WHERE: Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest Street INFO: fourmilepark.org GLOW AT THE GARDENS Enjoy larger-than-life pumpkin sculptures, spooky live entertainment, and hordes of gourds with thousands of jack o’ lanterns made from real, locally grown pumpkins. WHEN: Oct. 17 - 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. COST: $21 - $27, free admission for children 2 and younger WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street INFO: botanicgardens.org NERD NITE If you’re a fan of TED talks, the Discovery Channel, and/or Wikipedia binges, Nerd Nite is the show for you! Three experts will present on three different topics, while the audience drinks and thinks along. Be there and be square! WHEN: Oct 27, doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. COST: $10 in advance, $15 at the door WHERE: Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. INFO: nerdnitedenver.com HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR It’s a spooktacular outing for all boys and ghouls! This family-favorite event features music from film, television, and more! Costumes are encouraged! WHEN: Oct 29, 2:30 p.m. COST: Tickets start at $27, $10 for children (12 and under) WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall, 14th Ave. & Curtis St. INFO: coloradosymphony.org October 2023 DENVER VOICE 13 ACROSS 1. Element you don’t want in your water 5. Letter letters 10. Some mobile homes, for short 13. Key chain? 15. “Middlemarch” author 16. “Gulp!” 17. Bloodhound’s trail 18. Go-between...or, with 61-Across, what you must do to each theme answer for its clue to make sense 20. Give this for that 22. Hypnotic 23. Blue hue 25. Word before nerve or after fiber 26. Common noun ending 27. Kramer’s first name, on “Seinfeld” 30. Snaky swimmers 32. Turin’s river 35. Flying geese formation 36. Make ___ for (justify) 39. Nightmarish street 40. Two-time Oscar winning actress Dianne 42. Negating prefix 43. Undercover operation 46. Like some churches: Abbr. 48. Org. 49. Mom’s mom 53. Heart of France 55. Comprehends 57. Card game also called “Cheat” 60. Comes to 61. See 18-Across 63. Washer cycle 64. Giant slugger Mel 65. Snappish 66. Elizabeth I was the last one 67. Exec in charge of company safety 68. Promo 69. Director Gus Van ___ DOWN 1. Portuguese capital 2. Slip away 3. Advisories 4. They know the drill 5. Chest muscle, for short 6. Reunion attendee 7. Bar mitzvah, e.g. 8. Question after a tasteless joke 9. Namesake for one of Portland’s nicknames 10. Fetch 11. 10-Across, e.g. 12. Design detail 14. Flower or wineglass support 19. Head of France 21. Dash 24. Runners 28. They contain grain 29. Caribbean dances 31. Stiffen 33. “For ___ a jollyÖ” 34. Possess 36. Big fuss 37. Paths for electricity 38. Three words on the cover of some autobiographies 41. Saint ___ of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits (anagram of SUIT GAIN) 44. Chapel Hill athlete 45. Rapper who plays a cop on “Law & Order: SVU” 47. Didn’t break, as a levee 50. Girl’s name that becomes another girl’s name if you follow the instructions in 18- and 61-Across literally 51. Wrestling hold 52. Declare 54. Former name for a court org. (it has since dropped the L) 56. Database command 57. Popular college guy, briefly 58. “___ Excited” (Pointer Sisters hit) 59. Giant armadillo (anagram of TAUT) 62. 1/1 COURTESY OF DEBORAH LASTOWKA PUZZLES COURTESY OF STREETROOTS ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 15 PUZZLE COURTESY OF STREET ROOTS, DENVER VOICE’S SISTER PAPER IN PORTLAND, OR PUZZLE COURTESY OF STREET ROOTS, DENVER VOICE’S SISTER PAPER IN PORTLAND, OR
DONOR LIST WE LOVE OUR DONORS! WHEN YOU SUPPORT THE DENVER VOICE, YOU ARE HELPING SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF HOMELESS AND IMPOVERISHED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING TO REALIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH EARNING A DIGNIFIED INCOME. YOUR GIFT MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. HERE, WE LIST THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN $500 AND MORE IN THE LAST YEAR. DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATE $25,000+ The NextFifty Initiative $10,000+ Anonymous Individual Donor The Christian Foundation Acorn Hill Foundation Inc. $5,000 - $9,999 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Bank of America Charitable Foundation Pivotal Energy Partners USA, Inc. Francis Trainer and Trainer Family Sustainable Housing and Development Foundation Envestnet $1,000-$4,999 Meek-Cuneo Family Fund Katherine Standiford Frederic K Conover Trust Walker Family Foundation Alexander Seavall Jill Haug Whole Foods Foundation Alex Salva Rose Community Foundation Russell Peterson Chris and Susan Pappas Michael Dino Sidney B and Caleb F Gates Fund Megan Arellano Warren and Betty Kuehner Keyrenter Property Management Denver SEI Giving Fund Donald Weaver The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation Jana and Jim Cuneo Kroger Paul Manoogian Lori Holland Gaspar Terrana Maggie Holben Michael J. Fehn and Jan Monnier Jim Ashe Courage and Community Foundation George Lichter Family Foundation Lisa Wagner Joshua Kauer Elsbeth Williams Julia and David Watson Mathew Rezek $500-$999 Margaret Ramp John Gibson James and Cyndi Lesslie Fire on the Mountain Christopher Boulanger Sheryl Parker Laura Saunders Robert E and Anne T Sneed Family Foundation Barbara and Robert Ells Carol and Louis Irwin Edwina Salazar James Stegman Jennifer Stedron Jeremy Anderson Stephen Saul WalMart Peter Iannuzzi Nikki Lawson CEDS Finance Graham Davis Impact Assets Courage and Community Foundation Louis Irwin Mary Livernois Mr B’s Liquor Wines For Humanity 14 DENVER VOICE October 2023 ABOVE THE FOLD: $5,000 • One complimentary full page ad in the newspaper ($1,000 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Above the Fold Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper SPONSORSHIP LEVELS THE DENVER VOICE’S ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT LEVELS PROVIDE BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN WORK EMPOWERMENT, HOMELESS PREVENTION, THE CHALLENGING OF COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS, AND TO BE A PART OF PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY WITH QUALITY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE THROUGH OUR WRITERS AND VENDORS – AN INVALUABLE PART OF DENVER’S COMMUNITY. YOUR INVOLVEMENT WILL HELP HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING POSITIVE ACTION TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS AND IMPOVERISHMENT. AS A SPONSOR, YOU HAVE A WAY TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVE SOMETHING BACK AT THE SAME TIME. ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS BENEFITS INCLUDE YOUR LOGO LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE HOMEPAGE, MONTHLY AD SPACE IN OUR PAPER, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERKS FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ALL YEAR LONG. IT’S A GOOD DEAL FOR A GOOD CAUSE, AND YOUR GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! GALLEY: $2,500 • One complimentary half page ad in the newspaper ($600 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Galley Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper HONOR BOX: $1,000 • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Honor Box Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper FLY SHEET: $500 • Two complimentary tickets to our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event ($50 value) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Fly Sheet Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper
RESOURCE LIST FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN DENVER DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCE-LIST DIAL 211 FOR A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF RESOURCES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR FOOD, MEDICAL CARE, SENIOR SERVICES, YOUTH PROGRAMS, VETERAN SUPPORT COUNSELING, EDUCATION, SHELTERS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE, AND MORE. EMAIL EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORG WITH CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS. MEDICAL / MENTAL HEALTH / DENTAL SERVICES ACS COMMUNITY LIFT: 5045 W. 1st Ave., Denver; rentassistance.org DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER: 777 Bannock St.; denverhealth.org DETOX LOCAL: Features information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community; detoxlocal.com DRUG REHAB USA: Addiction hotline 888-479-0446; Organizations that take Medicaid: drugrehabus.org/rehabs/ treatment/medicaid/united-states/colorado/denver HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 112 E. 8th Ave.; 303-572-7800; HIV/Hep C/ Gonorrhea/ Chlamydia testing available. Services are restricted to active IV Drug Users. Offers clean syringes to active users, as well as safety training on proper disposal of dirty syringes; M-F 9am-12pm: harmreductionactioncenter.org INNER CITY HEALTH CENTER: 3800 York St.; Emergency walk-ins 303-296-1767; Dental 303-296-4873; M-F 8am-2pm LIVE ANOTHER DAY: 877-596-6866; Equal access to life-saving mental health and substance abuse resources; 24/7 helpline: liveanotherday.org LIVER HEALTH CONNECTION: 1325 S. Colorado Blvd.; Suite B302; Resources and support for those affected by Hep C. Free Hep C testing offered; 800-522-4372, 800-359-9272; info@hepc-connection.org; viventhealth.org NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE: 800-342-AIDS/800-344-7432 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Text or call 988; 988lifeline.org NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE: 800-RUNAWAY/800-786-2929; 1800runaway.org RAPE ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK: 800-656-HOPE; rainn.org SALUD CLINIC: 6255 Quebec Pkwy, Commerce City; 303-697-2583, 970-484-0999; saludclinic.org/commerce-city STOUT STREET CLINIC: 2130 Stout St.; 303-293-2220; Clinic Hours: 7am-4pm M/T/Th/F; 9am-6pm Wed; coloradocoalition.org/healthcare SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHAB GUIDE: Helpline 888-493-4670; detoxrehabs.net/states/colorado/ U.S. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 800-799-7233 (English and Spanish); 800-243-7889 (TDD); thehotline.org CAREER SERVICES BAYAUD ENTERPRISES CW-STEP: (Colorado Works - Subsidized training and employment program); 333 W. Bayaud Ave.; 303-830-6885; Mon-Fri: 8am-4:30pm; Provides re-entry to the workforce for individuals with TANF eligibility; info@bayaudenterprises.org COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER: Level 4, Denver Central Library, 14th Ave. & Broadway; 720-865-1706; M & T - 10am-8pm; Wed., Th &F - 10am-6pm; Sat. 9am-5pm & Sun. 1-5pm; FREE services include computer/internet use, WIFI, computer classes, job search/resume classes and one-on-one tech help appointments; denverlibrary.org/ctc THE WESTSIDE ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER: Denver Dept of Human Services, 1200 Federal Blvd.; M-F 7:30am-4:30pm; Employment counseling, assisted job search, résumé prep, job/applicant matching, phone bank for calling employers, access to computers, copiers, fax, etc.; careercenteroffices.com/center/231/denver-westside-workforce-center WORKNOW: 720-389-0999; job recruitment, skills training, and job placement work-now.org LGBTQ+ SUPPORT THE TREVOR PROJECT: 866-488-7386: thetrevorproject.org LGBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE: 800-246-7743: lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline PRIDE INSTITUTE: 800-547-7433 TRUE COLORS UNITE: 212-461-4401 truecolorsunited.org VETERANS & SENIORS DENVER INNER CITY PARISH: 1212 Mariposa St.; 303-322-5733; VOA Dining Center for Seniors, aged 60 and older, Wed.-Sat. 9am-12pm; Food Bank, Wed.-Fri.; Tickets at 9am, food bank open 10am-12pm; dicp.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES: 846 E. 18th Ave.; For those aged 60 or older; TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, 3 meals, M-F -7am-7pm; Sun. 11am-4pm; seniorsupportservices.org VA MEDICAL CENTER: 1700 N Wheeling St.: Aurora 303-399-8020: va.gov/findlocations/facility/vha_554A5 VETERANS GUIDE: Veterans Disability Calculator veteransguide.org/va-disability-calculator YOUTH SERVICES SOX PLACE: 2017 Larimer St.; 303-296-3412 Daytime drop-in shelter for youth 12-30; Meals, socks, clothing bank, personal hygiene supplies, internet access, intentional mentoring and guidance, crisis intervention, referrals to other services. T-F - 12-4pm & Sat. 11am-2pm. Instagram: @Soxplace THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK: 2100 Stout St. 303-291-0442; Youth aged 15-20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, 303-974-2928; Drop-in hours M-F 8-11am urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-and-services/drop-in-center SUNSHINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: 833-931-2484; Services for youth facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions; sunshinebehavioralhealth.com TGTHR (FKA ATTENTION HOMES) Shelter: 3080 Broadway, Boulder; 303-447-1207, 303-447-1207; For ages 12-24; Offers safe shelter, supportive programming, and other services; M-Sun, 12:30-5pm; tgthr.org URBAN PEAK: 730 21st St., Denver; 303-974-2900; Ages14-24; Serving Denver & Colo Springs; Overnight shelter, food, clothing, showers, case workers, job skill/straining, ID and birth certificate assistance, GED assistance, counseling and housing; urbanpeak.org October 2023 DENVER VOICE 15 DROP-IN & DAYTIME CENTERS CITYSQUARE DENVER: 2575 S. Broadway; 303-783-3777;; Helps with employment, IDs, birth certs, mail services and lockers; M-Th - 10am-2pm; citysquare.org HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; M-F - 7am-1pm; Private showers & bathrooms, laundry, lunch, etc.; thoh.org THE GATHERING PLACE: 1535 High St.; 303-321-4198; Daytime drop-in center for women, their children, and transgender individuals; Meals, computer lab, phones, food bank, clothing, art programs, GED tutoring, referrals to other services, etc.; M, W, Th, F - 8:30am-5pm, T - 8:30am-1:30pm; tgpdenver.org HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 231 E. Colfax; 303-572-7800; Provides clean syringes, syringe disposal, harmreduction counseling, safe materials, Hep C/HIV education, and health education classes; M-F - 9am-12pm; harmreductionactioncenter.org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH: 1900 California St.; Help with lost IDs and birth certificates; holyghostchurch.org HOPE PROGRAM: 1555 Race St.; 303-832-3354; For men and women with HIV; M-F 8am-4pm LAWRENCE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER: 2222 Lawrence St.; 303-294-0157; Day facility, laundry, showers, restrooms, access to services; homelessassistance.us/li/lawrence-street-community-center OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES: 1567 Marion St.; bathrooms, coffee/tea, snacks, resources, wifi; M-F 7a-5:30p; odmdenver.org ST. FRANCIS CENTER: 2323 Curtis St; 303-297-1576; 6am-6pm daily; Storage for one bag (when space is available); Satellite Clinic hours- M, T, Th. F - 7:30am-3:30pm; Wed. 12:30-4:30pm; sfcdenver.org FREE MEALS AGAPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH: 2501 California St., Sat., 11am CAPITOL HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 1100 Fillmore St., Sat. lunch at 11:30am; capitolheightspresbyterian.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: mealsforpoor.org CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: 1530 Logan St.; sandwiches & coffee M-F. 8:30am; denvercathedral.org CHRIST’S BODY MINISTRIES: 850 Lincoln; Mon. closed, Tues.-Thurs. 10am-3pm, Fri. 8am-11pm; groceries & hot meal on Sat. at 2pm (at 16th & York); Sun. church service at 6pm, dinner at 7pm; christsbody.org CHRIST IN THE CITY: Home-cooked meal, weekly; Lunch in the Park is on Wednesdays from 12-1 at Benedict Fountain Park (Tremont and 22nd); christinthecity.org CITYSQUARE DENVER: 2575 S. Broadway; 303-783-3777; Food pantry Tues. 10am-6pm; citysquare.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: 1820 Broadway (in front of Trinity United Methodist Church); Hot meals served M, T, Th., F - 11:45-12:15; mealsforpoor.org DENVER RESCUE MISSION: 1130 Park Avenue West; 303-294-0157; 3 meals 7 days/week, 5:30am, 12pm, 6pm; denverrescuemission.org HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; M-F only: 7am-1pm. 8am breakfast, 11am lunch; havenofhope.org FEEDING DENVER’S HUNGRY: Food service on second and fourth Thursdays; feedingdenvershungry.org/events.html FOOD NOT BOMBS: Sun. 4 p.m.; 22nd St. Stout St (near Mercury Café); Instagram: @denverfoodnotbombs HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE: 1400 Cherry St., free vegetarian feast on Sun., 6:45-7:30pm; krishnadenver.com HIS LOVE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: 910 Kalamath St.; Community dinner on Thurs., 6-6:45pm, Men’s breakfast 1st Sat. of the month, 8-10am, Women’s breakfast 2nd Sat., 9-11am; hislovefellowship.org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH: 1900 California St.; Sandwiches, M-Sat., 10-10:30am; holyghostchurch.org JORDAN AME CHURCH: 29th and Milwaukee St.; Tues. lunch 11:30am-1:00pm; jordanamedenver.churchfoyer.com OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES: 1567 Marion St.; 303-830-2201; Sat. morning breakfast: 8am, Sun. dinner (required church attendance at 4:30pm); meal served at 6pm; odmdenver.org/home ST. CLARE’S MINISTRY AT ST. PETER AND ST. MARY: 126 W. 2nd Ave.; 303-722-8781 Dinner at 4pm on Tues; Also offers a change of clothes, toiletries and sleeping bags when available; stpeterandmary.org ST. ELIZABETH’S: Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St. (Auraria Campus), 11am 7 days/week; food/coffee; stelizabethdenver.org ST. FRANCIS CENTER: 2323 Curtis St., Wed. & Fri. 3-4:30pm (except third Wed. of each month); sfcdenver.org ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN: 1600 Grant St., Street Reach meal Mon. 1-4:30pm; Grocery room open at 11:30am every Mon.; saintpauldenver.com SAME CAFÉ: 2023 E. Colfax Ave; 720-530-6853;Restaurant serving mostly organic food—not free, but pay what you can or work off your meal in the kitchen; Open Mon.-Sat., 11am to 2pm, Closed Sun. & holidays; soallmayeat.org URBAN OUTREACH DENVER: 608 26th St., Thurs dinners, 6pm-7pm; lovedenver.org VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: 2877 Lawrence St.; breakfast (8am), lunch (11:30am), dinner (5pm) Mon.-Thurs., 12pm on Fri., 1pm on Sun.; food & clothing bank 9:30am-4pm Mon.-Thurs.; voacolorado.org/gethelp-denvermetrofoodnutrition-themission DON’T LOOK NOW! PUZZLES ARE ON PAGE 13
On Tuesday, December 5, our community will come together to “give where we live” during Colorado’s largest one-day online giving event. We invite you to join our community on this day and support the Denver VOICE! This year we have a goal of raising $30,000 on Colorado Gives Day, and all gifts made that day on our website will link you directly to this effort. But you can schedule your gift starting November 1! Simply go to www.coloradogives. org/denvervoice/overview. Under the donation amount, check the box that says “Schedule a donation for Colorado Gives Day” and complete the process. Your gift delivers ongoing support for the more than 100 individuals we employ each year through the vendor program - giving everyone that comes to us in need the opportunity that comes from tools of empowerment and hope for change! DECEMBER 5 (schedule your donation now!)
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