$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS Denver VOICE Vendors on the Importance of Community Engagement PAGES 6-11 Denver VOICE VENDOR UPDATE Page 3 IN-WORK HOMELESSNESS IN HAMBURG, GERMANY ADRIAN HAS A FULL-TIME JOB BUT STILL CAN’T FIND A PLACE TO SLEEP. PAGE 5 FROM DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE TO COMPTON, CA MEGAPHONE VENDOR SEES SIMILARITIES BETWEEN TWO FAVORITE CITIES. PAGE 12 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 3, 4, 6-11 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 | Vol.29 Issue 11 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: COVER ART BY DANIEL CHAVEZ XXXXXX
EDITOR'S NOTE WHEN DENVER VOICE VENDORS showed up at our office to buy papers on September 20, they found out what the three staff members discovered the night before: We had no money, and therefore, we were shutting down operations. For the first hour or so, it felt ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR like our family that had loved and supported each other through the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and myriad changes in leadership was falling apart. Suddenly, the street paper that for 30 years has been a source of income for thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness was no longer. And then, as we prepared to send vendors off with extra pairs of Bombas socks, hand warmers, toiletries, and anything else we could give them before we closed the office doors for good, a few of the vendors started brainstorming ideas to keep us open. By the end of the weekend, what felt like our last goodbye softened to “Farewell for now.” Inspired by our vendors’ resolve, longtime Denver VOICE volunteer and contributing journalist Giles Clasen began making calls to existing and prospective donors. Within a week, he raised enough funds to pay staff any money they were owed and publish the October issue. While we’re only open on Wednesdays — at least for now — the reason our vendors had an October issue, and the reason they will have this issue is because of you, our generous supporters. As you will see from the stories several vendors share in these pages, vending the paper gives them more than an income. It provides them with a sense of community. Thank you for making that possible! ■ MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan ANNUAL WRAPPING PAPER ISSUE VOICE vendors have been busy coming up with wrapping paper designs for our December issue. Keep your eye out next month for the 2024 creations, and use them to wrap your holiday gifts! 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. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITOR Aaron Sullivan ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Daniel Chavez Giles Clasen Charles Spring WRITERS Lando Allen Rea Brown David Gordon Raelene Johnson Jerry Rosen Charles Spring Charley “Hus” Williams Rodney Woolfolk BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Antonio Diaz, Treasurer Michael Burkley Mackenzie Langley Eduardo Platon Charity Von Guinness Cabal Yarne DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG @OCE 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: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 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. 2 DENVER VOICE November 2024 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US 2024 ART BY VOICE VENDOR RAELENE JOHNSON T BY VOICE VENDOR RAELENE JOHNS N NE JOHNSON 2024 ART BY VOICE VENDOR LANDO ALLEN T BY VOICE VENDOR LANDO ALLEN T DO ALLE ALLE 2024 ART BY VOICE VENDOR LAMARQUES SMITH AR
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT CHARLES HAS A HOME! BY CHARLES SPRING, DENVER VOICE VENDOR Editor’s note: In March, Charles Spring signed on as a Denver VOICE vendor. Since then, he has shared his story about how he came to Denver for a fresh start last December, thought he had a place to live, and wound up homeless with no job or income. Within a few months, Spring has been one of the top 10 vendors consistently. He has also written poems and drawn illustrations for several issues of Denver VOICE. In mid-October, Spring received keys to his new apartment. Here is his account of how that happened: I HAVE JUST MOVED to the Volunteers Of America Sunset Park Apartments, located at 1865 Larimer St. in downtown Denver. While I was still staying at the Denver Rescue Mission’s 48th Ave. Shelter, my caseworker Julia gave me a list of low-income housing units in the area. So, all I really had to do was fill out an application and submit my documents to get on the waitlist. Nine months later, they contacted me to say my application was approved, told me the amount I would be paying, and gave me my movein date. With the assistance of my caseworker Tyler at the Salvation Army Crossroads Shelter, I received my security deposit and first two months’ rent, furniture, and $200.00 in gift cards to Target for anything else I might need as an incentive for getting a place and moving on from being homeless. The CHARLES SPRING TAKES A SELFIE HOLDING THE KEYS TO HIS APARTMENT. CREDIT: CHARLES SPRING PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLES SPRING apartments are mostly for retired or disabled people but is a great place! The Sunset Park Apartments property includes a chapel, a cafeteria — where they provide free lunches on weekdays — and a community room with a pool table and TV. On Friday nights, the Volunteers of America apartment building also has live music in the cafeteria. My apartment is conveniently located just three blocks from Coors Field and four blocks from Union Station, I’m close to pretty much everything. I love it! ■ Congratulations, Denver VOICE Vendor Charles Spring, on your new apartment! 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. November 2024 DENVER VOICE 3
AUTUMN WISH LIST Drop-offs are accepted Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or by appointment. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Toiletries (individual or travel-size) Toothpaste, deodorant Chapstick, sunscreen Hand warmers 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 Ball caps, hats 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! A ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM FELLOW VENDORS, OUR READERS, AND STAFF. THIS MONTH’S QUESTION WAS SUGGESTED BY DENVER VOICE VENDOR CHARLEY “HUS” WILLIAMS. Q How does being grateful affect your health, or does it? LANDO ALLEN I am grateful for how doctors have saved my life for the second time in two years. I grew up Jehovah’s Witness, so we avoided hospitals. I believe good doctors make a difference in our health, so if I’m grateful, it means I know they can help, and I won’t avoid them. RAELENE JOHNSON When I am thankful for something, it keeps me happy because when you’re upbeat and grateful for everything you have, you feel good. I give my heavenly father praise every day for what He does in my life. I am very grateful. JERRY ROSEN Being grateful affects my health in many ways. First of all, it gives me motivation and confidence to do many things that I could not do. I’m grateful to God for many things. My health is getting better. I’m also very grateful because recently, after I lost a friend’s contact information, she called me. I’m also grateful for Rachel, a volunteer for the Denver VOICE. When I was at the office, the zipper on my backpack broke, so she gave me hers to replace it. CHARLES SPRING Being thankful for a lot of things has affected my health in a great way; I have more energy and the will to go out and do more to explore more! It has also affected my mental health by making me happier and more confident about myself. I am thankful for a bunch of things, but mostly for the Denver Rescue Mission and Salvation Army, where I stayed, for their help in getting me off the street. I’m thankful for the caseworkers there who have given me the tools and encouragement to help myself. And last, but not least, I’m thankful for my new apartment at Volunteers of America Sunset Apartments. All of the blessings that I’ve been thankful for have helped me be stronger and know that I’m stronger than I originally thought! @DenverVOICE CHARLEY “HUS” WILLIAMS Yes. Being grateful affects your health. Gratitude is a powerful emotion, and emotion and logic are what drive our mental state of mind. I think more positive logic and emotions put us in a more positive mindset, which means we have good mental health because of that. 4 DENVER VOICE November 2024
INTERNATIONAL STORY COURTESY OF HINZ&KUNZT / INSP.NGO IN-WORK HOMELESSNESS IN HAMBURG, GERMANY BY ULRICH JONAS NOISE. DEAFENING AND UBIQUITOUS. From the left and right, the motors of the countless passing cars drone on from behind the wheels of the inter-city express on a nearby railway bridge. “That is my accommodation,” says Adrian*, 64, pointing to a hand-made shelter consisting of wooden planks and a tarpaulin. It is concealed by the green of the trees and bushes on a traffic island near Hamburg’s main train station. A booking website would advertise it as a “central location”: when Adrian steps out of the shelter, he can even see the town hall in the distance. He can barely sleep because of the noise around him – but he urgently needs sleep. He works full-time: the early shift, the late shift, and sometimes even the night shift in a factory located in the east of Hamburg. This Wednesday in August marks four weeks since Adrian has been unsuccessfully trying to get some rest in the shelter. Until the end of July, he had a room in some accommodation that the city opened during the previous year solely for people like him, who migrated from abroad – in his case Romania: the Guest House for Immigrants Looking for Work. The social authority said at the opening that it should also help people who are “in need of housing through no fault of their own”. Adrian was permitted to live in this accommodation for three months. He explains that, under the city’s rules, this is the longest amount of time that people are allowed to stay in order to find permanent accommodation with the support of the project. Then, according to Adrian, you are asked to “hand the keys over” – and then sent out onto the streets. When asked, the social authority contests this. According to a representative, Adrian indicated that “he was moving in with his cousin,” which Adrian expressly refutes. Adrian found shelter after leaving the accommodation: A Romanian couple that he knows from work left him the shed on the traffic island – they didn’t need it anymore as they wanted to return home. Since March, he has been working in the factory. He works shifts to ensure that the halls are clean as an employee of a temporary employment agency. The job suits him – as the supervisor also comes from Romania like him, Adrian can communicate well despite speaking little German. On 23 August, Adrian received a notice: within the next 24 hours, he would have to vacate the premises. “Should you not comply with this instruction, enforcement measures will be introduced immediately following the deadline,” reads the letter from the Mitte district office, which is lying on the floor in front of the shelter. Adrian repudiated the highway code. A few days later, his accommodation was destroyed. Why does the local authority punish people experiencing homelessness, who are just looking for peace and quiet in a hidden shelter? A representative from the Mitte district office explains that his camp “permanently excluded the use of the public pathway for others” – a questionable allegation considering that the traffic island cannot be used by pedestrians on foot. Caseworkers tried repeatedly to offer Adrian help, they claim, “but we were never able to find him.” Pik As is the emergency accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in Hamburg. Adrian has repeatedly been turned away from there, he explains, due to the fact that he earns too much. He ought to contact the specialist department for housing emergencies, he has been told. It was only when his case worker, Irina Mortoiu, gave him a letter describing his emergency situation in drastic terms that Adrian got offered a place in a four-bedroom. He would happily pay for his own room, says the shift worker. But this is not an option when staying in Pik As, and Adrian cannot afford the €1,600 monthly cost of staying in a hotel. The municipal operators of Pik As, Fördern & Wohnen, claim that Adrian “was not sent away”. Rather, according to a representative, he had been “strongly recommended” to contact a specialist agency for housing emergencies. In our assessment, he is entitled to public accommodation. One morning in the middle of September, he exhausted, in the case worker’s office. He doesn’t get much sleep in Pik As either. He has just finished the night shift. “I come back from work around midnight and lie down, and my roommates wake me up at 6 am with their noise.” At the latest, he has to leave the accommodation, like all the others, by 9:30 am. Then he roams the streets or sits by the Hinz&Kunzt office until his shift begins. The prospect of the next night shift makes him anxious: “How am I supposed to do this? When am I supposed to sleep?” Mortoiu outlined Adrian’s circumstances to the responsible agency for housing emergencies in Eimsbüttel at the end of August and insisted on getting him prompt assistance. She has long since emailed the necessary documents to the office. But it takes time: on the 16 September deadline, an official told Mortoiu that an application form was missing. She promised Adrian on the phone that soon he would be able to stay at Pik As during the day. He could possibly move from there into residential accommodation soon. He has no family or friends here who can help him, he says. He doesn’t ask for much: just a roof over his head and to get enough rest. ■ *Name changed to protect identity. Translated from German via Translators Without Borders Courtesy of Hinz&Kunzt / INSP.ngo sits, November 2024 DENVER VOICE 5
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! VENDORS EXPLAIN WHY OUR VOICE MATTERS What IS the Denver VOICE? WHY does our little street paper matter? Who are those PEOPLE out there vending the paper? Because of the coverage we received from our media partners at KOA News Radio, 9News, Denver7, and Denverite, we’ve had the opportunity to answer these questions. For those who didn’t see any of the coverage, or don’t understand what we do, the simple answer is that we are a street paper. Those of us who write for the paper are journalists. The topics we cover include homelessness and poverty, but we are not a homeless paper. Instead, we cover issues relating to social justice and share the stories of marginalized communities or the individuals or organizations that serve them. Vendors purchase our paper for 50 cents, so any money they make over that 50 cents is theirs to keep. To explain in their words how they learned about the Denver VOICE, what the organization means to them, and why the organization must continue to thrive, we have published stories from a handful of our vendors. They would especially like to acknowledge their regular customers and thank everyone who has donated money or expressed their support in letters, social media posts, and phone messages. Here are the stories from Denver VOICE vendors, David Gordon, Jerry Rosen, Rodney Woolfolk, Raelene Johnson, Charles Spring, Charley “Hus” Williams, Lando Allen, and Rea Brown. 6 DENVER VOICE November 2024
SPECIAL FEATURE RAELENE JOHNSON RODNEY WOOLFOLK "THE PAPER REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE. IT HAS MADE ME BELIEVE IN MYSELF AND LET ME FIND MY OWN VOICE." I found out about the VOICE, on January 14, 2008. I was homeless, sleeping under a bridge in Boulder. I couldn’t believe that on my fi rst day, I was given a badge and 10 papers that I could vend and receive money for. The VOICE didn’t care about why I couldn’t get a 9-5 job. That day, I became my own boss. I could work when I wanted to and not work if I didn’t want to. The paper gave me a chance to work when no one else would hire me. That is what I’m most grateful for. I was able to go from under a bridge to renting a room out of someone’s home. After two years, I was able to move into my own place, get a car, and I was able to save money. I opened a bank account, got a credit card, and over time, I went from no credit to an excellent credit score, which I’ve kept for two years. I taught myself to read and write at age 28. Because I write for the Denver VOICE, I am also a published author. People tell me they cry and get a lot out of my words when they read my writing. I want to thank all of you, who have given to the paper during our diffi cult time. You’ll read in this issue what your generosity means to me and the rest of our vendors, who depend on the income we make from [vending] the paper to help us buy things we need or help us live better lives. I know we’re a small paper, now but believe we will get our vendors back, or we will get new vendors to help us grow. All of us vendors care about the VOICE. Some of us don’t know how we will make it if we don’t have the paper that changed our lives. The paper really changed my life. It has made me believe in myself and let me fi nd my own voice. By supporting the Denver VOICE, you have helped me, and you are helping to change more lives of people like me. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for your support. I also want to wish everyone has a very blessed holiday season! "I SAID TO MYSELF, 'THIS IS IT, MAN. IF I DON'T DO THIS [PROGRAM], I'M EVENTUALLY GOING TO DIE OUT HERE ON THE STREETS.'" September 12 2007 that's the fi rst day I started vending the paper. I was working as a carpenter, and I got hit by a car, and they just kept going. I was on my bicycle that morning. I thought I could make it to work, but as the day went, my knee just started giving out on me. I went to the doctor who told me I had torn my ACL, which meant I had to wear a brace for eight months. So, my then-wife Monica came in and she says I got a fl ier for this paper called the Denver VOICE. I was telling her, “I am not about to go out and beg anybody for anything,” and she said, “Just come to one of the meetings.” That was when we had our meetings in an alley downtown, and it was only a handful of us and they were telling us, “Well this is what the paper does. You just have to go out there and get donations.” I was homeless for about 25 years. Here, San Francisco, Minnesota... I was constantly trying to look for something better, and I just did not give up. And when I got back to Denver, I could not take the shelters, the smell, the way the staff treats you, you know? And I was sleeping outside, even when it was cold, I was outside. And with that came the drinking and the drugs... all these things were a factor. And I fi nally got a case manager who said, "You're a perfect candidate for this program at Fort Lyons.” That’s in Los Animas, Colorado. I went there, and they said, "If you do six months in this program, you will obtain a lifetime housing voucher.” I said, to myself, "This is it, man. If I don't do this [program], I'm eventually going to die out here on the streets." I completed that program in 13 months and I received my lifetime housing voucher. After completing the program and with his housing voucher in hand, Woolfolk returned to the VOICE. Now, 26 years later, he continues to enjoy interacting with the community and the customers who seek him out to purchase the paper. November 2024 DENVER VOICE 7
SPECIAL FEATURE LANDO ALLEN "THE DENVER VOICE IS A SMALL FAMILY... EVERYBODY’S GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING, TRYING TO GET THEIR STUFF TOGETHER." I became homeless a long time ago. It was a time when I was losing everything. The little family I created went bye-bye. That left me in a real bad depression. You know, I had that for years, but that was it. It was 1998 I was like, kind of gave up on myself back then, just started drifting from there. You know, when you lose your family and all that, it makes you just kind of give up, you know, give up on things that you're trying to do. I found the Denver VOICE in 2009. I just came from Green Bay. I wanted to rent to own a place, and I started making phone calls to places that would let me do what I wanted to do. I asked a friend about y 'all, at the Denver VOICE. And I asked him, "Hey, can you make money?" My friend said, "Yeah.” I was all in, but I wanted to rent to own a house. And I was talking with them and they said, “You can't do the Denver VOICE to like get this place. You're gonna have to get [a job where your taxes are deducted]” and I was like, “All right.” Besides, I wasn't making that much at the Denver VOICE. But I went to a place and started [working for] a labor pool to get money to get this [house] that I wanted. Had it all set up. I could have like done it, but it’s like everything was slow. It was kind of like the Depression, back in those days. They fi red me for sleeping in my car. I wasn't even on the job. I lost the place because I couldn't fi nd a job to support myself to get this house. And it wasn't reasonable to try to rent to own a house. So then, I was like, well, Denver VOICE, I'm all in on you now. I'm going to do this. Early on at the Denver VOICE, it was tough. I was a new guy, you know, trying to sell newspapers. You had to fi nd a place where it could be yours, where you could make the money that you need. So, I did that somehow, some way. I did it, I came up with an area where I could vend and make some cash. When I fi rst started, I couldn't make anything. I barely could eat, but I stuck with it. I started walking around. I had a little bicycle so that got me around places and I've been to a lot of different areas trying to fi nd a place to work to get things going. Now, it's very easy I just found that place where I could go to sell newspapers, and that made it a lot easier for me to work. It's just sad that I lost that house that I was looking for at the same time. I wish I could have did the VOICE and other things, you know? Today, I live in a little RV that I was able to get with money from vending the VOICE. (Thank y'all!) It's just that the city's torturing people about parking. But I'm still trying. I'm trying to get on with my life and get things done. Having an RV is very important. I mean, I'm an artist, as you might know. I do music. I need I need a place where where nobody would bother me, or lift my clothes, or whatever they're trying to do at the shelter. They're actually trying to steal your stuff. So that little RV keeps me from going crazy, you know? The Denver VOICE is a small family. Everybody’s going through the same thing, trying to get their stuff together. I want everybody in this place to get even better than me. I’d like to see that happen for them. I mean, Denver VOICE could actually save people from jumping off a bridge or something because they’re going through a hard, hard life. Don’t put us in the same category as everybody else [experiencing homelessness]. We’re not all the same as everybody else. Some people are out there smoking dope and doing this and doing that. Some people are trying to make it. When I am selling the VOICE, I’m like, "Look, I'm not out there wasting your time. I'm actually trying to come up and make my life better. I appreciate y 'all helping me." 8 DENVER VOICE November 2024
SPECIAL SECTION CHARLEY "HUS" WILLIAMS "THIS [PROGRAM] HELPED GIVE ME SOME FOUNDATION, SOME DRIVE, SOME OPTIMISM... ALL OF THAT POSITIVE STUFF." I came to the VOICE because I met this older gentleman at King Soopers named Jerome. We ended up hitting it off and forging a friendship. I had an ankle monitor on and was isolated from my family, so Jerome said, “Come room with me.” He gave me a good price, and after I moved in, he was like, “Well, you know, there's this place called Denver VOICE. We sell newspapers, but it's more than that. We raise awareness about what's going on in the community. I'm like, "Oh, I'm from Denver. Born and raised. Ain't lived nowhere else. Ain't gonna live nowhere else." And so, with me being forced out of my home, I was on the street seeing all what's going on. I came down here [to the Denver VOICE offi ce] and was welcomed right away by Elisabeth and Connie and everybody. I was welcomed right away. No one was asking me about my background. I told them I was on the ankle monitor, but that didn't even faze them. They're like, “If you wanna come help, and we feel your vibe, we feel your energy, if you wanna come be a part of this team/family in a way, you're welcome.” And I’ve been here ever since. Before I found the VOICE, it was not only hard to fi nd a job; it was hard to fi nd an apartment. I come to the VOICE, and they hear me out, and they run it through their own logic. They could have said no very easily. I'm sure it helped that Jerome brought me in because he has been [at the VOICE] for a while. I'm sure him vouching for me helped, but he wouldn't have just vouched for me if he didn't feel some type of way. I appreciate that because that gave me motive because I was isolated. Vending the VOICE has given me the motive to raise awareness about what's going on with situations and solutions, what's going on in the community I’m from. And I get compensated for it, and also feel I was part of something because when you're alone even though you're around a lot of people it's very hard, staying motivated, staying positive, keeping optimism. It's very hard, and I lived it for a year. And so, this helped give me some foundation, some drive, some optimism… all of that positive stuff… that's what Denver VOICE gave me. The VOICE – this place needs to be here. This is basically a cornerstone in our community for local papers. You don’t have too many local papers around. [So many news outlets] want to be big, mainstream, national but this right here needs to be here, so I’d like to ask if y'all could, to please help us because this helps spread awareness and solutions, where people who are going through hard times get some money in their pocket. It also leads to other opportunities. [Denver VOICE Managing Editor] Elisabeth and I had been talking about me writing articles for the VOICE. I thought about journalism for years before I came here, and I was looking forward to that. A newspaper that talks about the issue of homelessness is important because I feel like the community gets caught up in their busy lives. A lot of times the community might see [signs of homelessness] but they just keep driving by. They don't know what’s going on. It’s important to interact with the community and let them know what people are facing, what people are going through, what resources are out here because everybody has somebody that’s going through something [The Denver VOICE] is very important because it spreads the word to the general public. If we come together, united as a people, whatever the problem we're trying to fi x, if we’re united as a people it’s more positive than just thinking, “Oh, I see it, but I don’t know what I can do.” Yeah, there IS something you can do. Support the Denver VOICE. November 2024 DENVER VOICE 9
SPECIAL FEATURE CHARLES SPRING JERRY ROSEN "THEY’VE GIVEN ME EVERY KIND OF ENCOURAGEMENT I NEEDED AND THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND ENJOY WHAT I DO." I had issues with rage and I found out that I'm bipolar, so in December of last year, I moved to Denver to get a fresh start. I became homeless on the 6th of December. I was staying in a hotel, but my social security check had got messed up. It got lost, so I didn't get my money on time. I couldn't pay for the hotel, so I had to go to the shelter. I went to the Denver Rescue Mission on Lawrence Street and stayed there. Then I was placed at the 48th Avenue Shelter. They did like a job fair there, and the Denver VOICE had their people there. They told me about it, and I was like, well that's a job I can do. All the other jobs that I had I had got fi red from because I couldn't keep a job. I could get a job I'm a nice person. I'm very friendly or try to be, but I couldn't keep a job because I had rage issues, and my mental health would act up, and I would end up getting fi red. At the VOICE, I can make my own hours. If I start to feel like I have something wrong with me, I can walk away. I can just pick up my stuff, and walk away, and go home. That way, I'm not around people and can't hurt anybody, or try to hurt myself Vending the Denver VOICE has meant everything. It's the only job that I can actually do. And it's a job that I love. I've had jobs, they were just jobs. I was there just to work. And it felt like I had to do it, but I really didn't want to. I had to go in and just make the money 'cause that's something I had to do. This is a job where I actually want to come in and do the work. I wanna go out and sell these papers and meet the people every day. I'm becoming more social. Before, I was a shut-in. I had four years in Louisiana, where I just did not leave my house I did not talk to people. I would just watch movies or eat or do whatever I needed to do, but I didn’t leave the house. The Denver VOICE is a job, but it's more than a job. It's a job that people love. And [the community] supports us. The VOICE gives us clothes and shoes that are donated to them. "WORKING AT THE DENVER VOICE... HAS GIVEN ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN MONEY AND IMPROVE MY LIFE." I'm partially homeless, but not totally homeless. I'm staying at Boulder Shelter, and I've stayed with some friends and at a few other places. I found out about the Denver VOICE from this person I met. It was 2008 when he told me about it. Working at the Denver VOICE means I have a job where the newspaper tells people about homelessness. I'm so glad. I like this job very much because I can work my own hours. And I think it's a wonderful job. It’s a fantastic job. I really enjoy working with people, and I really like the job very much. The Denver VOICE has impacted my life in so many different ways. It has given me an opportunity to earn some money and to do many different kinds of things in my life. Sometimes [when I vend the paper], I have some nice people that give me really good tips. And then, some people, they're very rude, but I separate the bad people from the good people. You have to look past them and look at the good people, so I just go on to the next person. They provide us with snacks and water every time we come in. The community, I think, needs to get more involved because this is a paper that's focused on the voice of the community. So, I think that would be my message to the community – to actually give more help to the Denver VOICE and to homeless people. The VOICE gives me emotional support. They've encouraged me with my writing, encouraged me to write my poetry, and just encouraged me to get out there and get social. They've given me every kind of encouragement that I needed, and they gave me this great opportunity to work and enjoy what I do. So, it means everything. 10 DENVER VOICE November 2024
SPECIAL SECTION DAVID GORDON REA BROWN "VENDING THE PAPER AND CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY MAKES ME FEEL AS IF I'M REALLY DOING SOMETHING GOOD FOR HUMANITY." "THIS IS NOT A SKIT. I WOULD BE REMISS TO FORGET TO SHOW MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR SO GREAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT." To me, the Denver VOICE is everything. It has been there for me when I was at my lowest point. When I discovered the VOICE, it represented so many things that I wanted to talk about – like poverty and homelessness and giving people a way to get through the hard times – and the mission was right in line with those topics. You know, I'm trying to think positive about the VOICE’s future. It exists - not just for me. It’s for the community, and losing the VOICE means the community would be missing an entity that shares the experiences of homelessness through the journalism of the paper and actually does the mission of the VOICE, which is to facilitate a dialogue about homelessness, addressing the dynamics of it. For me, the VOICE is also about the connections that we make with the community [while] being homeless. It gives me a way to actually communicate with my neighbors. That community and that closeness mean a lot to me. I would like to maintain those relationships [I’ve developed] through the Denver VOICE. Vending the paper and connecting with the community makes me feel as if I'm really doing something good for humanity. And that's what it means to me. That's what I'm gonna really, really really miss. Most adequate citizens of the magnifi cent prominences to wit, such beauty could compel me to speak voluminously of my indebted foreverness a bit, which I could but faintly memorialize the list of the few worthies incredible enough to give fi rst monthly, then COVID, now closing bull. “THANK YOU” This is not a skit I would be remiss to forget to show my deepest gratitude of so great an accomplishment. Heaven sent though an agnostic helluva grateful though protestant or catholic wickedly appreciated to all the Christians, Jews, and Islamists – to the LGBTQ+ and any of the other alphabets from all over the world if you live or visit – Wolf, Cat, or Rat – I just ask that you forgive me for my leather fi t. “THANK YOU” But before I quit this tribute recognition that should be indelibly writ, let me facilitate the splendid regiment against poverty in brick, for being an oasis, a basis, and an apsis to Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis and obviously making me able to publish this. “THANK YOU” November 2024 DENVER VOICE 11
NATIONAL STORY PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAPHONE / INSP.NGO FROM THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE TO THE COMPTON, CALIFORNIA BY LOUISE BOILEVIN I VISITED COMPTON, CALIFORNIA in February and May of this year, and I plan on going back again. I’ve been a fan of gangster rap and American hood history since childhood, and I love traveling there. It’s eye-opening. It’s one of the parts of the about which people say, “Don’t travel to…” but when I’ve been there, the people in Compton are friendly. They even honk their horns, wave, and say “Hi” to me as I am walking around. I just use the same street smarts that I use here in my own ‘hood, the Downtown Eastside. People in Compton like positive tourists and love that I show support by buying merchandise at their local shop, the Made in Compton Store, which makes the best hoodies and Compton gear. I use the Los Angeles metro train to visit Compton. I enjoyed walking on the main Compton Boulevard and in the Willowbrook area. I admired the original houses and took in the sights. It was great to be around the areas that hold a lot of ’hood history. Since the pandemic and gentrification, plus other political and economic issues, a lot of small businesses are having a hard time and need support — like what I am giving. Instead of going to a big chain store, I buy local, and I love sharing my own personal ‘hood stories from home with the Compton folks who I’ve met on my trips. ■ Courtesy of Megaphone / INSP.ngo PHOTO COURTESY OF MEGAPHONE / INSP.NGO 12 DENVER VOICE November 2024
EVENTS FANDEMONIUM A look into how 12 Access Gallery artists celebrate fandom. Explore how these fan artists interpret and reimagine iconic scenes, personalities, and narratives through their unique lenses. WHEN: Weds-Sat. Oct 4 – Nov 23 (times vary, so visit their website or call for specifics) COST: Free WHERE: 909 Santa Fe Drive INFO: accessgallery.org, (303) 777-0797 ARAPAHOE PHILHARMONIC/SYMPHONY OF THE ROCKIES PRESENTS AGREE TO DISAGREE Dive into a melodious adventure with Mozart and Snooty, the Professor of Musical Snobbery. Watch as they clash in a playful showdown, each championing their beloved musical styles. Through lively debates and the sharing of their favorite compositions, they'll explore the richness of diverse musical preferences. WHEN: Nov 8, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. COST: $5 - $16.88 WHERE: Legacy Campus Theater, 10035 S. Peoria St. Parker, CO 80134 INFO: arapahoephilharmonic.simpletix.com DINOVEMBER FAMILY CELEBRATION Get ready to roar with excitement this November and dig into a prehistoric adventure as our Community Room becomes a dinosaur haven for an exciting family program focused on all things dino! There will be a Dino Discovery Station, Fossil Crafting Corner, Dino Trivia Challenge, and an appearance by a very special guest. Great for the whole family, no registration required. WHEN: Nov 10, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Sam Gary Branch Library, 2961 Roslyn St. 80238; Community Room INFO: (720) 865-0325 FIREFLY MARKET Light up your holidays at one of our most festive markets of the year as Colorado’s premier handmade artisan market, dressed and trimmed to create a beautiful holiday shopping experience! WHEN: Nov. 16-17 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: 1004 S. Gaylord St. INFO: fireflyhandmade.com/denver-holiday-market BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT A cherished holiday tradition for nearly four decades, Blossoms of Light is constantly evolving to inspire wonder and delight in even the most seasoned visitors. WHEN: Nov. 20 – Jan. 12, 4:30-9 p.m. COST: $22 - $31 (Tickets not available at the door) WHERE: Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street INFO: botanicgardens.org 11TH ANNUAL TENNYSON ST. SMALL BUSINESS PASSPORT CRAWL The Tennyson Berkeley Small Business Passport Crawl is back! Grab your passport and visit participating shops and restaurants to receive special deals and discounts. WHEN: Nov. 30 – Dec 1, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.. COST: Free WHERE: Jolly Goods - Host, 4020 Tennyson St. INFO: shopjollygoodsdenver.com November 2024 DENVER VOICE 13 ACROSS 1. Growth on [-first letter] bread 5. Thin French pancake 10. With "[-first letter]", cheap shot 14. It's often given in square units 15. Betray, as to the feds 16. "Umbrella" singer's repetitive nickname 17. Deliver a tirade 18. Organic compounds 19. Short appraisal? 20. The human body has a small one and a large one 22. Nearly plotz with pride 23. "Four score and seven years ___..." 24. Royal house that fought for control of the English throne during the Wars of the Roses (anagram of ANCESTRAL) 26. Levies on liquor, cigarettes, etc. 27. ___ Dhabi 30. Paying attention 33. Letters above 0 on an old telephone 34. Juice drinks 35. Who may grant [-first letter] to a friend (but probably not to a foe) 37. Barnyard companion of an [-first letter] 39. One-named New Age singer from Ireland 40. Some, in Spain 44. Old geezers 45. Put two and two together 46. Sample to examine in a lab 48. 1997 Don Bluth animated film starring Meg Ryan and John Cusack 50. Org. promoting vaccination 53. Senior member (anagram of NO DYE) 55. St. Patrick's day quaff 57. Present opener? 58. Actor Wilson of "The Office" whose first name sounds like precipitation 59. In ___ land (spacy) 60. Put one over on 61. Assign to, as blame 62. "Like, no way!" 63. Bird that's prey (as opposed to a bird of prey like an [-first letter]) 64. Entrap 65. What a vegetarian doesn't [-first letter] DOWN 1. Soprano Callas who sang many an [-first letter] 2. Big ape 3. Slowly, on a score 4. Palm fruit 5. King Minos, for one 6. Happened upon 7. British schoolboy's hat 8. Long medieval weapon 9. Dinner centerpiece? 10. Italian for "short", conterintuitively used to refer to a note lasting twice as long as a whole note 11. Shock jock format 12. Type of surgeon who can remove wisdom teeth 13. With "[-first letter]", malice 21. More cunning 22. Gold units: Abbr. 25. Balkan native 26. Mex. miss 28. Like arms when akimbo 29. Exploits 30. Not docked 31. Make (one's way) 32. "I'm still waiting..." 34. Shakespeare's stream 36. Informal agreements 38. Where the buoys are 41. Profit 42. Egg-shaped wind instrument also called a sweet potato 43. Argentine agreement 46. Honorific that comes before a name in Spanish (or one that comes after a name in Japanese) 47. Mine: Fr. 49. "Jurassic Park" star Sam 50. ___ and desist 51. Novelist Ephron (sister of Nora) 52. Seafaring vessel, of which a [-first letter] is a primitive example 53. Take [-first letter], as a hat 54. Melville novel 56. "Pow!" 58. Fast-spinning meas. 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
COMMUNITY PROFILE 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. 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! 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 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 VOLUNTEER WITH US! We are looking for volunteers to help us at community events, or to assist with paper distribution and basic offi ce administration at our offi ce (989 Santa Fe. Dr.). If you are interested and would like to know more, contact us at program@denvervoice.org. 14 DENVER VOICE November 2024 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 ALANON FAMILY GROUPS: al-anon.org; Find a meeting: al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: aa.org; Colorado Service Centers; daccaa.org/central-office/other-central-offices 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/ URBAN PEAKS REHAB: 490 Lafayette St., #104; 303-599-5131; Medication management and therapy center specializing in opiate addiction; M, T, Th – 9am-12pm, 1 pm-4pm, W – 9am-12pm, 1 pm-7pm; urbanpeaksrehab.com 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 November 2024 DENVER VOICE 15 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 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
WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP? Since 2007, the VOICE has provided jobs for more than 4,600 people experiencing housing or financial instability. For every dollar we take in, we put $3.00 directly back into the pockets of those who need it most. WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN DO MORE. SCAN THIS CODE TO SET UP YOUR DONATION TODAY! DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATE
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