$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE All Hail the K.W.E.E.N. .E.E. BY TAKING ACTION, NONTRADITIONAL AKING ACTION NONTRADITIONAL JUSTICE WARRIOR SHOWS THAT IF YOU CAN SEE IT, YOU CAN BE IT. PAGE 6 A PRAIRIE HOME UNWANTED A GAY COUPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS SEEKS SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES AS THEIR HETEROSEXUAL COUNTERPARTS. PAGE 8 DELIVERING CARE AND COMFORT MAMA BIRD ENSURES THAT WOMEN OF COLOR RECEIVE QUALITY CARE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER PREGNANCY. PAGE 10 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 3, 5, 11, 12 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 JUNE 2022 | Vol.27 Issue 6 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) International Vendor Spotlight: RALF & MARIO FROM YOUR VENDOR: KWEEN WERK POSES WITH TREKKING POLES. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL
EDITOR’S NOTE ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR WHILE IT IS DISHEARTENING that COVID may not be finished with us, the good news is more vendors are returning to the VOICE. That means more vendors can be found at their posts with the latest issue of the Denver VOICE. My hope is the return of our vendors means more of them will be able to participate in our Ask a Vendor section, submit their work for In Your Own Words, or write an article or story they’d like to share with our readers. Speaking of Ask a Vendor, a few weeks ago, longtime vendor Rea Brown was working on an art piece for a project on housing justice for the International Network of Street Papers. He asked, somewhat rhetorically, “What are the two most important things people who are homeless need?” Rather than make a guess, I opened up the question to our vendors. You can see how some responded in Ask a Vendor on Page 5. While their answers may not be surprising, perhaps they’ll reinforce why compassion for and awareness of our fellow humans, matter. Maybe, if enough of us understand the most critical items and services needed by people experiencing homelessness, those individuals who “just don’t understand homelessness” will recognize that most do not choose housing instability. What’s more, those who cannot take care of their basic needs, due to unstable or unsafe living conditions, have even fewer choices. In our In Your Own Words section, you can read Brian Augustine’s story of how he lost the house he’d co-owned with his brother, suffered a debilitating injury, and now lives in a room, which by no means is a home. Augustine recently returned as a volunteer for the VOICE, helping around the VOICE office on days he’s not vending. If you’re curious about a specific vendor or would like to see one of our vendors spotlighted in a future issue, let me know. Their stories deserve to be heard. ■ THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS GILES CLASEN is a freelance photographer who regularly contributes his work to the VOICE for editorial projects, fundraisers, and events. He has also served on the VOICE’s Board of Directors. CAT EVANS is a Colorado native born and raised in the Baker neighborhood of Denver. She is a musician, poet, photographer, cinematographer, and free thought enthusiast. She is focused on translatable activism through visuals and sound. ADRIAN MICHAEL is a Denver-based photographer who specializes in editorial, portraiture, documentary and street photography. He’s been creating images for over 15 years and has a passion for capturing the true essence of people. DENVERVOICE.ORG CE.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Seybold MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan INTERIM PROGRAM COORDINATOR Caitlin Henrie GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Andrew Fraieli Kersten Jaeger Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Giles Clasen Cat Evans Gigi Galen Adrian Michael WRITERS 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. John Alexander Brian Augustine Sue Blosten Giles Clasen Shawn Cunningham Cat Evans Adrian Michael Jerry Rosen BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Jeff Cuneo, Treasurer Zephyr Wilkins, Secretary Donovan Cordova Raelene Johnson 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 12 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. 2 DENVER VOICE June 2022 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
INTERNATIONAL VENDOR SPOTLIGHT BODO VENDORS RALF AND MARIO: “LIFE WITHOUT DOGS? IMPOSSIBLE!” BY SEBASTIAN SELLHORST ANYONE WHO IS A GUEST AT A BODO CONTACT POINT will always meet one or more dogs there. There is hardly a vendor meeting where a handful of four-legged friends are not present. We accompanied some of them on a walk through downtown Bochum. With Ralf and Mario, we walk through the AppoloniaPfaus Park. With them is a troupe of three dogs, who are happy to romp around again after sitting still for an hour at the vendor meeting. “When I got an apartment in Bochum, I didn’t know anyone here and fell into a hole. I wasn’t with bodo at the time. That’s when my family gave me Maja,” Mario says. “She was 14 months old at the time and came to me from Macedonia and was my salvation. I couldn’t imagine my life without her.” It was much the same for him, Ralf tells us, as he keeps trying in vain to untangle the two dog leashes with Tyson and Cassey. “Sometimes there are days when I’m not feeling well and I wonder why I even bother to get up. Then I look at these two and know why I’m doing all this.” MAJA SITS BY A RECENT ISSUE OF BODO. COURTESY OF BODO LEFT - RALF WITH TYSON AND CASSEY, RIGHT - MARIO WITH MAJA. COURTESY OF BODO As we walk down Kortumstrasse, we keep stopping to say hello to other dog-human teams. “You inevitably strike up a conversation with other pet owners,” Ralf explains. “For many people on the street, their dog is the only constant in their lives. They would never part with their animal. That’s why, for many, overnight shelters where you’re not allowed to take animals are out of the question.” After a few meters, we pass the sales place of Petra, who has already set up with Milo and Amy. For her, too, the animals come first. She can plan expenses for food well. It is difficult with veterinary costs. That can quickly become expensive. “But I would rather save on food than on the health of my two,” she says as she slips them a treat. When we arrive at Mario’s selling point, the first thing we do there is spread out Maja’s blanket. “At first she was skeptical when it came to selling. But now, she’s relaxed and knows all the regular customers,” Mario reports as he fills a small bowl with water. Recently, Maja and Mario had another offspring. “Bella, a beagle with extra length,” as Mario describes her with a laugh. Actually, she should only stay with him for a short time for care, but at the moment it looks like she will stay longer. Because there was one thing everyone agreed on today: A life without a dog? Impossible! ■ Courtesy of bodo / International Network of Street Papers 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 193 | 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. June 2022 DENVER VOICE 3
INTERNATIONAL STORY stems originally from the Latin “radix,” meaning root. So, getting to the roots of the climate debate means asking ourselves where the climate crisis comes from and how we can mitigate it, while also looking for another system that safeguards our livelihoods. We need radical approaches beyond symbolic politics! Because, if we only introduce a small tax on CO2, then nothing will change. The reasons for our crisis lie deeper. Is it because my neighbor drives a car? Or is it because corporations extract oil from the ground and a few rich people profit from it? Talking about this in a reasonable way is indeed a challenge, but it is also our way out of the crisis. How about radicalizing empathy, that is, by focusing on humanity in a broader sense? This question is vital. But I see a problem here too, in making the individual responsible for solving a global crisis. Put simply, many people cannot concern themselves with the environment or other political issues because they must secure their own livelihoods first. Of course, climate justice is a movement for the people, not just for nature – our climate crisis is a social crisis! Another important question that we must tackle is: why are we living in a system that has normalized a way of life that is environmentally harmful? NISHA TOUSSAINT-TEACHOUT HAS BEEN ORGANISING CLIMATE PROTESTS SINCE 2018. SHE CO-FOUNDED FFF IN STUTTGART, SPEAKS TO MEDIA OUTLETS AND ALSO GIVES TALKS. SOLARISYS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM TALKING TO FRIDAYS ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS BY DANIEL KNAUS TROTT-WAR: Greta Thunberg dismissed existing climate policies as “blah blah blah”; that is, as being insufficient. She was criticized for not being constructive. What did you think about this response to her words? NISHA TOUSSAINT-TEACHOUT: Greta’s criticism has not been limited to these three words, neither at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, where she said these words, nor before then. For decades, the aim of the climate movement has been to call out policies that don’t meet their responsibilities. And yet Greta is criticized for her tone? Her words are justified, after all: there have been 26 COPs held so far, and yet emissions continue to rise. Humanity will not become extinct immediately as a result of climate change, but a large number of species will. Rising temperatures will desertify countries, leading to hunger, mass migrations, and conflict. How can we counter this? The answer is in what we shout during our demonstrations: “What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now!” Because, where does the climate crisis stem from? If we look throughout history, we can see that the roots of the climate crisis lie in how we organize our societies and economies. Infinite growth is not sustainable on a planet with limited resources, and the exploitation of nature is linked to exploitation by humans. At the same time, the climate crisis is not something for the distant future. Catastrophes are already here: they are being felt globally throughout the South, and here too. The first steps to combat the climate crisis are eliminating climate-damaging subsidies and fossil fuels, ending intensive livestock farming, improving disaster prevention, and practical solidarity with countries that are severely affected. First of all, however, something must fundamentally change; we must democratize the economy instead of orienting it towards growth. This goes hand in hand with overcoming our patriarchal and colonial roots. In his book How to Blow Up a Pipeline, human ecologist Andreas Malm proposes using violence against things as a means of taking action – no people should be harmed by such actions. Malm argues that such an approach is warranted as a result of the urgency of halting the ecological damage humans are causing to the planet. FFF speaks out clearly against violence. How would you assess Malm’s approach? If we look back through history, liberation movements have always taken different forms of action. For example, there is the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., the English women’s rights movement, and also similar movements in India. And within these forms of action, there has always been civil disobedience and sabotage. To change something, we need different approaches – without, of course, endangering people. FFF Activist Carla Reemtsma spoke of a “radicalization of forms of action.” She was criticized for her comments, even though she also opposed violent action. Is it possible that the climate debate is facing communication issues? Definitely. The word “radical” does not mean “extreme.” Instead, and similar to the root of the word for radishes, it Many people are finding that switching to environmentally friendly alternatives is more expensive. How does change work, in social terms? Ecological change must involve social change as well because individualizing this global crisis will not work. A statement along the lines of “If everyone used bamboo toothbrushes, there would not be a climate crisis anymore” is wrong. A small proportion of the richest people and corporations are responsible for a large proportion of global emissions. Climate justice has to involve everyone, including, for instance, workers in car factories, which is why we sometimes work with trade unions. We need to initiate a broad discussion to hear from those that have been affected by the climate crisis in different parts of society and the world. The good news is that a solution to our climate crisis will also tackle many other injustices. ■ Translated from German by Laura Prieto Calvo Courtesy of Trott-war / International Network of Street Papers WITH AN INCREASE OF TWO DEGREES IN GLOBAL TEMPERATURES, 99% OF CORAL REEFS WILL DIE; WITH A 1.5-DEGREE INCREASE (WHICH WILL PROBABLY OCCUR AS EARLY AS 2030), THIS FIGURE WOULD BE 70-90%. AFTER CORAL BLEACHING EVENTS, ONLY THE WHITE LIMESTONE SKELETONS OF THE CORAL REMAIN. 4 DENVER VOICE June 2022
SUMMER WISH LIST Q What are the two most important things people experiencing homelessness need? With the weather beginning to change, we have updated our list, but we can always use coats and jackets. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Socks Sunscreen, toiletries (individual or travel-size) Toothpaste, deodorant, chapstick Bottled water Paper products for the office 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) Ball caps, hats Fold-up umbrellas, backpacks A JOHN ALEXANDER Medical care, mental health care, safe shelter, food, clothing, water, and more are a package deal. No separation. All these things should be held right up there with drinking water, breathing clean air, and eating good food! The other most important things people experiencing homelessness need are acknowledgment, compassion, great consideration, understanding, and love from society as a whole. All of these are needed for our spirit and our emotional and mental needs. BRIAN AUGUSTINE There are so many things the homeless need. I believe a place to get clean – both body and clothes – and safe shelter year-round are the basic needs, but mental health and additional treatment are always in high demand. SHAWN CUNNINGHAM I think mental health care. I have mental health problems, and it’s a daily struggle. The people [experiencing homelessness] that I see who have mental health issues can’t get much help due to insurance problems. There’s only one place that accepts homeless people with mental health issues – Stout Street Clinic. Anywhere else wants top-of-the-line insurance providers. There are only a few shelters in the Denver area, and they are completely packed, and some people have to resort to sleeping outdoors, and then they’re harassed by law enforcement. JERRY ROSEN The most important things people experiencing homelessness need are good healthcare and a safe shelter, where one can feel comfortable in different surroundings. Also, good/healthy food is imperative. DENVERVOICE.ORG/VENDOR-NEEDS Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or schedule a drop-off by emailing program@denvervoice.org. 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 VOICE VENDOR RAELENE JOHNSON. What do YOU want to ask? If you have a question or issue you would like vendors to discuss, please email community@denvervoice.org. June 2022 DENVER VOICE 5
COMMUNITY PROFILE KWEEN WERK (MIDDLE) AND HIKING GROUP HAVING FUN. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL ENVIRONMENTAL K.W.E.E.N. Challenging the conventional conceptions of an environmentalist one narrative at a time. BY ADRIAN MICHAEL THE SUN RISES OVER THE HORIZON of the Flatiron mountains and a group of seven people, all of whom are of different ethnicities, genders, shapes, and levels of hiking experiences, have come together to enjoy the outdoors and camaraderie while tackling the beaten path of the Flatirons Vista Trail. The organizer of the hike, Parker McMullen Bushman, believes whether you’re a person of color, plus-sized, or new to nature, the outdoors is meant for you. McMullen Bushman is known as K.W.E.E.N. WERK, an stands acronym she developed that for Keep Widening Environmental Engagement Narratives. “I was looking for something to encompass who I am as a person,” said McMullen Bushman. “I love wearing makeup, fun blingy accessories, and very colorful clothing. I saw that those styles did not fit in, and I started thinking about all of my different identities as a fat, Black femme, fashion-loving type of person. I looked for a name that embodied all of those things, and that’s how K.W.E.E.N. WERK was formed.” McMullen Bushman describes herself as a nontraditional environmentalist, who has been in environmental, conservation, KWEEN WERK RECORDING VIDEOS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND PROVIDING UPDATES ON HER HIKING ADVENTURES FOR ALL HER FOLLOWERS. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL and outdoor spaces, where she didn’t fit the mold. “I like hiking because I have the ability to go at my own pace. It is always nice to walk in nature, and I realized that it is really important to have a conversation about who is and is not represented in these spaces.” McMullen Bushman’s conservation efforts began when she was young, but she didn’t realize it at the time. “I was 9 years old, living in the Bronx, and didn’t even know what conservation and environmentalism were, but I knew I cared very deeply about the environment. My dad and I would recycle aluminum cans, and I would notice all the trash that was being left behind, and I worried about it.” After a suggestion from her parents to write a letter to the New York Times, McMullen Bushman’s deep passion for the environment grew even stronger. “I remember writing my letter saying, ‘Dear people, we are killing our planet,’ and this helped me gain my sense of place.” Unsure if her article was ever published, McMullen Bushman learned that it is important for people who are living in urban environments to have a voice “I had a love for the environment but never had an outlet for it and didn’t know that conservationist was a job.” After graduating from college with a degree in Anthropology, McMullen Bushman began working at an environmental education center, which would be her introduction to finding her 6 DENVER VOICE June 2022
COMMUNITY PROFILE voice. As McMullen Bushman explained, “Being in this space, I was exposed to the conversations, environmentalism, and conservation — I realized a lot of this stuff was what my family had already been doing naturally, but we were doing it out of necessity and didn’t call it environmentalism. And we need to have this conversation about what is environmental engagement.” For example, McMullen Bushman recalls how her grandmother’s garden was used to provide food for her family. and how she reused Tupperware containers to wash clothes. Her uncle, who didn’t have a car, rode his bike to work but never realized he was saving the planet from carbon emissions. These were conversations they were not having because what they were doing was out of necessity. McMullen Bushman considers herself an Environmental Justice Warrior, a term founded by Dr. Robert Bullard, who focuses on environmental impacts and harms. These harms are a form of discrimination because they are denying lower-class communities equal protection under the law. “Environmentalism and conservation has a rap of being only for white, wealthy people who are able to reuse and recycle items. Sadly, urban areas don’t have access to these services, and it is important to change the narrative around them,” McMullen Bushman said. Ecoinclusive is the name of McMullen Bushman’s consulting firm, where she teaches diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility training for conservation organizations. She also created the Inclusive Guide, a tech startup she co-founded, where people can rate outdoor spaces for safety and how welcomed the business makes them feel. The goal is to change the entire system. “I think that the way our system has been developed, it is not a fluke that we have these disparities,” McMullen Bushman said. “Our policies were designed and developed by white, landowning males. When you’re in power, you are going to create something that works for you, and when we don’t have all people represented at the table at the inception, we end up with the disparities that we see now.” Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod recently contributed to passing HB21-1318, the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, which works with grassroots organizations in Colorado to provide funding to organizations that are trying to get traditionally underrepresented people into outdoor spaces. “Leslie is a champion,” said McMullen Bushman. “I also think of people like Tayshia Adams, who is the first Black woman commissioner to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. She’s been working over the last few years to really try and have a voice and to make a change. There are so many amazing, strong Black women here now and throughout history, so I really feel like I am standing on the shoulders of giants.” Social media has been beneficial in leading the charge for environmental freedom. “I realized there needed to be more representation in this field. I never thought of myself as outdoorsy, as the things I was doing were not typically associated with outdoorsy activities. I wasn’t sky diving or mountain climbing, activities that are traditionally represented as white. I realized it is important to see myself, a plus-sized Black woman, in these outdoor spaces.” With more than 17 thousand Instagram followers and 209 thousand TikTok followers, McMullen Bushman has a strong platform to elevate her voice. “People have told me, ‘Wow, I never thought I could do something like that. You’ve inspired me just by seeing someone that I recognize as my same body shape or size. You’ve inspired me to give it a try,’ and I think that is also really important KWEEN. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL because if you can’t see it, it is hard to be it,” McMullen Bushman said. “Most of all, I want to encourage everyone to use their voice around the causes that are important to them. These conversations for diverse representation in outdoor spaces and environmental justice can seem daunting, but if each one of us does what is meaningful to us, it will have the biggest effect. We have to believe in ourselves, that we can do things that are worthy of change.” ■ THE HIKING GROUP NOTICING AND ENJOYING WILDLIFE. CREDIT: ADRIAN MICHAEL June 2022 DENVER VOICE 7
VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY A PRAIRIE HOME UNWANTED BY GILES CLASEN CREDIT: GILES CLASEN A RIDE ON THE RTD A LINE, from downtown Denver to Denver International Airport, provides a unique picture of Denver. The train starts at the feet of downtown skyscrapers which give way to old and new neighborhoods, industrial parks, and city parks. Just before the train reaches the airport one blue tent stands in swaying prairie grass. The tent houses two men Niko and Chris. The two moved to Denver from Oklahoma and lost their car in a flood near Trinidad, Colorado a year ago. Their car had been their primary form of income driving for DoorDash and Lyft. Losing their car and income forced them into homelessness. “Unfortunately, there has been very, very, very little help for us in Denver,” Niko said. “Being two gay males with dogs, nobody wants to touch us with a 10-foot pole.” Chris said being a gay couple makes it harder to find support services together. “There are services and programs for homeless straight couples,” he said. “But there isn’t the same support for gay couples.” Chris and Niko grew up in Maryland. Niko was raised in the foster care system after both of his parents died. Chris was removed from his father’s home after being a victim of child abuse. They met in Maryland’s Pathfinder program, a public service program for disabled individuals. Niko and Chris built a life together. Disabled after sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury in a car accident, Niko received Social Security survivor benefits, which offered the two a basic level of stability to build upon. Meanwhile, Chris worked to pay for their apartment in Southern Maryland. “We felt Maryland wasn’t our future. There wasn’t an opportunity for us,” Niko said. “We moved to Chicago, and then Oklahoma, to find a lower cost of living.” When they moved Niko lost his Social Security benefits. The reason has never been fully clear to him – especially given that he was told moving states wouldn’t impact his benefit. Niko walks with a limp, has slow, gentle speech and his eyes veer in different directions causing vision disorders – 8 DENVER VOICE June 2022
VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY all injuries caused by the car accident he survived. Niko reapplied for his Social Security benefits in Colorado but was declined. He is in the process of finding a lawyer to help him appeal the decision. “I don’t understand it,” Niko said. “I have a Traumatic Brain Injury. I qualified in the past. When I apply and interview I get confused. When I try to bring Chris to help me they say he can’t be there. I don’t understand and am not sure what more they need from me to verify I am disabled. It is very frustrating.” Despite the injuries, Niko finds day labor jobs, often with Goodwill of Colorado, using the Veryable app. On the days Niko can’t find work by using the app, he panhandles. “I never thought I would be homeless because I work hard, I work every day still,” Niko said. “We figured if I worked, we could afford a place to live – but the housing costs here do not scale with pay even if you’re working full time.” Niko has tried to find higher-paying work too. He worked as a greeter at an Aurora Walmart for a while. The two lived in the Walmart parking lot during this time, hoping to save for an apartment. Ultimately the store manager required they stop living in the lot. Transportation instability made it impossible for Niko to consistently make it to work on time, which caused him to lose his job. According to Niko and Chris, saving money is nearly impossible because it is expensive to be homeless. They can’t prepare food, so they need to buy more expensive prepared food. They can’t use a restroom without buying something from a store. Trying to travel anywhere is expensive, too. Niko and Chris aren’t able to both work because one must stay with their tent and their dogs during the day or risk having their tent and supplies stolen or destroyed. “Colorado’s experience being homeless is unreal,” Chris said. “It’s very terrible and hard. It’s hard to keep a job. It’s hard to get services. It’s hard to stay sober. It’s hard to have hope.” The two men moved near the airport to get away from people and feel safe. Both said they were embarrassed being homeless and only participated in an interview or allowed their photos to be taken so long as their identities were hidden. “It isn’t safe on the streets,” Niko said. “That is why we are all the way by the airport. When we tried to be near day centers or near downtown, we experienced violence, animosity from other homeless people, harassment by police. Confrontations with people who don’t want the homeless around. So, we’re out here.” But being so far from services for those experiencing homelessness has made it more difficult to receive help. “[Any time we try to find resources] we’re told that we live in the wrong zip code,” Chris said. The two also feel like there aren’t enough services available to individuals who are actively working to get off the street. “There is no room in this world for people like us,” Chris said. “It is too hard to reach a caseworker. It feels like no one answers their phone or just wants to put us on a list with no promise of when we will get help. They just put us on a list, then don’t return our calls or requests for help. There is a waiting list for everything and no promise on when you will get to the front of the line, so you just wait without knowing.” The two have hope that they will be able to move from their tent into some form of housing soon. Niko’s grandmother died and left him a small inheritance. They plan to use the money to buy a car and camper, which they’ll live in, and use the car so they have transportation to jobs and can earn a living again. “Without that inheritance, the future would be bleak. I don’t know how long we would have to wait for help. or if we would ever get it,” Chris said. Chris said he finds his tent oddly beautiful in its location but he is excited to move on. ■ CREDIT: GILES CLASEN CREDIT: GILES CLASEN June 2022 DENVER VOICE 9
LOCAL FEATURE MAMA BIRD BY CAT EVANS OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES, the maternity mortality rate in the U.S. has become higher than at any other time since 2000, according to CDC data. The maternal mortality rate is considered a “key indicator of the state of women’s health,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services.” The U.S. ranks poorly compared to other developed nations, ranking 46th among 181 countries” (usafacts.org). A highly relevant topic that is rarely talked about — especially in predominantly white populations — is how Black women experience maternal mortality at a rate that is two to three times higher than white women (CDC.org). There is a major lack of Black representation in medical spaces and little assistance or information provided for Black women to access maternal care needed, specifically, from women who they can directly identify with — other Black women. Birdie, who is the owner of Mama Bird Maternity Wellness Spa, has made it her mission to ”create resources that would support families of color,“ focusing on health and wellness along with self-care routines. According to Birdie, there are various reasons why there is a lack of support for Black women during pregnancy from other Black women. “We don’t know that we are out there. Everyone who has come to me has told me they have been looking,” Birdie explained. “There is only one midwife of color in the Denver and Aurora areas. A lot of women don’t even know what a doula is, or that they can become a midwife, without having to become a doctor,” Birdie said. Of 49 registered Certified Practitioner Midwives (CPM) in Colorado, only three of them are women of color. After graduating from massage therapy school in 2010, Birdie discovered a newfound passion for working with pregnant women. Shortly after, she began her doula certification. Birdie is now a full spectrum birth and postpartum doula. A doula is defined as a woman employed to provide guidance and support to a pregnant woman during and after labor (Oxford Languages). A midwife assists in childbirth. Birdie differentiates a doula as focusing on the waist up (emotional, spiritual, physical), while a midwife focuses on everything from the waist down. The two work together to assist in a smooth, healthy pregnancy. At the Wellness Spa Birdie, does all she can to have women of color educating other women of color, providing the CREDIT: CAT EVANS CREDIT: CAT EVANS 10 DENVER VOICE June 2022
PAGE TITLE WRITING THROUGH HARD TIMES COURTESY OF DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS WORKSHOP SUE BLOSTEN PLAY CREDIT: CAT EVANS support and care Birdie knows is not offered elsewhere. “In my experience with my three children and four pregnancies, I was never offered support,” Birdie explained. “I never knew it existed. I never knew there was lactation support, or that there were classes for childbirth education. There is a gap between the things women of color are educated on in medical offices.” The biggest concern surrounding the topic of Black women and childbirth is that no one is discussing it. “How would I know what we lacked, if I hadn’t become a doula?” Birdie asked. “In healthcare, the way we go through the healthcare system, it’s our normal. We don’t know what isn’t being provided or proposed.” Being pregnant with and then giving birth to a child is expensive. The lack of discussion surrounding the role of a doula and a midwife has the potential to take away from our for-profit medical system, where women choose to have children with support from inside of their own private spaces. It otherwise remains a mystery. According to Birdie, support for pregnant women of color is not typical, and many, many women representing minorities are left in the dark or reliant on systems not set up for them. Birdie explained that many predominantly white organizations that reach out to her after learning about Mama Bird’s, tend to ask if her team can offer services for free. Her initial reaction has been thoughts like, “Wait! You’re the organization that receives funding but then, you ask me to provide free services?” Such requests only perpetuate the idea that it’s okay to step over underserved communities. As Birdie pointed out, too many Black birth workers provide free services because they feel pressured to take on more work to improve their resumes and build on their professional experience. As a result, they get taken advantage of. Recalling her work with predominantly white birth workers, Birdie said, “They’re not doing anything for free. Not one of them is doing a free birth. There’s no sliding scale. I ask women of color working with me why they are doing anything for free – we are for profit. We have to eat. If we are not good, how can we be good for the people we serve?“ According to Birdie, it’s not uncommon for people to exploit minorities working in healthcare. “We are authentic in our purpose; we deserve to be paid for what we do. This is our life. Corporate America isn’t paying for our livelihood. Black birth workers are way underpaid.” Mama Bird offers classes in childbirth education and yoga, as well as various massage classes and wellness circles — all taught by Black women. Black doula support and midwife support are also available. For more information, visit Birdie’s website, mamabirdinc.com. ■ Hey say play yay Dance, Prance perchance Jump, bump Pump the swing Shout and sing Zing a sling Sling a dart Stop and start Laugh and giggle wiggle a finger Feel the sun and Have some fun Smell a rose and linger longer than usual Twirl and teeter catapult and somersault Start and halt Slice the air Break a stare Don’t prepare Hop and skip Give some lip Slip and slide Push aside Skip a rock across the creek Simon says, “Take a stride” “Mother May I” go outside? Hide and seek Spin the bottle Kiss a cheek Squish some sand Build a castle Dig a moat Float a boat Pound a drum Hear it thrum Tag you’re it Never quit Launch a kite Lick a cone and take a bite Hula hoop Spy and snoop Cross a log Catch a frog Step on a crack Break your mother’s back Talk and tease Make a breeze Ride a wave Feel the air Without care Freeze then fly Flee this place Make a face Blow a bubble No toil no trouble Splash the water Shake a branch Smash a pumpkin Toss a ball Think of something Think it up Stir the muck and make a pie Mud in your eye Twiddle your thumbs Shake your bum Enjoy amuse Take a snooze All work and no play can’t rule the day Shout or say The word “Hurray!” Reach to the sky Touch a star Wherever you are Climb a tree Skin your knee Carve on bark Leave your mark Quick sit in a chair If the music isn’t there Then run round and round To the sound The Hard Times Writing Workshop is a collaboration between Denver Public Library and Lighthouse Writers Workshop. It’s open to all members of the public, especially those experiencing homelessness. Each month, the Denver VOICE publishes a selection of writing from these workshops. Virtual workshops: lighthousewriters.org/workshop/denver-public-library-hard-times More writing by these featured poets: writedenver.org June 2022 DENVER VOICE 11
IN YOUR OWN WORDS UNTIL I CAN MAKE MY DREAM HAPPEN BY BRIAN AUGUSTINE, VOICE VENDOR Editor’s Note: This was originally published by the International Network of Street Paper for its “Housing for the People” series. BRIAN AUGUSTINE. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN BEFORE I BECAME HOMELESS, I had a mortgage, truck, and dog. I was buying a house in Northglenn, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. Me and my brother went in on the house together to give our mother a stable forever home. This was going to be my forever home too. We had gotten lucky and found a five-bedroom, twobathroom house for $110,000 – just before Colorado’s housing market started to climb. People offered us $120,000 to buy the house from us. This was home to me because when I came home from work, people were waiting for me, and Ruth, my dog, was thrilled to see me each and every time. After nine years, I came home, and my brother had moved out. His explanation didn’t make sense to me. He said he felt threatened for his life. In my family, that meant someone had a weapon and was coming after them. (Yes, I come from a very dysfunctional family.) I found out later, he had taken a $45,000 loan on the equity of the house, without my knowledge, to pay off his credit cards. He could do this because we didn’t sign an agreement saying he couldn’t. (Yes, that’s the law.) I was stuck not only with the mortgage, but also his loan. So, I got a second job and prepared to spend my next ten years paying only bills. A few months later, my world fell apart. It was the middle of May, and I was raking up the last of the leaves that had fallen after the first snow of winter. That’s when my back blew out. I blew a disc out, plus three vertebrae. The doctors told me it was just a matter of time before it ruptured, and I would be wheelchair-bound for life. I walk with a cane because I refuse to listen to doctors. I still use the cane to stand up straight. I now live in a room, where the rent has more than doubled in the ten and a half years I have lived here, and it would have been tripled if not for the pandemic or having a good landlord. This is in no way a home. There is no one to come home to, nothing waiting for my return – just a shelter. Don’t get me wrong, having a shelter is great after living on the streets. I don’t miss the cold winter nights of Colorado. The house I ended up losing to foreclosure recently sold for $450,000 – four times the amount I paid for it 20 years ago. I don’t miss the house, but the home is a loss that still leaves an ache in my heart. Now, I sell the street paper Denver VOICE to pay my rent, and to live in the place I call home, but it isn’t. Home now are the corners I work. That is where people are happy to see me, where I feel welcome and comfortable. The price of housing has gone up so dramatically, that if I wanted to buy a house in Denver and qualify for a loan, I would have to make in a month what I used to make in six months. But there are no places I could afford to live or a town where a home is affordable and livable. I would move to one of these places. But being on a fixed income, I don’t have the money to move or the transportation to even do my shopping. I don’t mind small towns or country living. I don’t need to be where things are happening, or where there are thousands of things to do, most of which I can’t afford to do anyway, My dream is to have a nice house on 40 acres of land where I can grow food. I’d take that food to poorer areas of big places and give healthy food to people who need it most. And I believe I will be presented with the ability to have what doesn’t come easily. I would spend my free time writing the stories that come to me, maybe get a book published. I’ve heard that throughout America, there is more than enough housing, that everyone could have a place to live without building even one new house. But we build big cities, bigger, while small towns are emptier. Until I can make my dream happen, I will keep stepping forward, looking at the short-term future, and getting prepared for more tough times, while at the same time, keeping an optimistic outlook on life. ■ Housing for the People is a column produced by the International Network of Street Papers from people on the frontlines of the housing justice movement in America and beyond. Courtesy of INSP North America / International Network of Street Papers FREE ADDICTION SUPPORT FOR DENVER RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP (855) 539-9375 WeFaceItTogether.org 12 DENVER VOICE June 2022
EVENTS WHEN: June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Western Sky Bar & Taproom, 4361 S. Broadway INFO: facebook.com/westernskybarandtaproom CITY PARK JAZZ Jazz in the park is back! Enjoy live music, sunsets, food trucks, adorable dogs, and a sense of community at this beloved city event. WHEN: June 5, 12, 19, and 26, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. WHERE: City Park Pavilion, 2001 Steele St. COST: Free but donations accepted. INFO: cityparkjazz.org REGIRAMA SUMMER MOVIE SERIES: ENCANTO Come on out for a free outdoor screening of Encanto. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blanket, chairs, and picnics. There will also be a couple of food trucks on-site. WHEN: June 10, 6:30 p.m. WHERE: 3333 Regis Blvd. COST: Free entry INFO: facebook.com/regisuniversity ACROSS RIVERFRONT PARK SUMMER SESSIONS Check-out Denver’s newest music series, which also features food, drink, and local makers selling their wares. WHEN: June 16, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. WHERE: 19th Street Bridge, S. Platte River Dr. COST: Free INFO: riverfrontparkevents.com 1. Dirt 5. Fishhook’s end 9. Play thing 13. Pop singer Amos 14. Mountain nymph 16. Nevada gambling city 17. Twofold 18. Renter’s agreement 19. “What’s gotten ___ you?” 20. Controversial power source 23. Pasture (Var.) 24. ___ syrup 25. Cause of ruin 29. First US space station 33. “Cool!” 34. Monastery 37. In poor health 38. In a form that a computer can process 42. Biblical verb ending 43. Pass-the-baton race 44. Dark loaves 45. Expression of gratitude 47. Medicine men 50. Himalayan legends 53. Sean ___ Lennon 54. Mind-numbing 60. Approximately 61. Be a bad winner 62. Pink, as a steak 64. Hammer part 65. Magical wish granter 66. Kuwaiti leader 67. Lays down the lawn 68. Be inclined 69. ___ good example DOWN 1. “___ be an honor!” 2. Verb preceder 3. Lady of the Haus 4. Waterproof fabric 5. Anne ___, Henry VIII’s second wife 6. Length x width, for a rectangle 7. Provide new weapons 8. Iraqi port 9. Spendy 10. Monthly budget item 11. “I’m ___ your tricks!” 12. Impoverished 15. Kind of fi shing or diving 21. Floral necklace 22. Resin in adhesives and paints 25. Not fulfi lled 26. Poet’s “below” 27. Russian country house 28. Scottish Celt 30. Country home to a 2011 revolution 31. ___ wrench 32. Sanctify 35. Lingerie item 36. Ottoman governors 39. Annoyed 40. Savings 41. Wardrobes 46. Hosiery 48. Made an owl sound 49. “___ questions?” 51. Land in the ocean 52. Pebble 54. Absorbs, with “up” 55. Black-and-white cookie 56. Preowned 57. Drops from the sky 58. Appoint 59. Sand 63. Historic period COURTESY OF DEBORAH LASTOWKA PUZZLES SOUTH SOUTH BROADWAY COMEDY SHOW Come see some of Denver’s best comedians perform at this friendly, neighborhood bar. COST: $5 COURTESY OF STREETROOTS ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 15 DENVER PRIDEFEST Denver PrideFest 2022 is live, inperson, and making up for lost time! Attendees can enjoy a Pride Parade, Dyke March, Pride Rally, a 5K, live entertainment, local vendors, and a number of other pride-related activities! WHEN: Jun 25 and Jun 26, times vary COST: Free to attend; donations accepted WHERE: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave. INFO: denverpride.org ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN June 2022 DENVER VOICE 13 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+ Rose Community Foundation - CMP The NextFifty Initiative John & Laurie Mcwethy Charitable Fund $10,000+ Max & Elaine Appel The Christian Foundation $5,000 - $9,999 CHFA Direct Effect Anschut Family Foundation Cranaleith Foundation, Inc $1,000-$4,999 Russell Peterson Bright Funds Pivotal Energy Partners USA, Inc. Jerry Conover Jill Haug Meek-Cuneo Family Fund Paul Manoogian Creating Healthier Communities Sustainable Housing and Development Foundation Keyrenter Property Management Denver Sidney B and Caleb F Gates Fund SEI Giving Fund Walker Family Foundation Benevity Communtiy Fund Whole Foods Foundation Kroger The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation Jana and Jim Cuneo Matthew Rezek Network for Good Lori Holland Megan Arellano and Paul Karolyi Matthew Seashore Michael Dino Michael J. Fehn & Jan Monnier Gaspar Terrana Courage and Community Foundation Jim Ashe George Lichter Family Foundation $500-$999 Christopher Boulanger Lighthouse Writer’s Workshop, Inc. Warren & Betty Kuehner Fire on the Mountain Alistair Davidson Laura Wing Michelle Stapleton & James Thompson GivingFirst, Community First Foundation Maggie Holben Giles Clasen Laura Saunders WalMart Ridley, McGreevy & Winocur Cake Websites & More 10X Business Consultants Barbara & Robert Ells Stephen Saul Jennifer Stedron James Stegman 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 14 DENVER VOICE June 2022
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, COUNSELING, EDUCATION, SHELTERS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE, AND MORE. EMAIL EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORG WITH CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS. 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 Go to mealsforpoor.org for meal locations CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 1530 Logan St.; sandwiches & coffee Mon.-Fri. 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; Civic Center Park at Colfax & Lincoln at 1pm every Wed. & 2nd Sat. christinthecity.org CITYSQUARE DENVER 303-783-3777, 2575 S. Broadway; Food pantry Tues. 10am-6pm citysquare.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES Hot meals served at 1820 Broadway (in front of Trinity United Methodist Church), Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 11:45-12:15 mealsforpoor.org DENVER INNER CITY PARISH 303-322-5733, 1212 Mariposa St., VOA Dining Center for Seniors, free 60 yrs and older, Wed.-Sat. 9am-12pm. Food Bank, Wed.-Fri., tickets at 9am, food bank open 10am-12pm. dicp.org DENVER RESCUE MISSION 1130 Park Avenue West, 3 meals 7 days/week: 5:30am, 12pm, 6pm 303-294-0157 denverrescuemission.org FATHER WOODY’S HAVEN OF HOPE 1101 W. 7th Ave. 303-607-0855. Mon.-Fri. 7am-1pm. Not open weekends. Breakfast is at 8am, and lunch is served at 11am frwoodyshavenofhope.org FEEDING DENVER’S HUNGRY Food service on the second and fourth Thurs. of each month; locations found at feedingdenvershungry.org/events.html FOOD NOT BOMBS Wed. 4pm/Civic Center Park facebook.com/ThePeoplesPicnic HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE 1400 Cherry St., free vegetarian feast on Sun., 6:45-7:30pm krishnadenver.com HIS LOVE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH 910 Kalamath, 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, Mon.-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., Sat. morning breakfast: 8am, Sun. dinner (required church attendance at 4:30pm) meal served at 6pm. 303-830-2201 odmdenver.org/home ST. CLARE’S MINISTRY AT ST. PETER AND ST. MARY 126 W. 2nd Ave., dinner at 4pm on Tues. Also offer a change of clothes, toiletries and sleeping bags when available. 303-722-8781 stpeterandmary.org ST. ELIZABETH’S Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St. on Auraria campus, 7 days/week, 11:00am; 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. 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, 720-530-6853 soallmayeat.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES 846 E. 18th Ave. 3 meals, Mon.a-Fri. 7am-7pm; Sun. 11am-4pm. 55+ seniorsupportservices.org/programs 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-denvermetro-foodnutrition-themission CAREER SERVICES COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER Level 4, Denver Central Library, 14th Ave. & Broadway. 720-865-1706. Hours: Mon. & Tues. 10am-8pm; Wed., Thurs., Fri. 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 Department of Human Services, 1200 Federal Blvd., Mon.Fri., 7:30am-4:30pm; Services include: employment counseling, assisted job search, résumé preparation, job/applicant matching, phone bank for calling employers, access to computers, copiers, fax, etc. careercenteroffices.com/center/231/denver-westside-workforce-center MEDICAL & DENTAL SERVICES ACS COMMUNITY L.I.F.T. CareVan at Open Door Ministries, 1567 Marion St., Tues. 9am-12:30pm DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER 303-436-6000, 777 Bannock St. denverhealth.org DRUG REHAB USA Addiction hotline: 866-716-0142. Organizations that take Medicaid: https://drugrehabus.org/rehabs/treatment/medicaid/united-states/colorado/denver HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER 303-572-7800; 112 E. 8th Ave.; Mon.-Fri., 9am-12pm. HIV/Hep C/ Gonorrhea/ Chlamydia testing available. Our services are restricted to active IV Drug Users. Offers clean syringes to active users, as well as safety training on how to properly dispose of dirty syringes. harmreductionactioncenter.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, info@hepc-connection.org, liverhealthconnection.org INNER CITY HEALTH CENTER 303-296-1767, 3800 York St. Mon., Wed.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Tues. 9am-5pm; Sat. 8am-2pm. Emergency walk-ins. SALUD CLINIC 6075 Parkway Drive, Ste. 160, Commerce City; Dental 303-286-6755. Medical 303-286-8900. Medical Hours: Mon.-Wed. 8am-9pm, Thurs.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Sat. (Urgent Care only) 8am-5pm; Dental Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Pharmacy Hours: Mon.-Fri. 1-5pm; After Office Hours: 1-800-283-3221 saludclinic.org/commerce-city STOUT STREET CLINIC 303-293-2220, 2130 Stout St. Clinic hours for new and established patients: 7am-4pm Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. The clinic is open Wed. 11am-7pm. coloradocoalition.org/healthcare SUNSHINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (YOUTH SERVICES) Services for youth facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. 833-931-2484 sunshinebehavioralhealth.com VA MEDICAL CENTER 303-399-8020, 1700 N Wheeling St., Aurora va.gov/find-locations/facility/vha_554A5 WORKNOW 720-389-0999; job recruitment, skills training, and job placement work-now.org DROP-IN & DAYTIME CENTERS ATTENTION HOMES 303-447-1207; 3080 Broadway, Boulder; contactah@attentionhomes.org. Offers safe shelter, supportive programming, and other services to youth up to age 24 attentionhomes.org CITYSQUARE DENVER 303-783-3777; 2575 S. Broadway; Mon.-Thurs. 10am-2pm, Denver Works helps with employment, IDs, birth certs; mail services and lockers citysquare.org FATHER WOODY’S HAVEN OF HOPE 303-607-0855; 1101 W. 7th Ave.; Mon.-Fri. 7am-1pm. Six private showers & bathrooms, laundry, lunch & more thoh.org THE GATHERING PLACE 303-321-4198; 1535 High St.; Mon., Wed.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm, Tues. 8:30am-1:30pm. 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, and more. tgpdenver.org HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER 303-572-7800, 231 East Colfax; Mon.-Fri. 9am-12pm. Provides clean syringes, syringe disposal, harm-reduction counseling, safe materials, Hep C/HIV education, and health education classes. harmreductionactioncenter.org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH 1900 California St., help with lost IDs and birth certificates holyghostchurch.org HOPE PROGRAM 303-832-3354, 1555 Race St.; Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm. For men and women with HIV. 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.; Mon.-Fri. 7am-5:30pm. Drop-in center: bathrooms, coffee/tea, snacks, resources, WIFI odmdenver.org ST. FRANCIS CENTER 303-297-1576; 2323 Curtis St. 6am-6pm daily. Storage for one bag (when space is available). Satellite Clinic hours- Mon., Tues., Thurs, Fri. 7:30am-3:30pm; Wed. 12:30-4:30pm sfcdenver.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES 846 E. 18th Ave. For those 55 and older. TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, and more. seniorsupportservices.org SOX PLACE (YOUTH SERVICES) 2017 Larimer St. Daytime drop-in shelter for youth 12-30 years old. Meals, socks, clothing bank, personal hygiene supplies, internet access, intentional mentoring and guidance, crisis intervention, referrals to other services. Tues.-Fri. 12-4pm & Sat. 11-2pm. soxplace.com THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES) 2100 Stout St. 303-291-0442. Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am. If you are a youth aged 15-20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, please contact 303-974-2928 urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-and-services/drop-in-center URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES) Youth 14-24 in Denver and Colorado Springs. Overnight shelter, food, clothing, showers, case workers, job skills and training, ID and birth certificate assistance, GED assistance, counseling and housing. 730 21st St. 303-974-2900 urbanpeak.org June 2022 DENVER VOICE 15 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 homelessness. 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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