$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE VENDOR PROFILE: HALVIN JONES FOR HIM, SURVIVAL MEANS WALKING AT NIGHT PAGE 4 SAVORING DIVERSITY SPOTLIGHTING LOCAL RESTAURANTS SERVING GLOBAL FLAVORS AND CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY PAGE 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 ROOTED IN FLAVOR, CELEBRATING A BLEND OF CULTURE AND CUISINE DENVER VOICE CONTRIBUTORS CELEBRATE CULTURALLY INSPIRED FOOD AND DRINK JOHN ALEXANDER IS BACK! AFTER BEING GONE FOR OVER A YEAR, JOHN ALEXANDER IS VENDING AGAIN PAGE 12 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 3, 4, 8, 12 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 JULY 2025 | Vol.30 Issue 7 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: WITHIN THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AT 1373 N GRANT ST. IN DENVER IS A BRAND NEW COFFEE SHOP THAT CELEBRATES ETHIOPIAN COFFEE CULTURE WHILE SUPPORTING A COLLECTIVE OF BUSINESSES. | PHOTO BY JULI YANAI
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR DIRI DJON DJON, COFFEE AND MOLCAJETE: OUR JULY ISSUE ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR FOR OUR JULY ISSUE, we have a tradition of spotlighting people, places, organizations, or events that might interest people living in or visiting the Denver area. This year, the Denver VOICE team has written about restaurants, a food truck, and a coffee shop, all of which offer food or beverages reflecting the unique cultures of those who own these establishments. In these pages, you can read about Sweet Pepper Kitchen, a food truck that serves Nigerian meals; Four Directions Cuisine, which blends ancient ingredients with modern creativity to create elevated Indigenous cuisine; Coffee Time coffee house, which brews fresh Ethiopian coffee; Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina Mexican restaurant, which offers one of the Platt Park and Edgewater communities’ best brunches; and 509 Cuisine, one of Denver’s favorite Haitian restaurants, which operates out of Mango House. Sitting down to share a meal is one of the oldest and most meaningful ways we connect — as families, friends, and communities. The current administration continues to promote being “anti-woke,” with countless corporations dismissing any programs that formally embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. But the essence of these values is deeply human and deeply American. Consider what goes into preparing a recipe. When we combine ingredients from different places, like chiles rice, curry, tomatoes, pasta, plantains, or spices, we create something unique. Whether it’s Mexican, Nigerian, Haitian, French, Vietnamese, or Ethiopian cuisine, every dish tells a story. The flavors don’t compete — they complement. Each ingredient brings its own history, its own voice, and its own richness to the table. Now, imagine removing an essential ingredient — the garlic, the pepper, the rice — out of fear or unfamiliarity. What’s left? A dish that may no longer taste as it should. A community that may no longer feel whole. Similarly, our identity as Americans or immigrants who live in America is enriched by the diverse cultures that make up our community. To support restaurants and businesses that honor these cultures is to honor the story of America itself; not just as a melting pot, but as a vibrant, evolving recipe that thrives on inclusion. DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Giles Clasen ART DIRECTOR Andrew Fraieli ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Maddie Egerton VOLUNTEER COPY EDITOR Aaron Sullivan ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Rea Brown Giles Clasen Juli Yanai Jamie Miller Yvens Alex Saintil Khaleigh Reed 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. 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: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. John Alexander Steve Anson Giles Clasen Raelene Johnson Halvin Jones Adrian Michael Jamie Miller Khaleigh Reed Jerry Rosen Yvens Alex Saintil Juli Yanai @OCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Michael Burkley Eduardo Platon Edwin Rapp Donald Burnes Jennifer Forker 2 DENVER VOICE July 2025 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS 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. JAMIE MILLER graduated from the University of Georgia with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and business management. She enjoys exploring the Colorado mountains, reading a good book at a local coffee shop, and doing yoga. JULI YANAI is a Japanese-American photojournalist and freelance photographer based in Denver and Beyond. Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, Yanai moved to Colorado in 2017 and received her bachelor’s degree from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in the fall of 2024. KHALEIGH REED is a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder majoring in journalism with a minor in media production. Reed’s work focuses on social issues and highlights in the community. She intends to continue her work within documentary filmmaking and multimedia journalism after graduating. Outside of work she enjoys photography, reading, and all things art and music. YVENS ALEX SAINTIL is a multidisciplinary artist and veteran born in Port-auPrince, Haiti and raised in Queens, NY. With a deep commitment to storytelling, historical events, cultural heritage, and personal experiences, Saintil creates art that connects past injustices to present systems of oppression. His work sparks crucial conversations about race, equality, and justice. 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. July 2025 DENVER VOICE 3
VENDOR PROFILE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDOR HALVIN JONES, SURVIVAL MEANS WALKING ALL NIGHT STORY AND PHOTOS BY GILES CLASEN EACH NIGHT, as most of Denver sleeps, Halvin Jones wanders the streets, always moving. “I just walk the streets,” he said. “It’s dangerous to close your eyes out here.” Jones, a vendor for the Denver VOICE, has been experiencing unsheltered homelessness since losing his Section 8 housing voucher. “They terminated my apartment because my paperwork wasn’t completed correctly,” he said. “I thought I had it right. My caseworker helped me. We completed it multiple times. But they still said it was incomplete.” Jones gets Supplemental Social Security Income due to a developmental disability. He said doing paperwork is difficult and he asked for help, but instead lost his housing. “I’ve been special ed my whole life,” he said. “I’ve never had a license. I won’t give up, I just keep trying. But it isn’t easy and no one wants to give you a break.” Since then, Jones has been caught in the draining cycle that traps many experiencing homelessness. Too exhausted to function during the day, but too afraid to sleep at night. “You’re always on edge,” he said. “I don’t sleep much at night when I try. You have to sleep with one eye open, you always feel on alert. So, I often sleep during the day when it can be a little safer and walk all night.” Some nights, Jones tries to grab a few hours of sleep on a city bus or in tucked-away corners. But even that comes with risk. “I got robbed in my sleep one night,” he said. “I woke up with nothing but my pants.” Shelters haven’t been a viable alternative for Halvin. He traverses the city, looking for the best places to sell the Denver VOICE, but trying to make shelter curfews can hinder his ability to work. “Shelters, they stop taking people in at 8, and shelters are dirty,” he said. “I’ve gotten sick in shelters. They don’t feel safer than the street.” Even when he’s made the effort to get in, shelter space isn’t 4 DENVER VOICE July 2025 “THE HARDEST PART IS THE RELENTLESS TOIL OF IT ALL, THE WAY EACH DAY IS CONSUMED WITH JUST PREPARING FOR THE NIGHT,” HALVIN JONES SAID. guaranteed. “Sometimes I wait in line and don’t get in,” he said. “Sometimes I get sent to Holly St., but if I miss the bus or have trouble with transportation, I don’t get in, and I get stuck out there. It can take half of the day to try to get into a shelter, and there are no promises.” Walking the streets also leads to another problem: hunger. Halvin said that he walks so much that he is always looking for food. But surviving the streets has taken a toll. “I feel like every week out here ages you a year,” he said. The hardest part, he said, is the relentless toil of it all, the way each day is consumed with just preparing for the night. “I either try to find a place that is safe and I can hide through the night or I try to prepare myself to be awake all night. Neither is any good and it wears on you.” Sometimes, when the exhaustion is too much, Jones turns to alcohol to force sleep. He doesn’t like turning to alcohol, and he avoids harder drugs, but without access to safe housing and medical care, he doesn’t have other options. “Sometimes you feel so sick from not sleeping, you have no choice. You go to the liquor store so you can pass out all night. But that ain’t any good either,” he said. “That ain’t any kind of sleep.” From time to time, Halvin saves enough money to spend a night or two at a motel, but as Denver changes there are fewer and fewer low-cost hotels that he can turn to. Still, each day, Jones shows up. He continues selling papers. “I just keep trying and I’m not going to quit. I hope if I work hard enough something will break my way.”
COMMUNITY PROFILE ADELITA’S: A VIBRANT MICHOACAN CANTINA STORY AND PHOTOS BY ADRIAN MICHAEL ADELITA’S COCINA Y CANTINA has been in Denver for 13 years. Located at 1294 S. Broadway, Adelita’s has happy hour specials every day from 3-5 pm, with daily food and drink specials featuring over 100 agave spirits, rare mezcals, and signature cocktails, along with daily food specials including a chef special every Friday. Adelita’s is a woman-owned and family-operated business that wants to do food differently. “I think the difference between us and others is because we are from Michoacan, it’s southern Mexico, while most Mexican restaurants [in Denver] are from northern Mexico,” said Slyvia Andaya, founder and owner of Adelita’s Cocina Y Cantina. “Our seasonings are different; our peppers and flavors are different.” According to Andaya, the Cielo mar y Tierra molcajete, a dish featuring marinated steak, chicken, and shrimp, is the most popular item on the menu. Andaya says that life got her into the restauranteur business. “I always cook for my family and friends, and they always say, “Oh, you have to open a restaurant because we like your food,” she said laughingly, “and now, Andaya added, her friends tell her, ‘We never see you anymore due to the success of your restaurant.” Adelita’s has experienced such great success with its South Denver location, that the restaurant recently added a second location at 5495 W. 20th Avenue in Edgewater. To check out Adelita’s menu or make a reservation, visit adelitasco.com. ADELITA’S Broadway location hours: Mon: Closed Tues-Thurs:11am–9pm Fri: 11am-10pm Sat:10am-10pm Sun:10 am-9pm Edgewater location hours: Mon: Closed Tues: 11am-9pm Wed:11am-9pm Thurs:11am-8pm Fri:11am- 9pm Sat:10am-9pm Sun:10am-8pm ADELITA’S HAS HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS EVERY DAY FROM 3-5 PM, WITH DAILY FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS. THE CIELO MAR Y TIERRA MOLCAJETE, A DISH FEATURING MARINATED STEAK, CHICKEN, AND SHRIMP, IS THE MOST POPULAR ITEM ON THE MENU ACCORDING TO SLYVIA ANDAYA, THE FOUNDER AND OWNER OF ADELITA’S. ADELITA’S IS A WOMAN-OWNED AND FAMILY-OPERATED BUSINESS THAT WANTS TO DO FOOD DIFFERENTLY. July 2025 DENVER VOICE 5
COMMUNITY PROFILE A COLORFUL PLATTER OF TRADITIONAL HAITIAN FOOD FROM 509 CUISINE, INCLUDING DIRI DJONDJON, BANANN FRI, AND GRIOT, SERVED IN THE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT OF MANGO HOUSE. 509 CUISINE: A TASTE OF HAITI AT MANGO HOUSE STORY AND PHOTOS BY YVENS ALEX SAINTIL THE BATTLING SCENTS of simmering epis and curry waft through the corridors of Mango House in Aurora, Colo. Mango House is a shared space for refugees, asylees, and the undocumented, but a welcoming place for all. In an era of displacement and forced migration, Mango House doesn’t just provide support — it cultivates belonging. I step into Mango House and walk past dental clinics, refugee aid offices, and medical exam rooms. As I make my way to the International Food Hall inside Mango House, I remember my first visit pre-COVID before 509 Cuisine brought their taste of Haiti to Mango House. Through language access, job creation, healthcare, and shared meals, Mango House has become more than a center. It represents what it means to welcome someone truly. The building itself answers that question in layers. Among these resources are culinary spaces intentionally carved out for immigrants and refugees to share their food, cultures, and stories. Inside the small, vibrant kitchen, chef Chantale Celeste, peels sweet potatoes while pots of diri djondjon, poule fri, and griot steam on the stove. For many, this Haitian restaurant is a place to eat. But for those who know, it’s something deeper, a taste of home in a place built for people, who are starting over. At 509 Cuisine, food is not just nourishment; it’s resistance, remembrance, and compassion, served hot and seasoned. “ FOR MANY, THIS HAITIAN RESTAURANT IS A PLACE TO EAT. BUT FOR THOSE WHO KNOW, IT’S SOMETHING DEEPER...” Flanked by Sudanese, Syrian, and North African Cuisines, 509 cuisine is surrounded by flavor, culture, and play. Contrasting my first visit to 509 Cuisine, there were no kids running through the hallways screaming in different languages. The playground was empty. On this warm Colorado Wednesday afternoon, I found myself staring at a platter of traditional Haitian food. Too much to eat in one sitting. Diri djon djon, banann fri, griot, and pikliz, all on one plate. A side of Haitian macaroni and salad rounded things out with a chilled bottle of passion fruit juice, or as we Haitians call it, “jus grenadia.” When you eat at 509 Cuisine at Mango House, you’re not just eating food that a vendor serves; you are experiencing a tribute to Haitian culture, memory, and resilience. Joanne Valcine, head chef and co-owner of 509 Cuisine, began her culinary journey at just five years old. After losing her mother when Valcine was nine, cooking became a means of survival — and healing. “Ever since then, cooking has felt therapeutic for me,” she said. “It was also a way for me to survive. I wasn’t working when I lived in Florida, so I cooked to make money and to share a part of Haiti with people.” What began as a personal refuge quickly turned into a public calling. “People would say, ‘You should sell this.’ That’s how it started, ” Valcine said. Valcine’s cousin, Fendia Laurent, a nurse by profession and also a co-owner of 509 Cuisine, recalled how the vision for the restaurant took shape “Cooking isn’t my passion, but I saw how it lights her up,” Laurent said referencing her cousin. “She’ll get up at 6 a.m. and cook until midnight without complaining. Watching her made me realize: why not build something around this love?” When an opportunity at Mango House opened up, they knew it was the right moment. Securing the location wasn’t easy. “There was a year-and-a-half waitlist,” said Valcine. “But when the call came, we dropped everything.” What drew them in wasn’t just the kitchen; it was the community. “The place felt safe, welcoming, and multicultural,” said 6 DENVER VOICE July 2025
COMMUNITY PROFILE “ IT’S NOT JUST FOOD; IT’S NOSTALGIA IN A BITE.” Laurent. “It felt like the kind of place where we could share our culture honestly.” The name “509 Cuisine” carries deep personal meaning. “509 is Haiti’s area code Laurent explained. “It’s home. If you’ve ever received a call from a loved one back home, you know what that number means. It’s a connection. It’s family.” The menu at 509 is steeped in tradition and memory. Dishes like légume, tasso, and especially lalo — a hearty dish made with jute leaves traditional to Haiti’s Artibonite region, anchor the culinary identity of the restaurant. “We didn’t think it would be this popular, but now if we don’t make lalo, people ask why we’re even open,” Valcine, laughing. “It’s not just food; it’s nostalgia in a bite.” The attention to authenticity is intentional. “We’re not watering it down,” said Laurent. “People say, ‘Mix in some Jamaican flavors, add this or that.’ No. You don’t go to an Italian restaurant and find half-Thai on the menu. This is strictly Haitian. One bite should take you back.” And it does. According to Valcine, customers have cried at the table, saying the food reminded them of home or of loved ones long gone. “One woman told us she missed her mom the second she tasted the food,” said Valcine. “That kind of connection makes this more than a restaurant. It’s soul food in the truest sense.” Behind the scenes, a small team makes the dream possible. “We’re four partners,” Laurent said. “Joanne leads the cooking, Ted is our IT guy who got us on Google the first week, and John helped us secure the space. Everyone plays a role.” Presentation matters, too. “We want the first experience to wow people,” said Valcine. “We don’t pre-cook and reheat food. The rice is made fresh. It takes longer, but it’s worth it. We want the experience to feel special.” That commitment shows. Even with logistical challenges like sourcing hard-to-find ingredients across multiple THE BRIGHT EXTERIOR OF MANGO HOUSE IN AURORA, COLORADO, A COMMUNITY HUB FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES, WHICH HOUSES VARIOUS SERVICES INCLUDING 509 CUISINE. stores, the team remains dedicated. “We’re adaptable people,” Laurent said. This is a sentiment I can identify strongly with as a Haitian immigrant myself. I have firsthand knowledge of the tenacity and pride woven into my people’s identity. “Resilience means never giving up,” said Valcine. “We come from the first Black republic that defeated slavery. That’s who we are.” Haiti’s history continues to affect its present. So much of the country’s struggles are tied to colonization and global debt. As the country falls deeper into a state of political and social uncertainty, Haitian Americans in the United States look for answers and community. 509 Cuisine offers its answers through food, and the Haitian community is showing up. With growing support from both Haitian and non-Haitian diners alike, 509 Cuisine is building more than a business; it’s building a bridge. “Food connects people,” said Laurent. “It helps us tell our story.” A VIBRANT PINK AND BLUE PLAYGROUND IN THE MANGO HOUSE, A SPACE WHERE CHILDREN OF VARIOUS IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES PLAY, REFLECTING THE BUILDING’S ROLE IN CULTIVATING BELONGING. July 2025 DENVER VOICE 7
NEWS DENVER VOICE TO BE MEDIA SPONSOR FOR 2025 MEMORIAL BLANKET INITIATIVE BY ELISABETH MONAGHAN THE HOMELESS MEMORIAL BLANKET PROJECT will partner with Denver VOICE for the 2025 Memorial Blanket Initiative. The Memorial Blanket Project began as an art installation in Carlisle, Pa., on December 21, 2021, in commemoration of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. Since then, the Initiative has grown into a national effort where as many as 1000 blankets are gathered and donated to unhoused families and individuals. This year, the installation will take place on December 21 in Denver, Colo. This initiative seeks to unite people from across the country in a common cause to make a difference through the warmth and comfort of handcrafted blankets to be shared with families and individuals without homes. “Our goal is to show people that they are not alone,” said Chris Kapp, a homeless advocate and board member of the Charles Bruce Foundation. “Each blanket is more than just a cover. It’s a reminder that there are people who care, even if they’ve never met. It’s a powerful way to spread love, hope, and healing.” Denver VOICE will provide ongoing updates on our website, printed editions, and social media channels about the project, along with information on how people can make and donate blankets or assist with coordinating the pickup, installation, and delivery of the blankets. For more information, visit memorialblanket.org. IMAGE COURTESY OF HOMELESS MEMORIAL BLANKET PROJECT ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM FELLOW VENDORS, OUR READERS, AND STAFF. Q What is your favorite type of food? What restaurant in Colorado do you go to eat this type of food? A HALVIN JONES McDonald’s has some great deals and is open late. The lines at McDonald’s are long, but they move fast. 7-11 is great because of their hours and locations. They are always open, and you can find them everywhere. They always have something different to eat. JERRY ROSEN My favorite type of food is Chinese. I usually go to a [restaurant that offers] a smorgasbord to get all the food. I also go to Golden Coral for their All You Can Eat buffet. When I visit my brother in Tulsa, OK, I usually go to a really good Chinese restaurant there. RAELENE JOHNSON I was recently introduced to Doug’s restaurant. It’s like home cooking and good value for you. If you’re in Boulder or Longmont, you will find them. Everything is cooked to order, and the people there are very friendly! Compared to what it costs to go out to eat anywhere else, this is a great place. STEVE ANSON Little Anita’s is my standby. When I have time, I order their Ranchero Skillet. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll get their Breakfast Burrito with bacon. Their prices are reasonable. 8 DENVER VOICE July 2025
COMMUNITY PROFILE HIGHLIGHTING AURORA’S WEST AFRICAN CUISINE AT SWEET PEPPER KITCHEN STORY AND PHOTOS BY KHALEIGH REED IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN CURIOUS about African cuisine. Denver’s food scene will have you wanting more. The aroma and hint of spice wafting from Sweet Pepper Kitchen seal the deal. Located off of East 6th Avenue in Aurora, just next to Lagos International Market, Sweet Pepper Kitchen food truck is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from 12 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. With a variety of options such as tomato sauce-smothered chicken, fried tripe, plantains, and Jollof rice, just one plate can satisfy your appetite for the day. Shade Adebayo started Sweet Pepper Kitchen from her home in 2020. Soon after, she began operating out of her food truck. Just ahead of the lunch rush, Adebayo gets ready for a busy day. She makes sure that the meals she prepped in the space of her home are not only ready for the food truck but include her best quality ingredients. In the food truck, Adebayo dips cut-up tripe into the fryer, the oil bubbles and makes what is already a hot summer day just as warm in the food truck. While owning a food truck can be demanding, it’s Adebayo’s drive to serve her community that fuels her passion. “I’m so happy I’m serving my community. Before I [began] my food truck [business], we [didn’t] really have food around us so I feel like I’m happy [to live my] dream [of serving] my authentic Nigerian food because our food is very very organic.” Raised in a Nigerian household, Adebayo and her husband moved to Denver in 1988 to start a family. Since then, not only has her son, Adekunle followed in her footsteps, but the entire family, including a family friend, Bukunmi, helps run the business. During the summer, which is Sweet Pepper Kitchen’s busiest season, there are always family members and friends on-site to help. “I think it’s important to have Nigerian food in Aurora because we want to have a good representation of the food,” said Bukunmi. “We don’t want it to be someone else taking our culture and putting it on display [without showing] the good parts of it.” Currently, Adebayo isn’t looking to move into a bigger place, due to the costs associated with an expansion, but said she hopes she will be able to consider it in the future. Sweet Pepper Kitchen celebrated its five-year anniversary on June 28, commemorating how far the Adebayo family and their business have come. The joy of sharing not only food but also culture is a tradition instilled by the uniting of family. While it began as a dream, it’s grown into a local staple that tells a story and highlights the significance of Nigerian cuisine. For more information on Sweet Pepper Kitchen, visit sweetpepper.kitchen.com THE JOY OF SHARING NOT ONLY FOOD BUT ALSO CULTURE IS A TRADITION INSTILLED BY THE UNITING OF FAMILY. July 2025 DENVER VOICE 9
COMMUNITY PROFILE MAKE TIME FOR COFFEE TIME STORY AND PHOTOS BY JULI YANAI HOUSED IN AN AMBIENT SPACE WITH PLENTY OF NATURAL LIGHT, THE SHOP IS A QUIET OASIS. WITHIN THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH at 1373 N Grant St in Denver is a brand new coffee shop that celebrates Ethiopian coffee culture while supporting a collective of businesses. Coffee Time is on the east side of the church and is part of a collective of local businesses that support one another. Housed in an ambient space with plenty of natural light, the shop is a quiet oasis nestled within the hustle of Denver’s metropolis. The owner, Ibrahim Mohamud, is friendly, humble, and simply excited to be serving coffee and sharing the traditions of his cultural background. Once a month Mohamud makes it a point to host an Ethiopian coffee ceremony in the shop. On this day, patrons can expect to be delighted with the strong smell of coffee beans as they’re freshly roasted in the shop. Between the aroma of the coffee and traditional barley snacks, candy, and beautiful porcelain coffee cups — the space fosters a sense of community through the slow, intentional enjoyment of coffee. Ethiopia is also the birthplace of arabica coffee, and naturally, the shop’s premium drip coffee is Shebelle coffee. Shebelle is a blend originally from Sidama, grown way up in the highlands at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. Featuring a light-bodied taste with citrus and wine notes, Shebelle is regarded as the best blend from the Sidama region. As part of their collaboration with other local businesses, Coffee Time also has a house blend from Queen City Collective. The Belafonte coffee is Queen City’s flagship double-origin blend, featuring Ethiopian and Colombian beans that give it a delightful, layered taste. In addition to having delectable coffee choices, there are also a variety of pastry and food options. But more specifically, they offer a fantastic breakfast burrito that incorporates Ethiopian spices with an earthy flavor. COFFEE TIME 1373 N. Grant St. - in the basement of the First Baptist Church - Hours: M – Sat 7 a.m. – 6p.m. closed Sunday Phone: (303) 548-9431 10 DENVER VOICE July 2025
COMMUNITY PROFILE FOUR DIRECTIONS’ OFFERINGS EXTEND BEYOND FOOD THROUGH EXTENSIVE SUPPORT OF VARIOUS LOCAL SERVICES AND PROJECTS. FOUR DIRECTIONS CUISINE STORY BY JAMIE MILLER IN 2017, MURDOCH DECIDED TO MOVE TO COLORADO, WHERE SHE CONTINUED TO CULTIVATE FOUR DIRECTIONS CUISINE. ANDREA MURDOCH, OWNER of Four Directions Cuisine (4DC) was born an Indigenous Andean in Venezuela. She was adopted and grew up in rural Ohio, which left her largely disconnected from her cultural background. It was not until after her divorce from a traumatic marriage that her lifelong love for cooking became a path for healing and to deepen her connection with her native roots. “I was getting divorced and for whatever reason I decided that starting a business in Milwaukee in 2015 was a part of my healing journey,” Murdoch said. In search of a way to reconnect with her culture through food, Murdoch connected with the Oneida Nation, who welcomed her with open arms. She reflects on the experience full of gratitude, remembering the foundational knowledge that the women of the Oneida Nation taught her. “The first thing they taught me about was the Three Sisters,” squash, beans and corn…how that relates to their culture, and how they came to be. They were incredibly kind and trusting to share that with me,” she said. “They hold a special place in my heart. They took me in, a native origin who was completely disconnected from native culture.” Education on native culture and cuisine enriched her life, introducing her to new passions like food sovereignty — a belief that people and communities should be centered on growing, harvesting, and preparing healthy food. According to Murdoch, her favorite meal depends on the season, but she is a year-round fan of roasted potatoes and braised bison. Other meals Four Directions serves include Ramona Farms coarse grits, poached duck eggs, and smoked salsa, from the brunch party menu, or the Queen’s Steak, which features locally cultivated king oyster mushroom steak, quinoa pilaf, and chile tomato sauce, from Four Directions’ catering menu. In 2017, Murdoch decided to move to Colorado, where she continued to cultivate Four Directions Cuisine. She has been “making home and community ever since.” Four Directions Cuisine is known for its catering business, which operates on a seasonal rotating menu that only uses locally grown, Native-produced ingredients and honors the relationships that Indigenous people have with the earth. Additionally, 4DC offers private gatherings like their summer outdoor chefs’ table at The Rooted Adina, along with cooking classes, and consulting. However, Four Directions’ offerings extend beyond food through extensive support of various local services and projects, like their Ancestry Harmony Retreats, which aim to give people the space to connect with and learn about native culture through weekend retreats in the Denver area. “We are intentionally keeping dollars in Indigenous communities and are incredibly proud of our efforts in education and activism,” Murdoch said. To view their most updated menu or read more about their mission and services, visit Fourdirections.com. July 2025 DENVER VOICE 11
IN YOUR OWN WORDS COMMUNITY PROFILE A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF! I’M WRITING TO YOU, Self, as your older self. Being young, we thought we had all the time in the world to enjoy life, not to deal with problems, or even try to forget about problems, because if we didn’t think about them, maybe they’d go away. But Self, let me tell you something: RAELENE JOHNSON DENVER VOICE VENDOR holding things in or trying not to deal with pain and problems that you have will not help you in the long run! I also tell you this because when you’re young, you will not know how strong you’re going to have to become later on when hard things come your way! They will come your way, and what really matters when it does happen, is how you deal with it. Everybody needs somebody to talk to, to confide in — somebody who’s willing to listen. You need somebody to talk to it because when you don’t, it builds up like a time bomb, and when it goes off, you may not always be able to control it! Self, when you lose control, you may not be able to deal with the consequences that will come your way because you exploded and didn’t even want to try to get help with how you were feeling. When health issues come, don’t be scared, Little Self, to reach out and ask for help. Sometimes asking for help is the hardest thing that you can do, but when you’re young, you need to learn how to do it, Self. We are not made to be by ourselves, for if you live a life by yourself, one day you will become old, and you will see how hard life is when there’s nobody to talk to, nobody to care, no one around to worry about you at all. Self, make good friends while you’re young because once you get old and you don’t have any friends around, going through medical conditions by yourself can be very hard. I’m very thankful today that I know how to ask for help, and that I have the people around who have helped me to go through my cancer journey, as well as the upcoming surgeries that I need to have. While you’re young, Self, keep it in your mind that one day, if you’re lucky enough to live 50 or 60 years, you’ll have the best life ever because friendship is worth cultivating, by making time for each other, listening to each other, and helping each other out when a friend needed. Just remember, you are so much stronger than you may think, and it’s all up to you whether you believe it or not. Strength comes from within — not from what other people tell you what you are or are not! Believe in yourself always, for if you don’t, who will believe in you? No one can love you more than you can love yourself. No one can give you the love that you’re missing if you don’t have it for yourself! So, if you don’t love yourself while you’re young please make sure you think about getting help! Life is a short journey, and in the blink of an eye, you can go from thinking you got all the time in the world to being old and realizing that you ain’t got much more time. How are you going to spend your time, Self? Stay strong, Self. I’ll see you in the future! 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. JOHN ALEXANDER IS BACK I AM BACK! No, I was not in the Bahamas; although, it been away is a fact long, a that long I have time. JOHN ALEXANDER DENVER VOICE VENDOR During this time, I made new acquaintances, whose names are Dementia, Memory Loss, Hyperparathyroidism, Parathyroid Adenoma, Hypercalcemia, Cancer, High Calcium, and a set of twins called High Blood Pressure and Blood Clots. Just when I thought everything was finished, and that I would be getting a lollipop of my choice for being a good patient before being cleared to go home, it was decided that I had spare time for major throat surgery. So, there I was, still in the hospital. After regaining consciousness from the operation, rubbed my hands over the stitched wound. I felt and looked like the Frankenstein Monster. I thought, “What’s next?” “Well, Johnny,” I said to myself, (I can always depend on me to be around and give me a kind word or two), “It’s been a long, hard, uphill fight, Johnny, but it’s all behind you know.” I decided to ring for the nurse to find out the exact day and time I would be able to leave the hospital and go home. “Hello, Miss Nurse,” I said, as she walked in to check on me. “I’d like to know when I will be going home.” Her response was, “Well, I can’t say exactly when, but we have you schedued to go to a nursing home, and as soon as there is an opening, you will be released to that facility.” “Well, Johnny,” I told myself, “It looks like you have another fight on your hands.” “No, I don’t,” I responded to me. “This is only Round 2, and I won the first one.” I DID win the first round. Round 2 cost me an extra 30 days in the hospital before I was released to come home. MY home! Today, I understand what it means when people say, “It feels good to be home again.” John Alexander is back! I 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. 12 DENVER VOICE July 2025
EVENTS GLENDALE FIREWORKS AT INFINITY PARK Get ready for a spectacular night of entertainment, excitement, and fireworks at Infinity Park. The Glendale Fireworks Show will feature an outdoor screening of the action-packed classic, “Armageddon” (1998), followed by an unforgettable fireworks display lighting up the night sky. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs to sit on the field and enjoy the show comfortably. Free parking is available in the P1 lot. WHEN: July 2, Doors open at 6:30pm COST: Free WHERE: Infinity Park, 4500 East Kentucky Ave., Glendale INFO: infinityparkatglendale.com/events CHERRY CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL The Cherry Creek Arts Festival offers a perfect opportunity to find inspiration, connect with others through art, and expand your worldview. Our annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival fills the streets of Cherry Creek North with over 250 juried artists ready to share their talent with the world. Expect plenty of live music, kids’ activities, art, information about art education, food, and more. WHEN: July 4 to 6, Starting at 10 am COST: Free WHERE: Cherry Creek North neighborhood on 2nd Avenue from Clayton to Adams Street, and between 2nd and 3rd Avenues from Detroit to Adams Street INFO: denver.org/event/cherry-creek-arts-festival/125478/ COLORADO BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL Join the Colorado Celebration of African American Arts and Culture for the 39th Annual Colorado Black Arts Festival. Enjoy a weekend fi lled with live music, visual art, cultural storytelling, and delicious food that refl ects the rich traditions of the African diaspora. Entertainment will be ongoing across three stages, showcasing everything from traditional African drumming to jazz and R&B. WHEN: July 11 – 13 COST: Free WHERE: 1700 City Park Esplanade, Denver INFO: colbaf.org RECONNECT 2025: MSU DENVER ALUNNI EXHIBITION Presented every five years, Reconnect serves as a dynamic platform that bridges decades of creativity, honoring the unique journeys of MSU Denver alumni. Their artwork reflects the rich academic background and innovative spirit cultivated at the university, illustrating how these artists have forged their artistic careers and helped shape the contemporary art landscape. WHEN: Recurring every week day until August 1, 2025, Tues-Fri: 11am – 6pm, Sat:12 – 5pm COST: Free WHERE: Metropolitan State University of Denver – Center for Visual Art. 965 Santa Fe Dr., Denver INFO: msudenver.edu/cva/exhibitions/ REBEL MARKETPLACE AT HOFFMAN HEIGHTS LIBRARY The farmers market at Hoffman Library was created to be an authentic neighborhood marketplace run and operated by surrounding community businesses with the library as the hub. Hoffman Heights Library will host a variety of programs at each farmers market, including storytimes at 6:30 and 7:30 pm, kids play area at 6 and 7 p.m. and a teen game space from 6 to 8 p.m. WHEN: Wednesdays - July 9, Aug. 6, Sept. 10, 6 – 8pm COST: Free WHERE: Hoffman Heights Library, 1298 Peoria St, Aurora INFO: rebelmarketplace.com PUZZLES 1 12 16 18 21 24 26 32 37 38 42 45 49 52 56 58 ACROSS 1. Nuts (over) 5. Music genre 9. Relative of -ian 12. “It’s my turn now!” 13. Remote 16. “Th e ___ Hand of Darkness” (Ursula K. Le Guin novel) 17. Nervous habit 18. Period when dinosaurs appeared 20. Go aft er 21. Name Jacob acquired aft er wrestling with the angel 22. *Glad about 24. Sunfl ower or strawberry seed (anagram of ACE HEN) 25. *Flood Guy 26. Union demand 27. “Your majesty” 28. Bottle lids 32. Place to stay 33. *Literate 36. ___ de Janeiro 37. *Some pelts 39. Synonym of “demeanor” that’s also a homophone of one of the syllables of “demeanor” 40. Divulge 42. Th rows in the towel 44. Studio activity 45. Shows off 48. Pick up on 49. Paul of “American Graffi ti” (anagram of METAL) 50. Accept defeat...or a hint to interpreting the starred clues 52. Improve 55. Jewish wedding dance 56. *Countless, e.g. 57. Barely gets, with “out” 58. Winter precipitation, in Scotland 59. *Christmas lair 60. Kennedy and Turner 59 DOWN 1. Covered in gold 2. Diluted espresso drink 3. *Catch cold, e.g. 4. Star in Scorpius (anagram of SEA RANT) 5. Symbol of slowness 6. Suffi x with “neur” or “narc” 7. Web address 8. Chemist’s workplace 9. Troy story 10. Past, present, or future 11. Landscaper’s tool 13. “I wish I could ___ that” (disturbed viewer’s comment) 14. Parish priest 15. ___ studies 19. More sound 22. Rice wine used in Japanese cooking 23. Wide shoe sizes 24. Like Death Valley 25. Dismisses (an employee) 27. Barbecue rods 29. Plant with a heart 30. Trailblazed 31. “Yesterday,” “Today,” or “Tomorrow” 34. Give off , as light 35. Make merry 38. Sudden violent wind 41. Disparaging nickname 43. Loosen, as laces 44. Arcade coin 45. Eggy desserts 46. Yellow fruit 47. Tiny organism: Var. 48. Birth-related 50. Unlikely to bite 51. Glasgow gal 53. Hold title to 54. Kanga’s kid 53 54 46 47 50 55 57 60 43 48 51 33 34 39 44 27 35 40 41 25 28 29 36 30 31 19 22 23 2 3 4 13 17 20 5 6 7 COURTESY OF STREETROOTS 8 9 14 15 10 11 2 1 3 9 8 7 8 6 4 6 4 6 8 5 2 5 1 7 1 9 3 2 5 2 9 3 4 1 July 2025 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 $10,000+ Meek-Cuneo Family Fund Anonymous Individual Donor Matt and Nikki Seashore Acorn Hill Foundation Inc. Pivotal Energy Partners USA, Inc. Cisco Francis Trainer and Trainer Family J. Albrecht Designs Master Goldsmith Mary Walker & Walker Family Foundation $5,000 - $9,999 Alexander Seavall Anschutz Family Foundation Laurie Duncan and Duncan-Mcwethy Foundation Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Joshua Kauer Frederic K Conover Trust The Christian Foundation Bank of America Charitable Foundation Sustainable Housing and Development Foundation Joshua Kauer $1,000-$4,999 Christopher Boulanger Michael Dino Katherine Standiford Jill Haug Whole Foods Foundation Alex Salva Signs By Tomorrow Rose Community Foundation Russell Peterson Kneedler Fauchere Donald Weaver Chris and Susan Pappas Julia and David Watson Gaspar Terrana Alexander Seavall SEI Giving Fund Sidney B and Caleb F Gates Fund Megan Arellano Warren and Betty Kuehner Jeremy Anderson and Thomas Stalker Russell Peterson Maggie Holben Keyrenter Property Management Denver Mathew Rezek The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation Elsbeth Williams Jana and Jim Cuneo Kroger Paul Manoogian Lori Holland Michael J. Fehn and Jan Monnier Jim Ashe Courage and Community Foundation George Lichter Family Foundation Lisa Wagner KO Law Firm Graham Davis Peter Iannuzzi $500-$999 Margaret Ramp Megan Sullivan John Gibson Sheryl Parker Ruth Henderson James and Cyndi Lesslie Kathleen McBride John Phillips Strawberry Mountain Craig Solomon Watermark Properties Seth Beltzley Jennifer Thornton-Kolbe Raymond and Brenda French Laura Saunders Jeff & Peg Davis Michael Brewer Drew Conneen Jerry Conover Robert E and Anne T Sneed Family Foundation Barbara and Robert Ells Carol and Louis Irwin Edwina Salazar James Stegman Jennifer Stedron Stephen Saul WalMart Nikki Lawson CEDS Finance Impact Assets Courage and Community Foundation Louis Irwin Mary Livernois KL&A Engineers and Builders Paula Cushing 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 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 July 2025
RESOURCE LIST MEDICAL / MENTAL HEALTH / DENTAL SERVICES ACS COMMUNITY LIFT: 5045 W. 1st Ave., Denver; https://rentassistance. org DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER: 777 Bannock St.; https://www. denverhealth.org DETOX LOCAL: Features information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community; http://www.detoxlocal.com DRUG REHAB USA: Addiction hotline - 888-479-0446; Organizations that take Medicaid: http://www.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: http://www.harmreductionactioncenter.org INNER CITY HEALTH CENTER: 3800 York St.; Emergency walk-ins - 303296-1767; Dental – 303-296-4873; M-F - 8am-2pm 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@hepcconnection.org; https://www.viventhealth.org NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE: 800-342-AIDS/800-344-7432 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Text or call 988; https:// www.988lifeline.org NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE: 800-RUNAWAY/800-786-2929; https:// www.1800runaway.org RAPE ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK: 800-656-HOPE; https:// www.rainn.org SALUD CLINIC: 6255 Quebec Pkwy, Commerce City; 303-697-2583, 970-484-0999; https://www.saludclinic.org/commerce-city STOUT STREET CLINIC: 2130 Stout St.; 303-293-2220; Clinic hours for new and established patients - M, T, Th, F - 7am-4pm, W - 9am-6pm; https://www.coloradocoalition.org/healthcare SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHAB GUIDE: HELPLINE – 888-493-4670; https:// www.detoxrehabs.net/states/colorado/ U.S. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 800-799-7233 (English and Spanish); 800-243-7889 (TDD); https://www.thehotline.org EMERGENCY SHELTER INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF SHELTER ARE ENCOURAGED TO GO TO “FRONT DOOR” SHELTER ACCESS POINTS: • For individual men – Denver Rescue Mission Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St. • For individual women – Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St. • For youth ages 15-20 – Urban Peak, 1630 S. Acoma St. • Families in need of shelter should call the Connection Center at 303-295-3366. ADDITIONALLY, DENVER PARKS AND RECREATION WILL OPEN ALL CURRENTLY OPERATING RECREATION CENTERS AS DAYTIME WARMING CENTERS DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS ON FRIDAY, NOV. 8 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 9, FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED A PLACE TO WARM UP. Denver Public Library locations are also available during regular business hours. Double-check library hours: denverlibrary.org/ locations. For more information about shelter access, visit denvergov.org/ findshelter or text INDOORS to 67283 for updates. DROP-IN DAYTIME CENTERS HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; Mon.-Fri. 7am-1pm. Private showers & bathrooms, laundry, lunch, etc; https://www.thoh. org THE GATHERING PLACE: 1535 High St.; 303-321-4198; 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, etc; https://www.tgpdenver.org HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 231 East Colfax; Mon.-Fri. 9am12pm; 303-572-7800; Provides clean syringes, syringe disposal, harm-reduction counseling, safe materials, Hep C/HIV education, and health education classes; https://www. harmreductionactioncenter.org FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN DENVER DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCE-LIST LAWRENCE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER: 2222 Lawrence St.; 303-2940157; day facility, laundry, showers, restrooms, access to services https://www.homelessassistance.us/li/lawrence-street-communitycenter OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES: 1567 Marion St.; Mon.-Fri. 7am-5:30pm. Drop-in center; bathrooms, coffee/tea, snacks, resources, WIFI https://www.odmdenver.org T. FRANCIS CENTER: 303-297-1576; 2323 Curtis St. 6am-6pm daily. Storage for one bag (when space is available). Satellite Clinic hoursMon., Tues., Thurs, Fri. 7:30am-3:30pm; Wed. 12:30-4:30pm https:// www.sfcdenver.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES: 846 E. 18th Ave. For those 60+. TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, and more. https://www. 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. https://www.soxplace.com THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 2100 Stout St. 303-2910442. Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am. YOUTH AGED 15-20 IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE OVERNIGHT SHELTER SERVICES: 303-974-2928 https://www.urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-andservices/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 https://www. urbanpeak.org FREE MEALS CAPITOL HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 1100 Fillmore St., Sat. lunch at 11:30am; https://www.capitolheightspresbyterian.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: https://www.mealsforpoor.org CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: 1530 Logan St.; sandwiches & coffee Mon.-Fri. 8:30am; https://www.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; https:// www.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); https://www.christinthecity.org CITYSQUARE DENVER: 2575 S. Broadway; 303-783-3777; Food pantry Tues. 10am-6pm; https://www.citysquare.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES: 1820 Broadway (in front of Trinity United Methodist Church); Hot meals served M, T, Th., F - 11:4512:15; https://www.mealsforpoor.org DENVER RESCUE MISSION: 1130 Park Avenue West; 303-294-0157; 3 meals 7 days/week, 5:30am, 12pm, 6pm; https://www. denverrescuemission.org HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; M-F. 7am-1pm. Not open weekends; Breakfast is at 8am, lunch is served at 11am; https:// www.havenofhope.org HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE: 1400 Cherry St., free vegetarian feast on Sun., 6:45-7:30pm; https://www.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; https://www.hislovefellowship. org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH: 1900 California St.; Sandwiches, M-Sat., 10-10:30am; https://www.holyghostchurch.org 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; https://www.odmdenver.org/home ST. ELIZABETH’S: Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St. on Auraria Campus, 7 days/week, 11:00am; Food, coffee; https://www.stelizabethdenver. org ST. FRANCIS CENTER: 2323 Curtis St., Wed. & Fri. 3-4:30pm (except third Wed. of each month); https://www.sfcdenver.org 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; https://www.soallmayeat.org VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA: 2877 Lawrence St., breakfast (8am), lunch (11:30am), dinner (5pm) Mon.-Thurs., 12pm on Fri., 1pm on Sun. July 2025 DENVER VOICE 15 Food & clothing bank 9:30am-4pm Mon.-Thurs.; https://www. voacolorado.org/gethelp-denvermetro-foodnutrition-themission LGBTQ+ SUPPORT THE TREVOR PROJECT: 866-488-7386: https://www.thetrevorproject.org LGBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE: 800-246-7743: https://www. lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline PRIDE INSTITUTE: 800-547-7433 TRUE COLORS UNITED: 212-461-4401, https://www.truecolorsunited. org VETERANS & SENIORS DENVER INNER CITY PARISH: 1212 Mariposa St.; 303-322-5733; VOA Dining Center for Seniors, aged 60 and older, W-Sat. 9am-12pm; Food Bank, W-F; 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; https://www. seniorsupportservices.org VA MEDICAL CENTER: 1700 N Wheeling St.; Aurora 303-399-8020: https://www.va.gov/findlocations/facility/vha_554A5 VETERANS GUIDE: https://www.veteransguide.org; Veterans Disability Calculator https://www.veteransguide.org/va-disability-calculator YOUTH SERVICES SOX PLACE (YOUTH SERVICES): 2017 Larimer St.; 303-296-3412Daytime 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 (YOUTH SERVICES): 2100 Stout St. 303-2910442; Youth aged 15-20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, 303-974-2928; Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am https:// www.urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-and-services/drop-in-center SUNSHINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (YOUTH SERVICES): 833-931-2484; Services for youth facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions; https://www. sunshinebehavioralhealth.com URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES): 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; https://www. urbanpeak.org 2 6 1 8 5 4 3 7 9 5 3 9 6 1 7 8 4 2 7 8 4 2 9 3 1 5 6 1 2 7 5 4 8 6 9 3 9 5 8 3 7 6 2 1 4 6 4 3 1 2 9 5 8 7 4 1 6 9 3 5 7 2 8 8 7 2 4 6 1 9 3 5 3 9 5 7 8 2 4 6 1 G A G A S O U L I T E I M O N U N T R A V E L E D L E F T N A I L B I T I N G T R I A S S I C C H A S E A C H E N E R A I S E I S R A E L M E A N D E R F I E R I S I R E C A P S I N N R E P R I S E R I O D O G S M I E N L E T O N Q U I T S F L A U N T S N O T I C E L E M A T N O E L T A K E T H E L A M E L I O R A T E H O R A N O B L E W O M A N E K E S S N A T E D S T A P I N G
INTRODUCING DENVER SUPPORT THOSE FACING HOMELESSNESS BUY A SHIRT FROM OUR COLLECTION. DENVERVOICE.ITEMORDER.COM/SHOP/HOME 100% GOES DIRECTLY TO DENVER VOICE ORIGINAL DESIGNS BY DENVER VOICE ART DIRECTOR ANDREW FRAIELI S H S R O M E N S L E S E S S N E E A W A A P P A R E L
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