COMMUNITY PROFILE to three days a week: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, from 4 to 5 p.m. “We realized it was beneficial to a lot of people, said DeLaFuente. “People were happy to see us, they were happy to have food. Happy to have more resources. People who care. And we provided a safe place.” “WE BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS LESS COPS AND MORE LOVE. WE BELIEVE BLACK LIVES MATTER! WE BELIEVE NO HUMAN SHOULD EXPERIENCE HARASSMENT, INJURY, OR DEATH FROM POLICE OFFICERS OR ANY PERSON OF AUTHORITY.” Tara De La Fuente “We can’t ignore the stories of police brutality and excessive force that have been happening for years in our community,” said DeLaFuente. “This is not something that just happened all of a sudden with George Floyd. This has been going on. And it’s going to continue to go on because these problems are so deep-rooted in our society and in our country. It’s why we have to talk about it and why we have to work together, to make a difference.” CREDIT: PAULA BARD DeLaFuente is a single parent with a solid Catholic foundation. She is on a mission. Her spiritual life is driven by a strong focus on supporting families. She and her daughter Ashley volunteer together as a team. “I am all about families having a positive way of living. All families. I’m seeing that some families are being mistreated, segregated. There are so many social issues that are going on.” She is deeply concerned with increasing racism and wealth distribution. “Our city says it’s building affordable housing, but most people can’t qualify. So, what happens? They’re left on the street or on somebody’s couch. There are so many people, it’s not just people living in tents; it’s people couch surfing, people living in shelters.” DeLaFuente grew up in the small town of Brush in northeast Colorado (2019 population of 5,420). She came to Denver in 2008 for a job with the University of Colorado. Three years ago, she started a Ph.D. program at CU with a focus on family science. In addition to Cats Not Cops, she runs her own business helping families access higher education. She also works part-time in CU’s Family and Community Engagement Department. Feeding people on Denver’s streets fits in with her long-term vision of supporting families. The next step for Cats Not Cops is media. They’ve been collecting data and filming stories, ultimately aiming to share them with the public. And they are collaborating with other mutual aid groups by hosting and sharing skills. “They can take back the knowledge to their own communities,” said DeLaFuente. “I believe it’s important to share the skills and knowledge that we have gained. We hope to always teach and learn. Especially appreciating each other, valuing each other.” Cats Not Cops serves free food Tuesday, Thursday, and CREDIT: PAULA BARD CREDIT: PAULA BARD Sunday 4-5 pm, Benedict Fountain Park, 401 East 20th Avenue, Denver. To learn more about them, visit catsnotcops.com. ■ August 2021 DENVER VOICE 7
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