$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE Committed to SERVI GNNG SERVING NG During his time in prison and while living on the streets, Ray learned to care for others. Today, he lives in service to others, even as he hustles to fi nd a way off the streets. PAGE 6 AN OPEN LETTER TO MIKE JOHNSTON I HOPE YOU WILL INCLUDE US IN THE CONVERSATION. WE ARE MORE THAN BODIES OCCUPYING PUBLIC SPACES. PAGE 3 INSIDE DENVER’S TENANT POWER MOVEMENT ABIGAIL ESPINO ORGANIZED A TENANT UNION AT HER APARTMENT COMPLEX AFTER THE CALIFORNIA-BASED LANDLORD INCREASED HER RENT BY MORE THAN 55%. PAGE 8 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 3, 4, 5, 12 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 AUGUST 2023 | Vol.28 Issue 8 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) Vendor Spotlight: MICHAEL BURKLEY FROM YOUR VENDOR: CREDIT: GILES CLASEN
DIRECTOR’S NOTE WHEN WE EMBARKED ON THIS JOURNEY to introduce an art-focused initiative to our 27-year-old vending program, we envisioned something that would not only support vendors’ livelihoods but also foster a sense of community and appreciation for creative expression. The results have surpassed JAMES KAY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR our wildest expectations. The integration of art into the vending program has breathed new life into both our program and the Santa Fe Art District. The impact on our vendors has been remarkable. Through the art program extension, many, like Lando Allen and Rea Brown, have discovered a new sense of purpose and fulfillment. Many have found solace, healing, and empowerment through their artistic endeavors. The program has provided a platform for selfexpression, allowing vendors to share their unique perspectives and experiences with the world. Equally inspiring is the response from the community. The Santa Fe Art District, a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts, locals, and tourists alike, now buzzes with even more electric energy, attracting visitors who appreciate the rich tapestry of creativity that our vendors have to offer. The synergy between the art initiative and the vending program has sparked a renewed sense of interest and engagement from the public, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits both our vendors and the broader community. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all the vendors who have embraced this addition wholeheartedly. Your artistic contributions have not only beautified our office space and area, they have also served as a catalyst for change and connection. Your resilience and willingness to step out of your comfort zones have inspired us all. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the neighborhood artists, volunteers, and community members who have supported this initiative since its inception. Your commitment to fostering an inclusive and vibrant arts community has been instrumental in the success of this extension. As we move forward, I am filled with hope and anticipation for what the future holds for all of us. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey and making these ideas possible! ■ THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS GILES CLASEN is a freelance photojournalist 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. ROBERT DAVIS is an award-winning freelance reporter for the Denver VOICE. His work has also appeared in Colorado Newsline, Business Insider, Westword, and Medium.com DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James Kay MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM COORDINATOR Connie Gaitan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Giles Clasen Gigi Galen Yvens Alex Saintil WRITERS John Alexander Michael Burkley Rea Brown 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. Cassandria Carmouche Giles Clasen Robert Davis David Gordon Raelene Johnson Jason Martin Jerry Rosen Larmarques Smith BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Jeff Cuneo, Treasurer Zephyr Wilkins, Secretary Albert Bland Antonio Diaz Jennifer Seybold Julia Watson Cabal Yarne With the money they make selling the VOICE, vendors are able to pay for their basic needs. Our program provides vendors with an immediate income and a support group of dedicated staff members and volunteers. Vendors are independent contractors who receive no base pay. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT editor@denvervoice.org VENDOR PROGRAM program@denvervoice.org • (720) 320-2155 ADVERTISING ads@denvervoice.org MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 VENDOR OFFICE 989 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. 2 DENVER VOICE August 2023 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY AN OPEN LETTER TO MIKE JOHNSTON BY DAVID GORDON, DENVER VOICE VENDOR Dear Mr. Mayor: Congratulations on your election. You may be able to fill the shoes of the previous administration, but you have a tough job. You have inherited a stain left by your predecessor, that I hope you will be able to remove, because no matter how hard you scrub, it’s not going to come out easily. It’s an emotional stain. You said you wanted to get homeless people off the streets and get them the help they need. You have declared a state of emergency to address homelessness. What is your plan? Should we expect sweeps? When we are told to move our tents, where are we supposed to go? We are unhoused. That means we can’t just pick up our belongings and move to another street, only to have you come there and sweep us to somewhere else. When we asked your predecessor where we were supposed to go between sweeps, he didn’t have an answer. If we have a job, we can’t take our belongings with us, so who’s going to take care of our stuff if you sweep? These sweeps are emotional. They are demoralizing. They kill your spirit and murder your hope for a better life or situation. When you go through many of them, it creates a resentment for city government. It tears apart the relationships and families that you’ve developed within the unhoused community. It denies us the pursuit of happiness. TAKEN IN DENVER, 2016. CREDIT: CRAIG ELEVITCH If you don’t want to see us sleeping on the streets, can you tell us where to go or how to remain hidden so we remain safe and aren’t in the way? The last administration was not willing to talk to the people whose lives were affected by the former mayor’s decisions. I don’t recall your predecessor ever reaching out directly to any of the unhoused. Will you? How will you communicate with people like me? Will YOU talk to us? Will you include more than one unhoused person on your advisory board? Will you try to correct the negative perceptions people have of us, or will you double down, referring to us “those homeless people,” and treating us like outsiders who don’t belong? You have just started a very challenging job. Working to resolve homelessness is going to be a difficult task for you. I hope you will ask for help from unhoused people like me, because you can’t do it alone. I also hope you will include us in the conversation. We are more than bodies occupying public spaces. There are some really bright and talented people in the unhoused community. If given a chance, we will contribute to the betterment of society. Communicate with us. Talking to us and letting us talk to you is not going to end homelessness, but it will make it easier for us to understand each other and figure out where we go from here. Sincerely, David Gordon Denver VOICE Vendor 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. August 2023 DENVER VOICE 3
PAGE TITLE VENDOR SPOTLIGHT SUMMER WISH LIST Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., or by appointment. VENDING WITH THE DENVER VOICE BY MICHAEL BURKLEY, VOICE VENDOR SINCE STARTING WITH THE DENVER VOICE IN 2010, I have been very fortunate to witness some of its growth. They’ve moved a couple of times and are now in the [Santa Fe] Art District, a very fitting location, to say the least. Over the years, many vendors and staff members have come and gone, as well. They will remain forever in my memory, and I’ll miss them dearly. Many of the old timers, like myself, have grown and changed in many ways. It’s an incredible thing to witness, and I’m glad that I have made these friends and business associates. Every year, the Denver VOICE celebrates NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Socks Toiletries (individual or travel-size) Toothpaste, deodorant, chapstick, sunscreen Bottled water its vendors. They also do workshops and also throw parties for us. If you go into the Denver VOICE office, there is always food and refreshments, not to mention some of the coolest clothes [donated by community members] you’ve ever seen. During my journey with the VOICE, I’ve met a wide range of people – from everyday people like myself – to, believe it or not, a multimillionaire. (RIP to Robert Hatch Sr.) Many times, people from all walks of life have come up to me and said something nice. It feels great to know that people truly do GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) Men’s jackets/shorts (sizes L, XL, XXL) Women’s jackets/shorts (sizes M, L, XL) Backpacks, carrier bags USB-C charging cables MICHAEL BURKLEY (2014).CREDIT: JESSE BORRELL MICHAEL BURKLEY (2022). CREDIT: DENVER VOICE STAFF VENMO YOUR VENDOR: If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code below to make a payment through Venmo. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments. Thank you! look up to the Denver VOICE. To close out, I would like to extend my gratitude to our new executive editor, James Kay, who hails from Atlanta, Georgia. He has taken the time to get to know each one of us individually. A list of the projects that he’s getting us involved with would be too extensive to mention here. Thank you, Denver VOICE, for allowing me to be part of your team. ■ FORMER DENVER VOICE OFFICE (2015). CREDIT: GILES CLASEN CURRENT DENVER VOICE OFFICE (2023). CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL @DenverVOICE 4 DENVER VOICE August 2023
ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS AND STAFF. THIS MONTH’S QUESTION WAS SUGGESTED BY DENVER VOICE VENDOR LARMARQUES SMITH Q A Who was your childhood hero and why? Now that you’re an adult, are they still your hero? JERRY ROSEN I would say that Superman was my hero, as he did quite astonishing things that no one else could do. Yes, he still is my hero as he was quite an individual. LARMARQUES SMITH My mom and I watched a lot of cartoons together. My two favorites were Jonny Quest and Scooby Doo. Both shows were mystery-based, and I thought it was so cool that the cast of Jonny Quest was a family, and they worked on solving mysteries together. The Scooby Doo cast was essentially the same – a tight-knit group of friends solving mysteries together. Fast-forward some 30-odd years… Jonny Quest still is one of my heroes. The show’s theme song takes me back to a simpler time, when music was music, and full orchestras were used during the opening credits. Dr. Quest, Race Bannon, Jonny, Hadji, and most of all, their dog, Bandit, still are my heroes, along with those “meddling kids” and that “damn dog,” Scooby Doo. JASON MARTIN My childhood heroes were definitely Batman and Robin. I remember watching [the TV show] religiously every week. Then came the dreaded weekends. No Batman until Monday after school (Ugh)!!! Yes, Bruce Wayne could still be my hero, mentor, and god. Bruce Wayne was definitely [part of] the Illuminati, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and a Free Mason. He is the stand-up, philanthropic type of guy we need to save Mother Earth. MICHAEL BURKLEY My childhood heroes were my school teachers. I grew up in Tulsa, and later, I went to high school in Houston. I can’t stress enough how important they were. One teacher who sticks out is my music teacher in elementary school. She is still my mentor today. CASSANDRIA CARMOUCHE There’s only one man on this entire planet that will forever be my hero. He has been there to encourage, inspire, and motivate me my entire life. Even though I have caused him great pain at times with my poor decisions, he has never put me down or belittled me. My hero stands 5’9”, however, in my eyes, his stature is taller than Goliath. He has the faith of Job and seeks God’s heart like David. This man isn’t wealthy, but rich in spirit and love. He’s not a perfect man, but he is humble about the wrongs that he’s done in his own life and taught me not to make those same mistakes. If you are wondering the name of this incredible man, it is Casanovia Faircloth, however, I call him Daddy. REA BROWN Many heroes come and go as we grow some are made of steel, others are made of snow some move very fast, others can fly or glow. whatever the substance, though, they seem to always let us know in the end, good will win even if it’s just a show. JOHN ALEXANDER King Fonzer was my childhood hero, and today, some 68 years later, he is still my hero. He was a big, big, Black man, and he was built like Paul Bunyan. He lived in the South. I am not just speaking about a big Black man who lived in the Deep South. I’m speaking of a Black man who lived in Mississippi, raising his family in the 1930s, ‘40 and 50’s – during a time when racism, prejudice, segregation, lynchings, and other atrocities against Black people were the worst in the world. As the Ku Klux Klan oversaw these activities at record-breaking levels, King Fonzer faced them – often by himself. King Fonzer had very little knowledge of what was legal or illegal, but he had a great understanding of right and wrong. If any other kid – white, Black, or other – bullied his children, he would come looking for the offender. Once he tracked them down, he would grab that person and take them to their home, where he would explain to the parents what their bullying child had done, and why it would be best not to do it again. News of King’s actions got around fast. When the police, Klan members, and people from all walks of life heard about him, they would say, “Oh, yes. That’s King Fonzer. Don’t pay him no never mind. He’s just one of those crazy n-----! Don’t waste your time with him.” But King Fonzer was not crazy. He was a man who believed that when it came to defending right from wrong, nothing would stop him. He believed in a full and honest day’s work. He would arrive at work on time, and at the end of the day, he often would say, “Well, King is tired. Now, King is going home.” Sometimes, he would stay longer. When that happened, if the boss man saw him, he would tell King that everyone else had already gone home, and King would answer, “Well, today, King is going to work a little longer.” That was King Fonzer. He stood up for what was right, protected his family, and worked hard. King Fonzer, my hero, was also my grandfather on my mother’s side. At 2023 DENVER VOICAugust 2023 DENVER VOICE 5
LOCAL FEATURE CREDIT: GILES CLASEN COMMITED TO SERVING BY GILES CLASEN PERSONAL GROWTH IS A COMPLICATED ENDEAVOR. It requires self-awareness and effort. Not everyone is willing to take those steps, but Ray isn’t one of those people. He isn’t afraid of what he may find as he digs deeper into his psyche because he has been on a quest for discovery for the past several years. Mostly, this self-examination process was forced upon him by circumstances, some of it was through personal pursuit – especially after realizing how his choices impacted those he cared about. Ray has lived on and off the streets throughout his life. Occasionally, he has found an escape from homelessness. These respites have involved good times, like his marriage. It has also involved his incarceration for drug and theft charges. “I know I’m a bum,” Ray said. “I look at myself, and I hate myself. I hate who I am and where I’m at. When I take a shower, I take it really quick. I get dressed fast. I can’t look in the mirror. I can’t do this anymore. I say to God, ‘Take me, I’m done.’ I don’t think about it; it just comes out.” After explaining this, Ray takes a beat and reminds himself that his belief in God means he can’t give in to his emotions, and he can’t give up. “There are times I want to give up,” Ray said, but when he gets to that point, he remembers that his faith in God gives him something to keep him going. Ray also believes he must persevere to help others. “That is why now I live for other people,” Ray said. Ray’s service to others comes in many forms. He has developed an incredible capacity for empathy and is considered a counselor for others living in tents and shelters. He will talk nonstop once you get him started. But his real gift is to listen and care for others. That gift has earned him the moniker “The Counselor,” among many on the street. “I’m a strong person. I want to keep going. I want to give to people – to my friends, and my family, to others who have less than me. I want to help them,” Ray said. “The people on the street, they love me because I help them,” Ray said. “I’m honest, and I’m genuine. People ask me ‘Where did you come from?’ I say, ‘I’m here for the work of the Lord.’” Ray’s commitment to faith and service is a big change from who he once was. He came from an abusive home. 6 DENVER VOICE August 2023
LOCAL FEATURE When Ray was a child, his father, who was never around, died in prison. Ray’s mother, whom he described as a gangster and drug dealer, abandoned him when he was five years old. He was left alone in a house for over a week. He tried to start a fire to cook something, but the fire raged out of control and burned down the house. Ray was saved by firefighters and was then placed in foster care. After years in a group home, Ray was placed back in the care of his mother. He wasn’t with her for more than a month before he ran away and was returned to foster care. “I didn’t know how to love [my mother]. She didn’t know how to love me, either,” Ray said. “I found a family in foster care.” Through it all, Ray remained steadfast. He learned to drive a semi-truck, got married, and did his best to piece together his own version of a happy life. Ray never learned to be “normal” though. That was partly because he never had the support to understand how to build stability. He was very much a slave to his desires and emotions. “I have never felt love in my life,” Ray said. “The love you get from your mom and dad, I never got that. Where do you learn love, if not from your mom and dad, when you’re young?” Ray doesn’t blame others for where he has ended up. He is pensive and thinks frequently about what he has missed out on, and how he can thrive despite that. “In prison, I didn’t get one letter. No one cared enough about me to send me even one letter,” Ray said. “That was a wake-up call. I decided if I was going to connect with others I had to learn to love myself. So, I started trying.” When Ray got out of prison, he tried to repair his relationship with his wife. “I was abusive. I never hit her, and I never yelled at her or called her names,” Ray said. “But I was selfish and I stayed out all night and slept with anyone I wanted. It was abusive behavior, in my mind.” His wife died of a fentanyl overdose before they really had a chance to mend their relationship. Ray was able to reconnect with his mother before she died of Cirrhosis. According to Ray, his mother’s doctor had told her she had less than a year to live, but she went on to live for many more years. Ray said it was during his time in prison and also while he was living on the streets that he learned to care for others. Today, Ray aims to live in service to others, even as he hustles to find a way off the streets. Recently, Ray talked a stranger into lending him a lawn mower, so he could mow lawns to make a few bucks. Once he got the machine, Ray went door to door and explained his situation to those who answered. He offered to mow people’s lawns for whatever amount of money they were comfortable paying. And if the person couldn’t pay, he cut their lawn for free. “Sometimes people need a little help,” said Ray. “If I can cut their lawn and help them when they have nothing to pay – well that is enough for me,” he added. Ray watches out for his friends and others experiencing homelessness. He listens to them and shares what insight or helpful opinions he has. Ray is tired of the ever presence of drugs. He said he knows people only turn to drugs as an escape from their misery, but he has seen too many individuals die from drugs. Ray carries Narcan with him, and he has used it on several occasions to revive individuals who overdosed. He wants to help heal people’s bodies and spirits, and he is willing to do whatever is necessary for them. So, he tries to always be prepared for anything the streets may throw at him. “I think the Lord is with me,” Ray said. “I’ve had people treat me like a dog. But God, he’s been with me. I am trying to surrender to him. That’s the path. The only thing I can do is to try and to serve others.” ■ CREDIT: GILES CLASEN CREDIT: GILES CLASEN August 2023 DENVER VOICE 7
LOCAL STORY CREDIT: DILLON WANNER, UNSPLASH INSIDE THE DENVER TENANT POWER MOVEMENT BY ROBERT DAVIS ABIGAIL ESPINO STARTED ORGANIZING A TENANT UNION at the Edge26 apartment complex in Edgewater after the landlord Trion Properties—a multifamily real estate investment firm headquartered in Hollywood, California—increased her rent by more than 55% from $900 to $1,400 per month. She said she had also heard from Hispanic families at the complex that white families were getting their maintenance issues first, sometimes a month or two ahead of Hispanic families that filed similar work tickets. Some Hispanic families even resorted to fixing their own dishwashers and showers because of it, Espino added. Some households, like Espino’s, lived without hot water for a week or more last winter, she said. Those testimonies hit home for Espino, who told Denver VOICE that part of the issue was that Trion didn’t have someone in the front office who spoke Spanish. “I couldn’t believe that some people were living like that and the apartment managers weren’t doing anything to fix it,” Espino said. So, the Edge26 tenants started organizing a union with the help of Edgewater Collective, a local nonprofit organization. They showed up to city council meetings and told the community about their living conditions. At first, Espino said a lot of people showed up, and that seemed to push Trion to hire an employee who spoke Spanish. But then attendance at the tenant meetings started to dwindle. Espino said she suspected people stopped coming because the union couldn’t address the community’s main concern—rent increases. “We are here to help, but there are some things that we just can’t address. And unfortunately, rent is one of them,” Espino said. Espino’s situation at Edge26 is similar to the experiences that many tenants in Denver face as the city’s multifamily market continues to soar. Commercial real estate firm Marcus and Millchap’s Q2 2023 Denver Multifamily Market Report found that the city’s 90% rent payment fulfillment rate and high average yields continue to draw out-of-state investors to the market. Out-of-state investors accounted for nearly half of all transactions over the last 12 months and that investment activity is one reason why the city’s average rent has increased by more than 28% since March 2020 up to nearly $2,000 per month, according to the report. Trion Properties is just one company that sees huge profit potential in the Denver metro area’s multifamily market. Since 2020, Trion has acquired properties such as The View at North Peak Apartments, a 288-unit community in Northglenn, for $38 million; the 402-unit Terra Village in Edgewater (which was later rebranded as Edge26) for $109 million, and a 198-unit complex in Aurora called Trailpoint on Highline for about $28 million. Trion also offers its more A WORKER BUILDING A MULTIFAMILY TOWNHOUSE SITS ON THE FRAMING IN ARVADA, COLORADO. CREDIT: REUTERS 8 DENVER VOICE August 2023
LOCAL STORY than 1,200 investors an average internal return rate of 18% over the 18-plus years that the company has been operating, according to its website. Denver VOICE reached out to Trion Properties for comment about the allegations made against the company but did not receive a reply before press time. Some tenants also say that the staggering rent increases some landlords are instituting are putting them at risk of losing their homes. Denver led the nation with a 71% gap between local median rents and household income between 2009 and 2021, according to a recent study by Witch, a subsidiary of the real estate platform Clever. In turn, tenants across the Denver metro area have formed unions to try and slow rent increases and provide better living conditions for renters. Although many of the issues these unions are trying to address exist at the individual building level, some union organizers say the organizations are driven by the same issues. Namely, that local lawmakers seem eager to engage tenants about the issues they face but don’t show the same enthusiasm when it comes time to passing legislation that could stop the issues from happening in the first place. “There seems to be a lack of awareness from the people in power, who are oftentimes not renters themselves,” Shannon Hoffman, a member of Denver’s Democratic Socialist party and former city council candidate, told Denver VOICE in an interview. “They’re not in close proximity to the people who are facing eviction or who are unable to pay rent, and that precludes them from being able to see the human side of the issue and making the link between a lack of affordable housing and the increasing rates of homelessness that we’re seeing.” ROOTS THAT RUN DEEP The roots of the frustrations some Denver renters feel predate the coronavirus pandemic, but the event seemingly served to exacerbate their concerns. Rents followed the demand for non-congregate shelter upwards at a startling pace. At the same time, low-wage workers like cooks, housekeepers, and cashiers were “disproportionately displaced” from the labor market at the onset of the pandemic, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. In turn, local governments across the metro area instituted eviction moratoriums to prevent as many people as possible from losing their homes because of pandemicinduced job losses or work-hour reductions. They also used federal funds to dramatically expand rental assistance programs, and some counties like Denver created eviction legal defense programs for renters. Over the past three years, lawmakers in the General Assembly have also passed a wide range of progressivestyle bills that prohibit source of income discrimination by landlords, housing discrimination based on someone’s hair type, and gave tenants more power to address issues in their rental contracts. So why do some renters say these efforts haven’t been enough? Hoffman said one reason is that the programs that lawmakers have created are not large enough to meet the scale of need. For example, Denver has its own eviction defense program but there were still more than 1,200 evictions filed in May, which is 35% higher than the number recorded in May 2019 before the pandemic began, Denverite reported. However, Denver only spends about $1.5 million annually on its eviction defense program, a total that has remained stagnant over the last two years, according to city budget documents. Hoffman added that lawmakers have also failed to pass legislation that directly addresses some of the tenant organizations’ concerns like requiring just cause in an eviction case. The bill sought to limit the instances where a CREDIT: XUEHUAI HE, UNSPLASH landlord could legally evict a tenant, but was ultimately laid over before the last legislative session ended. Eighteen anti-poverty organizations including the ACLU of Colorado, Colorado Poverty Law Project, and the Colorado Village Collaborative penned a letter asking newly elected Denver Mayor Mike Johnston to implement many of the requirements of the just cause eviction bill such as ending evictions for unpaid rent and increasing funding for eviction legal defense programs. These organizations also called on Johnston to increase eviction defense funding by up to $10 million annually. “There’s a real lack of trust, and we’re starting from lessthan-zero on many of these issues,” Melissa Mejía, the state and local policy director for the Community Economic Defense Project, a nonprofit that also signed the letter to Johnston, told Denver VOICE in an interview. Another issue that Hoffman said needs to be addressed is Colorado’s ban on rent control, which stems from the 2000 Colorado Supreme Court decision in Town of Telluride v. Lot Thirty-Four Venture, LLC, also known as the “Telluride decision.” Lawmakers introduced a bill during the 2023 legislative session that sought to repeal local rent control prohibitions, but the bill was subsequently laid over after a strong lobbying effort from groups like the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Apartment Association, and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office. TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS While the disconnect between renters and lawmakers has some tenants taking matters into their own hands by organizing, landlords in the courtroom. In early June, five tenants filed a class action lawsuit against Tschetter Sulzer, P.C., a law firm in Denver that specializes in eviction cases. Each plaintiff described situations where they were charged attorneys fees and costs by the law firm after it represented their landlords in eviction cases against the plaintiffs for nonpayment of rent. Carol Kennedy, an attorney with the Colorado Poverty Law Project who is representing the plaintiffs, told Denver Voice that Colorado law prohibits these fees from being assessed in cases that are settled out of court, as each of the class action plaintiffs did. The lawsuit also represents an urgent question for lawmakers about how they will enforce new laws aimed at protecting renters as debates about tenant rights spill over into the next legislative session. “This is just an effort to enforce the laws as they are currently written, and make the system work in the way that it is supposed to work,” Kennedy said. Kinsey Hasstedt, the senior state and local policy program director at Enterprise Community Fund, told Denver Voice that she sympathizes with the frustration of renters because the past few years have been “a decidedly mixed bag” in terms of policy. Hasstedt said renters can take some solace in the fact that tenants’ rights and affordable housing issues will remain the top issue for state lawmakers for the foreseeable future. There is also a growing coalition of lawmakers under the Gold Dome that seem committed to prioritizing those issues, she said. “It used to be that you couldn’t get anyone to talk about it also has pitted some tenants against their affordable housing but now no one can stop talking about it,” Hasstedt said. “People are running on it, and they’re telling their constituents about it. Affordable housing and renters’ rights issues aren’t going anywhere.” ■ August 2023 DENVER VOICE 9
NATIONAL STORY PROTESTERS GATHER OUTSIDE THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING ON THE DAY ROE V. WADE WAS OVERTURNED BY THE JUSTICES, JUNE 24, 2022. CREDIT: FLICKR USER TAEDC THIS SUPREME COURT SESSION TOOK THE COUNTRY ON A SHARP TURN IN THE WRONG DIRECTION BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD THE SUPREME COURT has generated quite a bit of earned media in the past few years. There was the passing of Justice Samuel Alito, leading Sen. Mitch McConnell to hamstring the court with eight justices as he and the Republican-held Senate refused to approve President Barack Obama’s candidates on the thinnest of pretexts. He successfully held the seat open in the hopes that a Republican would assume office, and his gamble paid off. That domino knocked over the next: the appointment of three conservative justices during the Trump administration (and the resultant addition of terms like “boof,” “Devil’s triangle” and “squee” into the Congressional record). And, as of the end of the 2022-2023 term, that six-to-three conservative majority has done what conservative activists have worked for decades to accomplish: the end of federally protected abortions; the gutting of affirmative action; and the ability to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. The fact that the court managed to kill a Biden-era program to help 43 million student loan borrowers? That was icing. Those activists paved the route to our current jurisprudential reality in painstaking fashion. They picked the plaintiffs — the Asian students at the heart of the affirmative action case were preceded by Abigail Fisher. They picked the path — there are jurisdictions in Texas with a single judge whose decisions can be appealed to the most conservative appellate court in the country and then straight to the Supreme Court. They’ve picked the justices — former President Trump was handed a list of conservative jurists from which to choose and a seat he shouldn’t have been able to fill. By 2022, this long, patient process bore fruit. The Dobbs decision came down on June 24, 2022. The end of this Supreme Court sitting gave us the affirmative action decision on June 29 followed by the decisions about student loans and Creative 303 — allowing business owners to deny services to LGBTQ+ people on the basis of their religion — both on June 30. It has been remarkable, horrific, and yet entirely unsurprising to see decades of work expanding rights for people (specifically those who can’t afford to buy them) undone in just more than one year. There is no reason to think this court will be done any time soon. After all, these unelected justices, who are bound to no system of ethics but their own, also have lifetime appointments. Several of the conservative justices are relatively young, in judge-adjusted terms. The three newest justices — Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh — are 51, 55, and 58, respectively. The potential persistence of the conservative majority leaves a lot on the table, from attempts to gut the administrative state to decisions that relied on the Fifth and 14th Amendment’s substantive due process rights, which Justice Clarence Thomas helpfully listed in his concurring opinion on the abortion case: access to contraception (Griswold), gay marriage (Obergefell) and even a prohibition against outlawing gay sex (Lawrence). He left one out, but fully accounting for anything — his thinking, ethical boundaries, and vacation costs — has apparently never been Thomas’ thing. I won’t speak to Real Change’s thoughts on these sorts of things in any kind of “royal we.” I can describe my own political project, such as it is. It’s pretty simple. I want everyone in this country to have what I have always had through luck but as a matter of right. I want people to have housing and health care. I want people to access the education they want without fear of crushing debt. Sure, this past year some of my rights have been curtailed and more are threatened, but I believe I’ll be okay. What I want — and what this paper stands for — is for everyone to be okay. The potential that stability and security would unlock from people far better, far more innovative, and far more creative than I am is hard to imagine. I truly believe we would all be better for it. It all feels a bit disempowering. Residents of the United States have little recourse when it comes to the supremacy of these judges and their judicial activism. We don’t, but our elected representatives do. Theories that I’ve heard bandied about by people more knowledgeable than myself involve constraining this court through ethical standards, something floated by Democratic members of Congress. Life terms were meant to make justices unassailable, unaffected by the political winds — that hasn’t exactly worked out, but term-limiting them might. Rotating justices out of a pool of available candidates is a possibility. It would be hard to know which justice to take out to a private club, say, or who needs a spot on your private jet. Congress could do any of these things, and the country deserves at least the discussion of our options. Because for the first time in a long time, Americans are losing rights faster than they’re gaining them, and traditionally we haven’t been a nation that accepts that without a fight. ■ Courtesy of Real Change / International Network of Street Papers 10 DENVER VOICE August 2023
INTERNATIONAL STORY PAGE TITLE FINLAND IS SAYING GOODBYE TO HOMELESSNESS BY VEERA VEHKASALO ISO NUMERO: The aim of the Sanna Marin government 2019–2023 was to eradicate homelessness by 2027. Is this a realistic goal? JUHA KAAKINEN: Yes, it is. We know the ways to make it possible. Homelessness has decreased in Finland, mainly because of a strong political consensus that homelessness is an important human rights issue. Earlier this year you completed a report for the Ministry of the Environment on how to achieve this. So, how? Now that the number of homeless people has decreased, we can say that the majority of the remaining ones have more challenging problems. They need more intensive and longer-lasting support. We must ensure that this support is organized and that resources are allocated for it. Since 2008, the number of homeless people living alone has decreased by 54% and the number of long-term homeless by 68%. What is the explanation for this? Above all, the fact is that decreasing homelessness has been prioritized, and state, officials, municipalities, and organizations have been persistently working together. In concrete terms, it has of course meant that a significant number of apartments have been assigned to people and supported living units have been built. The explanation for the progress in the country as a whole is driven by the fact that the numbers of homeless people living alone and long-term homeless in Helsinki have decreased by as much as more than 70%. But more needs to be done in terms of prevention. The best option would be that a situation is not allowed to go so far that a person ends up homeless. How has homelessness changed in recent decades? Has the number of homeless in need of significant support increased? The picture of homelessness has changed rapidly. In 2008, the target group was still mainly people living in hostels or on the street who were abusing alcohol. Now the core group is made up of socially excluded people with multiple problems and drug addictions. But being homeless is not an attribute of a person; it is a situation they end up in. Currently, many different kinds of situations lead to it. And with the total number of homeless having decreased, there are more people who are in need of more intensive support. When the target is eradicating homelessness, it means that we must be able to get rid of all homelessness, regardless of the reasons behind homelessness or what kinds of problems a person might have. We must find solutions that work. But it is impossible to solve problems without housing, regardless of whether people’s issues are related to health or social care. The target was to halve homelessness by 2023 [the government has also made a commitment to completely eradicate homelessness by 2027]. Why has this been unsuccessful? Good question. Regardless of having found housing and support solutions for people, too many new homeless people have still been appearing. There must be more of a focus on earlier intervention and more intensive support during the process of housing being organized. More support is needed during the transition period. There are good frameworks to ensure a person gets the correct services they need. The importance of an exchangeable and portable principle has been confirmed by the fact that health and social care services in Finland are being widely reformed. So, does reducing homelessness remain a challenge, particularly as a result of the current economic situation and the need for reform? In general, the challenge is within health and social care services. The problem with drug and substance abuse, for example, is a big social issue and only partly affects homelessness. Drug and substance abuse should not be treated as one issue. The problem of homelessness is limited enough now, in terms of its scale, that it can be solved if the will is there. There was a very similar situation in 2008 when the project to reduce long-term homelessness was launched. The economy was crashing pretty badly then too; it wasn’t in any way opportune timing. But when it comes to eradicating homelessness, the timing is always economically opportune, as it pays for itself quickly. It’s clear that you are very optimistic that eradicating homelessness is possible. What feeds your hopefulness? When I see how many genuinely dedicated people there are in the field. And we have examples of this kind of positive progress being possible. I trust that the decisionmakers understand the issue, as they have done so far. My perspective on this starts in the 80s when the situation was quite different. During my career, I have seen xa huge change in the homelessness situation. Because of this, I trust that when the decision is made to eradicate homelessness, it will be possible. The current situation does not require an unreasonable number of resources. ■ Translated from Finnish via Translators Without Borders Courtesy of Iso Numero / International Network of Street Papers JUHA KAAKINEN. CREDIT: LAURA OJA DONATE YOUR CAR! Need to get rid of your car, truck, or motorcycle? Consider donating it to Denver VOICE. Call (855) 500-7433, or go to: careasy.org/nonprofi t/denver-voice. Your donation helps Denver VOICE succeed in its mission to provide individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty the chance towards a more stable life. The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. VOLUNTEER WITH US! We are looking for volunteers to support our program coordination by helping with paper distribution and basic offi ce administration at the Denver VOICE offi ce (989 Santa Fe Dr.) from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you are interested and would like to know more, contact us at: program@denvervoice.org August 2023 DENVER VOICE 11
IN YOUR OWN WORDS SELF, WHEN YOU LET THE PAIN GO YOU’LL SEE A CHANGE! BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR GUESS WHAT, SELF? Life is good because we got it together. Life for many years was hard because Self couldn’t love Self. Guess what, Self? Things changed once we learned to love Self. We learned to put Self first, because if we are happy, then we make others happy. When that happens, we make life great for Self and others. Guess what? You have to have the power to do good or bad. The choice is within you. If you are in pain and do not let it go, it keeps you in pain. Pain makes bad choices when Self is hurting, but guess what? Once you let go of the pain, things change. Holding on to bad things keeps bad things coming your JOHN ALEXANDER. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN BACK ON THE STREETS: COPING WITH THOUGHT AND EMOTION BY JOHN ALEXANDER, VOICE VENDOR SOME FOLKS BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME – like the many people that are homeless and living on the streets today – that our actions, past and present, were crazy and are crazy still. But crazy as our craziness is, it has kept many, many of us from crossing over the borders of going insane. What is the meaning of “home”? Home is having a safe place to stay, a residence, a house, a place to have a family, a place to raise a family. But, people like myself often are confronted with the fact of being homeless – or people who were homeless, were able to get housing but can no longer afford their rent. What does that mean? It means not having any of those things I mentioned above about what a home is. It means just living and existing – and ending up back on the streets. ■ This “Back on the Streets” piece is in homage to Brian Augustine, who passed away in January. When he died, Augustine was writing a monthly column about what it was like to return to living on the streets when he could no longer afford his rent. Through the end of this year, various VOICE vendors intend to contribute something in honor of Brian Augustine’s legacy. ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN way. Flip your way of thinking. Think of good coming, because when you start to think of good things, good will come to you. (Funny how that works.) Guess what? At some point, you have to choose. Hold on tight to pain and keep calling that to you. Or, say, “I can’t change the past, so I’m letting go of the pain. I choose to live and love Self and others.” By doing this, Self, you will end up in a life you never thought would happen. Let go, Self. With love. ■ RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: CORTNEY TABERNA 12 DENVER VOICE August 2023
EVENTS WHEN: Aug 4, doors at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Five Points Plaza, 2736 Welton St. INFO: eventbrite.com COURTESY OF DEBORAH LASTOWKA PUZZLES FIRST FRIDAY: JAZZ IN THE PLAZA Free jazz in the plaza, featuring Brothers of Brass. Event also features local food vendors, craft beer, and cocktails. COURTESY OF STREETROOTS ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 15 WHEAT RIDGE CARNATION FESTIVAL This 54th annual community festival will feature live music, classic cars, a parade, circus, carnival rides, vendors, food, beer and wine, fireworks, and more. WHEN: Aug 11 – Aug 13 COST: Free entry WHERE: Anderson Park, 4355 Field St. INFO: thecarnationfestival.com FAMILY PROGRAM: ICE CHALK Get creative with ice chalk! The museum will provide a variety of ice chalk to color and draw on the Museum’s outdoor walkway. Feel free to drop in any time; all ages are welcome. WHEN: Aug 12, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. COST: Free WHERE: Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St. INFO: clyffordstillmuseum.org ACROSS DOWN 1. Branch of engineering: Abbr. 5. Get out of Dodge 10. Boar’s mate 13. Straight parent at a Pride parade, e.g. 14. Put to rest, as fears (or 13-Across with a letter added) 15. Certain type of healthcare grp. 16. Control (someone) 18. Not good-looking, in Spanish COLORADO NATIVE: A NATIVE AMERICAN COMEDY SHOWCASE MCA Denver and DeadRoom Comedy presents Colorado Native, a Native comedy show with local and national Indigenous comedians. Colorado Native is one of the only Native American comedy showcases in the country and is built on the simple premise that Natives are funny. WHEN: $5 for students, $20 for general admission. COST: Aug 24, 7 p.m. WHERE: Holiday Theater, 2644 W 32nd Ave. INFO: mcadenver.org 19. PBS funder 20. List enders 21. Announce 23. Doesn’t help at all 25. CPAs, e.g. 26. Like foamy seas 27. Disaster 28. Boat propellers 29. “___ Lot” (King novel) 30. Fleur-de-___ 31. Lemonlike fruits 33. The Face of ___ (Doctor Who character) 36. “I get to roll now!” 37. Director Gus Van ___ 38. Popular sport drink 41. “___, She Wrote” 43. Involves 44. Not even close to hip 45. Maya Angelou poem “___ Rise” 46. Piglet’s pal 47. Sue Grafton’s “___ for Alibi” 48. Feel awful 49. Take it easy...or a phonetic description of the circled letters? 52. Type of credit MDs may get for attending conferences or peerreviewing manuscripts 53. Like some mobile purchases 54. Missing a deadline 55. “For ___ a jolly...” 56. Insured’s contribution 57. Pooped 1. Seizes a golden opportunity 2. Roosevelt and Powell 3. The Cavs, on scoreboards 4. Heavily promote 5. Bass in a boy band? 6. Building additions 7. “Prince ___” (“Aladdin” song) 8. David Lee Roth’s band 9. Tests that start out easy and then may become a strain? 10. African trip 11. Spotted wildcat 12. Like a pine fragrance 17. Teeny 19. Actor Williamson (whose name anagrams to the first name of actor Firth) 22. Tach readings 24. Photo or black finish? 25. Eagle’s claw 27. Spy novelist John le ___ 29. Drywall supports 31. Alphabet used for Russian 32. Certain Romance language, to its speakers 33. 2003 Coen brothers Christmas movie 34. Like unrequited love 35. French beings (anagram of TREES) 36. Happy or square thing? 37. Madrid Mrs. 38. Passover, in the Haggadah 39. Not 54-Across 40. There are 2 in an English-language Scrabble set, each worth 4 points 41. Drop anchor 42. Support, as a ruling 44. In a lather? 46. Salt’s partner, in hip-hop 50. Cook in the microwave 51. Dubai’s country, for short JAPAN FEST 2023 WITH LYRICS BORN Japan Fest 2023 is a community-driven and multi-disciplinary festival of Japanese culture featuring headliner, Lyrics Born. The festival will also feature a market of artists and vendors, additional performances, and food trucks. WHEN: Aug 27, doors at 4 p.m., show at 5 p.m. COST: Free for general admission; $35 for VIP seating WHERE: Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W. Florida Ave. INFO: levittdenver.org August 2023 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+ The NextFifty Initiative $10,000+ Anonymous Individual Donor The Christian Foundation Acorn Hill Foundation Inc. $5,000 - $9,999 Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Bank of America Charitable Foundation Pivotal Energy Partners USA, Inc. Francis Trainer and Trainer Family Sustainable Housing and Development Foundation Envestnet $1,000-$4,999 Meek-Cuneo Family Fund Katherine Standiford Walker Family Foundation Alexander Seavall Jill Haug Whole Foods Foundation Alex Salva Russell Peterson Chris and Susan Pappas Michael Dino Sidney B and Caleb F Gates Fund Frederic K Conover Trust Megan Arellano Warren and Betty Kuehner Keyrenter Property Management Denver SEI Giving Fund Donald Weaver The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation Jana and Jim Cuneo Kroger Paul Manoogian Lori Holland Gaspar Terrana Maggie Holben Michael J. Fehn and Jan Monnier Jim Ashe Courage and Community Foundation George Lichter Family Foundation Lisa Wagner Joshua Kauer Elsbeth Williams Mathew Rezek $500-$999 Margaret Ramp John Gibson James and Cyndi Lesslie Fire on the Mountain Christopher Boulanger Sheryl Parker Laura Saunders Robert E and Anne T Sneed Family Foundation Barbara and Robert Ells Carol and Louis Irwin Edwina Salazar James Stegman Jennifer Stedron Jeremy Anderson Stephen Saul WalMart Peter Iannuzzi Nikki Lawson CEDS Finance Graham Davis Impact Assets Courage and Community Foundation Louis Irwin Mary Livernois Mr B’s Liquor Wines For Humanity 14 DENVER VOICE August 2023 ABOVE THE FOLD: $5,000 • One complimentary full page ad in the newspaper ($1,000 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Above the Fold Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper SPONSORSHIP LEVELS THE DENVER VOICE’S ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT LEVELS PROVIDE BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN WORK EMPOWERMENT, HOMELESS PREVENTION, THE CHALLENGING OF COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS, AND TO BE A PART OF PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY WITH QUALITY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE THROUGH OUR WRITERS AND VENDORS – AN INVALUABLE PART OF DENVER’S COMMUNITY. YOUR INVOLVEMENT WILL HELP HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING POSITIVE ACTION TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS AND IMPOVERISHMENT. AS A SPONSOR, YOU HAVE A WAY TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVE SOMETHING BACK AT THE SAME TIME. ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS BENEFITS INCLUDE YOUR LOGO LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE HOMEPAGE, MONTHLY AD SPACE IN OUR PAPER, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERKS FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ALL YEAR LONG. IT’S A GOOD DEAL FOR A GOOD CAUSE, AND YOUR GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! GALLEY: $2,500 • One complimentary half page ad in the newspaper ($600 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Galley Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper HONOR BOX: $1,000 • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Honor Box Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper FLY SHEET: $500 • Two complimentary tickets to our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event ($50 value) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Fly Sheet Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper
RESOURCE LIST FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN DENVER DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCE-LIST DIAL 211 FOR A MORE COMPLETE LIST OF RESOURCES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR FOOD, MEDICAL CARE, SENIOR SERVICES, YOUTH PROGRAMS, COUNSELING, EDUCATION, SHELTERS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE, AND MORE. EMAIL EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORG WITH CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS. MEDICAL / MENTAL HEALTH / 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 DETOX LOCAL A resource that features abundant information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community. detoxlocal.com DRUG REHAB USA Addiction hotline: 866-716-0142. Organizations that take Medicaid: 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 LIVE ANOTHER DAY Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mental health and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available: liveanotherday.org LIVER HEALTH CONNECTION 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite B302. Resources and support for those affected by Hep C. Free Hep C testing offered. 800-522-4372, 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 SOUTHEAST ADDICTION CENTER Top 50 resources for Black men who are struggling with substance use and/or their mental health. southeastaddictiontn.com/50-addiction-mental-health-resources-for-black-men SOUTHEAST DETOX Updated in 2023, this guide features over 50 fully-vetted resources for Black women. southeastdetoxga.com/black-women-addiction-mental-health-support 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 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 60+. 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 TGTHR (FKA ATTENTION HOMES) Shelter: 303-447-1207, 3080 Broadway, Boulder. Open every day, 12:30-5pm, for anyone ages 12-24. Office: 303-447-1206. Offers safe shelter, supportive programming, and other services to youth up to age 24 tgthr.org 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 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; weekly Lunch in the Park is on Wednesdays from 12-1 at Benedict Fountain Park (Tremont and 22nd). 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 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 August 2023 DENVER VOICE 15 DON’T LOOK NOW! PUZZLES ARE ON PAGE 13
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