FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK THIS SEASON is a time of reflection. It’s a time to look back on the ROBERT DAVIS BOARD PRESIDENT accomplishments of the previous year and plan out the course to achieve next year’s goals. But this year feels different. As of January 1, 2026, I will no longer be the president of the Denver VOICE’s board of directors. It has been an honor of a lifetime to lead this great organization through a time of upheaval and uncertainty. I will also be stepping down from the board of directors when my tenure as president ends. It’s difficult for me to imagine a life without leading the Denver VOICE. As many of you know, the VOICE is my home away from home. The VOICE was the first place where I saw that my writing mattered to someone other than myself. There are no awards or accolades I could ever win that come close to matching the feeling of seeing how proud our vendors are of the work we do. I have received several questions about this transition, and I want to address as many of them as I can. This experience has taught me that nonprofits live and die by the energy and the attitude they put out into the community. I am proud that I have been entrusted to carry that mantle for the last two years, but I can’t be the only one to do it. We have recruited a wealth of people to our organization who exemplify what Denver VOICE is all about—community, care, and trust. They are fully capable of making this little, but mighty, organization even greater than it is today. I also want to be clear: I am not leaving the VOICE entirely. In fact, just the opposite. I will be going back to writing for the paper once my tenure ends, so you’ll (unfortunately) be hearing from me more often. We have accomplished a lot together at the VOICE since I took over the President’s chair. But the accomplishment I am most proud of is that we helped people who are homeless in Denver get their VOICE back. We exist to forge positive relationships between people who are homeless and the broader community. We will never forget that. There are far too many people to thank without obliterating the word count Elisabeth gave me, so I will leave you with a reminder. Homelessness is as much a cultural issue as it is a housing issue. People fully escape homelessness when they feel like they belong to a community that cares about them, not just when they get a home of their own. Community is not something policy or politics can create. If they could, we would have already legislated our way out of this mess. It is incumbent on each one of us to take part in this fight to end homelessness, no matter how small a role we play. Say “hello.” Be kind and courteous. Give what you can. But most of all, be genuine in your pursuit of making this world a better place for all. The only way we can end homelessness is by doing it together. With immeasurable love, Robert Davis Editor’s note: The Denver VOICE staff (Giles Clasen, Maddie Egerton, Andrew Fraieli and Elisabeth Monaghan), along with the vendors, are grateful to Robert for his time, wisdom, and generous spirit. BOARD OF DIRECTORS DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG MANAGING EDITOR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER ART DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS WRITERS @OCE Elisabeth Monaghan Giles Clasen Andrew Fraieli Maddie Egerton Jennifer Forker Aaron Sullivan Robert Davis Giles Clasen John Alexander Giles Clasen Wayne Easterling Maddie Egerton Raelene Johnson Jamie Miller Yvens Alex Saintil Rea Brown Jerry Rosen Mariana Ortega Rivera Robert Davis, President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Michael Burkley Eduardo Platon Edwin Rapp Donald Burnes Jennifer Forker Ande Sailer Linda Shapley 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. THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS YVENS ALEX SAINTIL is a multidisciplinary artist and veteran born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Queens, NY. Saintil creates art that connects past injustices to present systems of oppression. JAMIE MILLER graduated from the University of Georgia with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and business management. GILES CLASEN is a freelance photojournalist who is a regular contributor to the VOICE. Several of the photos he’s taken for the VOICE have won national and international awards. MADELINE EGERTON joined the Denver VOICE as Administrative Assistant in February 2025 She enjoys working with the VOICE vendors and loves hearing and sharing their stories. 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. MARIANA ORTEGA RIVERA recently graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in film studies. Currently, she is freelancing in both photography and graphic design. 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. 2 DENVER VOICE December 2025 CONTACT US
Every year, since 2017, the Denver VOICE has included an insert with wrapping paper designed by Denver VOICE vendors. This year, because we have thousands of sheets of wrapping paper from previous years, we felt it was best for the environment, our budget, and our limited storage space to include those unused inserts in our December issue. We will continue to share our vendors’ artwork through our ongoing greeting card program, and in early 2026, we plan to introduce wrapping paper that people can use year-round. Keep your eye out for more information on that. WINTER WISH LIST Drop-offs are accepted Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., or by appointment. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Bottled water Non-perishable snacks (granola bars, peanut butter crackers, trail mix, etc.) Toiletries (individual or travel-size) Lip balm, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, deoderant, hand sanitizer Hand warmers Baseball caps Socks GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) Men’s jackets (sizes L, XL, XXL) Women’s jackets (sizes M, L, XL) Backpacks, carrier bags Scarves Gloves Winter hats VENMO YOUR VENDOR: If you would like to help out a specific vendor by donating a few extra dollars, scan the QR code below to make a payment through Venmo. Please be sure to write your vendor’s name in the comments. Thank you! @DenverVOICE 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. December 2025 DENVER VOICE 3
COMMUNITY PROFILE JOANN BIRSA WITH HER ACCORDIAN | PHOTO BY GILES CLASEN A LEGACY SHAPED BY MUSIC AND HERITAGE STORY BY MADELINE EGERTON BORN AND RAISED IN LEADVILLE, Joann Birsa found an early passion for music. As a child of immigrants from the Republic of Slovenia, who relocated to the small Colorado town at the turn of the 20th century, Birsa spent most of her time with her grandmother, who taught her about her Slovenian heritage. “I grew up bilingual,” Birsa stated. “I was my maternal grandmother’s only grandchild for a long time. She spoiled me, and she sang to me, and she fed me good food.” From an early age, Birsa’s grandmother sang Slovenian folk songs to her. There was one sound in particular that fostered Birsa’s passions. “On the radio, I would hear accordions, and this was before a lot of people had [listening] devices at home. There weren’t these radio stations that played one genre or the other. It was a mix, and the accordion was very popular back then,” Birsa said. She had her first accordion lesson in 1952, when she was 10. “I found, when I started to play, I really enjoyed it. It’s something I really took to.” After two years of lessons, she and several other children were asked to perform at a picnic at Turquoise Lake, near Leadville. When the performance ended, guests asked Birsa to continue playing. “They kept me overtime for some reason. I played for several hours — I can’t imagine how bad it was. But they passed a hat — a real hat — for people to throw money into. In that one night, I made over $30, so you could say I was hooked.” By today’s standards, that $30 is the equivalent of $360. After that experience, Birsa knew that she would pursue a music career and committed to improving her skills. One of six women from her graduating class to seek higher education, Birsa went on to study at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she majored in music education. Birsa met her husband Silvan through a mutual friend. While she and Silvan raised their family, Birsa continued pursuing her music. This included playing Slovenian and English hymns on an organ at the Catholic church they attended. Birsa’s first paid shows as an accordionist were with the Narodno Ethnic Music and Dance Ensemble, which played a variety of music ranging from Ukrainian and Norwegian to Bulgarian and Macedonian. She performed with the ensemble for seven years. In 1989, after raising three daughters, Birsa attended the University of Denver to earn a master’s degree in concert accordion performance. “Well, I was good at it… and I like the sounds I made with it,” Birsa said. Today, Birsa is a master accordionist who can play anything from opera to polka. She also plays regularly and Continued top of next page 4 DENVER VOICE December 2025
COMMUNITY VOICES receives bookings through the Denver Musicians Association and by word of mouth. Additionally, one of her daughters serves as her booking agent, while her other daughters and grandchildren are her “roadies.” Birsa remains dedicated not only to mastering her instrument but also to championing the musicians around her. She understands the countless hours of practice behind every performance and the steep cost of pursuing serious musicianship — professional accordions alone can exceed $60,000, with sound equipment adding even more. To her, supporting live, local music is a way of honoring the people who devote their lives to creating it. More than seven decades after she first picked up an accordion, Birsa continues to perform, teach, and refine her craft. Her commitment has never wavered; if anything, it has only deepened with time. In every performance, Birsa offers more than melodies, she offers a living connection to her Slovenian roots. Her music carries listeners into a world where heritage, memory, and artistry blend, keeping alive the cultural stories that first moved her as a child in Leadville. Birsa will be performing this month at the Georgetown Christmas Market, Dec. 6, as well as Denver’s ChristKindl Market, Dec. 17 and 22. JOANN BIRSA PERFORMS AT A LOCAL OCTOBERFEST EVENT | PHOTO BY GILES CLASEN HOMELESSNESS AND THE BIG BAD WOLF I LEFT HOME YESTERDAY, headed to my destination, and I forgot where I was going. A few moments JOHN ALEXANDER DENVER VOICE VENDOR later, I remembered where I was going, only to realize I had forgotten why I was going anywhere. Smile. Today, all is well. I did a lot of thinking when I got back home. I thought a lot about many days gone by. Many of those days were when I was homeless and on the streets. Doctors have told me that I am a senior citizen (old), that everything is falling apart, or that I’m just losing it. Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s. Old age is enough to make anyone forget anything. But, for me, there are two things, no matter what, I will never forget. 1. Being homeless on the streets and the lack of understanding, and 2. Compassion or lack of compassion that society has towards homeless people. Society as a whole seems to believe that homeless people are homeless by choice. Homeless people are lazy, shiftless thieves with no morals, no ambition, or anything else worth mentioning. A homeless person will never be anyone worth talking about. These beliefs are far from the truth, as the earth is from the sun. (The earth is 93 million miles from the sun.) Every year, people buy and exchange gifts for each other. Christians all over the world cook, feast, and visit in celebration of the biggest holiday for the most famous person who ever lived, Jesus Christ, because that day, Christmas, is Christ’s birthday. I am sure that when the angels told Mary that she was pregnant, Mary was happy and went about making plans for the newborn baby-to-be. Mary was not burdened with concerns for a place to stay or a room for the baby because, at the time, she was not homeless. Joseph, a carpenter, was not homeless either. According to the Bible, Mary and Joseph started making plans and rejoicing in the arrival of the Baby Jesus. On further reading, we find that Mary and Joseph are now on the streets, homeless, while running for their lives. They end up hiding in a barn, while Mary lies on the dirt floor, about to give birth to Jesus. What happened? Circumstances that were beyond their control! There are as many different circumstances as there are people. So, what were those circumstances beyond Mary and Joseph’s control? The circumstances were King Herod’s new law and his new army carrying out his orders. King Herod had declared that all children two years old and younger were to be killed on the spot. There was no voting on the matter. There were no appeals filed, no waiting on the outcome of signed petitions. … When the words crossed the King’s lips, they were law! This law, made by the King and enforced by the King’s army, created the circumstances beyond Mary and Joseph’s control. You can search every galaxy in the universe and every homeless person you can find, and I will show you a person faced with circumstances beyond their control. Just ask the Three Little Pigs. Now, these pigs each had money and good credit. They had the houses they designed and built with the material of their choice. One of the building choices was straw. One little pig built his home with toothpicks or something like that. The third pig built his home with bricks. (“Their money, their choices.”) The point being made is that none of the pigs was homeless. They all had their own homes. So, what happened? Circumstances beyond their control! One little pig had just come home after going to the market. He was getting ready to cook some dinner when there was a big, loud knock on the door, followed by threats of destruction, violence, and killing. But, before anyone knew what was going on, this little pig ran out the back door and over to one of the other pigs’ houses. Lucky for him, he knew a shortcut, but before he could catch his breath and tell the other pig what happened, there came, at the second pig’s door, the same loud knock, followed by huffing and puffing with threats of violence. Before they knew it, these two little pigs were running down the street, headed to the third little pig’s house, which was built out of brick. A home one day, homeless the next. What happened? The same thing that has happened to homeless individuals since creation. Circumstances beyond their control? Those circumstances for the pigs? The Big Bad Wolf! A person faced with circumstances beyond their control has about as much of a chance as a little pig does against a Big Bad Wolf! Now that you’ve read this, I hope you understand that when you see a homeless person, you will see a person who ended up in a situation because they faced circumstances that were beyond their control. December 2025 DENVER VOICE 5
COMMUNITY PROFILE THE FOUR-WEEK, LOW-BARRIER, PAID TRAINING PROGRAM PREPARES GRADUATES FOR JOBS IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE. | PHOTO COURTESY OF GOODWILL FROM RECOVERY TO RENEWABLE ENERGY: HOW GOODWILL’S CLEAN TECH ACCELERATOR IS CHANGING LIVES STORY BY JAMIE MILLER FIFTEEN MONTHS INTO SOBRIETY, Jonny Shepard decided to take a gamble: He left his job to join a program he’d never even heard of, hoping it would guide him toward a more meaningful future. “After I got clean, I worked a regular job for a while, but I already had it in my mind that I wanted to do more,” Shepard said. “I was just going through my Google News feed one morning and the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator came up, and I thought, well, this would be a great segue into something that I’ve always wanted to do.” Shepard was interested in a career that made a lasting, positive impact, and he’d contemplated going into the green energy field — making the Goodwill program a natural fit. The four-week, 6 DENVER VOICE December 2025 low-barrier, paid training program prepares graduates for jobs in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. “I really feel like green energy is the most important thing we have to face in order to have a sustainable future for future generations,” Shepard said. “This is part of the reason why I always wanted to go into this field, and why I’m so grateful that Goodwill has started this program.” The training cohort included 15 participants, aged 20 to 60, in a mix of classroom work, hands-on training, and field trips to become certified EV charging station technicians. Goodwill assists with connecting graduates to potential employers during the program through partnerships with Namasté Solar and My Electric Home. Shepard developed more than a basic knowledge of the clean energy industry and essential EV technician hard skills. The experience also led to personal rediscovery and boosted his self-confidence. Shepard moved to Colorado in 2009, hoping a change in scenery would help him beat addiction, but he continued to struggle for 14 years. Now 18 months into sobriety, Shepard has gained a sense of self-worth. “It helped me build my confidence,” he said. “For most of my life — including much of my addiction — I had a lot of hobbies that actually helped me in this class, like electronics and computers. “The electric vehicle charging stations are just big computers with more power to them. That really helped me in the class, which in turn helped me realize that my past wasn’t a waste — I did gain a lot from the life I’ve lived.” Programs like Goodwill’s Clean Tech Accelerator assist individuals like Shepard to overcome barriers such as addiction, unemployment, or a lack of formal education, while filling critical gaps in Colorado’s clean energy workforce. That workforce is growing fast: Clean energy jobs in the state increased by more than 5% in 2023, outpacing overall job growth, with the clean vehicles sector expanding more than 10%. Yet nearly half of Colorado employers in the field report difficulty finding skilled workers, even as the state surpasses 100,000 registered EVs. With that demand expected to rise, the program serves as a bridge — connecting people rebuilding their lives to a clean-energy economy racing to keep up with itself. “I find that for myself, the biggest thing that holds me back is myself,” Shepard said. “If you’re thinking of holding yourself back, my advice is don’t — take the opportunity!” For more information about the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator program, visit goodwillcolorado.org/services/ clean-tech-accelerator/
COMMUNITY VOICES BUILT WITH HEART: HOW CREATIVITY IS REVIVING COLORADO COMMUNITIES STORY BY MARIANA ORTEGA RIVERA CYNTHIA CAZAÑAS GARÍN (LEFT) DIRECTED THE DOCUMENTARY “BUILT WITH HEART,” AND JESSICA CAZAÑAS GARÍN (RIGHT) EDITED IT. | PHOTO BY MARIANA ORTEGA RIVERA A NEW DOCUMENTARY directed by CU Denver professor Cynthia Cazañas Garín explores how art has brought new life to communities across Colorado. In “Built With HeART,” Cynthia explores how the arts help revitalize small towns like Ridgway and Trinidad. A collaboration with Colorado Creative Industries and edited by Cynthia’s sister Jessica Cazañas Garín, the 26-minute film’s Denver debut was on Nov. 20 at Su Teatro in Denver’s Santa Fe Art District. Hosting the documentary at Su Teatro connects two worlds: the rural towns redefining themselves through art, and the city district that helped spark the statewide movement. For Cynthia, the story began on the road. She visited towns that had weathered economic downturns. “They were really struggling, people told me they lost a lot of visitors, their sales went down,” she said. But she discovered that targeted investments, including grant programs and affordable artist housing, not only bolstered the local economy but also gave people a reason to stay. “By investing in the arts, these towns are not forgotten,” she said. “Now these towns can thrive because they already have the potential, they already have the creativity, it’s only about getting seen.” The film traces three major CCI programs: Creative Districts, Community Revitalization Grants, and Space to Create through communities actively using them. “Ridgway, Trinidad, and the Santa Fe Art District became our focus because they allowed us to highlight both rural and urban communities,” Jessica said. “Each one faces unique local, economic, physical, and social challenges, and the programs support them in different ways.” The Santa Fe Art District offers an urban mirror to the rural communities she documented. As one of Colorado’s first certified Creative Districts, its collaborative model helped inform statewide efforts. “They feel like they have a union … they’re not alone,” she said. Jessica felt an unexpected personal connection to the footage. “I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, and before this project, I had never experienced rural towns,” she said. “When I visited these Colorado towns, I felt something familiar. People knew one another deeply and often described their towns as ‘living in the same house but in different rooms.’ That sense of closeness reminded me of home, and it drew me into the story.” The documentary is centered around the people carrying these efforts forward. In Ridgeway, she met the town’s longtime mayor, John Clark, who also works as a computer repair technician and paints during his spare time. “He wears multiple hats,” she said. In Trinidad, she spoke with Rich Alford, a former sociology professor turned painter whose multi-talented background reflects the richness Cynthia hoped to capture in her film. “That openness was unforgettable,” she said. From an editing standpoint, the two sisters built the narrative around emotional truth. “We centered the film on real people—artists, residents, and community leaders,” Jessica said. “Everyone we interviewed spoke with such passion and pride. As an editor, I made sure to highlight those moments where you can truly feel their connection to place and the transformation the arts brought to their communities.” In Trinidad, Jessica was struck by one story of resilience: She talked about how a place called “The Space to Create” burned down, and the community transformed it into building that provides affordable housing for artists and hosts installations and events. Jessica said the most challenging part of editing wasn’t structure, it was restraint. “These towns are small but full of remarkable, layered histories. Compressing all of that into a 26-minute film was extremely difficult.” Yet the reaction has already affirmed the work. In Ridgway, Cynthia said, “People were crying. They were clapping. They asked a lot of questions. Everybody knows each other. It’s like a big family.” In Trinidad, viewers told her they felt seen. Jessica hopes that feeling resonates even further: “I hope audiences understand the transformative power of the arts, what they can mean to a community, and how they can spark real change. And yes, absolutely, I hope the film inspires more initiatives like these statewide and even nationally.” For both sisters — one shaping the footage, the other capturing the voices — “Built With HeART” became more than a documentary. It became a testament to resilience, collaboration, and the belief that creativity is not a luxury but a foundation. “It’s about giving hope even in the darkest times, the arts have that power,” Cynthia said. RAELENE JOHNSON DENVER VOICE VENDOR MY CHRISTMAS WISH I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME with the snow and the holiday lights up and all the excitement in the air. On top of that, some folks have birthdays during the holiday season, including me. My Christmas wish for December is that every single person finds true happiness and love, finds true peace within themselves to enjoy life, and to see how beautiful it is to be alive this holiday season. I’ll be looking out to see who I can help this holiday season because even though I have gotten off the streets don’t mean that I forgot where I came from or those who are still out there struggling to find a home. I’m going to share kindness, a smile, a surprise gift, an encouraging word, or even a hug or acknowledgment of being on this earth. For people who are homeless, holidays are the worst. I hope everyone will be able to find warmth this winter. If you have a warm place, don’t forget to think about blankets, socks, or jackets for people who are fighting the elements out there. Try to give somebody a happy Christmas. You could even wrap presents for them to make them feel special. It doesn’t take much to share kindness. My wish is that the Denver VOICE receives the funding it needs, and that all of the vendors thrive during the winter. Winter can be a difficult time because vendors don’t sell a lot of papers in cold weather. May you all find your blessings and enjoy your family this holiday season. Happy New Year from your vendor, Raelene. See you next year! December 2025 DENVER VOICE 7
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EVERYDAY MEDICAL RISKS OF LIVING Story and photos by Giles Clason UNSHELTERED IN DENVER December 2025 DENVER VOICE 9
hen Teaya Wrexha woke up, near Paco Sanchez Park, her thumb was already swollen and about the size of a squash. She dug into her thumb and began pulling out a bug that had burrowed deep. “I think it was a millipede, maybe a centipede,” she said. “I was sleeping outside, and I woke up with my thumb burning. It was like the thing had gone inside. I squeezed it and it hurt so bad. I thought I was gonna lose it.” Living unsheltered means even a minor wound can become life-threatening. But Wrexha never thought she was vulnerable to such a “crazy thing.” “It scared me,” she said. Wrexha tried to clean the wound with what she could find, but she didn’t have money and didn’t have much to work with in her gear. She had some dog antibiotics she had stowed away, so she took those, hoping they would help. But her thumb continued to get bigger and bigger until she lay on the grass in agony, sometimes screaming in pain. WREXHA IDENTIFIES AS TRANSGENDER and isn’t on hormones currently. “I found my own gender. I took it back.” She said it is difficult to access transgender treatment while living on the streets, and she isn’t sure how her body would react to the treatment. So, she is waiting until she is more stable before she explores her options. “Why they tried to convince me I was a guy is the real mystery,” she said. “Because I wasn’t a normal guy, and I was bullied. Now I stand up to bullies.” Wrexha has been homeless since she was a teenager. She had behavior issues in school and struggled with ADHD and bullying. Ultimately, her father forced her to leave home. Wrexha sleeps where she can. She sees herself as a protector of women on the streets and still has a seething hatred of bullies. But one insect bite had immobilized her in pain, barely able to stand. The thumb injury lingered, but Wrexha wouldn’t go to Denver Health and refused transportation to other clinics. She said she has learned to be independent and find a way in impossible circumstances. “I’m not going to Denver Health,” Wrexha said. “They treat us like shit. I’ve had too many bad experiences there.” Wrexha did get access to bandages and treatment and said she hoped her hand would heal without needing to go to a hospital or clinic. MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND that when there is extreme weather, individuals living unsheltered on the streets are at risk. But, like Wrexha, many individuals experience dangers and traumas that are hard to imagine. Dr. Sarah Axelrath, a primary care and addiction medicine physician with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, said the reality is far more complex and dangerous. Working through Stout Street Health Center’s clinics and street medicine teams, Axelrath treats people living outdoors across Denver. She describes a web of overlapping risks — medical, environmental, and social — that most housed individuals never have to think about. “People who are unsheltered have higher rates of both acute and chronic illnesses and injuries,” Axelrath said. “We see a lot of acute injuries like accidental traumas, a lot of acute illnesses, like skin and soft tissue infections, and bad flus and pneumonias. And then we also see higher rates of pretty much every chronic medical condition you can name, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and cancers.” Environmental risks and more traditional medical conditions often coexist, she said, compounding suffering and making treatment uniquely challenging. Even when an individual living on the streets wants to find treatment, accessing care can be difficult. “When you are homeless and unsheltered on the streets, you can’t just pick up and go to a doctor’s appointment,” Axelrath said. “They would have to potentially leave their tent unguarded with everything that they own inside. It’s like walking out of your front door with the door unlocked and wide open, inviting somebody in to steal everything you own.” Barriers compound from there. Transportation and tracking appointment dates and times can be difficult when an individual has few resources. And it is common for individuals experiencing homelessness to have deep trauma from past medical experiences, leading to distrust of medical institutions. That fear and distrust, Axelrath said, is rooted in real harm. Many patients have been stigmatized or dismissed in emergency rooms and clinics, leaving them wary of returning even when their lives depend on it. For those who live outdoors year-round, the environment itself can be deadly. LIVING UNSHELTERED MEANS EVEN A MINOR WOUND CAN BECOME LIFE-THREATENING. BUT WREXHA NEVER THOUGHT SHE WAS VULNERABLE TO SUCH A “CRAZY THING.” 10 DENVER VOICE December 2025
WREXHA SLEEPS WHERE SHE CAN. SHE SEES HERSELF AS A PROTECTOR OF WOMEN ON THE STREETS AND STILL HAS A SEETHING HATRED OF BULLIES. “We see a lot of frostbite in the winter, which leads to amputations and lifelong disability,” Axelrath said. “Then we see the opposite in the summer: heat stroke and heat exhaustion.” People are also struck by cars or scooters, attacked, or fall ill from pollution and environmental hazards. “We see a lot of skin and soft tissue infections just because they don’t always have reliable access to basic hygiene,” Axelrath said. “It doesn’t take that much for something that starts as a mild infection to progress to something pretty bad.” Respiratory illness is another recurring issue. “They’re inhaling smoke and exhaust fumes and staying in industrial areas [where they are less likely to be noticed] with dust or other chemicals,” Axelrath said. Physical dangers often lead to emotional trauma, and the trauma itself feeds back into homelessness. One of the most misunderstood aspects of life on the streets, Axelrath said, is how trauma and fear can drive substance use. “Substance use as a cause of homelessness is not even in the top three,” she said. “The top causes are housing instability, unaffordability, and unemployment.” But once people are on the streets, drug use often becomes a coping mechanism for extreme circumstances, Axelrath said. “Many people who are homeless did not use meth before they became homeless,” Axelrath said. “They end up using meth during homelessness because they are trying to stay awake at night so they can be safe and not feel so vulnerable.” That survival strategy can quickly trap people in a cycle of exhaustion and addiction. “There’s nowhere safe for them to sleep during the day,” she said. “So sometimes they use opiates to come down and try to get a little sleep. If they can’t, they use more meth to stay awake, and they get trapped in this cycle of profound sleep deprivation and escalating substance use.” Traditional healthcare systems are rarely equipped to meet those realities. Many patients turn to emergency rooms, which provide only short-term solutions. STREET MEDICINE AND INTEGRATED OUTREACH models are growing, Axelrath said, driven by younger healthcare workers eager to serve outside of traditional clinics. That gives her hope. “We could work anywhere else, but we all work here by choice because we think it’s important and we really like doing it. That inspires me every day.” For Axelrath, the goal is simple but urgent: meet people where they are, literally and emotionally, before the system fails them entirely. Despite the agony of Wrexha’s injury, she insists she has seen much worse on the streets. She said she knew a man who froze to death in a porta-potty in Pueblo while he tried to survive a particularly cold night. “Someone has to die for things to change,” she said. FOR WREXA, HER WOUND IS MORE THAN AN INJURY – IT’S PROOF OF WHAT PEOPLE OUTSIDE ENDURE UNSEEN. December 2025 DENVER VOICE 11 “They finally opened the shelters [during extreme weather], but a man had to freeze to death.” She paused, eyes heavy but fierce. “You’re gonna die in your sleep,” she imagined someone saying. “I won’t. I’m too powerful. I have trained and honed my body to be a fighting force, and that’s why I fight homelessness.” Wrexha studies the swollen mark on her thumb, the scar left from the burrowing insect. For her, it’s more than an injury — it’s proof of what people outside endure unseen. “I can live out here and sleep in a yard and survive the cold night,” she said. “That’s all I need. Thank you.”
COMMUNITY PROFILE EARTH, WIND & FIRE’S PHILIP BAILEY RETURNS HOME WITH PURPOSE AND UNITY PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSIC IS UNITY STORY BY YVENS ALEX SAINTIL EARTH, WIND & FIRE has shaped music for over 50 years, and few names are as familiar as that of Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and percussionist Philip Bailey. One of the founders of the group, the Denver-born musician has already cemented his legacy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yet, his sense of purpose continues to evolve well beyond the stage, having a significant impact on his hometown through his nonprofit, Music Is Unity. “The first thing that comes to mind,” Bailey recalled, flashing a “Park Hill” embroidered ballcap, “is playing at the club called 23rd Street East. We were too young to even be in there, but they let us go from the stage straight to the office in the back — that was the rule,” he laughed. “Of course, we broke that rule a lot.” Back then, Bailey said, Denver was full of bands, live venues, and opportunities for young musicians to hone their craft. “There were a lot of places to play, and so there were a lot of bands and a lot of competition,” he said. “That’s where we cut our teeth: in school choirs, local gigs, and community socials. It gave us a sense of belonging.” Community, he explained, was built on what he calls “healthy rivalry,” where artists constantly challenge each other to grow. “Players would jump from band to band,” Bailey said. “The best of several bands might make a new one. You always had this feeling of community, and everyone was inspiring each other.” Today, after more than 50 years in the music industry, Bailey still speaks of Denver with deep affection. “Coming home now, it’s pure joy,” he said. “I could never have thought I’d still be doing this at the level we’re doing it. When I come home, I hang out with old friends. It’s no agenda, just realness.” Denver, he admits, has undergone dramatic changes since his youth. “We used to call her a one-horse town,” he joked. “Now it has its own electricity, its own culture and style. The demographics have changed, but it’s still a beautiful place to have been raised in and to come back to.” “ WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOMELESSNESS AND INCARCERATION RATES, SO MANY COME FROM FOSTER BACKGROUNDS. THAT’S WHERE THE SYSTEM HAS ABANDONED THEM.” MUSIC IS UNITY: PURPOSE IN ACTION Bailey’s foundation, Music Is Unity, co-founded with his daughter Trinity, channels his success toward a mission close to his heart: supporting foster youth, especially those aging out of the system. “I was raised by a single mother with my sister,” he said. “Even though our family was small, I had them, and I had support. I can’t imagine not having that. Many foster youths end up in difficult situations through no fault of their own. When they age out, many have no one to rely on.” Bailey learned early that the foster system was one of the most underserved populations in the country. “Hundreds of thousands age out every year,” he said. “I’ve heard horror stories of kids being handed their belongings in trash bags.” “When you look at homelessness and incarceration rates, so many come from foster backgrounds. That’s where the system has abandoned them.” Through Music Is Unity, a portion of concert ticket proceeds support organizations that provide essential resources to foster youth. One of the foundation’s signature programs, Backstage Soundcheck, invites youth to Earth, Wind & Fire concerts for an inside look at the production process. “We introduce them to all the different facets of touring — sound, lighting, stage management — in hopes that it piques their interest and shows them what’s possible,” Bailey said. Working with Elevating Connections, a Colorado-based nonprofit that serves foster youth, deepens that connection locally. “They do amazing work,” Bailey said. “They’re constantly showing up for young people and making sure they’re seen and supported.” And to Bailey, being seen is everything. “These young folks need to be seen,” he emphasized. “They need to know they are valued, that someone is in the fight with them, and that their cause matters.” LEGACY AND UNITY For Bailey, unity isn’t just the title of his foundation: it’s a philosophy that has evolved through a lifetime of global touring and human connection. “After traveling the world for over 50 years, one thing has become clear,” he reflected. “We are all more alike than we are different. People just need to feel valued and important, and it’s up to us, individually and collectively, to make that happen.” If he could speak directly to a young person aging out of foster care, Bailey’s message would be simple: “Music Is Unity sees you. We support you. We’re championing your cause to help you flourish and make your dreams come true.” For Denver’s next generation of artists, Bailey’s story is a reminder that greatness can grow anywhere, even from a “one-horse town.” “When I came up,” Bailey said, “there were no real lanes to get from Denver to where I am now. But today, this city has become one of the nation’s major cultural hubs. You don’t have to move away to realize your dreams.” As Bailey continues to tour, record, and give back, his message to his hometown remains grounded in gratitude: “People matter. Community matters. ‘Unity Matters.’” In honor of National Adoption Month, Music Is Unity is matching donations. 12 DENVER VOICE December 2025
EVENTS PUZZLES 1 DENVER CHRISTKINDLMARKET Step into holiday cheer at the Denver Christkindlmarket, an authentic German-style market opening at the Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus. With rows of charming wooden vendor huts, you’ll browse handcrafted ornaments and European-inspired gifts, taste traditional German fare and glühwein (hot spiced wine), and soak in festive sounds and lights that bring the season to life. WHEN: Nov 21-Dec 23 (M-Th, 1-9 pm, F-Sun, 11 am-9 pm) COST: Free WHERE: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer St. INFO: christkindlmarketdenver.com MAGICAL WINTER NIGHTS AT DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE Step into a whimsical winter wonderland where a dazzling holiday adventure comes alive. This is the museum like you’ve never seen it before, as a piece of the familiar turns into the fantastical through an immersive journey of light, sound, and surprise. WHEN: Nov. 20-Jan. 4, First entry time is 4:15 pm COST: $19.95 - $24.95 WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. INFO: dmns.org CAMP CHRISTMAS See Stanley Marketplace turn into a dazzling, joy-filled holiday destination as Camp Christmas makes its triumphant return to its original location. Look for three themed pop-up bars, dazzling decor, a scavenger hunt, free visits with Santa, and more. WHEN: Nov. 21-Dec. 28, 10 am-10 pm COST: 0 - $10 WHERE: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora INFO: stanleymarketplace.com MCGREGOR SQUARE SKATE The magic of winter has made its way to LoDo with McGregor Skate, an ice skating rink for all ages. Skates are available on-site for rental, or bring your own. Skating starts at just $6 (bring your own skates) or $15 for skate rental plus admission for adults or $9 for children. An outside bar will be available, serving hot chocolate and more. WHEN: Nov. 28-Jan. 4 (M-Th, 12-9 pm, F-Sat, 11 am-9 pm, Sun, 12-6 pm) COST: Skating starts at $6 (bring your own skates) or $15 for skate rental, plus admission WHERE: McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St. INFO: mcgregorsquare.com/events DENVER HOMELESS PERSONS’ MEMORIAL VIGIL & BLANKET PROJECT For the 36th year, Denver community members will gather in front of the steps of the Denver City and County Building to attend the “We Will Remember: Homeless Persons’ Memorial Vigil,” to pay tribute to our neighbors who lived on the streets of Denver and passed away during 2025 WHEN: Dec. 21, 4-5:30 pm (Blanket display will begin at 1 pm) COST: Free WHERE: The steps in front of the City & County Building, 1437 Bannock St. INFO: coloradocoalition.org/vigil 13 17 20 23 25 29 34 37 40 43 48 51 54 57 ACROSS 1. Calypso offshoot 4. Fictional Swiss miss 9. “What’s the ___?” 13. Celestial bear 15. “Hamlet” courtier 16. Iridescent gem 17. Providing (for), in a schedule 19. The b in n.b. 20. Makes furious 21. Put in storage 23. Supermarket worker 24. Committed to 25. Bloodshot 26. Vigorous exercises 29. Dog-___ 32. Streaming service now retired in the US 33. “The Matrix” hero 34. Got bigger 35. Picture puzzle 36. In good health 37. PC image file type whose pronunciation is a perennial debate 38. Open to bribery 39. Brahmans, e.g. 40. Lizards (anagram of SIR SAUNA) 42. Warning sound 43. Shower scrubber 44. Algebra and trig, for calc 48. Overwhelm 50. Gets with the program 51. Poor marks 52. Secondary 54. Departed 55. Be eco-friendly 56. Slammin’ Sammy 57. ___’acte 58. Research physician’s dual deg. 59. Middle part of a date DOWN 1. Jumbo combatants 2. Frank topping 3. Invite along for 4. Didn’t share 5. Aromatic compound that sounds like a girl’s name 6. Pupil’s locale that sounds like a different girl’s name 7. Faint 8. Shipping hazards 9. Rub elbows 10. Italian range (anagram of SIENNA PEN) 11. Window section 12. Vehicle that runs on snow 14. Flight staff 18. In the buff 22. Langston Hughes poem 24. 1988 Olympics site 26. Arafat’s successor 27. Welshman or Irishwoman 28. Shoe bottom 29. Baker’s dozen? 30. Diva’s song 31. Shining brightly (anagram of GENTLE FUR) 32. Reddish brown dye used in Hindu wedding ceremonies 35. Assert anew 36. Rabbit homes 38. Six-stringed instrument 39. Kind of paper 41. Alarm clock, ideally 42. Handed out 51-Across (and other letters, hopefully) 44. Engage in an online scam 45. Bar, legally (anagram of PESTO) 46. Somewhat 47. Water balloon sound 48. Leg up 49. Broadway brightener 50. Atlantic food fish 53. Actor Beatty December 2025 DENVER VOICE 13 49 52 55 58 53 56 59 50 41 44 38 42 45 46 47 30 31 35 39 32 36 26 33 24 27 28 2 3 14 18 21 22 4 15 5 6 7 8 9 16 19 10 11 12 CROSSWORD COURTESY OF STREETWISE
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 ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS AND STAFF. Q How would you create a welcoming community? A REA BROWN Welcome Welcome Weeeeellllcoooooome If it were Blue, it would be in a zoo, but such a place is not cool for one of my crew If it was Sock, it would be in a shoe, but we might have problems. I’ll invite Boo, too. If it were Christian, Muslim, or Jew, it would be with a view, but if all of them came, I’d hope and pray nobody boooo. If it were True, it would be in families of two, but somebody naked will show because that’s just how they glue. If it were Few, it would be in a queue, as long as I don’t forget who was before who. I could talk about Cow and how he/ she says moooo, Ramble about Lawyer and how they might sue, but all my effort is nothing more than a clue that I don’t know what I would do if it were you, but you’re WELCOME. WAYNE EASTERLING I would create a welcoming community by letting people use their voice and speak their opinion on topics we would all agree on. Everyone would be patient with each other and have more respect for people’s wishes. RAELENE JOHNSON If I were to create a community, I would follow the OUR Center in Longmont, Colorado’s example. From the very first time I walked through the doors of the OUR Center, I knew it was a place where they care about you; if you’re homeless, they will serve you breakfast and lunch. They have caseworkers and volunteers teaching classes in the building. They’re doing all kinds of things to better help the homeless people and to give them resources to get off the streets. They don’t look at you as not as good as they are or different because of how you dress! When you’re coming from the streets, it’s hard to keep clothes clean. It’s hard to have good clothes on. The OUR Center is a great non-profit and a great example of an organization that has made a community for others. If you want to donate or volunteer, or need a place for resources, you can go there. JERRY ROSEN I would create a welcoming community by making it possible for everyone to know one another and understand what is expected of everyone involved. The community would be an environment where everyone feels safe and understands each other’s roles. 14 DENVER VOICE December 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 - 9am6pm; 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. 7am1pm. 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 LAWRENCE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER: 2222 Lawrence St.; 303-2940157; day facility, laundry, showers, restrooms, access to services FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN DENVER DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCE-LIST 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 - 11:45-12:15; 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. 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-disabilitycalculator 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-incenter 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 December 2025 DENVER VOICE 15 S K A H E I D I H A P S U R S A O S R I C O P A L M A K I N G T I M E O U T R A G E S B E N E B I N N E D S T O C K E R S E T O N R E D A E R O B I C S E A R E D H B O G O N E O G R E W R E B U S W E L L G I F V E N A L C A S T E S A U R I A N S G R R L O O F A E N G U L F D E E S G O N E R E U S E E N T R M D P H D P R E R E Q S S H A P E S U P I N C I D E N T A L S O S A P I T
WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP? Since 2007, the VOICE has provided jobs for more than 4,600 people experiencing housing or financial instability. For every dollar we take in, we put $3.00 directly back into the pockets of those who need it most. WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN DO MORE. SCAN THIS CODE TO SET UP YOUR DONATION TODAY! DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATE
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