׉?ׁB!בCט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://e3JknLsZxBYimwv6DHXuH5ZCsF5vKTZNGvKtalymkA4`׉ 7cassandra://374NXlYEKPCvj8cN0Aq--jLxuW9iwQMT0n7LF-R-F8Q͂`q׉ 7cassandra://TiEqIymNS3yYbvBmc_0TLcGYy7V-7vNovgWUiNBciac-K`f{_*+Iנf{_*+L <Ǵ9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORGׁ ׁ Ј׈Efz_*+;׉E$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE BRIDGING THE LITERACY GAPP READING PARTNERS WORKS TO ENSURE LITERACY FOR K-4 STUDENTS IN DPS. PAGE 6 A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT BOARD PRESIDENT ROBERT DAVIS' UPDATE ON THE DENVER VOICE PAGE 3 ASK A VENDOR VOICE VENDORS SHARE HALLOWEEN MEMORIES PAGE 4 NETWORK COFFEE HOUSE A PLACE WHERE HUMANITY IS RESTORED PAGE 5 THINK ABOUT THIS VENDOR RAELENE JOHNSON SHARES LESSONS ON COMPASSION PAGE 12 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 4, 5, 12 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 OCTOBER 2024 | Vol.29 Issue 10 SINCE 1997, WE HAVE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO WORK. DONATE TODAY TO ENSURE OUR VENDORS CONTINUE TO HAVE JOBS. (DENVERVOICE.ORG) FROM YOUR VENDOR: PHOTO: COURTESY OF READING PARTNERS COLORADO. ׉ 7cassandra://TiEqIymNS3yYbvBmc_0TLcGYy7V-7vNovgWUiNBciac-K`fz_*+<fz_*+; בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://NK8y6fCwShdmCHuoII7XsYwpPsC_FfNxrcJMO51mHEw[@`׉ 7cassandra://jF3iu5QA3jZupIZ_czX3GVSb5WwKCRlcFImtd-hYxwUl`q׉ 7cassandra://rirbyQYINojev-N-wPq6Qu323zvKELTcBuvwLGGz0Iw#`f{_*+Mט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://UhU2DizbCSFRq2fuO3H1gxCkBkSPHXtfFV1PEfvJ8mE`׉ 7cassandra://G933RzCOI8IKewSQ5hfodIf5WE3xPB4WfPt41_UjUCAw`q׉ 7cassandra://1cZ1izhzNqtSIZx3JbjZQuJ_qIaCtB6-zf9keh2oKOA(`f|_*+Nנf|_*+[uc̏9ׁHmailto:ads@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf|_*+Zv9ׁH$http://denvervoice.org/subscriptionsׁ ׁ Јנf|_*+Y̫9ׁHmailto:program@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf|_*+Xg9ׁHhttp://denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf|_*+W =̡ 9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATEׁ ׁ Ј׉EEDITOR'S NOTE ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR INSP GLOBAL SUMMIT ATTENDEES. CREDIT: JASON LOCK PHOTOGRAPHY DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES we have as a member of the International Network of Street Papers is the cumulative experience and knowledge of the different organizations and vendors who make up the street paper movement. The sizes of our papers and the frequency at which we publish them may vary. We may be spread out around the world and speak different languages, but we are united in our mission to alleviate financial and housing instability by providing lowbarrier income opportunities. The Denver VOICE is one of about 100 street papers that belongs to the International Network of Street Papers. Every other year, INSP holds its Global Street Paper Summit. In September, I attended the 2024 event in Liverpool, England, thanks to the generosity of INSP donors, who awarded me a scholarship. The opportunity to share best practices or troubleshoot ideas with other street papers has saved me from wasting time on lessons they’ve already learned. We are not the only street paper to struggle with finances. We're also not alone in facing the challenge of bringing in more individuals who could benefit from our programs. Every one of us working for street papers also shares in the responsibility of doing more to help the growing population of unhoused individuals, while addressing the needs of individuals who have been forced to leave their homes and relocate to places they are not welcome. Homelessness and the issues resulting in homelessness remain an international crisis. The need for more services and affordable housing continues to grow — not just for the unhoused in our community but also for migrants across the globe who are trying to create a better life for their families and themselves. There is no shortage of challenges we face as street papers, but by talking through our concerns, or sharing our successes, we have a road map to avoid common mistakes while increasing our chances for positive outcomes. ■ THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTOR JAMIE MILLER graduated from the University of Georgia with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and business management. She enjoys exploring the Colorado mountains, reading a good book at a local coffee shop, and doing yoga. ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Rea Brown Giles Clasen Charles Spring WHAT WE DO The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We give our vendors a job and help them tell their stories; this creates a space for them to be part of a community again. Vendors purchase copies of the VOICE for 50 cents each at our distribution center. This money pays for a portion of our production costs. Vendors can buy as many papers as they want; they then sell those papers to the public for a suggested $2 donation. The difference in cost ($1.50) is theirs to keep. WHO WE ARE The Denver VOICE is a nonprofit that publishes a monthly street newspaper. Our vendors are men and women in the Denver metro area experiencing homelessness and poverty. Since 2007, we have put more than 4,600 vendors to work. Our mission is to facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. We are an award-winning publication, a member of the International Network of Street Papers and the Colorado Press Association, and we abide by the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics. With the money they make selling the VOICE, vendors are able to pay for their basic needs. Our program provides vendors with an immediate income and a support group of dedicated staff members and volunteers. Vendors are independent contractors who receive no base pay. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT editor@denvervoice.org VENDOR PROGRAM program@denvervoice.org • (720) 320-2155 ADVERTISING ads@denvervoice.org MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 VENDOR OFFICE 989 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. WRITERS Lando Allen Rea Brown Connie Gaitan Raelene Johnson Jason Martin Jamie Miller Jerry Rosen Larmarques Smith Charles Spring @OCE MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM DIRECTOR Connie Gaitan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Lanie Lee Cook Aaron Sullivan BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Antonio Diaz, Treasurer Michael Burkley Jeff Cuneo Johnna Flood Eduardo Platon Charity Von Guinness Cabal Yarne 2 DENVER VOICE October 2024 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US ׉ 7cassandra://rirbyQYINojev-N-wPq6Qu323zvKELTcBuvwLGGz0Iw#`fz_*+=׉EUPDATE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK BY ROBERT DAVIS DEAR DENVER COMMUNITY, This has been one of the most difficult years in our 27-year history. We’ve faced funding shortages, leadership instability, declining paper sales, and so much more. These challenges have taken ROBERT DAVIS BOARD PRESIDENT a toll on me personally. At times, it has felt like I am watching my childhood home burn down. My loving partner Victoria and I moved to Denver in 2015, and Denver VOICE was the first outlet to publish my work. Since then, I have been lucky enough to have my writing featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Capital & Main, and The Colorado Sun, among so many others. None of that would have happened without the Denver VOICE. I cried big tears when I had to tell our vendors that we did not have money to print our next edition or to pay our staff for their hard work. I thought about Raelene Johnson and how she relies on us to make money to put gas in her car so she can visit her doctor, following the breast cancer that kept her from vending during the first six months of 2024. I thought about Rea Brown, who found the courage to come out of his shell through our art program. I thought about Lando Allen, who uses the money he makes from vending papers to keep in contact with his ill grandmother. There are so many more stories like this that I could tell. I know how much this organization means to everyone we serve, and it has been very painful to say that we failed. But the last week of September showed us that there is still hope. In a matter of 72 hours, we raised more than $8,000 toward our goal of $30,000. These donations came from nearly 100 individuals in Denver and across the country, who have seen the impact of the VOICE firsthand. Words alone cannot describe how grateful we are for this support, and I acknowledge that we must show the community how much this support means to us through our actions. Denver VOICE exists to give voice to the voiceless. We can never forget that. I want to close with a promise. I promise that the Denver VOICE will not only survive this storm, but we will be stronger because of it. Failure is not an option. There are too many people who depend on our small and mighty team, and we cannot continue to let them down. Thank you, Denver! We couldn’t do this without you. We love you all very much. In solidarity, Robert Davis President, Denver VOICE Board of Directors ■ WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN DO THIS. DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATE 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. October 2024 DENVER VOICE 3 ׉ 7cassandra://1cZ1izhzNqtSIZx3JbjZQuJ_qIaCtB6-zf9keh2oKOA(`fz_*+>fz_*+= בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://gZjtEP93yH8pFzMg8lceelH3i7Vm5lKzPaehFG64JHU/`׉ 7cassandra://-UWM1YCqrp9__iO_HZLvnN17R1doQk7WBnpFNlYcVmAb`q׉ 7cassandra://a65bDFQr1k6fwNpfw7PELnTN5NKrOdcxVBf5e-4ScMQ/`f|_*+Vט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://U7OHd0Hckr33_D8OeLAHvCUapfD3F3GWVY4OxZnPr2M`׉ 7cassandra://aibyHQnLbrF24d0a0eCOaju_F-qN31oOXpfFVtrhKmću`q׉ 7cassandra://MnN_mKWQVr3Vlvx3M9jSTwKG9dDS7V_yJZrVphtHRZ0+ `f}_*+\׉EASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM FELLOW VENDORS, OUR READERS, AND STAFF. THIS MONTH’S QUESTION WAS SUGGESTED BY DENVER VOICE VENDOR REA BROWN. Q In celebration of Halloween happening in October, what is one of your spookiest or favorite memories? REA BROWN A My age I don't know... I had to be 4 or so… My size a troll’s troll. My eyes made out of coal. My heart was still made of gold, even though we all were po**( Which was poor, now that I’m old and have been more educated on how to pronounce “R” and “O.”) Wasn’t smart, wasn't slow though slightly below. Just an average african american nemo with a nappy fro. The time was around the time parents told their kids to go. After the struggle with readiness, so many times every answer was no. So we pretended to go to bed, as we often did befo** Staying quiet moving in silence, like immigrants trying to escape patrol. “Go to bed!” she said before she cut the light off and shut the do** But we knew what she would do, just lay down and watch a show. Yet it was late we would escape, as long as we wait till her eyes were low. It was night, the moon shined mighty bright, which caused the room to glow. The breeze was but a slight like summers of long ago. To see if Mom was asleep, out of bed one went to peak without a squeak like a shadow. The T.V. drowned out our feet, moving lightly to and fro. Till the bright idea arose, we should play ring around the ro**. So we all joined hands to do the dance, before falling to the flo**. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down. When we hit the ground, the sheets rose and froze, with no toes or holes, yet a ghost pose like those with eerie clothes. But our reaction was slow, like we knew it was someone we know. “That’s Mike in the bed!" someone said. With hope to extinguish the dread, but instead he said “THAT’S NOT ME!” Which made us intensely count the heads. About 36 seconds passed before all the children fled LANDO ALLEN When I was three years old, I was home with my brothers, sister, and a babysitter, when two girls the baby sitter's age broke into our house. They were after my babysitter and were ready to hurt her. We were all scared. My brothers and sister went to hide, and I was on the couch watching them. I jumped on one of the girl’s backs. I was knocked out and wasn’t sure what happened to the girls after that. Years later, when I was older, I thought I saw one of those girls, but when I asked her about it, she didn’t answer. JASON MARTIN My favorite Halloween memory was when I was 18 or 19. I dressed up as Scream and went up a small tree in my neighborhood, where I waited for a friend to walk by with her kids. I jumped out of the tree and scared her and her kids to death almost. JERRY ROSEN When I was 18, I got a letter from the Draft Board, saying I had to report to the draft office. My father gave them a letter saying I was handicapped and going to special education. I also flunked the physical. I was classified as 4-F which means unfit for military service, so I was not accepted for the draft. I was really grateful. LARMARQUES SMITH One Halloween, many moons ago, a group of friends and I got together, dressed up in our best Halloween gear, and decided to go trick or treating … but not for candy. Instead, we collected canned goods for those less fortunate. We called it “Trick-or-Treat, so others can eat.” We collected so many non-perishable items that it got to be difficult to haul our precious cargo from the houses. The recipients of the food were very gracious. Even though this isn’t a spooky story, it made for a great Halloween night! CHARLES SPRING I worked as a security guard in a hospital. One night, I was making my rounds in the morgue, when a person, who was thought to be DOA, woke up. It scared the crap out of me! CONNIE GAITAN I grew up listening to my mom & grandma telling all these scary stories that actually happened within our family. This one gave me a terrifying nightmare. My mom said that when she was pregnant with me at her baby shower, my great uncle Lalo invited this woman he was with to the party. My grandma didn't really know her that well but always felt an evil presence about her. After some time, my mom gave birth to me and had since forgotten about the encounter with this woman. My mom was home settling in, and one night, she had a dream about this woman following her through the park and trying to kidnap me. She was laughing at my mom, who was crying. When my mom woke up, she felt like something was sitting on her, pushing down on her chest, and when she got up to put the lights on, she saw the bed had a dent in it like someone was sitting next to her. My mom & grandma described her as a Bruja, and my grandma thought that she had put a spell on my mom to take me away from her. That has stuck with me throughout my childhood. I don’t know what she looked like. All I know is my memory that this lady wanted to take me from my mom. 4 DENVER VOICE October 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://a65bDFQr1k6fwNpfw7PELnTN5NKrOdcxVBf5e-4ScMQ/`fz_*+?׉ECOMMUNITY PROFILE AUTUMN WISH LIST PHOTO: GILES CLASEN NETWORK COFFEE HOUSE: WHERE HUMANITY IS RESTORED BY CHARLES SPRING, DENVER VOICE VENDOR Network Coffee House was established in 1982, by John Hicks, whose mission was to be among people who are in poverty — the same way Jesus did. It was originally located at 608 E. 13th Avenue until it moved to 1402 N. Pearl Street, which is one block over and just a few blocks from the State Capitol building. This location was an abandoned house that they renovated into the glorious place it is today. Network Coffee House is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the church once known as Saint James Urban Church, now called Urban Mercy, and runs solely on donations. Some of the services they provide include private showers and bathrooms, personal hygiene items, info on other available resources, books to read while you sit at a table to eat and drink, a microwave, a phone charging station behind the bar, clean clothes and shoes, and most of all, a place where you are treated like an equal, or even, like family. As Network Coffee House Executive Director Ian Stitt said, “It is a place that gives you your dignity back, where you’re not treated like just a number.” The organization is run by a board of directors including Tom L., who is the former executive director of the Saint Francis Center, Marriana D., who is the board chairman, Mindy S., who is the treasurer, Allen, who has experienced homelessness and substance abuse, and Joe N. “We’re here to provide community to people, we’re here to build relationships," said Stitt. "We believe that communities formed beyond the defining factors is important. We’re not here to have those transactional relationships, we’re here to get to know people and see people!” As a fellow homeless person, I have been to a lot of PHOTO: GILES CLASEN WHEN I MADE MY FIRST VISIT to Network Coffee House, I was surprised by the warm welcome, friendly smiles, and cheerful greetings I received from the staff and the customers. Network Coffee House is a special and somewhat less recognized but equally, if not greater, source of resources for the homeless and less fortunate populations. When I saw that some of the décor was religious and included images of Jesus, I knew this was a loving and peaceful place. All are welcome at this small and quaint place with a homey feeling and friendly vibe. They give their clients a more personal and heartfelt emotional touch. Whether you are homeless, less fortunate, or just a lonely traveler passing through, Network Coffee House is a welcoming community where you can sit at a table and socialize with peers while you enjoy your coffee, water, cool-aid, tea, or other beverages, snacks, or fruit, and sometimes, meals. PHOTO: CHARLES SPRING establishments for help. Some of those are places where I felt wary about or even scared to enter. Don’t get me wrong, though. All of the places have been very helpful and given me great leads for resources, but Network Coffee House is the one place I’m happy and enthusiastic about visiting. And the coffee is really great, too. Network Coffee House is a place where humanity is restored to the homeless! ■ 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 USB-C charging cables Ball caps, 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! Drop-offs are accepted Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or by appointment. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Toiletries (individual or travel-size) Toothpaste, deodorant Chapstick, sunscreen Hand warmers @DenverVOICE October 2024 DENVER VOICE 5 ׉ 7cassandra://MnN_mKWQVr3Vlvx3M9jSTwKG9dDS7V_yJZrVphtHRZ0+ `fz_*+@fz_*+? בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://KexDv6bzZCEAUKWqCpPydJxZ5mztRrcmHOj0MBzsuIks `׉ 7cassandra://xkvPVx9_3OYiDA3sKeXnkbvZXMl_yZs2vEIbN8r5vx4\<`q׉ 7cassandra://HKSzuKKw8IjpvHdeSBtLxEx9RQ-zRyoUk1wvMdfIoFE `f}_*+^ט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://tgpv-Y0_jC9krCeUfJG7yWW0UaOjmZVKzmrKtL35FQMkb`׉ 7cassandra://OO1eR8h3gpviFdIDonUw14Z6w10prNB7a2Cusk2t17cx`q׉ 7cassandra://bFYSmaz7-zM5U8GNb7uKfswO-fQPyibnyHzMIW9Q318*`f}_*+_נf}_*+dށ9ׁHmailto:program@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf}_*+c}̪9ׁHhttps://readingpartners.orgׁ ׁ Јנf}_*+b̰9ׁHhttp://careasy.org/nonprofiׁ ׁ Ј׉E COMMUNITY PROFILE BRIDGING THE LITERACY GAP BY JAMIE MILLER DENVER’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS celebrated an increase in elementary literacy this past year with a glass-half-full perspective; 61% of K-4 students tested were reported to be reading at grade level or above. This is a 3 percentage point increase from Spring 2023 and a 12 percentage point increase since fall of 2023, according to DPS. The flip-side of the statistic: 39% of students still tested below grade level. Melissa Monforti, executive director of the non-profit Reading Partners Colorado, is working towards a future where this percentage is zero. “Reading partners grounds itself in the concept that reading is a civil right. We exist to make sure that the basic skill of literacy is given to every child — absolutely every child needs and deserves that skill,” she said. “It's a disaster that we don't provide resources to achieve that skill to every single student.” Reading Partners is one of the organizations working to combat the gaps in resources by providing reading tutoring services to K-4 students, specifically targeting students who are six months or more behind grade level. The organization partners with 10 Title I schools — schools where 75% or more students are considered low-income. Title I schools receive government funding as either a Schoolwide Program (PW) or the Targeted Assistance Program (TA). This funding aims to “ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and close the achievement gap…especially the achievement gaps between minority and nonminority students, and between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers,” according to the Colorado Department of Education. Monforti explained that despite government funding, educational gaps remain, due to a deeper issue. “There's a lot of inequity in the world of education. It's systemic and it's never the fault of the students or their family situation," Monforti said. “It's because our system is set up to leave out resources for certain groups, and it has done so historically. That is where [Reading Partners] come in — we serve the underserved communities.” Some schools in Colorado struggle more than others to provide these resources. In fact, Rocky Mountain Prep made the decision to pivot 6th-grade science classes to reading intervention earlier this year due to the large number of students who were reading below grade level. Educational gaps were worsened by COVID-19, and new research from the Education Recovery Scorecard shows how certain groups of students were disproportionately affected. This research found that the average U.S. public school students in third through eighth grades lost the equivalent of a half of a year of learning math and a quarter of a year in reading during the pandemic, where test scores of Black and Hispanic students declined more than those of white students. The research continued to point out that test score improvements were larger for non-poor students than for poor students when educational recovery was broken down by economic status. PHOTO: COURTESY OF READING PARTNERS COLORADO 6 DENVER VOICE October 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://HKSzuKKw8IjpvHdeSBtLxEx9RQ-zRyoUk1wvMdfIoFE `fz_*+A׉E8COMMUNITY PROFILE COMMUNITY PROFILE 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. PHOTO: COURTESY OF READING PARTNERS COLORADO 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! PHOTO: COURTESY OF READING PARTNERS COLORADO In addition to Reading Partners, there are other groups working towards improving literacy, like the Public School Task Force, which is proposing a new, yet somewhat controversial, funding structure to replace the 30-year framework. The proposed formula would distribute money to schools based on student characteristics, including whether students are learning English or come from lowincome backgrounds. In the meantime, those interested in making a positive impact on child literacy can get involved by volunteering with Reading Partners, which is recruiting for a year-long commitment with an assigned K-4 student. Volunteers are responsible for helping students reach their individual reading goals through the organization’s designed framework. For more information, visit https://readingpartners.org. If you are a parent struggling with literacy, visit Reading Partners or Denver Public Libraries to learn about resources that might be available to help. ■ We are looking for volunteers to help us at community events, or to assist with paper distribution and basic offi ce administration at our offi ce (989 Santa Fe. Dr.). If you are interested and would like to know more, contact us at program@denvervoice.org. October 2024 DENVER VOICE 7 ׉ 7cassandra://bFYSmaz7-zM5U8GNb7uKfswO-fQPyibnyHzMIW9Q318*`fz_*+Bfz_*+A בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://y1rFOry4k2v84qF0c7DmNlWtfGxl5HwM-KMr8sMiYpQ۹`׉ 7cassandra://SqzFFKuk1LR6fy5dc0LdEZrOqmNeiGdfu26YM_ewoS8~`q׉ 7cassandra://sxM0sL5W0q4QJhaHInQvT-w8Z2PdwrgKUPLeaDBK20g)`f~_*+eט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://F74_YPW3ZGmsRaCusee9El0I_9YPT_sftHiFbyk9ORMx`׉ 7cassandra://D-WnC9hew21BnDAlFAuk4jmU6ysG3VeWeUikeOrDg3su4`q׉ 7cassandra://j7T2EHQ6nbG7zmyLi_ZQj-UyHNaf9Dc5P2lqbijVjzo'*`f~_*+fנf~_*+mj̆9ׁHhttp://coloradosymphony.orgׁ ׁ Јנf~_*+lj@x 9ׁHhttp://nerdnitedenver.comׁ ׁ Јנf~_*+kjOw9ׁHhttp://botanicgardens.orgׁ ׁ Јנf~_*+jjoe9ׁHhttp://fourmilepark.orgׁ ׁ Јנf~_*+ij`9ׁHhttp://risecomedy.comׁ ׁ Јנf~_*+hj̬9ׁH!http://denverfreewalkingtours.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E IN YOUR OWN WORDS THINK ABOUT THIS BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR THINK ABOUT THIS: Times can be hard for all of us, but homeless people go through even harder times. During the holidays, it's even worse for them. Just imagine if everyone thought about just one person who is less fortunate, and how they could help by being kind to them. Those people would feel so good, and you would see how they would react to being the receiver of your gift of kindness. They may start to cry because no one else has taken the time to do anything like that. Think about how you would feel if, God forbid, you became homeless. You might feel lost and lose more and more hope, as each day feels long, and the nights feel even longer. Could you make it outdoors, with no one to care for you or even wonder if you are hungry or cold? Some people say homeless people should just get a job because then, they would be housed, Well, that sounds RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: KAREN BEEMAN good, but think about this: If you are homeless, you have no address. You probably don’t have a phone, and you can’t wear clean clothes or take a shower. If you had an ID, it may have been stolen or gotten lost. How do you think you could get a job? Think about that for a minute and put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel? Think about this: The holidays are almost upon us, and a lot of us will suffer because of loneliness. Some families will not have time for their loved ones who are struggling. It’s one reason why some of us want to give up during the holidays. Some will take their own lives because of the pain they are in. (How would you feel if you were one of them?) Why is it that most people today don't have time to be bothered worrying about other people and only care about themselves or their families? As we get closer to the holiday season, think about how your actions could make someone feel better. By taking a minute to say a kind word, you can really change a person’s outlook on life. Imagine if more people were kind to each other and let other people know they mattered. This world would be better. So, be thankful for what you have, As the holidays get closer, maybe you can see your way to help someone less fortunate. See what might come from helping a person in need. May you be blessed as you prepare for the holidays, and may you have a blessed holiday season. ■ BY REA BROWN, VOICE VENDOR 8 DENVER VOICE October 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://sxM0sL5W0q4QJhaHInQvT-w8Z2PdwrgKUPLeaDBK20g)`fz_*+C׉EWEVENTS DENVER WALKING TOUR Learn more about the mile high city via this popular walking tour. Tours take about 2 – 2.5 hours. WHEN: Daily at 10 a.m. COST: Pay-what-you-wish tipping model WHERE: Front steps of Colorado State Capitol, 200 E. Colfax Ave. INFO: denverfreewalkingtours.com INTRO TO IMPROV: DROP-IN CLASS Curious to see if improv comedy is right for you? This drop-in workshop will allow you to experience RISE Comedy’s improv classes in a supportive and fun environment! WHEN: Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 6 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. COST: $10 WHERE: RISE Comedy, 1260 22nd St. INFO: risecomedy.com PUMPKIN HARVEST FESTIVAL Celebrate the arrival of fall at this annual family-friendly event. Guests can enjoy live music, seasonal treats, tractor rides, pioneer games, crafts, demonstrations, and more. WHEN: Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. COST: $17 - $45; children 3 and under are free. WHERE: Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest Street INFO: fourmilepark.org GLOW AT THE GARDENS Enjoy larger-than-life pumpkin sculptures, spooky live entertainment, and hundreds of jack o’ lanterns carved from real, locally grown pumpkins. WHEN: Oct. 22 - 27, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. COST: $24 - $32, free admission for children 2 and younger WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street INFO: botanicgardens.org NERD NITE If you’re a fan of TED talks, the Discovery Channel, and/or Wikipedia binges, Nerd Nite is the show for you! Three experts will present on three different topics, while the audience drinks and thinks along. Be there and be square! WHEN: Oct 25, doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. COST: $10 in advance, $15 at the door WHERE: Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. INFO: nerdnitedenver.com HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR It’s a spooktacular outing for all boys and ghouls! This family-favorite event features music from film, television, and more! Costumes are encouraged! WHEN: Oct 27, 2:30 p.m. COST: $10 - $27 WHERE: Boettcher Concert Hall, 14th Ave. & Curtis St. INFO: coloradosymphony.org October 2024 DENVER VOICE 9 ACROSS Across 1. Kind of buddy 6. PC "brain" 9. Cummerbund 13. Honda line 14. Fifth-century warrior 15. Persian Gulf port 16. Hair holders 18. Manicurist's board 19. Sound of hesitation 20. Drunken revelry 22. Sowing machine? 24. Bartender's supply 25. Notes after dos 26. Henry VIII's house 27. Jazz style 30. State flower of Mississippi 33. Jot down in the margins 35. Landed (on) 36. In a fitting way 38. Diva's delivery 39. Bleep out 41. Paul Simon song with the lyric "And an island never cries" 43. Head lines, for short? 44. Copier company (anagram of CHOIR) 46. Actor Hanks 47. Pine (for) 48. "Fiddler on the Roof" setting 51. Second-to-last 55. Ode title starter 56. Yanks, Sox, and others 57. Root-bark flavoring 59. Ice hockey need 60. Amount past due? 61. Buoy, as spirits 62. Nile reptiles 63. Home of the NBA's Thunder 64. Diplomatic skills DOWN 1. Hindu gentlemen 2. Christmas carol starter 3. Immersing 4. Sphere 5. "It's possible" 6. Trendy 7. This clue has one, for example 8. Barefoot 9. Poison plant 10. Biblical shepherd 11. Wrapped garment 12. Informal greeting 15. "Meet the Parents" actor 17. Golf hole goal 21. It's assumed 23. Dings 26. Hint 27. Type of pressure 28. Suffix with neur- or narc29. Pinnacle 30. Nutmeg-based spice 31. On the safe side, at sea 32. Wrangler's rope (anagram of A TRAIL) 34. Divination deck 37. "Well, ___-di-dah!" 40. Threatening words 42. Essentially 45. "The Count of Monte ___" 47. Mongolian dwellings 48. Ave. crossers 49. Breakfast bread 50. Performs eye surgery, maybe 51. "No ___ nada" (Spanish for "Don't worry about it") 52. Fraternal fellows 53. Tide type 54. "Wait ___!" 58. JFK regulators COURTESY OF DEBORAH LASTOWKA PUZZLES COURTESY OF STREETROOTS ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 15 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 ׉ 7cassandra://j7T2EHQ6nbG7zmyLi_ZQj-UyHNaf9Dc5P2lqbijVjzo'*`fz_*+Dfz_*+C בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://ZgkVd7xMMChdsCwEcnBNcUP2PDAaCbzjS8uKHDr_e5Ac`׉ 7cassandra://E42Qza9CtfuyUV5fCMf36ovBjLoGnD6ASsxgGpr3eQUe`q׉ 7cassandra://R4gC8zd4rjVwjIQA9UzME6hDn52I-khXt2daUzkV92A!`f~_*+nט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://veCAeTKUbss-stSAz02K2TbJi2pQbVWkUEEECQnmil4z`׉ 7cassandra://iHh5-mfrwdbibfttbSt8TKmJtoIWfMlcK5oLk_HYw5wq`q׉ 7cassandra://-yRMvXKCVAFzIC9VNwFRcgimX1lC7J4sUBvF85IxqEY!`f_*+oBנf_*+̻ 9ׁHhttp://voacolorado.org/gethelpׁ ׁ Јנf_*+G 9ׁHhttp://lovedenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ N 9ׁHhttp://soallmayeat.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+Yf 9ׁHhttp://saintpauldenver.comׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ w1@ 9ׁHhttp://sfcdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ {f 9ׁHhttp://stelizabethdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+` 9ׁHhttp://stpeterandmary.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ہh 9ׁHhttp://odmdenver.org/homeׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ ̩ 9ׁH&http://jordanamedenver.churchfoyer.comׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ Gc 9ׁHhttp://holyghostchurch.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+e 9ׁHhttp://hislovefellowship.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ ?\] 9ׁHhttp://krishnadenver.comׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ -̺ 9ׁH+http://feedingdenvershungry.org/events.htmlׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ R 9ׁHhttp://havenofhope.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+x 9ׁHhttp://denverrescuemission.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+.ׁS 9ׁHhttp://mealsforpoor.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ QE 9ׁHhttp://citysquare.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+aX 9ׁHhttp://christinthecity.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ oJ 9ׁHhttp://christsbody.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ wGb 9ׁHhttp://denvercathedral.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+U0S 9ׁHhttp://mealsforpoor.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ 6̔ 9ׁH%http://capitolheightspresbyterian.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ ā@ 9ׁHhttp://sfcdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ I 9ׁHhttp://odmdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+! 9ׁH(http://homelessassistance.us/li/lawrenceׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ gEc 9ׁHhttp://holyghostchurch.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+.̙ 9ׁH$http://harmreductionactioncenter.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ C 9ׁHhttp://tgpdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+* 9ׁHhttp://thoh.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+:E 9ׁHhttp://citysquare.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+*FH 9ׁHhttp://urbanpeak.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+<* 9ׁHhttp://tgthr.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+%̕ 9ׁH#http://sunshinebehavioralhealth.comׁ ׁ Јנf_*+;, 9ׁH$http://urbanpeak.org/denver/programsׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ e 9ׁHhttp://veteransguide.org/vaׁ ׁ Јנf_*+rM 9ׁH.http://va.gov/findlocations/facility/vha_554A5ׁ ׁ Јנf_*+]6| 9ׁH http://seniorsupportservices.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+( 9ׁHhttp://dicp.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+c 9ׁHhttp://truecolorsunited.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+̐ 9ׁHhttp://lgbthotline.org/youthׁ ׁ Јנf_*+za 9ׁHhttp://thetrevorproject.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+<E 9ׁHhttp://work-now.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+%M 9ׁH0http://careercenteroffices.com/center/231/denverׁ ׁ Јנf_*+f 9ׁHhttp://denverlibrary.org/ctcׁ ׁ Јנf_*+l̎ 9ׁH!mailto:info@bayaudenterprises.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+TD 9ׁHhttp://thehotline.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+=k 9ׁHhttp://urbanpeaksrehab.comׁ ׁ Јנf_*+G̟ 9ׁH'http://detoxrehabs.net/states/colorado/ׁ ׁ Јנf_*+7̞ 9ׁH'http://coloradocoalition.org/healthcareׁ ׁ Јנf_*+ց̒ 9ׁHhttp://saludclinic.org/commerceׁ ׁ Јנf_*+Y. 9ׁHhttp://rainn.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+cW 9ׁHhttp://1800runaway.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+DF 9ׁHhttp://988lifeline.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+aP 9ׁHhttp://viventhealth.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+Så 9ׁHmailto:info@hepc-connection.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+e9[ 9ׁHhttp://liveanotherday.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+k̙ 9ׁH$http://harmreductionactioncenter.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+~y 9ׁHhttp://drugrehabus.org/rehabs/ׁ ׁ Јנf_*+}7I 9ׁHhttp://detoxlocal.comׁ ׁ Јנf_*+|(qS 9ׁHhttp://denverhealth.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+{XZ 9ׁHhttp://daccaa.org/centralׁ ׁ Јנf_*+zZ" 9ׁHhttp://aa.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+y7B 9ׁHhttp://al-anon.org/alׁ ׁ Јנf_*+xB< 9ׁHhttp://al-anon.orgׁ ׁ Јנf_*+w̹9ׁHmailto:EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORGׁ ׁ Јנf_*+vuR9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCEׁ ׁ Ј׉EDONOR 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 Anschutz Family Foundation Laurie Duncan and Duncan-Mcwethy Foundation Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Alexander Seavall Frederic K Conover Trust The Christian Foundation Bank of America Charitable Foundation Sustainable Housing and Development Foundation $1,000-$4,999 Christopher Boulanger Joshua Kauer Katherine Standiford Jill Haug Whole Foods Foundation Michael Dino Alex Salva Signs By Tomorrow Rose Community Foundation Russell Peterson Donald Weaver Chris and Susan Pappas Julia and David Watson Gaspar Terrana SEI Giving Fund Sidney B and Caleb F Gates Fund Megan Arellano Warren and Betty Kuehner Jeremy Anderson and Thomas Stalker Keyrenter Property Management Denver Mathew Rezek The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation Jana and Jim Cuneo Kroger Paul Manoogian Lori Holland Maggie Holben Michael J. Fehn and Jan Monnier Jim Ashe Courage and Community Foundation George Lichter Family Foundation Lisa Wagner Elsbeth Williams KO Law Firm Graham Davis Peter Iannuzzi $500-$999 Margaret Ramp John Gibson Sheryl Parker Ruth Henderson James and Cyndi Lesslie Fire on the Mountain Craig Solomon Seth Beltzley Laura Saunders 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 Mr B's Liquor Wines For Humanity KL&A Engineers and Builders 10 DENVER VOICE October 2024 SPONSORSHIP LEVELS THE DENVER VOICE’S ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT LEVELS PROVIDE BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN WORK EMPOWERMENT, HOMELESS PREVENTION, THE CHALLENGING OF COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS, AND TO BE A PART OF PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY WITH QUALITY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE THROUGH OUR WRITERS AND VENDORS – AN INVALUABLE PART OF DENVER’S COMMUNITY. YOUR INVOLVEMENT WILL HELP HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING POSITIVE ACTION TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS AND IMPOVERISHMENT. AS A SPONSOR, YOU HAVE A WAY TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVE SOMETHING BACK AT THE SAME TIME. ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS BENEFITS INCLUDE YOUR LOGO LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE HOMEPAGE, MONTHLY AD SPACE IN OUR PAPER, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERKS FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ALL YEAR LONG. IT’S A GOOD DEAL FOR A GOOD CAUSE, AND YOUR GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! ABOVE THE FOLD: $5,000 • One complimentary full page ad in the newspaper ($1,000 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Above the Fold Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper GALLEY: $2,500 • One complimentary half page ad in the newspaper ($600 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Galley Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper HONOR BOX: $1,000 • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Honor Box Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper FLY SHEET: $500 • Two complimentary tickets to our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event ($50 value) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Fly Sheet Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper ׉ 7cassandra://R4gC8zd4rjVwjIQA9UzME6hDn52I-khXt2daUzkV92A!`fz_*+E׉E(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, VETERAN SUPPORT COUNSELING, EDUCATION, SHELTERS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE, AND MORE. EMAIL EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORG WITH CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS. MEDICAL / MENTAL HEALTH / DENTAL SERVICES ALANON FAMILY GROUPS: al-anon.org; Find a meeting: al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: aa.org; Colorado Service Centers; daccaa.org/central-office/other-central-offices DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER: 777 Bannock St.; denverhealth.org DETOX LOCAL: Features 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 888-479-0446; Organizations that take Medicaid: 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: harmreductionactioncenter.org INNER CITY HEALTH CENTER: 3800 York St.; Emergency walk-ins 303-296-1767; Dental 303-296-4873; M-F 8am-2pm LIVE ANOTHER DAY: 877-596-6866; Equal access to life-saving mental health and substance abuse resources; 24/7 helpline: 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, 800-359-9272; info@hepc-connection.org; viventhealth.org NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE: 800-342-AIDS/800-344-7432 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Text or call 988; 988lifeline.org NATIONAL RUNAWAY SAFELINE: 800-RUNAWAY/800-786-2929; 1800runaway.org RAPE ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK: 800-656-HOPE; rainn.org SALUD CLINIC: 6255 Quebec Pkwy, Commerce City; 303-697-2583, 970-484-0999; saludclinic.org/commerce-city STOUT STREET CLINIC: 2130 Stout St.; 303-293-2220; Clinic Hours: 7am-4pm M/T/Th/F; 9am-6pm Wed; coloradocoalition.org/healthcare SUBSTANCE ABUSE REHAB GUIDE: Helpline 888-493-4670; detoxrehabs.net/states/colorado/ URBAN PEAKS REHAB: 490 Lafayette St., #104; 303-599-5131; Medication management and therapy center specializing in opiate addiction; M, T, Th – 9am-12pm, 1 pm-4pm, W – 9am-12pm, 1 pm-7pm; urbanpeaksrehab.com U.S. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 800-799-7233 (English and Spanish); 800-243-7889 (TDD); thehotline.org CAREER SERVICES BAYAUD ENTERPRISES CW-STEP: (Colorado Works - Subsidized training and employment program); 333 W. Bayaud Ave.; 303-830-6885; Mon-Fri: 8am-4:30pm; Provides re-entry to the workforce for individuals with TANF eligibility; info@bayaudenterprises.org COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER: Level 4, Denver Central Library, 14th Ave. & Broadway; 720-865-1706; M & T - 10am-8pm; Wed., Th &F - 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 Dept of Human Services, 1200 Federal Blvd.; M-F 7:30am-4:30pm; Employment counseling, assisted job search, résumé prep, job/applicant matching, phone bank for calling employers, access to computers, copiers, fax, etc.; careercenteroffices.com/center/231/denver-westside-workforce-center WORKNOW: 720-389-0999; job recruitment, skills training, and job placement work-now.org LGBTQ+ SUPPORT THE TREVOR PROJECT: 866-488-7386: thetrevorproject.org LGBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE: 800-246-7743: lgbthotline.org/youth-talkline PRIDE INSTITUTE: 800-547-7433 TRUE COLORS UNITE: 212-461-4401 truecolorsunited.org VETERANS & SENIORS DENVER INNER CITY PARISH: 1212 Mariposa St.; 303-322-5733; VOA Dining Center for Seniors, aged 60 and older, Wed.-Sat. 9am-12pm; Food Bank, Wed.-Fri.; 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; seniorsupportservices.org VA MEDICAL CENTER: 1700 N Wheeling St.: Aurora 303-399-8020: va.gov/findlocations/facility/vha_554A5 VETERANS GUIDE: Veterans Disability Calculator veteransguide.org/va-disability-calculator YOUTH SERVICES SOX PLACE: 2017 Larimer St.; 303-296-3412 Daytime 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: 2100 Stout St. 303-291-0442; Youth aged 15-20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, 303-974-2928; Drop-in hours M-F 8-11am urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-and-services/drop-in-center SUNSHINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: 833-931-2484; Services for youth facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions; sunshinebehavioralhealth.com TGTHR (FKA ATTENTION HOMES) Shelter: 3080 Broadway, Boulder; 303-447-1207, 303-447-1207; For ages 12-24; Offers safe shelter, supportive programming, and other services; M-Sun, 12:30-5pm; tgthr.org October 2024 DENVER VOICE 11 URBAN PEAK: 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; urbanpeak.org DROP-IN & DAYTIME CENTERS CITYSQUARE DENVER: 2575 S. Broadway; 303-783-3777;; Helps with employment, IDs, birth certs, mail services and lockers; M-Th - 10am-2pm; citysquare.org HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; M-F - 7am-1pm; Private showers & bathrooms, laundry, lunch, etc.; thoh.org THE GATHERING PLACE: 1535 High St.; 303-321-4198; 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.; M, W, Th, F - 8:30am-5pm, T - 8:30am-1:30pm; tgpdenver.org HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER: 231 E. Colfax; 303-572-7800; Provides clean syringes, syringe disposal, harmreduction counseling, safe materials, Hep C/HIV education, and health education classes; M-F - 9am-12pm; harmreductionactioncenter.org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH: 1900 California St.; Help with lost IDs and birth certificates; holyghostchurch.org HOPE PROGRAM: 1555 Race St.; 303-832-3354; For men and women with HIV; M-F 8am-4pm 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.; bathrooms, coffee/tea, snacks, resources, wifi; M-F 7a-5:30p; odmdenver.org ST. FRANCIS CENTER: 2323 Curtis St; 303-297-1576; 6am-6pm daily; Storage for one bag (when space is available); Satellite Clinic hours- M, T, Th. F - 7:30am-3:30pm; Wed. 12:30-4:30pm; sfcdenver.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: mealsforpoor.org CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: 1530 Logan St.; sandwiches & coffee M-F. 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: 2575 S. Broadway; 303-783-3777; Food pantry Tues. 10am-6pm; 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; mealsforpoor.org DENVER RESCUE MISSION: 1130 Park Avenue West; 303-294-0157; 3 meals 7 days/week, 5:30am, 12pm, 6pm; denverrescuemission.org HAVEN OF HOPE: 1101 W. 7th Ave.; 303-607-0855; M-F only: 7am-1pm. 8am breakfast, 11am lunch; havenofhope.org FEEDING DENVER’S HUNGRY: Food service on second and fourth Thursdays; feedingdenvershungry.org/events.html FOOD NOT BOMBS: Sun. 4 p.m.; 22nd St. Stout St (near Mercury Café); Instagram: @denverfoodnotbombs HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE: 1400 Cherry St., free vegetarian feast on Sun., 6:45-7:30pm; 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; hislovefellowship.org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH: 1900 California St.; Sandwiches, M-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.; 303-830-2201; Sat. morning breakfast: 8am, Sun. dinner (required church attendance at 4:30pm); meal served at 6pm; odmdenver.org/home ST. CLARE’S MINISTRY AT ST. PETER AND ST. MARY: 126 W. 2nd Ave.; 303-722-8781 Dinner at 4pm on Tues; Also offers a change of clothes, toiletries and sleeping bags when available; stpeterandmary.org ST. ELIZABETH’S: Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St. (Auraria Campus), 11am 7 days/week; 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; 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; soallmayeat.org 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-denvermetrofoodnutrition-themission DON’T LOOK NOW! PUZZLES ARE ON PAGE 13 ׉ 7cassandra://-yRMvXKCVAFzIC9VNwFRcgimX1lC7J4sUBvF85IxqEY!`fz_*+Ffz_*+E בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://R0wztIhg_bOjb80DfB3BYfjcFsbddC2CUC91GkSu0Zw`׉ 7cassandra://Pq_r2Qm0WWsJUQGAObDGUy-lb558cw7WrmYJN-Bj9kEi`q׉ 7cassandra://XCrl4Ye2QxT_J_HilTVEokOPsSzNcWFvBcjgKXddfLM'`f_*+rנf_*+u9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATEׁ ׁ Ј׉ERWHAT 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 ׉ 7cassandra://XCrl4Ye2QxT_J_HilTVEokOPsSzNcWFvBcjgKXddfLM'`fz_*+G׈Efz_*+Hfz_*+G ,10-2024fp}\.