׉?ׁB!בCט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://pAEBWtLYswhVKvqaXL1qS7HF6eXp4LkXzyTfVo9qKuE)`׉ 7cassandra://FrjsQs5YiKhzss_N80F7vY50Wg72rXhR0WRpeT8c7KYu`q׉ 7cassandra://3ikMJxtsmhojFvbx9J_orWREbfOqLB5NDGx6vQxoZ14'`׉ 7cassandra://OEVjc4AxdDAVPQ1ivYrXGFkhg7kq5ygrrFBhXVTQwugp͠TdDM#xנdDM#x <Ǵ9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORGׁ ׁ Ј׈EdDM#x{׉E$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE ‘BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND’ Changing the W e View Art gg y ALESSIA REDWINE REFRAMES ARTISTIC HISTORY TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE. PAGE 6 CREATIVELY OPTIMISTIC SCOTT RODGER TURNS TO HIS OLD WORK AS A TATTOO ARTIST TO FIND A SAFER PATH FORWARD. PAGE 8 ‘TRASHION’ TACKLES A BURNING PROBLEM A KYRGYZ ECO-ACTIVIST SEWS CLOTHES OUT OF WASTE THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE BURNT IN A LANDFILL. PAGE 5 A CHANCE TO PLAY THROUGH ITS SCHOLARSHIPS, PARENT ROCKER GIVES YOUNG MUSICIANS A CHANCE TO MASTER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PERFORM FOR LIVE AUDIENCES. PAGE 10 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 3, 12 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 MAY 2023 | Vol.28 Issue 5 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: I’M THAT GIRL (WITH THE PEARLS (2022) IS A RENDITION OF JOHANNES VERMEER’S GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (1665). ׉ 7cassandra://3ikMJxtsmhojFvbx9J_orWREbfOqLB5NDGx6vQxoZ14'`dDM#x|dDM#x{ בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://4y6sX41eyRrCfSB6Uklg2j8610rEhVJoreIxXuw6-oE9`׉ 7cassandra://R9ptl9npCskj4UtqlYGihRZLNWK_KDYDtzytHyhtKSYh`q׉ 7cassandra://04gbzjUDDGhNfpf6y1M8P_WFmZ8qLWCGEyD7YF74_gE"`׉ 7cassandra://k7EW95ag7lqc4Z-WMbYTs210T8xQPdX3TJ3hLlS2UYwr͠TdDM#xט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://mm-D6rm-4rcdhu2epvgQlQPyE08tK_KEljncXcCBtts`׉ 7cassandra://zjRXLSfQ08Xk2WnPjwci78IWfBttej0KBZZoV0fKaosiD`q׉ 7cassandra://xMBRPndrTkE1RlLpLSOd8cu7-xxUP7xDs0ARCAe95EU#i`׉ 7cassandra://zbxBJIRItyrV_akSbjVlTlxfxkCtcQqodsN8qO9jXJY.͠TdDM#xנdDM#xuc̏9ׁHmailto:ads@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM#xv9ׁH$http://denvervoice.org/subscriptionsׁ ׁ ЈנdDM#x̫9ׁHmailto:program@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM#xg9ׁHhttp://denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EMEDITOR’S NOTE REGULAR READERS of the Denver VOICE, or anyone familiar with the street paper model, knows our monthly publication is only a part of the Denver VOICE’s mission. As the managing editor of the paper, my job is to produce a paper written by journalists or journalism students. The Denver VOICE is not a ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR resource provider, meaning, we do not offer services like shelter, daily meals, or medical services. While we have consistently provided our Resource List both in the paper and on our website, it is only recently that we’ve implemented programs to provide our vendors with more than that resource list. Since joining the VOICE, Program Coordinator Connie Gaitan has established new, or built upon existing relationships with our community service providers. By doing this, she can reach out to professionals, if a vendor is struggling with addiction or other mental health issues. If a vendor needs a medical doctor, or needs other assistance, Connie helps them track down whatever resource may be the best avenue to get vendors the care they need. She also makes sure there is always a supply of hand and feet warmers, socks, hats, clothing, or toiletries for vendors who could use them. As important as it is to publish a quality street paper that features articles by professional journalists, while including sections dedicated to VOICE vendors, the program is the primary reason for the VOICE’s existence. Sometimes, it can be easy to overlook the people working behind the scenes to keep a mission-driven organization like ours on track and ensure that it is fulfilling its potential. Connie is not one to seek attention and would probably tell you she’s just doing her job, but in the six months since she joined the VOICE, Connie has made an immeasurable difference, which is why I wanted to acknowledge her. ■ THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS ASHTON BROWN graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in convergent journalism and a minor in cinema studies. She and her fiance currently live with their two cats in Lakewood. is trying to find housing, GILES CLASEN is a freelance photojournalist who regularly contributes his work to the VOICE for editorial projects, fundraisers, and events. He has also served on the VOICE’s Board of Directors. DENVERVOICE.ORG CE.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James Kay MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM COORDINATOR Connie Gaitan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg GRACE THORBURN is a journalism student at the University of Colorado Boulder. She hopes that her writing will make a difference in the community by covering social justice issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness, and racial equity. VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Giles Clasen WRITERS WHAT WE DO The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We give our vendors a job and help them tell their stories; this creates a space for them to be part of a community again. Vendors purchase copies of the VOICE for 50 cents each at our distribution center. This money pays for a portion of our production costs. Vendors can buy as many papers as they want; they then sell those papers to the public for a suggested $2 donation. The difference in cost ($1.50) is theirs to keep. WHO WE ARE The Denver VOICE is a nonprofit that publishes a monthly street newspaper. Our vendors are men and women in the Denver metro area experiencing homelessness and poverty. Since 2007, we have put more than 4,600 vendors to work. Our mission is to facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. We are an award-winning publication, a member of the International Network of Street Papers and the Colorado Press Association, and we abide by the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics. John Alexander Lando Allen Zakiyyah Brooks Ashton Brown Rea Brown Giles Clasen Bree Davies Raelene Johnson Jacob Marsh Steve Szloboda Grace Thorburn BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Jeff Cuneo, Treasurer Zephyr Wilkins, Secretary Albert Bland Donovan Cordova Antonio Diaz Raelene Johnson Jennifer Seybold Julia Watson Cabal Yarne With the money they make selling the VOICE, vendors are able to pay for their basic needs. Our program provides vendors with an immediate income and a support group of dedicated staff members and volunteers. Vendors are independent contractors who receive no base pay. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT editor@denvervoice.org VENDOR PROGRAM program@denvervoice.org • (720) 320-2155 ADVERTISING ads@denvervoice.org MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 VENDOR OFFICE 989 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. 2 DENVER VOICE May 2023 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US ׉ 7cassandra://04gbzjUDDGhNfpf6y1M8P_WFmZ8qLWCGEyD7YF74_gE"`dDM#x}׉E1ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS AND STAFF. THIS MONTH’S ASK A VENDOR CAME FROM DENVER VOICE VENDOR JOHN ALEXANDER. Q A Do you have a different opinion of the Denver VOICE since you fi rst became a vendor? LANDO ALLEN When I first heard about the VOICE, I thought it would be easy to vend papers, but it wasn’t. I thought I could save money and start another business while doing the VOICE. The mistake I made was getting into relationships with people that didn’t bring anything to the table. So, I was stuck taking care of people who didn’t do things for themselves. Today, I feel I have the skills for the VOICE and to not make the same mistakes I made before. I’ll try to save money, so I can build a houseboat. ZAKIYYAH BROOKES Yes. I thought [the VOICE] was just getting the word out about the stories that people tell and write, but it’s more than that. It’s your voice that does good work because you act on not only helping someone be heard, but you’re also being heard. JACOB MARSH I first started in 2009 with the Denver VOICE. I have met a lot of good people at the VOICE. We have lost some of those people, due to weather, starvation, self-inflicted harm, or something unforeseen. I have seen several directors come and go, and several staff members as well, but every time I come into the office, I am welcomed in like family. Yes, a lot has changed, but in some ways, it is still very much the same. STEVE SZLOBODA Over time, the community has gotten to know me. A few months ago, someone even gave me a Facebook shoutout to support me as a vendor. I also recently brought in a volunteer to help at the Denver VOICE office. JOHN ALEXANDER My opinion of the Denver VOICE was really based on just meeting this non-profit. I felt it was just an organization that helps people if it could – nothing special, though. But today, I have a much different opinion. The Denver VOICE is a lifechanging open door to unlimited opportunities. RAELENE JOHNSON My life has changed since coming to the VOICE. I was sleeping under a bridge when I started. The paper gave me a job when no one else would. We have more [resources] to help vendors now. We now have an art program [to help vendor artists get their sales licenses and sell their artwork on their own.] Now, they help [by connecting vendors] with mental health providers. I wish we had everything 16 years ago. I now have been with the VOICE for 14 years and lived in my home for 13 years. Your support of the VOICE goes to keep us working. 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. May 2023 DENVER VOICE 3 ׉ 7cassandra://xMBRPndrTkE1RlLpLSOd8cu7-xxUP7xDs0ARCAe95EU#i`dDM#x~dDM#x} בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://W8g1_BtmG6qouV-DZq61-T4RNMDJKCY2FkhvTeULnpA#`׉ 7cassandra://U2ZX8NLQwGAQ0jaKK5rTReVV3qgCWO9ms-Qg7ORR2So͉`q׉ 7cassandra://4M1LjgTPyf2OaRq3HsTS1LM8py94cGqyE8pa5LglLxc.`׉ 7cassandra://_k319dt6uM97y3Ose0MQCV7f5TjQhieV6pzCb4bYvGgc͠TdDM#xט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://XLKffZ6kjtqJv5e7K57t8vqTwDZZK-SrJZxSdPm5_YEL`׉ 7cassandra://O6piwHm6_ikXP9XbMFI0_NZUjFF1JXid6GEALdS3QBMr`q׉ 7cassandra://VIsPDcTQ2nTvKLLysK-o55_onsaA0tjpipofX-YqMFo(`׉ 7cassandra://Z4CKY_46r81g5dpeFqK0nq-MaQwwkSvW2i_dkqToMvQ|(͠TdDM#x׉E PAGE TITLE GUEST EDITORIAL SPRING WISH LIST Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., or by appointment. WHO GETS TO TELL OUR STORIES? BY BREE DAVIES, HOST OF CITY CAST DENVER WHO GETS TO TELL OUR STORIES? Who is chosen as an “expert” or source when the reporters show up asking questions about your community? Who gets to be the reporter in the first place? As a journalist, I know who I’ve been instructed to seek out as a source. But sometimes, the source in a story isn’t the one who should be interviewed; they’re the person who should be writing the story. As a journalist, I also know that journalism itself has been consumed by academia, abducted and abused by capitalism, and dominated by newsrooms often full of reporters with similar economic situations and backgrounds. But at its root, journalism is a medium by and for the people. The Denver VOICE embodies that root. That place where journalism should come from. That foundation from which communities can tell their stories because they are the experts. When I first met a VOICE vendor on the street in Capitol Hill many years ago, I bought a paper because I was curious. I had no idea the VOICE would become a crucial part of my media consumption and a go-to source for information, perspective, and opinion on my community and my city. But my favorite part? Chatting with a Denver VOICE NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Socks Toiletries (individual or travel-size) Toothpaste, deodorant, chapstick, sunscreen Bottled water BREE DAVIES SITS AT BREAKFAST KING. PHOTO COURTESY OF BREE DAVIES vendor while grabbing a paper, then getting home, opening it up, and finding a piece written by that vendor. That’s onthe-ground journalism. That’s community-first journalism. That’s real journalism. That’s the Denver VOICE. ■ Editor’s note: On May 7, Bree Davies will be the guest speaker at the Denver VOICE’s Rise and Thrive breakfast fundraiser. She will also present the Denver VOICE Vendor of the Year award at the event. Davies is a long-time champion of the VOICE and the individuals we serve. GENTLY-USED ITEMS NEEDED: Men’s shoes or boots (sizes 8-12) Men’s jackets/shorts (sizes L, XL, XXL) Women’s jackets/shorts (sizes M, L, XL) Backpacks, carrier bags USB-C charging cables 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 4 DENVER VOICE May 2023 ׉ 7cassandra://4M1LjgTPyf2OaRq3HsTS1LM8py94cGqyE8pa5LglLxc.`dDM#x׉E INTERNATIONAL STORY A MAN SEARCHES FOR RECYCLABLE MATERIALS AS SMOKE BILLOWS FROM BURNING GARBAGE AT A LANDFILL IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN MARCH 31, 2023. CREDIT: REUTERS/PAVEL MIKHEYEV KYRGYZ ECO-ACTIVIST’S ‘TRASHION’ TACKLES A BURNING PROBLEM BY OLZHAS AUYEZOV A KYRGYZ ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST has found a way to combat toxic fumes choking her city by literally turning trash into treasure, and sewing clothes out of the waste that would otherwise be burned in a landfill or someone’s stove. Garments are a major industry in the Central Asian nation of 7 million, but manufacturers often discard scrap material in landfills outside the capital, Bishkek, to be burned or scavenged to heat people’s homes. Those fumes make the air even more toxic in Bishkek, which is already one of the world’s most polluted cities, thanks to its widespread use of coal. But artist Cholpon Alamanova A SEAMSTRESS WORKS ON A PIECE IN THE KYRGYZ TRADITIONAL PATCHWORK SEWING TECHNIQUE, KURAK, IN A WORKSHOP IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN MARCH 30, 2023. KYRGYZ ARTIST AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST CHOLPON ALAMANOVA AND HER TEAM OF MORE THAN 80 WOMEN USE THE KYRGYZ TRADITIONAL PATCHWORK SEWING TECHNIQUE, KURAK, IN ORDER TO RECYCLE THE TEXTILE WASTE, USUALLY BURNED IN LANDFILLS, INTO COLOURFUL BLANKETS, CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES. CREDIT: REUTERS/PAVEL MIKHEYEV came up with a solution that makes use of a traditional patchwork sewing technique, called kurak, to recycle the textile waste into colorful blankets, clothes, and accessories. In doing so, her workshop has become part of a global “trashion” trend promoting the use of recycled, used, thrownout, and repurposed elements to create garments, jewelry, and art. The task engenders a warming feeling that motivates her to keep doing it, said Alamanova, while helping to keep alive the tradition. “Every single item that we make with students imparts a very pleasant feeling that at least, for a tiny bit, we have made Kyrgyzstan cleaner and helped maintain the purity of its air, water, and land,” she added. Her team, which has grown to more than 80 women aged between 25 and 79, has processed 300 kg (661 pounds) of fabric within a few months, winning public acclaim for fighting pollution while popularising kurak. Works by Alamanova and her students, displayed at an art show in neighboring Kazakhstan last month, have inspired Kazakh women to follow suit, with one of her Kazakh students vowing to start a similar project there. ■ Courtesy of Reuters / International Network of Street Papers May 2023 DENVER VOICE 5 ׉ 7cassandra://VIsPDcTQ2nTvKLLysK-o55_onsaA0tjpipofX-YqMFo(`dDM#xdDM#x בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://isLbzRXwu5PQCyEcLZrDB-dzXVSWa5jGwRT1Fz5QQyIAI`׉ 7cassandra://3EDArjyfoMUs_-R4Fa9vgu0NbULziPbeF0cDo0ljGXQjw`q׉ 7cassandra://lgZSso-ZAJ4uEZ3NF_b2sAlUZMtznaUP2KpM0anFWys$`׉ 7cassandra://g-EMUxK8WkihXHE6wpz4LTON7EKeeXj5GOu9b-No2MUh͠TdDM#xט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://648uXFfy5fcuYVPQx1Zas1W57x5h0GFIhNoyiFaj8Mg8 `׉ 7cassandra://Q3b2QZ9C1UJef8eCSuv7lGlAf4gS6G41UYO1OV2G9a4{`q׉ 7cassandra://cnBUaODxE9P9HR4QcbVueLaW5S1hLifHCHIwg2-LUMw(`׉ 7cassandra://tqUi070N01AC4WoJ2agBWK4nOiwC8IAqabm1gHF029Yn͠TdDM#x׉EmCOMMUNITY PROFILE ‘BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND’ Changing the Way We View Art BY GRACE THORBURN BORN AND RAISED IN DENVER, Alessia Redwine aspires to become a successful art curator and artist. As she wraps up her junior year at the University of Colorado Boulder, her main focus lies within the medium of painting, but she also enjoys exploring mixed media. “I started painting my freshman year of college, and stopped since,” Redwine I haven’t stated. “There is a misrepresentation of Black women in the art industry. When Black women are showcased, they are often shown as less than,” Redwine said. “As a 21-year-old, I feel like I’m still seeing a lot of lack of representation. So, I’d say representation plays a big part in my art, and just expressing myself unapologetically and not apologizing for taking up space and being who I am.” Reframing artistic history to be more inclusive was a driving force in Redwine’s first painting series titled “Black by Popular Demand.” Taking historical pieces like “The MAMA LISA (2022) This rendition of the Mona Lisa (1503) was inspired by both Leonardo da Vinci and Ebonee Davis. Davis is one of Redwine’s favorite models. “My hope is that Black women see this piece and know our hair can be formal and elegant, no matter the shape, size, or stature.” PHOTO COURTESY OF ALESSIA REDWINE 6 DENVER VOICE May 2023 ׉ 7cassandra://lgZSso-ZAJ4uEZ3NF_b2sAlUZMtznaUP2KpM0anFWys$`dDM#x׉E ]COMMUNITY PROFILE REBIRTH OF AFRODITE (2022), is a rendition of Alexandre Cabanel’s Birth of Venus (1863). “Here, Afrodite is sitting in her shell. I did this as a reminder that I, along with all Black women, will not stand to be disrespected, overlooked, or taken advantage of. For this painting, I drew from one of SZA’s many iconic photo shoots.” Birth of Venus” and “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” which center around what she referred to as “the elegance of white women,” Redwine’s paintings are abstract renditions that represent the subjects as Black women, instead. Inspiration for her series struck while Redwine was attending an art history lecture. According to Redwine, she noticed the misrepresentation of Black women in great historical works of art and observed that when they were featured in paintings, elegance, and grace were often reserved for white models. Redwine uses art to process various feelings such as grief, liberation, and acceptance. While finding her voice as a Black woman in America — in spaces that are predominantly white — she is also in the process of finding her artistic voice. “My purpose is figuring out how to create work I’ve always wanted to see growing up. I think representation is so important, and growing up, I didn’t see enough representation,” Redwine said. “I went to a predominantly white high school, and now, I go to a predominantly white university. My paintings focus on the experience of a Black woman in places that aren’t normally diverse. I like to focus on the perspective of Black people and women, more specifically.” People in Redwine’s life have inspired her work. This includes her family and the artists she looks up to. Vincent van Gogh, Winslow Homer, and Long Beach-based artist Torin Ashtun are all Redwine’s primary artistic influences. According to Redwine, she hopes to own an art gallery, where she can showcase her work while also emphasizing the work of other BIPOC artists. She also said that as she grows as an artist, her work will continue to reflect and shine a light on the uplifting aspects of being a Black woman. ■ AFRODITE (2021) The first piece in “Black by Popular Demand” is Redwine’s rendition of “Birth of Venus” (1486) by Sandro Botticelli. “I was inspired by Ebonee Davis’ January 2020 Essence magazine photoshoot. I purposely changed the pose of Afrodite’s body so she would embody confidence with her arms stretched at her side rather than covering her body with shame.” PHOTO COURTESY OF ALESSIA REDWINE I’M THAT GIRL (WITH THE PEARLS) (2022) is a rendition of Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665). “This piece was inspired by Zendaya’s 2020 Essence cover. I wanted to challenge myself with using materials that were 3D, seeing as though I felt unsure on how to paint so many pearls on her headwrap.” May 2023 DENVER VOICE 7 ׉ 7cassandra://cnBUaODxE9P9HR4QcbVueLaW5S1hLifHCHIwg2-LUMw(`dDM#xdDM#x בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://Al7U1gLtfLOlLD32uCNgoJGbEiFqHIxZ2OuRv9nJtWQ1`׉ 7cassandra://L2JXYsPpVrU_6p--P01XpDgzvSugGJArTytRMIYRIE4n`q׉ 7cassandra://QZlRyZQ43dHL6JFdOR-W8E3XHufA983gbFABsMsYZ2A&`׉ 7cassandra://yCcDCEZtP5l4UQwoGjwDNP2obvICC6Em4a9vI0K8v3w w(͠TdDM#xט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://XE8f0_S9vHPi1yJ1ZH5LWz5ivxpP_nqgOAbItFIQU2gO`׉ 7cassandra://f1h-JybOd4tWcVA9bF6k1jt2GGzmRaqElDY7ZyFJkxIn`q׉ 7cassandra://xZq7w04aPi7VST_AaDu6a5lNXc_ygHbKikRR4CBBe-Q(<`׉ 7cassandra://Hg85Ht7uTgcT_Hymmag2j57HfSRuE02HRkU6q-TA6b0SB͠TdDM #x׉E COMMUNITY PROFILE CREDIT: GILES CLASEN CREATIVELY OPTIMISTIC BY GILES CLASEN SCOTT RODGER HAS CONSTRUCTED a creative arrangement to avoid sleeping on the streets. After losing his security jobs with nightclubs and dispensaries during the pandemic, Rodger became homeless. When the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and other programs in the American Rescue Plan Act expired, he found himself unable to pay his rent and slept his first nights in a tent, under overpasses, or anywhere else he could find shelter. Then, he had the idea to find a safer path forward by turning to his old love and working as a tattoo artist. “I’m couch surfing right now and trying to get by,” Rodger said. “I go over [to their homes] and tattoo, and we have a few beers. It gives me a place to sleep. At the end of the day, I’ve got a roof over my head and a safe place to sleep, rather than under the stars in the park.” Rodger has no shortage of clients. He has tattooed other unhoused individuals living in trailers and found a steady stream of housed clients. All of them let him crash on their floor or couch after lengthy tattoo sessions. Rodger is fastidious about cleanliness and safety. He buys his single-use tattoo needles from mainstream tattoo supply shops. After donning gloves, Rodger shows his clients the unopened needles and fresh ink. He also uses an antiseptic to clean the skin he plans on tattooing and then begins to freehand his work. “I always feel honored that individuals let me decorate their bodies. We don’t buy art anymore. It is crazy expensive,” Rodger said. “Tattoos are the art people invest in. It is more than art. Tattoos are an expression of who we are, it is the art we carry on our bodies for the rest of our lives. It has meaning.” Rodger’s life has been defined by two things: art and hockey. He walked on as a hockey player at the University of Denver and played for a year at the University of Colorado, too. His official position was defenseman, but his real job was to be the enforcer on the ice. He was good at hitting opponents and protecting his teammates. Rodger found his greatest success playing on a couple of semipro teams around the Midwest. He played 47 games as a defenseman for the Minot Muskies in North Dakota. He also played 41 games for the Great Falls Americans in Montana. The hits that he sustained started feeling like daily car crashes, slamming against his body, and he decided to pursue his other love – working with pen and ink and calligraphy. Rodger received a degree from the Art Institute of Colorado. While at the Art Institute, Rodger found his groove doing etchings in bone, then metal. He briefly contemplated pursuing a career as an engraver for the United States Mint. Ultimately, Rodger landed an apprenticeship at Celebrity Tattoo, where he found a bit of stability needling ink into skin. He was learning his craft and not making a lot of money yet, but he was assured that working as a tattoo artist would bring him security. “Money has always been hard for me,” Rodger said. “Money has been tight since I tried to make it in hockey. While I don’t have much paper to show, I have memories for days.” Rodger finds it difficult to stay on one career trajectory. He has attention deficit disorder and gets bored quickly. He also talks fast, verbally sprinting, from one subject to the next as quickly as he moved in and out of penalty boxes. 8 DENVER VOICE May 2023 ׉ 7cassandra://QZlRyZQ43dHL6JFdOR-W8E3XHufA983gbFABsMsYZ2A&`dDM#x׉E|COMMUNITY PROFILE CREDIT: GILES CLASEN CREDIT: GILES CLASEN His need to chase new interests led him away from tattooing full-time, and he moved into drawing art and caricatures of children and families at the Denver Zoo and Elitch’s. He worked security jobs, as well, to stay afloat. Just before the pandemic hit, Rodger was hired by Casa Bonita. He was certain it would give him a new purpose and creative outlet. He hopes the new owners will still honor the old offer. According to Rodger, he recently stopped by the Casa Bonita construction site and has been told repeatedly that they will call the old staff back sometime soon. But it is far from a secure job offer. Until then, Rodger continues to find individuals interested in trading a good night’s sleep for a new tattoo. He doesn’t think he will qualify for an apartment any time soon because the eviction after the pandemic has locked him out of the apartment market. It is a nonstarter everywhere he looks. But Rodger is a creative optimist and believes he has found a solution. He is in the process of buying an RV to give him a secure place to lay his head. It is the only option he sees for himself. “I’ve lived a very nice life, but I’m homeless right now,” Rodger said. “There are a lot of us living in a new reality after COVID and in places, we never expected to be.” ■ CREDIT: GILES CLASEN May 2023 DENVER VOICE 9 ׉ 7cassandra://xZq7w04aPi7VST_AaDu6a5lNXc_ygHbKikRR4CBBe-Q(<`dDM#xdDM#x בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://v5Euy6oI773f7vHosrRKy4hA8wfQ0Ws_cF0PHaAbgh0 `׉ 7cassandra://_2H5XuEEa7Z-Ek6RyU2cqcE7aLBVYhFCcTn75oTggXwq`q׉ 7cassandra://ZZ-MXPnasqizOkBZFuHjFuGSxZtPR6ftDQY9NqTQrZE(`׉ 7cassandra://LmQeVDkhbC04lGNQbcoZFjfeJU4CIFIdPm4EPvp632k ͠TdDM #xט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://HOj910KHCaasmh0jnaBypqSWq4JcOOyHVfIBVhuceTk^`׉ 7cassandra://hrtRuI7BGKtReJ3CBibQ-wN8iAES9aLjq9ugV1yH1GkvD`q׉ 7cassandra://f2Qr2XupoTLeLv--gGjU9lFnL0kYUeWkwGs_lSSC0WU&`׉ 7cassandra://ekkVSgxkKEThw9kOZ-uB4ZNzT0izVZ32CrVQ1r7r6qQp͠TdDM #xנdDM #x9ׁHmailto:program@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM #x߁̕9ׁHhttp://DenverParentRocker.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM #x̰9ׁHhttp://careasy.org/nonprofiׁ ׁ Ј׉E4LOCAL FEATURE CREDIT: PARENT ROCKER ORGANIZATION PARENT ROCKER ORGANIZATION: PROVIDING YOUNG MUSICIANS THE CHANCE TO LEARN AND PERFORM BY ASHTON BROWN ONE OF THE BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES is performing on a stage, knowing friends and family are in the audience, watching. For many, without being part of a performance group like a choir, dance troupe, or band, getting to that stage may never happen. Parent Rocker Organization (PRO) provides opportunities for children to learn and become proficient musicians and performers. PRO offers scholarships, so children ages 7 to 18 can participate in the after-school music program at the School of Rock. Participants attend one lesson a week for three months. At the end of the three months, the students perform in front of a live audience. Parent Rocker Organization was established in 2013 and raises $20,000 in scholarships each year. Leading the organization is Melissa Hourigan, who has been a part of PRO for seven years and spent the last three as its president. According to Hourigan, the school was a powerful experience for her kids. “My husband is a musician, and he hasn’t played at half the CREDIT: PARENT ROCKER ORGANIZATION venues these kids have,” said Hourigan. “It’s really inspiring to see these kids, who are so talented and wouldn’t have that option without a scholarship.” .” Hourigan also said she has been fortunate to be able to send all three of her children to the Denver School of Rock, but the tuition, instruments, and even concert-related expenses, all add up. According 10 DENVER VOICE May 2023 ׉ 7cassandra://ZZ-MXPnasqizOkBZFuHjFuGSxZtPR6ftDQY9NqTQrZE(`dDM#x׉ELOCAL FEATURE PAGE TITLE 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. CREDIT: PARENT ROCKER ORGANIZATION to Hourigan, it was costing nearly $1,000 per semester to send her kids to school at the same time. Eligibility for a scholarship is based on parents’ financial status, and each prospective student must include a video and written submission about why they feel they deserve the scholarship. At the beginning of each season, 10 students are granted a scholarship, but there’s no limit to how many times one can apply for future seasons. “A lot of kids will continue to submit for scholarships for years,” Hourigan said. “It’s such a life-changing experience, and it shouldn’t just be reserved for the kids who can afford it. These kids are being raised in the Denver School of Rock. Each of my kids got involved at age 6, and it’s very rare a kid dips out.” According to Hourigan, she’s heard heart-wrenching stories, such as from teenagers who are living on their own and can’t afford the school tuition but want to be able to experience all it has to offer. “It’s a built-in family, and you get to play a part in bringing so much happiness and confidence into their life,” she said. At the height of the COVID pandemic, all of the lessons went online, and the program wasn’t deemed a necessity. Hourigan explained that the students were unable to perform live, which was just one of the challenges the school, educators, and the general community were dealing with. “It was so trying for us,” said Hourigan. “It was a hard time to fundraise. There were so many other things that people needed to think about; people were losing their jobs; they weren’t able to leave their homes.” Hourigan said she’s never worked for a nonprofit that has had such a profound effect on her. It might not be cancer research or suicide prevention, but according to Hourigan, “This is life-changing in such a beautiful and powerful way. It’s really touching to see what these kids can do.” Parent Rocker Organization is especially crucial for children and adolescents who have no other access to musical instruments. As Hourigan explained, “Art is one of the first things that gets cut in school a lot of the time. It just comes down to making it accessible for everyone, and music is such an important thing; not everyone is athletic.” For the program to succeed and allow more students an opportunity to participate, fundraising is essential. In the past, fundraisers for the school included small concerts at places like Hard Rock Cafe or free concerts in neighborhood parks. Occasionally, they have Chris Ryan, who is a local photographer, take photos during the shows to then sell on the Denver School of Rock website. All proceeds help fund scholarships. Most of the money raised for scholarships comes from private events. With the current season wrapping up, the next fundraiser, which will be the annual Rock in the Park concert in Denver’s City Park, will take place at the end of August. “That is our biggest fundraising event because it is a free show, and we are in full control,” said Hourigan.■ For more information about the organization and its upcoming classes or performances, visit DenverParentRocker.org. The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. VOLUNTEER WITH US! We are looking for volunteers to support our program coordination by helping with paper distribution and basic offi ce administration at the Denver VOICE offi ce (989 Santa Fe Dr.) from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you are interested and would like to know more, contact us at: program@denvervoice.org May 2023 DENVER VOICE 11 ׉ 7cassandra://f2Qr2XupoTLeLv--gGjU9lFnL0kYUeWkwGs_lSSC0WU&`dDM#xdDM#x בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://LGjlgotwF8QV1BjX_n-_9g3JOommo8K1YIWEyt-PxZY`׉ 7cassandra://yD-A2NWECnnpENu0SIJrBTeP-sB36B2wR12pfwtaoSUWg`q׉ 7cassandra://XFzCOtRcToo26TMSUakFey29hrSv2ClOCYILo_1iFok`׉ 7cassandra://vYGG3_LFs6B2ceTyliIiEH94rzH3-WT6GmxJGG8XKBck<͠TdDM #xט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://_PGZcjhydB5GczQnKhscszS7bPF2XGEanYEtHqXGYT0`׉ 7cassandra://Owq3_2rozuXAnzJ3_w9fxBhgrIDzzAyFWqOsSTLPR0cp`q׉ 7cassandra://LtU0gFHFyCxN4TdVUpuXX5ICORfg6niXEzaCDDl4SPo%`׉ 7cassandra://9NVq8lpFErwWQEOEGQizc_zXJ6aNUUJUqx8hP0kTZIQaP͠TdDM #xנdDM!#xj_9ׁHhttp://levittdenver.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xjc9ׁHhttp://thenarrators.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xjˁ̭ 9ׁH http://facebook.com/DenverBazaarׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xjm9ׁHhttp://comedyworks.comׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xj܁9ׁH(http://denverlibrary.org/events/upcomingׁ ׁ Ј׉E IN YOUR OWN WORDS OVERCOMING YOUR PAST BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR HOW DO YOU OVERCOME BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO YOU? Do you think of your past daily? Do you always ask, “Why me.” over and over again? Do people say to you, ”You are no good, you will never be anything”? Over time, you will start to believe these words. You will give up on Self, stop even trying, believing you are nothing, so you take the painful insults from others, thinking that’s all you should get. When bad things happen to you when you are young, you don’t know where to turn or how to get help. You stay broken and lost. You long to be loved but don’t love Self, so you can’t receive love or truly give love back to someone. RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: CORTNEY TABERNA Until Self can truly love Self, no relationship can work. Take care of Self by first, finding out what or why bad things happened when you were young that are keeping you stuck. Until you know what you really need to deal with, you will never be free. The past has a way of holding tight to us, like a demon that pulls us back and keeps showing us the past hell we lived in, or that keeps us from seeing that our past is not our future. The past is just that – it is behind your butt. Let it go! Get help if you need it. Only you can overcome your past. Be the BEST SELF you can, so you WILL LIVE THE BEST LIFE EVER. You are worth so much, so let it SHINE! You can find peace, but you have to overcome the past first. I know you can do it, Self. ■ “BACK ON THE STREETS” BY REA BROWN, VOICE VENDOR Editor’s note: Denver VOICE vendor, Rea Brown, wrote this “Back on the Streets” piece in homage to Brian Augustine, who passed away in January. When he died, Augustine was writing a monthly column about what it was like to return to living on the streets when he could no longer afford his rent. Through the end of this year, Brown intends to continue contributing, or to encourage other VOICE vendors to contribute something in honor of Brian Augustine’s legacy. WHAT WILL TOMORROW BRING especially because it’s spring? Usually when the weather gets better there’s a measure of pleasure that brings people together for whatever endeavors REA BROWN. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN especially wedding receptions, sports and other professions, even graduations are places you can find an outdoor procession But I will ask all to look close at the question Most will propose that less clothes are an obvious blessing The more studious would stand alarmed at the possible lesson on lessons The homeless population abrasion or the continuation frustration the sweep and displacement and now the political races Adjacent to not smelling fentanyl on occasions or in places where breaks are taken or enjoying “you” time when the day ends Is the user on his or her way to the pavement after taking so many smokes they don’t know where the day went? In the open air, few even care about the Foul scent Another life ends among so-called friends congregating I mean, what will tomorrow bring especially because it’s spring? Usually, when the weather gets better, there’s a measure of pleasure that brings people together for whatever endeavors. ■ 12 DENVER VOICE May 2023 ׉ 7cassandra://XFzCOtRcToo26TMSUakFey29hrSv2ClOCYILo_1iFok`dDM#x׉E5EVENTS SHRINKY DINK JEWELRY Come on out to the Sam Gary Branch Library to create jewelry made from shrinky dinks. All ages are welcome! WHEN: May 6, 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. COST: This event is free. Registration is not required, but materials and space are limited. WHERE: Sam Gary Branch Library; 2961 Roslyn St. INFO: denverlibrary.org/events/upcoming COURTESY OF DEBORAH LASTOWKA PUZZLES COURTESY OF STREETROOTS ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 15 ADAM CAYTON-HOLLAND Adam Cayton-Holland is a national touring comedian who was named one of 25 “Comics to Watch” by Esquire Magazine and one of “10 Comics to Watch” by Variety. Watch him perform at one of the best clubs in the country. WHEN: May 10, 8 p.m. COST: $20 WHERE: Comedy Works – Downtown, 1226 15th St. INFO: comedyworks.com ACROSS SLOAN’S LAKE SPRING BAZAAR This outdoor market will feature 80+ local vendors, DIY crafts, pop-up bars, food trucks, music, and more. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. WHEN: May 13 + 14, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. COST: Free entry. WHERE: 1611 Raleigh St. INFO: facebook.com/DenverBazaar 1. Casual conversations 6. British network nickname, with “the” 10. “A Farewell to ___” 14. Party hearty 15. Poker pot starter 16. Horn sound 17. ___ acid (protein building block) 18. Actress Rowlands 19. Male turkeys or cats 20. Show up late to Wimbledon? 23. In a snobby fashion 24. “___ High” (1999 song that name-drops Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, and Aphrodite) THE NARRATORS The Narrators is a live storytelling show and podcast based in Denver, Colorado. Hosted by Ron S. Doyle and Erin Rollman. Comedians, actors, musicians, writers, and other fascinating folks share true stories from their lives, centered on a monthly theme. This month’s theme is Ages & Stages. WHEN: May 17; doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. COST: Name your own price; purchase in advance online. WHERE: Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. INFO: thenarrators.org 28. Striped shirt wearer 29. Suffocate 30. Non-___ (label on some organic foods) 33. Insult Sesame Street’s resident vampire? 36. Satisfied sounds 38. Shortly before? 39. Farm equipment 40. Put one’s money where one’s foot is? 45. Broadway sign acronym meaning “we have no more seats to sell” 46. Binge 47. ___ capita 49. “It has a certain je ___ quoi” 50. Like an issue divided along party lines 55. Take a whack at farming? 57. In this place 60. Peeples and Long 61. Patterned upholstery fabric 62. Awestruck 63. “Give or take” 64. Run in the wash 65. Musician related to Herman Melville who shares a name with a Herman Melville character 66. “Read ‘em and ___!” 67. Makes, as income DOWN 1. Studies into the wee hours the night before a test 2. Surround 3. Dispatch boat 4. Tightening muscle (anagram for NOTERS) 5. Like spoons used to make spaghetti 6. “Everything” breakfast item 7. Foe 8. Sicilian volcano 9. “Heck if I know” 10. Above all others 11. Friend of Pooh whose name rhymes with “Pooh” 12. May honoree 13. Ave. crossers 21. Old 45 player 22. Popular ice cream flavor, for short 25. Synagogues 26. Mister in Mexico 27. “One lump ___?” 29. Storage space for yard equipment, often 30. West African nation 31. Purple shade 32. “That’s for sure” 34. Labor Day mo. 35. Uno + due 37. Game plan 41. ___ to the throne 42. “Whoa, Nelly!” 43. Mortgage figs. 44. 1970 Beatles chart-topper 48. Swiss lozenge brand 50. New moon, e.g. 51. “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” writer 52. Downhill racer 53. Kind of wrench 54. Requires 56. Goodyear product 57. Western omelet ingredient 58. Bigheadedness 59. Burgle FREE CONCERT: LOS MOCOCHETES + ORKESTA MENDOZA Come enjoy a free night of music, featuring Los Mocochetes and Orkesta Mendoza. Bring your own blanket, chairs, picnic, and/or purchase food from rotating food trucks. Show is rain or shine. WHEN: May 28, doors at 4 p.m., show at 5 p.m. COST: Free for general admission. WHERE: Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W. Florida Ave. INFO: levittdenver.org May 2023 DENVER VOICE 13 PUZZLE COURTESY OF STREET ROOTS, DENVER VOICE’S SISTER PAPER IN PORTLAND, OR PUZZLE COURTESY OF STREET ROOTS, DENVER VOICE’S SISTER PAPER IN PORTLAND, OR ׉ 7cassandra://LtU0gFHFyCxN4TdVUpuXX5ICORfg6niXEzaCDDl4SPo%`dDM#xdDM#x בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://GnFKTyvl003NeNL8NuRff2fGXqMcgHe_DBTvQD037n4-`׉ 7cassandra://0AGdmu-j58ZCJDD890fBmKp6ToIX66cZVDBif4CAVZ8e`q׉ 7cassandra://78s5zZ8BUkowt6bKOovjJIBULH2dpmf0G7xccSJAaFA!,`׉ 7cassandra://AyyLnXDJYOEGmGnxs-JxE8AZeRJzQPAyzGHx0ECq8y8R(͠TdDM!#xט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://f5sU3jXmTutSbjl8dmK0gQU9rCGu_bVhCGAyFE68rXE$`׉ 7cassandra://9FZXxf2D0v6OVgY8U13vP1FKASV8Tip8kes8z5IeAxIp`q׉ 7cassandra://MckEzOEfGQyzN1d4CTjG-poNY1d3Tz5FQ-hqlFjmyFk `׉ 7cassandra://G45QyOof61pYWTGdVGgPX14ojVSe775Nn0A8BDFaB78 %D͠TdDM!#x8נdDM!#xf 9ׁH0http://careercenteroffices.com/center/231/denverׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x`l 9ׁHhttp://denverlibrary.org/ctcׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xI 9ׁHhttp://voacolorado.org/gethelpׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xK 9ׁHhttp://lovedenver.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x̸ 9ׁH)http://seniorsupportservices.org/programsׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xdR 9ׁHhttp://soallmayeat.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x*k 9ׁHhttp://saintpauldenver.comׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x D 9ׁHhttp://sfcdenver.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xn 9ׁHhttp://stelizabethdenver.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x f 9ׁHhttp://stpeterandmary.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xn 9ׁHhttp://odmdenver.org/homeׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x 1j̲ 9ׁH&http://jordanamedenver.churchfoyer.comׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x jQi 9ׁHhttp://holyghostchurch.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x8k 9ׁHhttp://hislovefellowship.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x Sb 9ׁHhttp://krishnadenver.comׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x̤ 9ׁH$http://facebook.com/ThePeoplesPicnicׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x݁ 9ׁH+http://feedingdenvershungry.org/events.htmlׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x̆ 9ׁHhttp://frwoodyshavenofhope.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x̀ 9ׁHhttp://denverrescuemission.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x `* 9ׁHhttp://dicp.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x6X 9ׁHhttp://mealsforpoor.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x d J 9ׁHhttp://citysquare.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x^ 9ׁHhttp://christinthecity.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x߁ gʁN 9ׁHhttp://christsbody.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xށh 9ׁHhttp://denvercathedral.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x݁}vX 9ׁHhttp://mealsforpoor.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x܁ I]̝ 9ׁH%http://capitolheightspresbyterian.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xہZL 9ׁHhttp://urbanpeak.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xځ- 9ׁHhttp://tgthr.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xف7= 9ׁH$http://urbanpeak.org/denver/programsׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x؁D 9ׁHhttp://soxplace.comׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xׁō 9ׁH http://seniorsupportservices.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xց&ED 9ׁHhttp://sfcdenver.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xՁN 9ׁHhttp://odmdenver.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xԁ3 9ׁH(http://homelessassistance.us/li/lawrenceׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xӁi 9ׁHhttp://holyghostchurch.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xҁ̢ 9ׁH$http://harmreductionactioncenter.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xс\E 9ׁHhttp://tgpdenver.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xЁ", 9ׁHhttp://thoh.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xρZJ 9ׁHhttp://citysquare.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x΁H 9ׁHhttp://work-now.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x́ 9ׁHhttp://va.gov/findׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x́j̝ 9ׁH#http://sunshinebehavioralhealth.comׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xˁĄ 9ׁH'http://coloradocoalition.org/healthcareׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xʁ7m 9ׁH!http://southeastdetoxga.com/blackׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xɁ 9ׁH"http://southeastaddictiontn.com/50ׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xȁ7ā̛ 9ׁHhttp://saludclinic.org/commerceׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xǁŌ 9ׁH http://liverhealthconnection.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xƁ=O̒ 9ׁHmailto:info@hepc-connection.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xŁ%a 9ׁHhttp://liveanotherday.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xā8̢ 9ׁH$http://harmreductionactioncenter.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xÁ7 9ׁH7http://drugrehabus.org/rehabs/treatment/medicaid/unitedׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xN 9ׁHhttp://detoxlocal.comׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x]X 9ׁHhttp://denverhealth.orgׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#x̹9ׁHmailto:EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORGׁ ׁ ЈנdDM!#xuR9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORG/RESOURCEׁ ׁ Ј׉EjDONOR LIST WE LOVE OUR DONORS! WHEN YOU SUPPORT THE DENVER VOICE, YOU ARE HELPING SUPPORT HUNDREDS OF HOMELESS AND IMPOVERISHED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING TO REALIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH EARNING A DIGNIFIED INCOME. YOUR GIFT MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. HERE, WE LIST THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN $500 AND MORE IN THE LAST YEAR. DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATE $25,000+ The NextFifty Initiative $10,000+ The Christian Foundation Acorn Hill Foundation Inc. $5,000 - $9,999 Bank of America Charitable Foundation Francis Trainer and Trainer Family Sustainable Housing and Development Foundation $1,000-$4,999 Katherine Standiford Walker Family Foundation Alexander Seavall Jill Haug Meek-Cuneo Family Fund Whole Foods Foundation Alex Salva Russell Peterson Pivotal Energy Partners USA, Inc. Chris and Susan Pappas Michael Dino Sidney B and Caleb F Gates Fund Frederic K Conover Trust Megan Arellano Keyrenter Property Management Denver SEI Giving Fund The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation Jana and Jim Cuneo Kroger Paul Manoogian Lori Holland Gaspar Terrana Warren and Betty Kuehner Maggie Holben Michael J. Fehn and Jan Monnier Jim Ashe Courage and Community Foundation George Lichter Family Foundation Lisa Wagner Joshua Kauer Elsbeth Williams Mathew Rezek $500-$999 Margaret Ramp John Gibson Fire on the Mountain Christopher Boulanger Sheryl Parker Laura Saunders Robert E and Anne T Sneed Family Foundation Barbara and Robert Ells Carol and Louis Irwin Donald Weaver Edwina Salazar James Stegman Jennifer Stedron Jeremy Anderson Stephen Saul WalMart Peter Iannuzzi Nikki Lawson CEDS Finance Graham Davis Impact Assets Courage and Community Foundation Louis Irwin Mary Livernois James and Cyndi Lesslie 14 DENVER VOICE May 2023 ABOVE THE FOLD: $5,000 • One complimentary full page ad in the newspaper ($1,000 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Above the Fold Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper SPONSORSHIP LEVELS THE DENVER VOICE’S ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT LEVELS PROVIDE BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN WORK EMPOWERMENT, HOMELESS PREVENTION, THE CHALLENGING OF COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS, AND TO BE A PART OF PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY WITH QUALITY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE THROUGH OUR WRITERS AND VENDORS – AN INVALUABLE PART OF DENVER’S COMMUNITY. YOUR INVOLVEMENT WILL HELP HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING POSITIVE ACTION TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS AND IMPOVERISHMENT. AS A SPONSOR, YOU HAVE A WAY TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVE SOMETHING BACK AT THE SAME TIME. ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS BENEFITS INCLUDE YOUR LOGO LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE HOMEPAGE, MONTHLY AD SPACE IN OUR PAPER, AND SPECIAL EVENT PERKS FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ALL YEAR LONG. IT’S A GOOD DEAL FOR A GOOD CAUSE, AND YOUR GIFT IS 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE! GALLEY: $2,500 • One complimentary half page ad in the newspaper ($600 value) • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Galley Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper HONOR BOX: $1,000 • Table of 10 and Sponsor recognition at annual Rise and Thrive Breakfast (200 attendees) • Sponsorship recognition at our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event (200 attendees) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Honor Box Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper FLY SHEET: $500 • Two complimentary tickets to our annual Pints Fighting Poverty event ($50 value) • Business logo highlighted on website homepage, and in the Fly Sheet Sponsorship list • Logo highlighted in our annual report, along with logo in quarterly support feature of the paper ׉ 7cassandra://78s5zZ8BUkowt6bKOovjJIBULH2dpmf0G7xccSJAaFA!,`dDM#x׉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, COUNSELING, EDUCATION, SHELTERS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE, AND MORE. EMAIL EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORG WITH CORRECTIONS OR ADDITIONS. MEDICAL / MENTAL HEALTH / DENTAL SERVICES ACS COMMUNITY L.I.F.T. CareVan at Open Door Ministries, 1567 Marion St., Tues. 9am-12:30pm DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER 303-436-6000, 777 Bannock St. denverhealth.org DETOX LOCAL A resource that features abundant information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community. detoxlocal.com DRUG REHAB USA Addiction hotline: 866-716-0142. Organizations that take Medicaid: drugrehabus.org/rehabs/treatment/medicaid/united-states/colorado/denver HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER 303-572-7800; 112 E. 8th Ave.; Mon.-Fri., 9am-12pm. HIV/Hep C/ Gonorrhea/ Chlamydia testing available. Our services are restricted to active IV Drug Users. Offers clean syringes to active users, as well as safety training on how to properly dispose of dirty syringes. harmreductionactioncenter.org LIVE ANOTHER DAY Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mental health and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available: liveanotherday.org LIVER HEALTH CONNECTION 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite B302. Resources and support for those affected by Hep C. Free Hep C testing offered. 800-522-4372, info@hepc-connection.org, liverhealthconnection.org INNER CITY HEALTH CENTER 303-296-1767, 3800 York St. Mon., Wed.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Tues. 9am-5pm; Sat. 8am-2pm. Emergency walk-ins. SALUD CLINIC 6075 Parkway Drive, Ste. 160, Commerce City; Dental 303-286-6755. Medical 303-286-8900. Medical Hours: Mon.-Wed. 8am-9pm, Thurs.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Sat. (Urgent Care only) 8am-5pm; Dental Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm; Pharmacy Hours: Mon.-Fri. 1-5pm; After Office Hours: 1-800-283-3221 saludclinic.org/commerce-city SOUTHEAST ADDICTION CENTER Top 50 resources for Black men who are struggling with substance use and/or their mental health. southeastaddictiontn.com/50-addiction-mental-health-resources-for-black-men SOUTHEAST DETOX Updated in 2023, this guide features over 50 fully-vetted resources for Black women. southeastdetoxga.com/black-women-addiction-mental-health-support STOUT STREET CLINIC 303-293-2220, 2130 Stout St. Clinic hours for new and established patients: 7am-4pm Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. The clinic is open Wed. 11am-7pm. coloradocoalition.org/healthcare SUNSHINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (YOUTH SERVICES) Services for youth facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. 833-931-2484 sunshinebehavioralhealth.com VA MEDICAL CENTER 303-399-8020, 1700 N Wheeling St., Aurora va.gov/find-locations/facility/vha_554A5 WORKNOW 720-389-0999; job recruitment, skills training, and job placement work-now.org DROP-IN & DAYTIME CENTERS CITYSQUARE DENVER 303-783-3777; 2575 S. Broadway; Mon.-Thurs. 10am-2pm, Denver Works helps with employment, IDs, birth certs; mail services and lockers citysquare.org FATHER WOODY’S HAVEN OF HOPE 303-607-0855; 1101 W. 7th Ave.; Mon.-Fri. 7am-1pm. Six private showers & bathrooms, laundry, lunch & more thoh.org THE GATHERING PLACE 303-321-4198; 1535 High St.; Mon., Wed.-Fri. 8:30am-5pm, Tues. 8:30am-1:30pm. Daytime drop-in center for women, their children, and transgender individuals. Meals, computer lab, phones, food bank, clothing, art programs, GED tutoring, referrals to other services, and more. tgpdenver.org HARM REDUCTION ACTION CENTER 303-572-7800, 231 East Colfax; Mon.-Fri. 9am-12pm. Provides clean syringes, syringe disposal, harm-reduction counseling, safe materials, Hep C/HIV education, and health education classes. harmreductionactioncenter.org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH 1900 California St., help with lost IDs and birth certificates holyghostchurch.org HOPE PROGRAM 303-832-3354, 1555 Race St.; Mon.-Fri. 8am-4pm. For men and women with HIV. LAWRENCE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER 2222 Lawrence St.; 303-294-0157; day facility, laundry, showers, restrooms, access to services homelessassistance.us/li/lawrence-street-community-center OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES 1567 Marion St.; Mon.-Fri. 7am-5:30pm. Drop-in center: bathrooms, coffee/tea, snacks, resources, WIFI odmdenver.org ST. FRANCIS CENTER 303-297-1576; 2323 Curtis St. 6am-6pm daily. Storage for one bag (when space is available). Satellite Clinic hours- Mon., Tues., Thurs, Fri. 7:30am-3:30pm; Wed. 12:30-4:30pm sfcdenver.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES 846 E. 18th Ave. For those 60+. TV room, bus tokens, mental/physical health outreach, and more. seniorsupportservices.org SOX PLACE (YOUTH SERVICES) 2017 Larimer St. Daytime drop-in shelter for youth 12-30 years old. Meals, socks, clothing bank, personal hygiene supplies, internet access, intentional mentoring and guidance, crisis intervention, referrals to other services. Tues.-Fri. 12-4pm & Sat. 11-2pm. soxplace.com THE SPOT AT URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES) 2100 Stout St. 303-291-0442. Drop-in hours Mon.-Fri. 8-11am. If you are a youth aged 15-20 in need of immediate overnight shelter services, please contact 303-974-2928 urbanpeak.org/denver/programs-and-services/drop-in-center TGTHR (FKA ATTENTION HOMES) Shelter: 303-447-1207, 3080 Broadway, Boulder. Open every day, 12:30-5pm, for anyone ages 12-24. Office: 303-447-1206. Offers safe shelter, supportive programming, and other services to youth up to age 24 tgthr.org URBAN PEAK (YOUTH SERVICES) Youth 14-24 in Denver and Colorado Springs. Overnight shelter, food, clothing, showers, case workers, job skills and training, ID and birth certificate assistance, GED assistance, counseling and housing. 730 21st St. 303-974-2900 urbanpeak.org FREE MEALS AGAPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2501 California St., Sat., 11am CAPITOL HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1100 Fillmore St., Sat. lunch at 11:30am capitolheightspresbyterian.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES Go to mealsforpoor.org for meal locations CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 1530 Logan St.; sandwiches & coffee Mon.-Fri. 8:30am denvercathedral.org CHRIST’S BODY MINISTRIES 850 Lincoln; Mon. closed, Tues.-Thurs. 10am-3pm, Fri. 8am-11pm; groceries & hot meal on Sat. at 2pm (at 16th & York); Sun. church service at 6pm, dinner at 7pm. christsbody.org CHRIST IN THE CITY Home-cooked meal; Civic Center Park at Colfax & Lincoln at 1pm every Wed. & 2nd Sat. christinthecity.org CITYSQUARE DENVER 303-783-3777, 2575 S. Broadway; Food pantry Tues. 10am-6pm citysquare.org CAPITOL HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES Hot meals served at 1820 Broadway (in front of Trinity United Methodist Church), Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 11:45-12:15 mealsforpoor.org DENVER INNER CITY PARISH 303-322-5733, 1212 Mariposa St., VOA Dining Center for Seniors, free 60 yrs and older, Wed.-Sat. 9am-12pm. Food Bank, Wed.-Fri., tickets at 9am, food bank open 10am-12pm. dicp.org DENVER RESCUE MISSION 1130 Park Avenue West, 3 meals 7 days/week: 5:30am, 12pm, 6pm 303-294-0157 denverrescuemission.org FATHER WOODY’S HAVEN OF HOPE 1101 W. 7th Ave. 303-607-0855. Mon.-Fri. 7am-1pm. Not open weekends. Breakfast is at 8am, and lunch is served at 11am frwoodyshavenofhope.org FEEDING DENVER’S HUNGRY Food service on the second and fourth Thurs. of each month; locations found at feedingdenvershungry.org/events.html FOOD NOT BOMBS Wed. 4pm/Civic Center Park facebook.com/ThePeoplesPicnic HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE 1400 Cherry St., free vegetarian feast on Sun., 6:45-7:30pm krishnadenver.com HIS LOVE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH 910 Kalamath, community dinner on Thurs., 6-6:45pm, men’s breakfast 1st Sat. of the Month, 8-10am, women’s breakfast 2nd Sat., 9-11am. hislovefellowship.org HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH 1900 California St., sandwiches, Mon.-Sat., 10-10:30am holyghostchurch.org JORDAN AME CHURCH 29th and Milwaukee St., Tues. lunch 11:30am-1:00pm jordanamedenver.churchfoyer.com OPEN DOOR MINISTRIES 1567 Marion St., Sat. morning breakfast: 8am, Sun. dinner (required church attendance at 4:30pm) meal served at 6pm. 303-830-2201 odmdenver.org/home ST. CLARE’S MINISTRY AT ST. PETER AND ST. MARY 126 W. 2nd Ave., dinner at 4pm on Tues. Also offer a change of clothes, toiletries and sleeping bags when available. 303-722-8781 stpeterandmary.org ST. ELIZABETH’S Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St. on Auraria campus, 7 days/week, 11:00am; food, coffee. stelizabethdenver.org ST. FRANCIS CENTER 2323 Curtis St., Wed. & Fri. 3-4:30pm (except third Wed. of each month). sfcdenver.org ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN 1600 Grant St., Street Reach meal Mon. 1-4:30pm. Grocery room open at 11:30am every Mon. saintpauldenver.com SAME CAFÉ 2023 E. Colfax Ave. Restaurant serving mostly organic food—not free, but pay what you can or work off your meal in the kitchen: Open Mon.-Sat., 11am to 2pm, Closed Sun. & holidays, 720-530-6853 soallmayeat.org SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES 846 E. 18th Ave. 3 meals, Mon.a-Fri. 7am-7pm; Sun. 11am-4pm. 55+ seniorsupportservices.org/programs URBAN OUTREACH DENVER 608 26th St., Thurs. dinners, 6pm-7pm lovedenver.org VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA 2877 Lawrence St., breakfast (8am), lunch (11:30am), dinner (5pm) Mon.-Thurs., 12pm on Fri., 1pm on Sun. Food & clothing bank 9:30am-4pm Mon.-Thurs. voacolorado.org/gethelp-denvermetro-foodnutrition-themission CAREER SERVICES COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER Level 4, Denver Central Library, 14th Ave. & Broadway. 720-865-1706. Hours: Mon. & Tues. 10am-8pm; Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat. 9am-5pm & Sun. 1-5pm; FREE services include computer/internet use, wifi, computer classes, job search/resume classes and one-on-one tech help appointments. denverlibrary.org/ctc THE WESTSIDE ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER Denver Department of Human Services, 1200 Federal Blvd., Mon.Fri., 7:30am-4:30pm; Services include: employment counseling, assisted job search, résumé preparation, job/applicant matching, phone bank for calling employers, access to computers, copiers, fax, etc. careercenteroffices.com/center/231/denver-westside-workforce-center May 2023 DENVER VOICE 15 DON’T LOOK NOW! PUZZLES ARE ON PAGE 13 ׉ 7cassandra://MckEzOEfGQyzN1d4CTjG-poNY1d3Tz5FQ-hqlFjmyFk `dDM#xdDM#x בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://W8JvkkhKzKG5PUS4M8xRSeAAsmkrHNSzBep-yV5fduEh`׉ 7cassandra://tPgH9YBcoEwn0wGeOz5B164sik2LeaGTJuyBTtDBzpUg`q׉ 7cassandra://YmIh6Sxc-EeWTaN30J52oLIAmfhmbcvDqiyCUGrbx7Q&`׉ 7cassandra://P9iEICtByk_Ta0L2aFK_8MfMq7pM-l4qQddSmxiHXgon͠TdDM!#xנdDM!#x9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORG/DONATEׁ ׁ Ј׉E>WHAT DO WE DO TO HELP? Since 2007, the VOICE has provided jobs for more than 4,600 people experiencing homelessness. 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://YmIh6Sxc-EeWTaN30J52oLIAmfhmbcvDqiyCUGrbx7Q&`dDM#x׈EdDM#xdDM#x ,5-2023dDL@16>