׉?ׁB!בCט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://pwsqVhSbtAGVWVLQOl9rFm_0vHmkzBbub3ASqCJ721w`׉ 7cassandra://Z8_eO908xI3zjRKDKVrgmj1hC3mDu3aulMykN5g_UuU͚`q׉ 7cassandra://YUwMepbzPmS4Bph9-Pe0r9VrGGGyNQj_CDpHCqvSxCE2f`f'xx\J נf'xx\J  <Ǵ9ׁHhttp://DENVERVOICE.ORGׁ ׁ Ј׈Ef'xx\J׉E6$ 2 SUGGESTED DONATION @DenverVOICE SERVIN SERVI UP FOO JUSTIC BEVERLY GRANT AND MO BETTA GREEN EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNIT PAGE 6 Y TY. NG OD CE SPACE TO GRIEVE DESPITE ITS UNCERTAIN FUTURE, SEATTLE-BASED CENTER OFFERS HEALING. PAGE 5 OVERTURNED: GRANTS PASS VS. JOHNSON NOW, CITIES CAN PUNISH THOSE WITHOUT HOUSING FOR SLEEPING IN PUBLIC. PAGE 8 EXCESS FRUIT » HEALTHY TREATS FOOD BANK’S UNIQUE PROCESS PUTS EXCESS FOOD TO GOOD USE. PAGE 10 VENDOR PROFILE: CHARLES SPRING PAGE 3 VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY PAGES 3, 4, 12 EVENTS / PUZZLES PAGE 13 RESOURCES PAGE 15 AUGUST 2024 | Vol.29 Issue 8 SINCE 1997, WE HAVE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO WORK. DONATE TODAY TO ENSURE OUR VENDORS CONTINUE TO HAVE JOBS. (DENVERVOICE.ORG) FROM YOUR VENDOR: PORTRAIT OF BEVERLY GRANT. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL ׉ 7cassandra://YUwMepbzPmS4Bph9-Pe0r9VrGGGyNQj_CDpHCqvSxCE2f`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://MLL7VbTrrNxDOGpU6cEFblV3Cq6AFHT6ZFirF2ZvyT4M`׉ 7cassandra://L8AFojpNiNNUZ73lxZKhBk0j1BVA_62GJXBzjVsY9r0i$`q׉ 7cassandra://7ZNg9TJH1tonTvl4a7HeHtDk3BXqReww1yfvLJlxNEc%l`f'xx\J ט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://MqidSAE29lUeAoHgWYtMCi2ThVP9dLQXvbFqpsBaq_E'`׉ 7cassandra://JA7Pm_M7PDZs0zlRXkBXHsd4X6zGT18jXPrKkb5dl5Qx`q׉ 7cassandra://KonCI0kem4PuYp2YF7-9-qgGJg5JVrDBr5ZD_dyJmhE%`f'xx\Jנf'xx\Juc̏9ׁHmailto:ads@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jv9ׁH$http://denvervoice.org/subscriptionsׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J̫9ׁHmailto:program@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jg9ׁHhttp://denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E EDITOR’S NOTE MEET OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BRITTNI JOY WEST-WARE. We are thrilled to introduce Brittni Joy West-Ware as the new executive director of the Denver VOICE. She will say hello in our September issue, but for now, we wanted to tell you a little about her and offer her a warm welcome! Having lived abroad for almost a decade Brittni brings a very diverse cultural mentality to her work. She understands that culture, experience, knowledge, and empathy are the pathways to creating a more cohesive community. Brittni has spent time in more than 45 countries and knows that the largest connector globally is empathetic engagement. She received a B.A. in child development from Spelman College and an M.A. in business administration from the University of Roehampton, London, U.K. ■ BRITTNI JOY WEST-WARE MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM DIRECTOR Connie Gaitan THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS JACOB RICHARDS is a community organizer and writer on the western slope of Colorado. His columns have appeared across the West including The Denver Post, Salt Lake City Tribune, and The Daily Sentinel. When not working in the wilderness, he is working on a project called “A People’s History of the Grand Valley.” YVENS ALEX SAINTIL is a multidisciplinary artist and veteran born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Queens, NY. With a deep commitment to storytelling, historical events, cultural heritage, and personal experiences, Saintil creates art that connects past injustices to present systems of oppression. His work sparks crucial conversations about race, equality, and justice. 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. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Lanie Lee Cook Emma Hurt Aaron Sullivan ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Gigi Galen Jacob Richards Yvens Alex Saintil WRITERS Lando Allen Raelene Johnson Jason Martin Jacob Richards Jerry Rosen Yvens Alex Saintil Larmarques Smith Charles Spring BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Antonio Diaz, Treasurer Michael Burkley Jeff Cuneo Charity Von Guinness Cabal Yarne DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG @OCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Brittni Joy West-Ware 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. 2 DENVER VOICE August 2024 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US ׉ 7cassandra://7ZNg9TJH1tonTvl4a7HeHtDk3BXqReww1yfvLJlxNEc%l`f'xx\J׉EVENDOR PROFILE MY HOMELESSNESS STORY BY CHARLES SPRING LAST NOVEMBER, I DECIDED TO TAKE A HUGE RISK and move somewhere far away from any family or friends to start a new life, live on my own, and have my independence and freedom. I had never been on my own. I mean, I had my own place in Houma, La. for about eight years, but, I was not truly on my own, because I lived on my father’s land — first in a trailer house, and then in a shed/barn that I bought. I was in the process of turning it into a one-bedroom apartment, but I was going through some mental health issues at the time. I was paranoid that my father, and even my neighbors, were drugging me! My body was going through a bunch of physical problems, and I thought it was from people drugging me. I now know that it was probably my pre-diabetes acting up, but I wanted a fresh start, where no one knew, or thought they knew, anything about me. I wanted to be in a place with cooler weather. I always hated the hot humid weather of south Louisiana. I love the food and the culture, but the always hot, or I should say, “Always Summer” weather just killed me. So, I decided on Colorado. I looked up a bunch of places there but ended up choosing Denver. I did not realize that Denver is one of the most expensive places in the U.S. While searching online, I found a place that I could afford, so I applied for it. On December 3, I got on a plane and made my way out here, starting what has been a bold and scary journey. You could say I was always like the father duck in that kid’s movie “Migration.” (LOL, I’ve always used movies as a way to explain my life.) The first thing I did was go to the apartment complex to get my new apartment. I got there, and that’s when I found out I was going to be put on a waiting list. I didn’t know that there would be a waiting list that I would have to get on! I actually thought I would have the place when I got there. Boy was I ever wrong! So, I ended up getting a hotel room and staying there until I ran out of money. Then, I had to find a shelter to go to. I’d never been homeless before, well at least not as an adult. When I was 9 or 10 years old, my mother finally divorced my father, after a long time of abuse, and took my four older sisters and me to live in Texas with her family. When we got to Texas, we stayed with her mother, an uncle, and his wife for a while. Then, we moved into a few different Section 8 housing projects. After that, my mother, my sister Clara, and me ended up in a family homeless shelter for about a week or so. So, Denver was really a new experience for me — a harsh, harsh reality. The first place I went is what you might call a transitional or temporary shelter. After staying at the shelter on Holly Street, I was placed at the Denver Rescue Mission’s 48th Avenue shelter. When I first got there it wasn’t that bad, but it was not what I expected. I pretty much kept to myself and didn’t talk to many people, but then I met an amazing and extremely kindhearted woman, my caseworker. At first, I thought of her as a friend, but soon, I considered having a relationship outside of the shelter. I thought she was flirting with me at one point. (As I found out, I shouldn’t have done that, it was a mistake.) After a while, my situation got bad, and that’s putting it lightly. My mental health issues started up again; my anxiety and paranoia came back. It might have been due to being under stress — really, I have no clue. I ended up leaving because I broke one of the rules there. I returned to the Holly Street shelter for one night and then, I went to another “temporary” shelter for about three nights until I was able to get into the Bridge Transitional Program, at the Denver Rescue Mission. In January, I got a call from the apartment complex from when I had filled out the application when I was still in Louisiana, telling me that I was approved and put on the waiting list, but it would take about a year. I will remain at The Crossing until I get into my apartment. So far it’s been okay, but I have had some issues. My mental health issues “flared up” again to the point where I had to check myself into a mental health facility to get some help. I was having some anxiety and was even experiencing some homicidal rage at times. The first time I felt this rage was when I was still in Louisiana, I wanted to kill my father. I had that issue almost every day for a long time. That was one of the reasons I wanted to start over. I had that issue again while I was at the 48th Avenue shelter and have had that issue only a couple of times here at The Crossing. Even with all that going on, I’m still having a great time here in Denver. So, to make my story short, my homelessness has been a great learning experience for me, and I just wanted to let everyone know I appreciate the help and hospitality I’ve received here. Thank you, Denver! I also just want to say thank you to all the people at the Denver VOICE, I really appreciate the job and the opportunity ya’ll gave me! ■ HOW TO HELP The money we take in from vendors helps us cover a portion of our printing costs, but we depend largely on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations to help us pay our rent and keep the lights on. 1 4 GET THE WORD OUT We rely on grassroots marketing to get the word out about what we do. Talk to people about our organization and share us with your network. Support us on DONATE Donations to the Denver VOICE are tax-deductible. Go to denvervoice.org to give a one-time or recurring donation. You can also mail a check to: Denver VOICE | P.O. Box 1931 | Denver, CO 80201 3 VOLUNTEER We need volunteers to help with everything from newspaper distribution to event planning and management. Contact program@denvervoice.org for volunteering information. 5 SUBSCRIBE If you are unable to regularly purchase a newspaper from our vendors, please consider a subscription. We ask subscribers to support our program with a 12-month pledge to give $10 a month, or a one-time donation of $120. Subscriptions help us cover our costs AND provide an amazing opportunity to those who need it most. Go to denvervoice.org/subscriptions for more information. @denverVOICE 2 ADVERTISE Our readership is loyal, well-educated, and socially concerned. Readers view purchasing the paper as a way to immediately help a person who is poor or homeless while supporting long-term solutions to end poverty. If you are interested in placing an ad or sponsoring a section of the paper, please contact us about rates at ads@denvervoice.org. August 2024 DENVER VOICE 3 ׉ 7cassandra://KonCI0kem4PuYp2YF7-9-qgGJg5JVrDBr5ZD_dyJmhE%`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://a0iBLjN7ATHxeltz9R7gDwysKX6nIKdZJ5P87o5ghw8`׉ 7cassandra://SozafPQINd5uA95UJlLIYBZ7RbBYJLSbHmkdCZoT3PMaY`q׉ 7cassandra://u7AWTuuHaykV52IE_8YPdM8ej_Ti2IJafVJsuHwNRGI `f'xx\Jט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://Ial229FHbA5j9cqNlsiEOKfwzBUEOW6qybcSvYjdHFc`׉ 7cassandra://SY7WtuorCe-j03I44SVspuqgM8VnVlm1Ika_btpxLZM͂[`q׉ 7cassandra://6glP6LHzSmfqF-Tme5G1KlAGlJ8bV9SKly6iUFQCC6k)<`f'xx\Jנf'xx\J 89ׁHhttp://INSP.ngׁ ׁ Ј׉E SUMMER WISH LIST Q Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., or by appointment. NEW ITEMS NEEDED: Socks Toiletries (individual or travel-size) Toothpaste, deodorant Chapstick, sunscreen Hand warmers 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 Small, fold-up umbrellas Backpacks 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! A ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS AND STAFF. THIS MONTH’S QUESTION WAS SUGGESTED BY DENVER VOICE VENDOR CHARLES SPRING. Which celebrity or public fi gure has greatly impacted your life and why? LANDO ALLEN There are three celebrities who influenced me as a kid. I liked watching old Shirley Temple movies. When I watched her tap dance, I tap danced, too. She made it look like something I could do one day. I was also influenced by Michael Jackson. I would sit in front of the mirror and sing his songs. I had a high voice like his and hit all of the notes. (One of my favorite songs was “I Wanna Be Where You Are.”) I didn’t realize he was a lot older than I was until years later. I found out when I was 17 that my dad had been a professional singer, and I think I inherited my voice from him. Lately, I’ve been reading up on Prince and how he got his start. The things I’m learning about Prince have given me some ideas for what I want to do with my music. JERRY ROSEN Oral Roberts has been an influential celebrity, as he started Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. and was the president of the University. He was a really good person. I saw a movie about him. He was an evangelist and believed in God. He also had Tuberculosis. When he passed away, his son took over. RAELENE JOHNSON Mother Teresa inspired me to help others. She showed compassion and taught me that no matter how far down we go, we can still help others! I love to help others. CHARLES SPRING President George W. Bush. I believed in his politics and thought he did a lot of good things while he was in office. LARMARQUES SMITH The late E. Lynn Harris influenced my life. He was an African American gay author. My favorite book is his “Invisible Life.” Growing up in the South and being a gay African American myself made his works resonate with me. He’s the first author to write about such content and is one of the reasons I am interested in creative writing. JASON MARTIN The celebrity who influenced me the most was Scott Weiland, singer, songwriter, and frontman for Stone Temple Pilots. I’ve had a lot of the same struggles throughout my life — heroin addiction and bipolar disorder — and I relate so much to the lyrics in his songs Miss you, Scott. Love ya, Bro. @DenverVOICE 4 DENVER VOICE August 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://u7AWTuuHaykV52IE_8YPdM8ej_Ti2IJafVJsuHwNRGI `f'xx\J׉EWNATIONAL PROFILE AT A RESTING PLACE, SPACE IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORT AND CARE. PHOTO BY ORLANDO JAYARE. Dizon’s approach to running ARP reflects his own grief practice. For him, dignity, self-determination, and agency are pillars for visitors to expand on their grief and go about it in a way that feels true to themselves. One of the many influences on how ARP serves the community stems from the Filipino Indigenous concept of kapwa. This core belief in Filipino culture embraces the importance of interconnectedness. Whether it is with another person or the environment someone is in, kapwa links humanity NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO A RESTING PLACE IS INFO ON HOURS, OFFERINGS AND WHAT VISITORS CAN EXPECT DURING THEIR TIME THERE. PHOTO BY ORLANDO JAYARE. CID CULTURAL GRIEVING CENTER GIVES SPACE TO HEAL — BUT FOR HOW LONG? BY ORLANDO JAYARE A RESTING PLACE (ARP) is a grief and cultural resource center nestled in Seattle’s historic Chinatown-International District where the idea of grief is reframed. In Western culture, grief is often interlinked with a feeling of dread. The word itself brings to mind a specific loss of life, mortality, and impermanence. The idea of sitting with the discomfort of grief may unsettle anyone from fully recognizing that this emotion is part of a normal, healthy, and universal human experience. At ARP, grief is approached not only as a personal experience but also as its own ecosystem. Visitors are given many opportunities to interact with their grief upon entering the space. ARP provides free resources including grief counselors, poetry, art, a grief library, and letter writing, as well as community-oriented events. In early March, a GoFundMe was started to financially support the organization. Derek Dizon, artist, social worker, and organizer of ARP, has been funding the center since the beginning. However, he says that after eight months of being open, it became clear this was not going to be feasible in the long term. Dizon hopes pursuing crowdfunding will ensure that ARP can stay open and provide free community-centered grief support in Seattle for years to come. The campaign has a goal of raising $100,000 by July, with the funds going toward rent and venue repairs as well as program and operational costs, according to Dizon. “I also want to start paying co-facilitators to start hosting grief support groups. These funds give me an opportunity to do a lot more than it [ARP] being a standalone space, but offering programming that’s in relationship with community,” Dizon says. Since opening on June 10, 2023, ARP has served more than 1,000 community members. While there are some who come with the intention of expressing their grief, other visitors may not be ready to cross that bridge yet. Dizon says that some would walk through the door and not realize what the space represented, and that the diversity of guests that ARP has received shows how the space meets people where they are in their journey with their emotions. “I think we can have the choice for how we want to live our life. How we want to experience our emotions, our heart, our mind, our spirits,” he says. THERE ARE MANY WAYS COMMUNITY MEMBERS VISITING A RESTING PLACE CAN HONOR THE ONES THEY GRIEVE. A LETTER WRITING STATION ALLOWS FOR MORE CONNECTEDNESS. PHOTO BY ORLANDO JAYARE. instead of separating it. “When I think about kapwa, I think about the literal space that facilitates interconnectedness,” Dizon says. “It can also mean understanding yourself in the other person. It’s almost as random as that; it’s a shared sense of interconnectedness.” He says that kapwa is culturally tied to the Philippines and the Indigenous folks from there. “It enables us to have a really deep sense, beyond empathy.” According to Dizon, kapwa is a way to describe how grief is an individual experience kept in the body while also being interconnected with all that surrounds a person. “So, it’s not just between you and I, but maybe me and my dog, maybe my partner, but it’s also the tree outside. Also the air in between me and the tree outsides that I’m connecting to. The particles of water that’s in the air that connects me to the sky,” Dizon said. “Through grief, what does that mean? If we think of it [through] the lens of grief, then if I understand my grief in relation to this sense of interconnectedness, then what does it mean to connect to my environment that is grieving?” ARP reminds visitors to experience grief through their own volition. The space, as described by Dizon, gives people the power to use their imagination and shape their own grief’s journey. The expansiveness allows room for what feels right and good for each person. Additionally, it allows them to feel connected to the environment. Dizon says that grieving not only becomes a vehicle powered through natural human emotion but also serves as a tool for social justice. “For us to be free from violence, we have to be free from the systems that create the conditions for violence to happen. For us to grieve in a safe way, we have to dismantle the systems that cause us to experience violence,” he says. “To me, grief really teaches us that we have to be slow, but we have to be slow and also powerful at the same time in deconstructing and fighting back these systems that take away our grief from us. I believe grief is our power.” This is why Dizon chose to forge ARP and hopes to raise funds to maintain the space. “I appreciate the power of A Resting Place because it does help slow down things for me and understand my purpose and my life in a more intentional way,” he says. ■ Courtesy of Real Change / INSP.ngo August 2024 DENVER VOICE 5 ׉ 7cassandra://6glP6LHzSmfqF-Tme5G1KlAGlJ8bV9SKly6iUFQCC6k)<`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://sBnG7Cus4H-Wqrcr7GPquZLSdsCNMvFLeRJIFFLjLXMl`׉ 7cassandra://ThfwLIZbzM6T2l4RB8-a_jqfPjg1vpvYs-fIeFTTTpc͉`q׉ 7cassandra://aRVK1CGq7_y0OdjJ20cUMJo7ujJhObkrxTZaLzF5m3Y-`f'xx\Jט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://R0Av-xBXHp6J3GL72axuZZVmGAHf6T6WE68Fy0xZSqA`׉ 7cassandra://649HYV2JjiDhAGzi3WD2GhH89s8iGSsjP9ChE2OECvo͈`q׉ 7cassandra://lIva80GFW3iMqbN2Ms8v_Kfs5FQgz2Vhv7JXGaA8RqI+`f'xx\J׉E COMMUNITY FEATURE VIEW OF THE BLUE BEAR FARM GREENHOUSE CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL. J’MARI, CLAYTON R., JAMAUREY, CLAYTON S., AND TREY. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL BLUE BEAR FARM. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL ONE OF THE VENDORS SERVES UP FRESH FOOD AT THE FARMER’S MARKET. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL MO BETTER GREEN: THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY BY YVENS ALEX SAINTIL THIS IS WHAT COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE! According to Feeding America, an estimated 44 million people in the United States — which is about twice the population of New York — lack access to healthy and affordable food options. In 2023, the Colorado Health Institute estimated food insecurity affects one in 10 people throughout the state. Those who are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity include lower-income households, rural residents, young adults, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities, and women. One resident of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood took the initiative to address this situation over a decade ago. In 2010, Beverly Grant, a Denver native and social justice advocate, created Mo Betta Green an urban farming and community-driven organization based in Denver, Colo. Since then, Grant has been feeding, educating, and holding space in the community. Upon meeting Grant and learning about all she has done for her neighbors, I dubbed her “The Matriarch of Five Points.” Grant founded Mo Betta Green with the mission to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating habits while focusing on providing fresh, organic produce to underserved communities in Denver’s historic Five Points and Northeast Park Hill neighborhoods. The organization operates urban farms and community gardens within the city — transforming vacant lots and unused spaces into productive agricultural areas. These farms grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, ensuring that residents have access to fresh, locally-grown produce. Mo Better Green also hosts farmers markets, providing a platform for local farmers and vendors to sell their products directly to the community. These markets, which take place every Saturday, June 22 to October 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Charles E. Cousins Plaza, not only offer fresh produce but also create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive. The organization emphasizes the importance of community involvement and education. They partner with local high 6 DENVER VOICE August 2024 schools and give young people an opportunity to use farming to work, learn, and uplift their community. Recently, I spent a few hours at Mo Betta Green’s farmers market in the Five Points neighborhood. Yes, it was uncharacteristically hot for Denver, but the fresh beet juice made all the difference for me! On this hot day, in addition to Grant, who remains intimately involved in the organization’s operations, there were recent high school and college graduates who were helping out at the Mo Betta Green tents. Among the folks I spoke to were three sisters Eveline, Yoseline, and Leslie Rivera-Rivera — who aspire to become attorneys — with the specific intent to help their community pro bono. The sisters are involved with Lincoln Hills Cares, an organization that strives to increase equity in accessing outdoor resources. Other young adults I spoke with were J’mari, Clayton, R., Jamaurey, Clayton, S., and their supervisor Trey, who was working and operating the juice bar. They were happy to chat about their contributions to the market. Madison, Dezzy, and ׉ 7cassandra://aRVK1CGq7_y0OdjJ20cUMJo7ujJhObkrxTZaLzF5m3Y-`f'xx\J׉ECOMMUNITY FEATURE Ray were also kind enough to have our conversation out of the hot sun and under the shelter of their tent. One vendor I met, Ashanta, told me it was his first time vending his organic soap with Mo Betta Green. Ashanta said he has known Beverly for a long time, and like everyone that I spoke to before him, he is thankful for having an opportunity to be in this space and believes in the power of community. I spoke with and exchanged contacts with Lizzie and John under their tent, which resembled an African boutique — in the middle of Five Points. The market also included a live DJ spinning several hip-hop classics. Mo Better Green is a shining example of how urban farming and community activism can come together to create sustainable change and make convincing impacts on people’s lives. By providing fresh produce, educating residents, and fostering a sense of community, they play a crucial role in improving the overall well-being of Denver’s underserved populations. Their efforts contribute to reducing food insecurity, promoting healthy eating habits, and enhancing the quality of life for many individuals and families in the area. I thanked Grant for her contributions to the Black community and asked how I could give back. She told me about her Community Farm Dinners series, where a local chef is highlighted along with music, delicious food, and community resources. I assured her I would be there to support them. After I arrived at the community dinner, I walked around the newly acquired Blue Bear Farm, named after the iconic “I See What You Mean” blue bear sculpture that peers into the Denver Convention Center’s windows. I was amazed at the 5,000-square-foot farm. This was Mo Betta Green’s first year operating this farm, in addition to their farms in the Five Points, Cole, and Northeast Park Hill neighborhoods. Produce grown at Blue Bear Farm is supplied to local restaurants, markets, and community organizations. This helps to support the local economy and provides Denver residents with access to fresh, nutritious food. Metro Caring, an anti-hunger organization that works with communities to meet people’s immediate need for nutritious and culturally relevant food is one of the many local organizations, schools, and businesses Mo Betta Green collaborates with. I spoke with Emily Settlecowski from Metro Caring about the need for American society to shift the narrative. As we discussed, instead of asking, “What we can do about food insecurity?” the question should be, “Why do we have food insecurity to begin with?” Mo Better Green’s partnerships help support various programs, increase community engagement, and promote a holistic approach to food security and health. At the heart of Mo Better Green’s mission is the concept of food justice. They advocate for equitable access to nutritious food, particularly in neighborhoods that are often classified as food deserts, or areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food. Mo Betta Green’s work has helped to bridge the gap in food accessibility and ensure that all community members can enjoy the benefits of fresh, healthy produce. Their dedication to food justice and community empowerment continues to make a significant difference in Denver. After everything she has done for the community, it’s time we give the “Matriarch of Five Points,” Beverly Grant, her flowers. Or maybe even, the Key to the City. ■ BLUE BEAR FARM WITH DCPA “ALIENS” DANCING IN THE BACKGROUND. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL VIEW FROM INSIDE THE GREENHOUSE AT BLUE BEAR FARM. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL SOME OF THE FRIENDLY VENDORS AT THE FARMER’S MARKET. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL PORTRAIT OF JOHN. CREDIT: YVENS ALEX SAINTIL August 2024 DENVER VOICE 7 ׉ 7cassandra://lIva80GFW3iMqbN2Ms8v_Kfs5FQgz2Vhv7JXGaA8RqI+`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://WPsx6CyTQB0H-2rlBu8vsRpGS7Jdraz26JOzjB8uUS8QG`׉ 7cassandra://6rIZOKtpJxzwx7GCxTtzwpsIdxZDTgxEuzqoB5GGbAck`q׉ 7cassandra://jvGQgWWBFylAvoVtA0USGIEUKZsw9XzKPPrvVaQZzc8#`f'xx\J ט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://2epsXcTofFAAMJfR8QRE-WYsejMVbpEKTrQ4Bbab24o`׉ 7cassandra://2vqd9_QzMKkGHJOZHg4Q6PunDMTSO3pZco2w9aNo71oe`q׉ 7cassandra://D1xY3oCsRtnQHLAOnaRhJosMrZgVR_aQsV-6X-FMoQc#`f'xx\J!נf'xx\J'9ׁHmailto:progam@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J& U89ׁHhttp://INSP.ngׁ ׁ Ј׉E NATIONAL STORY COURTESY OF STREET ROOTS / INSP.NGO SUPREME COURT RULES ARRESTING, CITING PEOPLE FOR NOT HAVING SHELTER IS CONSTITUTIONAL BY JEREMIAH HAYDEN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT issued a decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson on 28 June, reversing the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals injunction barring the southern Oregon city of Grants Pass from enforcing ordinances banning sleeping in public spaces. In a 6-3 decision, conservative justices reversed the lower court’s 2022 ruling that said that punishing homeless residents for sleeping in public spaces when they have no other option violated the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth Amendment. The Supreme Court sent the case back to the 9th Circuit for further proceedings, saying that its 2018 Martin v. Boise decision — which served as the backdrop for the Grants Pass case — went too far in applying the Eighth Amendment to homeless residents facing punishment for sitting, lying or sleeping in public. The ruling is expected to significantly impact homelessness policy throughout the US, as many local governments currently prohibit public sleeping under threat of civil or criminal penalties regardless of shelter availability. Conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett formed the majority opinion. Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Gorsuch wrote for the majority, saying that the Eighth Amendment does not authorize federal judges to dictate homelessness policy and should be left to the American people. The majority ruling argued that because Grants Pass’ anti-homeless ordinances theoretically apply to everyone, they do not effectively criminalize status but rather conduct. “Yes, people will disagree over which policy responses are best; they may experiment with one set of approaches only to find later another set works better; they may find certain responses more appropriate for some communities than others,” Gorsuch said. “But in our democracy, that is their right.” In her dissenting opinion, Sotomayor said that it is possible for the court to balance the issues facing local governments, the humanity and dignity of people experiencing homelessness, and constitutional principles. She added that the majority focused solely on local governments while leaving the most vulnerable with the impossible choice of staying awake or being arrested. “Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime,” she said. In amicus briefs filed in advance of oral arguments, elected officials, police departments, and business associations throughout the West Coast joined Grants Pass in saying that two interrelated 9th Circuit decisions — Martin v. Boise and Grants Pass v. Johnson — remove the tools that they need to address the growing homelessness crisis. Advocates for homeless residents say that laws penalizing people who have nowhere else to go violate the Eighth Amendment because they punish people for the status of being homeless. While the city said the laws are applied to everyone, counsel for a class of involuntarily homeless residents argued in court that the ordinances are exclusively enforced against those who have nowhere else to go. Theane Evangelis, legal counsel for the City of Grants Pass, said that the 9th Circuit’s decisions tied the hands of local governments, applauding the Supreme Court’s reversal. 8 DENVER VOICE August 2024 ׉ 7cassandra://jvGQgWWBFylAvoVtA0USGIEUKZsw9XzKPPrvVaQZzc8#`f'xx\J׉E#NATIONAL STORY “The Court has now restored the ability of cities on the frontlines of this crisis to develop lasting solutions that meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of their communities, while also keeping our public spaces safe and clean,” Evangelis said. “Years from now, I hope that we will look back on today’s watershed ruling as the turning point in America’s homelessness crisis.” Ed Johnson, director of litigation at Oregon Law Center (OLC), who brought the initial suit against Grants Pass, said that the decision was disappointing, and added that the solution to the U.S. homelessness crisis does not ultimately rest with the courts. “We are disappointed that a majority of the Court has decided that our Constitution allows a city to punish its homeless residents simply for sleeping outside with a blanket to survive the cold when there is nowhere else for them to go,” he said. Johnson added that the court did not reach the Excessive Fines Clause claim or rule out the possibility that the Grants Pass ordinances violate the Due Process Clause, leaving room for future challenges. The absence of a decision on those claims will likely lead to further litigation. Helen Cruz was intermittently homeless in Grants Pass for years and continues to provide meals to people experiencing homelessness locally. She received multiple fines and won an appeal to an exclusion order in 2022. “It is appalling to me that nine people in little black dresses can have the power to hold the fate of someone’s life in their hands,” she said. “What this ruling has done is stripped any kind of hope that the homeless community here in Grants Pass had. How can you beat someone down even more?” For some, the work of addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing emergency services continues in the meantime. Cassy Leach, cofounder of Mobile Integrative Navigation Team (MINT) — a Grants Pass service provider for people living in parks — said that the MINT team is moving forward to provide humane solutions and wants to work with the city. She added that the city is committed to providing a place for people to go, but for now, people living in the parks are confused and unsure of what to do. She has noticed more people moving away from the parks toward Devil’s Slide, an area out of town where people feel relatively shielded from neighbor harassment but are siloed from services they desperately need. “It’s heavy,” she said, “and it’s not just heavy for us, but I keep thinking about my kids and what their future looks like with a nation that’s going down this path.” STATUS V. CONDUCT In a concurring opinion, Thomas opened the door for future challenges to Robinson v. California, a 1962 Supreme Court case that determined that a person cannot be punished for the involuntary status of being addicted to the use of narcotics. Robinson is frequently cited in Grants Pass v. Johnson, as the 9th Circuit Court affirmed in Martin v. Boise that “a person cannot be prosecuted for involuntary conduct if it is an unavoidable consequence of one’s status,” such as sleeping in public when they lack an alternative. Thomas’ opinion carries sharp implications and could pave the way for laws criminalizing other involuntary statuses. “Rather than let Robinson’s erroneous holding linger in the background of our Eighth Amendment jurisprudence, we should dispose of it once and for all,” Thomas wrote. “In an appropriate case, the Court should certainly correct this error.” In its opinion, the court explicitly said local governments can address homelessness via policy choices, regardless of its decision. “Nothing in today’s decision prevents states, cities, and counties from going a step further and declining to criminalize public camping altogether,” the majority said in its decision. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said that her office is reviewing the decision. She added that the intent behind ORS 195.530 was to affirm that cities choosing to regulate survival activities must develop laws that are reasonable and take into account the resources available to people experiencing homelessness. She echoed what many legal and homelessness experts say regarding what is necessary to materially resolve the crisis: “Regardless of the Court’s decision, we must do all we can to address homelessness. This includes addressing the primary driver of homelessness — our lack of affordable housing. My focus will continue to be on supporting Oregonians moving into housing and connecting them with the services they need to prevent homelessness. Kat Mahoney, executive director at Oregon nonprofit service provider Sisters of the Road, issued a statement denouncing the Supreme Court’s decision, saying that criminalizing homelessness will only make the crisis worse. “The heartbreaking reality is that because of today’s decision, we can expect to see a rise in armed police arresting and fining unhoused people and more people being traumatized and injured during police interactions,” she said. BACKGROUND The OLC filed the class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Medford on 15 October 2018 — just six weeks after the 9th Circuit issued its decision in Martin v. Boise. That decision served as the legal backdrop for the Grants Pass case and found that the U.S. Constitution blocks cities from imposing criminal penalties on people experiencing homelessness for sitting, sleeping, or lying outside on public property if adequate alternative shelter is unavailable. Initially filed as Debra Blake v. Grants Pass, the complaint argued that a web of ordinances criminalized the existence of people experiencing homelessness in the city. Following Blake’s death in 2021, Gloria Johnson and John Logan stepped in as class representatives as the appeal made its way to the 9th Circuit Court and ultimately to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on 22 April. The question presented to the court was whether city ordinances leveling civil and criminal penalties against people experiencing involuntary homelessness — meaning that they have no other option — is cruel and unusual punishment. Despite significant initial pushback from the community, Grants Pass City Council unanimously approved a small emergency shelter and navigation center run by MINT on April 17. Still, the building’s capacity is well below what is needed to ensure that everyone has an option to sleep indoors. Grants Pass historically had no low-barrier emergency shelter consistently available for people experiencing homelessness. The only shelter for adults was the Gospel Rescue Mission — a high-barrier program that opened in 1983. The mission requires people who stay there to participate in a work program, attend daily Christian services, abstain from substances (including nicotine), and it does not allow socializing with the opposite sex except at approved events. The mission acknowledges gender and sexuality in “Biblical terms”, according to its house rules. Still, the city ordinances require homeless residents living in vehicles to move every 72 hours, and police force people living in parks to move as often as allowed by state law, which is also 72 hours in Oregon. City code bars anyone from sleeping in public spaces or using sleeping materials for the purpose of maintaining a temporary place to live. Police give people experiencing homelessness $295 citations for “scattering rubbish”, a loosely defined term for items that officers find near a tent. Fines for violating camping ordinances can increase to $537.60 if they are left unpaid. If a person receives two or more citations within a year for violating park rules, they can receive an exclusion order barring them from being in the park for 30 days under threat of criminal trespass. A person found guilty of criminal trespass can be punished with up to 30 days in jail and a $1,250 fine. The Medford court ruled that the city’s ordinances violated the Eighth Amendment in July 2020. On appeal, the 9th Circuit issued a permanent injunction on September 28, 2022, barring West Coast states in its jurisdiction from issuing civil and criminal penalties against involuntarily homeless residents lacking reasonable alternative shelter. In August 2023, Grants Pass petitioned the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari, asking it to hear the case. Arguing that the 9th Circuit erred in its ruling, the city claimed that the Eighth Amendment sets limits on bail, fines, and punishments, but does not say what conduct governments may deem unlawful in the first place. ■ Courtesy of Street Roots / INSP.ngo Edited for length by Denver VOICE CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS The Denver VOICE is enjoying an exciting – and busy! – summer. We need volunteers to help us represent the Denver VOICE at events and to help us run open houses at the offi ce during the First Friday Art Walks. If you’re interested in volunteering for events like this, scan the QR code above, or contact our Program Director Connie Gaitan at progam@denvervoice.org. August 2024 DENVER VOICE 9 ׉ 7cassandra://D1xY3oCsRtnQHLAOnaRhJosMrZgVR_aQsV-6X-FMoQc#`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://9ZBos7-9I0dBP5EzSTejdj50OELsEAA8llAstDNW68IM`׉ 7cassandra://LiAFqEe0fUyHuxfPimOPDwWwSXeHT9njT0KruQMfDCU͒`q׉ 7cassandra://Aa-lSEg372mFhjn8oUTgp4VuAb4wNnakLMyxjIm3BbI-`f'xx\J%ט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://8YnwoKlcxykNght5teZi6yBbALxMJhYj6dlj-FduV0w`׉ 7cassandra://wzl-4HT1A_OhIxZoVHDIlDbYjV2J4IBTjRDjj6RtKPU}>`q׉ 7cassandra://2hVCr96VV57hcP4a0ycwZmiBR7mfyhK6Z0nAkJJil1E)c`f'xx\J(נf'xx\J,ށ9ׁHmailto:program@denvervoice.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J+̰9ׁHhttp://careasy.org/nonprofiׁ ׁ Ј׉ECOMMUNITY PROFILE PEACH ORCHARD NEAR PALISADE, COLORADO. MT. GARFIELD IN THE BACKGROUND. COURTESY OF SUSAN JUSTICE. WEST SLOPE FOOD BANK PRESERVES EXCESS FRUIT TO FEED KIDS BY JACOB RICHARDS IN THE HEART OF WESTERN COLORADO’S AGRICULTURAL BELT, there is a one-of-a-kind program being pioneered by the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope: fruit dehydration. The food bank, which serves 110 partner organizations food pantries in its 13-county service area, and local sometimes gets overwhelmed with fresh fruit and produce during harvest time. But now, excesses from local farms and orchards are being dehydrated and turned into healthy treats for kids across Western Colorado, all year round. The food bank’s dehydration facility is a licensed food manufacturer and turns apples, peaches, bananas, and other produce into healthy treats. “It’s the only program like this among the 200 Feeding America food banks,” said Sue Ellen Rodwick, director of the Grand Junction-based nonprofit. “We are even making fruit leathers,” she said. “We had tons of peaches last year — more than we could deal with — so we froze them and now puree them to make the fruit leathers.” The dehydrated produce is distributed to kids via Totes for Hope, Kid’s Aid, and other agencies around Western Colorado. They hope to someday produce enough to provide dehydrated fruit snacks to their Denver, Northern Colorado and Wyoming partners, too. DIRECTOR SUE ELLEN RODWICK, IN THE MASSIVE REFRIGERATOR AT THE ETKIN FAMILY DISTRIBUTION CENTER. CREDIT: JACOB RICHARDS 10 DENVER VOICE August 2024 COMMERCIAL DEHYDRATOR, AT FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES WESTERN SLOPE’S ETKIN FAMILY DISTRIBUTION CENTER. CREDIT: JACOB RICHARDS ׉ 7cassandra://Aa-lSEg372mFhjn8oUTgp4VuAb4wNnakLMyxjIm3BbI-`f'xx\J׉E COMMUNITY 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. A VOLUNTEER WEIGHS OUT PORTIONS OF LOCALLY SOURCED PINTO BEANS AT THE ETKIN FAMILY DISTRIBUTION CENTER. CREDIT: JACOB RICHARDS The program dates back to 2013. It shut down during the pandemic in 2020 but restarted in 2023 at the 50,000-square-foot Etkin Family Distribution Center. The new facility has three industrial dehydrators with more than double the prior capacity. “From 2019-2023, we increased our locally sourced foods by weight four times,” Rodwick said. “We work with 26 local growers, three ranchers, and two food hubs,” she added. Funding for the increase came largely through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, a part of the American Rescue Plan, set to expire in late 2024. Rodwick is hopeful legislation will be passed extending the LFPACAP grants, and she is also looking at other avenues of funding. A recent pilot program between the food bank and Colorado State University explored the possibility of using the dehydrators as both a potential source of revenue for the food bank as well as a product for local growers’ leftover fruit. “We are waiting on the results of that study,” Rodwick said. Food insecurity is on the rise in Western Colorado, according to Feeding America’s most recent “Map the Meal Gap” study. Across the region, one in eight people are food insecure, and in some counties, that climbed to one in seven. The study also found that the gap between the money people have and what they would need to be food secure is the largest it has been in the past 20 years. “Food is the one budget item with the most give, and that is where people cut from,” said Rodwick. “Luckily, the pandemic helped normalize seeking food assistance.” In 2023, the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope distributed the equivalent of 24,000 meals daily across Western Colorado, 8.5% more than the previous year. THE ETKIN FAMILY DISTRIBUTION CENTER WAREHOUSE. CREDIT: JACOB RICHARDS Western Slope mobile pantry visits are up 190% over the same period, too. “The areas in our region that are the most food insecure are the areas that subscribe to the ‘pull yourself up by the bootstraps’ mentality,” Rodwick said. “It can be a challenge. We have to keep getting the information out there. It is okay to seek assistance.” ■ 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 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. August 2024 DENVER VOICE 11 ׉ 7cassandra://2hVCr96VV57hcP4a0ycwZmiBR7mfyhK6Z0nAkJJil1E)c`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://aeepBFeQZeOLiw4WHyC8ObGIfo-UQIN7epRJdRDRXYI) `׉ 7cassandra://UulA7pauryVMHaRSR0tqfoI5rDNhReC3AZJqYGjD86Ar4`q׉ 7cassandra://9H2tW2ToPYgr4iqk7tF6Llq1G_B6S5cxvnOMBKiAN5Y&`f'xx\J-ט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://X3YmLe097A43CxlTDqpj4aIQ1viw25oYW3qjkZgl-Us/`׉ 7cassandra://f3Akpq2RblV2dhQ87I8SCMy5_TzfAQlt7RBHBI4XpoEl`q׉ 7cassandra://m80p_087_p-tNbn9txcMBe61iNba0uhdVVkVUBvN66c$`f'xx\J.נf'xx\J5jg9ׁHhttp://levittdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J3j̔9ׁHhttp://denverlibrary.org/eventsׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J2j̙ 9ׁHhttp://thecarnationfestival.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J1jɁm9ׁHhttp://comedyworks.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J0jˁ?9ׁHhttp://denver.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EIN YOUR OWN WORDS LOOKING BACK WITH GRATITUDE BY RAELENE JOHNSON, VOICE VENDOR TEAM U.S.A. ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN, VOICE VENDOR RAELENE JOHNSON. CREDIT: KAREN BEEMAN AS I SIT HERE WRITING, I think about all of the things I’m grateful for. At the top of the list is my cancer doctor. When you go through a cancer journey, you really need the best team, and you need them to believe you. Early on, my doctor referred me to the doctor she saw when going through her own cancer treatment. She made sure I had the best cancer team to get through my treatment. I am grateful to them and all of the people at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center for their great care and compassion. I’m also grateful for the way my life has changed in the last 17 years since I came to Colorado. I was homeless, on drugs, and living under a bridge. I had no hope of a better life. Then, one day, I found the Denver VOICE. The VOICE and the rest of the street papers around the world do not care about your past and won’t hold it against you. They don’t care why you came to them for work when other places wouldn’t hire you. All I had to do was show up at the VOICE, go through orientation, and commit to following the Vendor Code of Conduct, and I received 10 free papers. For a new vendor starting, things may be hard, but if you keep on trying, you can change your life. I’m so glad I found the paper all those years ago! A BIG THANK YOU to all of those who have supported me and other Denver VOICE vendors by buying papers, which has helped keep the program going. Vending the paper can take a person from homelessness to having their own home. Vending the VOICE has definitely changed my life for the better. I am thankful that I’m clean and sober and have been for over 16 years. Drugs are a way of escaping reality, and they always make you feel good for a while, but before you know it, you’re hooked on them and start to do things you would 12 DENVER VOICE August 2024 ILLUSTRATION BY GIGI GALEN never do otherwise, just to get more drugs. Once you get to that point, you will find you are in and out of jail. You find yourself in the world of drug addiction for years. A lot of people will give up on themselves, and they may die from the drugs. Most addicts do want a better life — it’s just hard for them to believe they deserve better after being beat down by others because of their addiction and lifestyle. But the lucky ones like me will change their lives and discover good people who will help. I am so grateful that I found the right people to be around. I am thankful for my friends who have let me see I am worth having a good life. Through those friends, I was able to find myself. I’m grateful to the Denver VOICE for allowing me to write and become a published author. By writing over the years, I’ve learned that I could not only release things inside of me but also make an impact on others. It feels good when someone comes up to me and tells me a poem helped them with something they were struggling with, or that they have framed my writings and put them somewhere they can read every day. When that happens, it really makes my heart full of love. I’m so grateful I can make a difference in other people’s lives! I am grateful that I overcame my past. I have survived so many times when I should have died, but I’m so very glad I’m alive to live this life I was given and to be able to see all of my grandkids and great-grandkids. (In September, my 11th and 12th grandkids will be born, and I can’t wait to meet them!) Today, I am just grateful to be alive. I’m also grateful that my story can make a difference to others or help someone else realize they can begin living a better life today. ■ ׉ 7cassandra://9H2tW2ToPYgr4iqk7tF6Llq1G_B6S5cxvnOMBKiAN5Y&`f'xx\J׉EhEVENTS COURTESY OF DEBORAH LASTOWKA PUZZLES FIRST FRIDAY: JAZZ IN THE PARK Free jazz in the plaza, featuring Fedora Swing. Event also features local food trucks, vendors, and entertainment for children. WHEN: Aug 2, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. COST: Free. WHERE: Cousins Plaza - Sonny Lawson Park, 2401 Welton St. INFO: denver.org NEW TALENT NIGHT Every New Talent Night features a mix of amateur Denver comics – including Comedy Works debuts – and Colorado’s own nationally touring comedians. It’s a solid night of entertainment. WHEN: Aug 6, 13, 20, and 27, 7:30 p.m. COST: $12 with a two-item minimum. WHERE: Comedy Works – Downtown, 1226 15th St. INFO: comedyworks.com WHEAT RIDGE CARNATION FESTIVAL This 55th annual community festival will feature live music, classic cars, parade, circus, carnival rides, vendors, food, beer and wine, fireworks, and more. WHEN: Aug 9 – Aug 11 COST: Free entry. WHERE: Anderson Park, 44th Ave. and Field St. INFO: thecarnationfestival.com ACROSS 1. Eau de ___ 9. Aloof 15. Minuses, basically 16. Grosse ___, Mich. 17. Ship overseas again 18. AT&T and Verizon 19. Bonkers 20. Roadhouse 21. Share the marquee 22. Plead 23. On the ___ (fleeing) 24. Tints 26. Like many cathedrals 29. Extend, in a way 31. However, briefly 32. White House office shape BIKE REPAIR WORKSHOP Get a free 10-minute bicycle tune-up and learn basic bike maintenance skills from volunteer bike mechanics. Tune-ups will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your bike and be ready to learn! WHEN: Aug 17, 7 p.m. COST: Free. WHERE: Decker Branch Library, 1501 S. Logan St. INFO: denverlibrary.org/events 33. Smooth, in music... or an anagram for a smooth dairy treat 34. Lithium-___ battery 35. What that is? 38. Full house sign 39. Bitcoin, e.g. 40. Yorkshire river with a name that sounds like what a very muddy river might do 41. It can follow “must” or “can” but not “might” 42. Blends together 43. Unexpected sports outcome 44. Animal with a mane 46. Ave. crossers 47. UK award 48. Floats along 50. Latin I 51. Victoriaís Secret item 54. “Same here” 55. Pressed for cash 57. Brain cell 58. Certain tie score 59. Shoe part 60. Conveys, as information DOWN 1. School session 2. ___ Day vitamins 3. Picked from a lineup, briefly 4. Careless 5. Spotted 6. Flip-flop 7. Fork-tailed flier 8. NYC clock setting 9. Eye doctor’s field 10. Adversaries 11. Disgusting stuff 12. Reckless 13. Magazine 14. “For ___ a jollyÖ” 21. Fancy finger foods 22. Actor Lugosi 23. League of ___ (multiplayer online game) 25. Shakespearean verse 26. Dolphin fin 27. Vetoed 28. Stinky 29. Rises up 30. Go a-courting 33. Quarry mineral 36. Pro ___ (for now) 37. “Forget it!” 43. Depth charge targets 45. Rocket fuel ingredient, for short 47. Fairy tale villains 49. Put one over on 50. Sicilian spewer 51. Certain blood type: Abbr. 52. Nevada city 53. The Mideast’s Gulf of ___ 54. Magician’s name ending 55. Soak (up) 56. Edgar Allan whose last name is contained within another word that also applies to him COURTESY OF STREETROOTS ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 15 DASHIKI FEST The goal of this festival is to celebrate African people and their culture while increasing awareness about our culture and fostering unity, integration, diversity and inclusion between different communities in Colorado. All are welcome. WHEN: Aug 31, 3 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. COST: Free for general admission; $35 for VIP seating. WHERE: Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W. Florida Ave. INFO: levittdenver.orga August 2024 DENVER VOICE 13 PUZZLE COURTESY OF STREET ROOTS, DENVER VOICE’S SISTER PAPER IN PORTLAND, OR PUZZLE COURTESY OF STREET ROOTS, DENVER VOICE’S SISTER PAPER IN PORTLAND, OR ׉ 7cassandra://m80p_087_p-tNbn9txcMBe61iNba0uhdVVkVUBvN66c$`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://83fjbWB0ZlfZ-sYOZLCC_iBRXY2jxn1ScKbSp6hnuA8g`׉ 7cassandra://ARtDfHQYJkvbvZTRDxn7QiSZH_yYF1NwFn7_qG44GnMe`q׉ 7cassandra://FsPu0SQTxaLXP2AMBeHJ8kH_X6yFKw1GueD-g6_sCzY!t`f'xx\J4ט  u׉׉ 7cassandra://5htUxJh-z5bPGAOG_lyrknuYJPJj2r2Nbei_1isfAxgI`׉ 7cassandra://9R9_pVT5b1J6YCp9U94bJz_n9VoZqwY68qBW1ZQKZB0q`q׉ 7cassandra://nqrZy0oOY-WetABofdkShjKuga6gOHIAN45_VsSSdl0!t`f'xx\J6Bנf'xx\J̻ 9ׁHhttp://voacolorado.org/gethelpׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J~G 9ׁHhttp://lovedenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J} N 9ׁHhttp://soallmayeat.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J|Yf 9ׁHhttp://saintpauldenver.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J{ w1@ 9ׁHhttp://sfcdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jz {f 9ׁHhttp://stelizabethdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jy` 9ׁHhttp://stpeterandmary.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jxہh 9ׁHhttp://odmdenver.org/homeׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jw ̩ 9ׁH&http://jordanamedenver.churchfoyer.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jv Gc 9ׁHhttp://holyghostchurch.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jue 9ׁHhttp://hislovefellowship.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jt ?\] 9ׁHhttp://krishnadenver.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Js -̺ 9ׁH+http://feedingdenvershungry.org/events.htmlׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jr R 9ׁHhttp://havenofhope.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jqx 9ׁHhttp://denverrescuemission.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jp.ׁS 9ׁHhttp://mealsforpoor.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jo QE 9ׁHhttp://citysquare.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JnaX 9ׁHhttp://christinthecity.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jm oJ 9ׁHhttp://christsbody.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jl wGb 9ׁHhttp://denvercathedral.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JkU0S 9ׁHhttp://mealsforpoor.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jj 6̔ 9ׁH%http://capitolheightspresbyterian.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Ji ā@ 9ׁHhttp://sfcdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jh I 9ׁHhttp://odmdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jg! 9ׁH(http://homelessassistance.us/li/lawrenceׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jf gEc 9ׁHhttp://holyghostchurch.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Je.̙ 9ׁH$http://harmreductionactioncenter.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jd C 9ׁHhttp://tgpdenver.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jc* 9ׁHhttp://thoh.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Jb:E 9ׁHhttp://citysquare.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\Ja*FH 9ׁHhttp://urbanpeak.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J`<* 9ׁHhttp://tgthr.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J_%̕ 9ׁH#http://sunshinebehavioralhealth.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J^;, 9ׁH$http://urbanpeak.org/denver/programsׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J] e 9ׁHhttp://veteransguide.org/vaׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J\rM 9ׁH.http://va.gov/findlocations/facility/vha_554A5ׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J[]6| 9ׁH http://seniorsupportservices.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JZ( 9ׁHhttp://dicp.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JYc 9ׁHhttp://truecolorsunited.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JX̐ 9ׁHhttp://lgbthotline.org/youthׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JWza 9ׁHhttp://thetrevorproject.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JV<E 9ׁHhttp://work-now.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JU%M 9ׁH0http://careercenteroffices.com/center/231/denverׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JTf 9ׁHhttp://denverlibrary.org/ctcׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JSl̎ 9ׁH!mailto:info@bayaudenterprises.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JRTD 9ׁHhttp://thehotline.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JQ=k 9ׁHhttp://urbanpeaksrehab.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JPG̟ 9ׁH'http://detoxrehabs.net/states/colorado/ׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JO7̞ 9ׁH'http://coloradocoalition.org/healthcareׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JNց̒ 9ׁHhttp://saludclinic.org/commerceׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JMY. 9ׁHhttp://rainn.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JLcW 9ׁHhttp://1800runaway.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JKDF 9ׁHhttp://988lifeline.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JJaP 9ׁHhttp://viventhealth.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JISå 9ׁHmailto:info@hepc-connection.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JHe9[ 9ׁHhttp://liveanotherday.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JGk̙ 9ׁH$http://harmreductionactioncenter.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JFy 9ׁHhttp://drugrehabus.org/rehabs/ׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JE7I 9ׁHhttp://detoxlocal.comׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JD(qS 9ׁHhttp://denverhealth.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JCXZ 9ׁHhttp://daccaa.org/centralׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JBZ" 9ׁHhttp://aa.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\JA7B 9ׁHhttp://al-anon.org/alׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J@B< 9ׁHhttp://al-anon.orgׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J?̹9ׁHmailto:EDITOR@DENVERVOICE.ORGׁ ׁ Јנf'xx\J>uR9ׁHhttp://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 $5,000 - $9,999 Anschutz Family Foundation Laurie Duncan and Duncan-Mcwethy Foundation Colorado Housing and Finance Authority Alexander Seavall Frederic K Conover Trust Mary Walker & Walker Family Foundation The Christian Foundation Bank of America Charitable Foundation Sustainable Housing and Development Foundation Envestnet $1,000-$4,999 Christopher Boulanger Joshua Kauer Katherine Standiford Jill Haug Donald Weaver Whole Foods Foundation Michael Dino Alex Salva Signs By Tomorrow Rose Community Foundation Russell Peterson SEI Giving Fund Chris and Susan Pappas Julia and David Watson Gaspar Terrana Warren and Betty Kuehner Sidney B and Caleb F Gates Fund Megan Arellano James and Cyndi Lesslie Keyrenter Property Management Denver Mathew Rezek The Credit Union of Colorado Foundation Jana and Jim Cuneo Kroger Paul Manoogian Lori Holland Jeremy Anderson and Thomas Stalker 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 Fire on the Mountain Craig Solomon 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 14 DENVER VOICE August 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://FsPu0SQTxaLXP2AMBeHJ8kH_X6yFKw1GueD-g6_sCzY!t`f'xx\J׉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 August 2024 DENVER VOICE 15 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://nqrZy0oOY-WetABofdkShjKuga6gOHIAN45_VsSSdl0!t`f'xx\Jf'xx\J בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://R0wztIhg_bOjb80DfB3BYfjcFsbddC2CUC91GkSu0Zw`׉ 7cassandra://Pq_r2Qm0WWsJUQGAObDGUy-lb558cw7WrmYJN-Bj9kEi`q׉ 7cassandra://XCrl4Ye2QxT_J_HilTVEokOPsSzNcWFvBcjgKXddfLM'`f'xx\J:נf'xx\J=9ׁHhttp://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'`f'xx\J׈Ef'xx\Jf'xx\J ,8-2024f'}\