Metro Denver Homeless Initiative

Last week, members of MDHI's team who bring their own lived expertise to our work recently joined our Right at Home Committee LE advisors to attend the Lived Experience Leadership Conference in San Jose, California - hosted by Destination: Home.

The event was an inspiring celebration of community and leadership. It featured an art gala highlighting creators with lived experience, professional headshot sessions, and included meaningful sessions centered on mutual support and honoring LE voices.

Seeing individuals bring their lived expertise to the forefront and guide local solutions was a powerful reminder of the purpose of our work and our shared mission.

Yesterday, members of the MDHI team attended Adams County Government, CO's event: Elevating Voices Art Showcase & Market at the Crossroads Community Center.

It was an inspiring night celebrating the creativity and talent of local artists with lived experience. From stunning artwork to great conversations, events like this remind us of the power of community and storytelling through art. Plus seeing everyone show up in costume made the evening especially fun!

Thank you to all the artists who shared their work and stories with us. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Pictured: Nellie Stagg of Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Lindsey Earl of Adams County Government, CO, Sarah Rutledge and Laura DiTroia of MDHI

Last Thursday, Depaul USA, a nonprofit that helps people experiencing homelessness, held a ribbon-cutting for a home in Denver’s Capitol West neighborhood that will serve college students facing housing instability.

https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/depaul-usa-opens-denver-home-for-college-students-experiencing-homelessness

Depaul USA opens Denver home for college students experiencing homelessness Depaul USA, a nonprofit that helps people experiencing homelessness held a ribbon cutting for a home in Denver’s Capitol West neighborhood that will serve college students facing housing instability.

Last month, local and state leaders broke ground on Wagoner on the Creek, a 60-unit affordable housing development in Aurora where formerly incarcerated individuals can rebuild their lives.

Brothers Redevelopment, Inc. will lead this project, aimed at breaking the cycle of incarceration and homelessness for people leaving the justice system.

https://tinyurl.com/3pe7vjuk

www.denver7.com

MDHI is grateful to celebrate 10 years of partnership with Insperity!

To mark this incredible milestone, Insperity has generously gifted us with a $10,000 charitable grant administered through the Greater Houston Golf Charity. These funds will directly support our work and mission to lead and advance collaboration to end homelessness in Metro Denver.

Thank you, Insperity, for a decade of trust and unwavering support. We are thankful to be part of Insperity and look forward to continued community impact and shared success together!

September 15 marked the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, followed closely by Mexico, Chile, and Belize.

Whether having lived here for generations or having recently arrived, Latino/a/e neighbors have built our communities, strengthened our workforce, and shaped the cultural and economic vitality of our region.

Belonging is foundational to community stability. Today and every day, MDHI remains committed to advancing lasting housing stability for our Latino/a/e neighbors.

Earlier this week our Senior Development Specialist, Sarah, joined the Accelerent Breakfast, powered by Alpine Bank, to meet with and relationship-build with regional companies and organizations.

Sarah discussed the important initiatives MDHI is currently leading, including optimizing data to help end homelessness across the region, while also learning about the great work other local businesses are a part of - and even met Dan Clark!

We're grateful for the opportunity to join and share about the work MDHI is doing, while discussing the community impact all of our businesses make.

Slopes to Hope is turning thousands of pounds of unclaimed jackets, gloves, linens, and more left behind at mountain resorts into donations for Metro Denver's unhoused community and beyond.

Over 17,000 pounds of discarded linens, clothing, and ski gear from Colorado resorts now heading to shelters and nonprofits: https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/slopes-to-hope-items-left-colorado-ski-resorts/73-310c9504-db96-434e-b625-4e0cd75fe88e?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_9NEWS_(KUSA)

Members of the MDHI team are currently joining community leaders, service providers, and homelessness prevention and response system partners at the Colorado Statewide Forum in Colorado Springs!

These two days of collaboration offer the opportunity to participate in interactive breakout sessions and join activities designed for learning, facilitation, and providing feedback on the statewide work to prevent and resolve homelessness.

Thank you to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) - Division of Housing and Community Solutions on hosting this event in partnership with Colorado's four Continuum's of Care (CoCs): Colorado Balance of State CoC, Metro Denver CoC, Northern Colorado CoC, and Pikes Peak CoC.

September is National Su***de Prevention Month, a time to have open conversations around mental health, honor those we’ve lost, and highlight resources available across our community.

Housing security and mental health are deeply connected. The trauma and chronic stress of homelessness can heavily impact well-being, making safe, stable housing a critical need.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, confidential support is available 24/7:

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Free, 24/7, confidential. Para español, llame al 988). Visit www.988colorado.com for live chat options

The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and Press 1, or text 838255

By looking out for one another and advocating for more supportive resources, we can build a safer, healthier region for everyone.