Unfortunately, many in our community continue to struggle to maintain basic human comforts, including housing, food, and health. Cares Committee members continue to work to have a positive impact in the community, mostly by working to support UpDoNA’s three shelter partners – Urban Peak, The Delores Project, and STEP Denver.
A recent decision by STEP Denver to lower its minimum entry age from 21 to 18 spotlights the pervasiveness of substance abuse, often beginning at a young age, in our society, and its contribution to homelessness. They report that drinking frequently began at age 12-13 in their clients. In one case, passing out from alcohol began at age 5 – drinking with family. That person is now on the staff at STEP, helping others to become happy, successful community members. STEP is funded entirely by private donations (no government funding). You can help at stepdenver.org.
Urban Peak is the largest of our shelter partners, housing 136 youth ages 12-24. They have been full continuously since their new larger shelter opened in 2024. They have many different programs and support many more youth than those housed at any one point in time. More details about their programs can be found at urbanpeak.org. UpDoNA Cares volunteers usually provide and serve lunch one day/month at Urban Peak, most recently May 13. Urban Peak has an annual fundraising gala, “Urban Nights”, occurring September 18 this year. A group of UpDoNA members will be participating (not only Cares Committee members). Contact me for more information.
The Delores Project, a local shelter for women and transgender people, supplies wrap-around services to their clients and operates a successful emergency shelter with attached longer-term housing. Two Cares Committee members recently supported the shelter at it’s annual fundraising event, “Building Belonging” (May 7). Stories about shelter clients and volunteers are often tearjerkers. UpDoNA Cares volunteers usually provide and serve lunch one day/month at The Delores Project, most recently May 19. You can find more information and donate online at thedeloresproject.org.
We could do more if we had more volunteers! Please let me know if you are interested in working with us – any amount of time can help! (ron23townsend@gmail.com). You will soon also hear about UpDoNA fundraising, hoping to increase our financial resources to support more Cares, Arts and Beautification, and other UpDoNA Initiatives.
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