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Caring for Denver
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September is National Recovery Month
Recovery is possible. And, it's personal. What works for one person may not work for another. What gives one person strength may send another into a deeper spiral. Every story of recovery is as unique as the person undertaking the journey. The what, the when, the...
Denver Healing Generations continues mission to empower communities of color
By Mekialaya White CBS Colorado https://www.youtube.com/embed/MzY989VkQBg With each 12-week course offered at Denver Healing Generations, Jojo Padilla and John Perez are working to build a generation of successful young men and women. "The work we do is rooted in...
Dot Org: Caring for Denver and Denver STAR program
KGNU August 25, 2023 Caring for Denver was created from a Denver Ballot initiative to help direct funding toward addressing mental health and substance misuse needs in Denver.With this enduring investment, Caring for Denver works with Community organizations and...
Youth are worth the investment: Mental health programming for Denver students
Jacquie Esquibel Program Officer As school is back in session for our Denver youth, I reminisce about my two kiddos and my 20 years in the education system as a Guardian Ad Litem that advocated for youth involved with the legal system, often as a result of neglect, in...
Drug treatment center gets $1.4M to help bridge gap to sober housing
Aurora Sentinel by Max Levy August 11, 2023 A diversion program run by Aurora-based Hazelbrook Community Center helping criminal defendants achieve sobriety and enter sober living has been tabbed to receive $1.38 million in Denver sales tax dollars, supporting...
Caring 4 Denver gives $13M to 22 nonprofits
https://youtu.be/YM0Mak1u4MA?si=n06vEKa-uyh5Al_K Denver7 Caring for Denver Foundation announced it has awarded $13 million in grants to 22 community-based organizations that provide alternatives to jail solutions for the community. "Recovery is hard, and it's really...
Caring for Denver Foundation Awards $13 Million to Denver Nonprofits To Provide Alternatives to Jail
Grants will go to 22 organizations that prevent people with substance misuse and mental health conditions from unnecessarily interacting with the criminal legal system DENVER - July 25, 2023 - PRLog -- Caring for Denver Foundation today announced it has awarded $13...
University of Denver’s GSPP Launching Family Support Clinic
University of Denver July 11, 2023 A generous grant from the Caring for Denver Foundation has enabled the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) at the University of Denver’s Trauma and Disaster Recovery Clinic (TDRC) to launch a new...
How Emergent Learning Hones Grantmaking and Deepens Partnerships
By Haley Sammen Peak Grantmaking March 17, 2023 At the core of everything we do is the belief that we can do better—both with how we support people with mental health and substance misuse challenges in our community, and how philanthropy operates. Since we opened our...
Tips from The Colorado Chapter of Postpartum Support International
https://youtu.be/kCF4Yz1tHM0 CBS Colorado June 20, 2023 CBS Colorado Reporter: Well too often, new moms struggle with all the feelings, and they sometimes suffer from some of those feelings in silence. Joining us now to talk more about this is Dr. Jennifer Adams and...
Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy opening decompression room
Denver 7 May 25, 2023 (Description Text below from DPS Public Schools) DENVER – We could all use a place to go when we just need a minute. A way to let off steam or find inspiration. “It’s super rad,” said 11th grader, Piper Morian, who helped design the space. “I...
May is Mental Health Month: We’re sharing stories of hope and healing
How Our City is Coming Together to Take Action Your well-being matters. This is the message Denver voters expressed when we came together to establish the Caring for Denver Foundation. In celebration of National Mental Health Month, we’ll share stories of hope...
Caring 4 Denver has given out more than $100Million
KMGH - Denver Scripps Mon, April 24, 2023 at 7:12 AM MDT A foundation created by voters has now given away more than $100 million dollars.
Denver Dream Center offers second chance
"It's helped me figure out who I am": Denver Dream Center offers second chance with mental health and substance abuse resources BY MEKIALAYA WHITE https://youtu.be/wVJZvJoXZA8 APRIL 20, 2023 / 7:23 PM / CBS COLORADO On Thursday morning, a group of men walked down...
Stories on Screen – May 17
Healing and recovery happen when people have support that reflects and affirms their cultures, identities, and values. Meet four Caring for Denver grantee organizations that embody this truth, and help us celebrate their stories through short films...
Caring For Denver Foundation Reaches $100 Million Milestone in Grants Awarded to Denver Nonprofits
More than 200 mental health and substance misuse organizations have received funding during the foundation's first three years of grant-making DENVER, Colo., April 6, 2023 - Caring for Denver Foundation today announced it has awarded more than $109 million in...
Funding Opportunity Open: Alternatives to Jail
Caring for Denver Foundation is currently seeking proposals to address its Alternatives to Jail focus area. The total amount available for all grant awards in this funding area is $14.8 million for services and supports that reduce the likelihood of...
The park ranger, the mental health worker and the endless hurdles they face to help people on Denver’s streets
A program pairing mental health clinicians with the rangers who field complaints about camping in parks aims to get people into therapy, if they’re willing by Jennifer Brown Denver park ranger Caronia DiStefano and Kayla Bauer, a WellPower mental health clinician,...
Speaking openly about mental health and substance misuse
The city of Denver is working to create a culture where people can speak openly about mental health and substance misuse. Last week grantees of Caring for Denver Foundation spoke about their lived experience in a session hosted by Denver City Council Member at Large,...
Denver Park Rangers to perform patrols with mental health clinicians
Clinicians will assist park rangers with connecting people to resources they need https://youtube.com/watch?v=TiL11Af1DXA By: Danielle Kreutter Posted at 9:01 PM, Jan 19, 2023 and last updated 11:09 PM, Jan 19, 2023 DENVER — As those with...
Caring 4 Denver Foundation helping 35 non-profits
Caring for Denver announced more than $14.6 million in funding to meet Denver’s higher demand for behavioral health care with services that reflect and affirm individuals needs and identities, while also supporting care providers....
Caring for Denver Foundation awards over $14.6 million to make it easier to get mental health and substance misuse help in Denver
News Release [December 14, 2022 – Denver, Colo.]: Caring for Denver Foundation announced more than $14.6 million in funding to community-based nonprofits that will fill gaps in mental health and substance misuse care, especially for marginalized communities. The goal...
Caring for Denver Receives Outstanding Foundation Award
News Release [November 29, 2022 – Denver, Colo.]: Caring for Denver Foundation has received the Outstanding Foundation Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Colorado Chapter, an honor recognizing an organization that has demonstrated outstanding...
Funding Opportunity Open: Caring for the next generation – Youth (0-26)
Caring for Denver Foundation is currently seeking proposals to address its Youth focus area. The total amount available for all grant awards in this funding area is $12 million for services and supports which: Increase youth’s ability to manage life stresses and...
Denver’s expanding the STAR program to connect people with long-term support
City Council approved a $2.3 million contract with Servicios de La Raza to partner with community organizations across the city. The Support Team Assisted Response van. June 8, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) Denverite // Rebecca TauberOct. 31, 2022, 7:56 p.m.The...
Denver jails expand medication-assisted addiction treatment
By David Heitz / NewsBreak Denver (Denver, Colo.) Denver jails will expand their medication-assisted treatment program for inmates battling addiction. The City Council accepted a $1,054,387 grant Monday from the Caring for Denver Foundation. The money will...
The Latino Cultural Arts Center Has Big Plans to Show Denver—and the World—What Its People Have to Offer
In the coming years, a three-site campus will house galleries, museums, artist work areas, and event spaces, all dedicated to nourishing and highlighting the contributions of Denver's Latino community. Daliah Singer / 5280 There’s not much to look at among the...
Park rangers: The unseen frontline for mental health
Over the years, rangers have found themselves dealing with more mental health crises. The co-responder program aims to help with that. 9News Author: Anusha Roy (9NEWS) Published: 7:01 PM MDT September 16, 2022 Updated: 7:21 PM MDT September 16, 2022 ...
Denver Police mismanaged taxpayer money meant for mental health support
According to city audit report, DPD and the Department of Public Safety paid a nonprofit late, misspent some of the money and failed to spend the rest in time. The Department of Public Safety says the report doesn’t take into account challenges brought by the pandemic...
Denver audit finds mental health money unused
Gabrielle Franklin / KDVR Fox 31 DENVER (KDVR) — An audit found that the Denver Police Department and Department of Public Safety failed to use some dollars meant for mental health help. According to a new report, the Denver Auditor’s Office found the grant money...
A strategy Denver applied to crime, mayor proposes ‘hot spot’ approach to behavioral health
Alex Edwards / Denver Gazette Denver Mayor Michael Hancock wants to apply a strategy aimed at reducing crime in "hot spots" to the city's behavioral health challenges, arguing that focusing resources on areas in Denver – he specifically noted downtown...
Audit finds $400k in mental health response funds unused by DPD
The Denver Police Department must return the money, but the agency said the audit ignored the success of the program and the pandemic's interference. Channel 9 DENVER — The Denver Police Department (DPD) and Department of Public Safety (DPS) failed to spend about...
Caring for Denver Receives Community Builder Award
News Release [September 17, 2022 – Denver, Colo.]: Caring for Denver Foundation has received the Community Builder Award from Servicios de la Raza, an honor recognizing individuals and organizations who have provided incredible benefits to the Indigenous and...
Take our 2022 Community Check In Survey!
Caring for Denver Foundation was founded and funded with overwhelming voter support to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs. Guided by community input, the organization has funded more than $82.2 million in the areas of alternatives to jail, care...
18 Denver programs, many working to direct kids away from trouble with crime and substance misuse, share in $12M
Fueled by a city sales tax, the Caring for Denver fund, awardees this year included 5280 High School and Youth Advocate Programs, which specialize in drug recovery and child welfare for youth Colorado Sun Brammhi Balarajan 4:18 AM MDT on Aug 12, 2022 Students graduate...
Caring for Denver Invests $12.1M in Alternatives to Jail Grant
Out Front Magazine (OFM) AUGUST 9, 2022 Photo courtesy of Caring for Denver on Facebook A previous poll by The Colorado Health Foundation found that many people consider mental health and substance use serious problems for Coloradans. This is especially true for BIPOC...
Funding Opportunity Open: Community-Centered Solutions & Care Provision
Caring for Denver Foundation is currently seeking proposals to address its Community-Centered Solutions and Care Provision focus areas. The total amount available for all grant awards in this funding area is $10.6 million to support services and supports which:...
These First-Responder Superheroes Don’t Wear Capes or Even Uniforms
Meet the 911 first responders who are providing emergency on-the-scene mental health support. Oprah Daily BY MATT LEVIN / PUBLISHED: JUL 29, 2022 A man, silently, was struggling. I was walking down Broadway, in New York. People flowed gracefully around and past him...
Underground Music Showcase to have mental health resources for artists
9 News Denver’s biggest multi-day music festival kicks off this weekend and this year they plan to focus on a mission of mental health and sobriety Author: Byron Reed DENVER — Denver’s biggest multi-day music festival kicks off this weekend and this year, they have a...
Caring for Denver Foundation awards $12.1 million to support alternative responses to criminal justice involvement
News Release [July 28, 2022 – Denver, Colo.]: Caring for Denver Foundation announced more than $12.1 million in funding to community-based nonprofits and city departments that provide alternative responses to criminal justice, including those that focus on public and...
Proposal would make Denver co-responder program model for country
DENVER (KDVR) — A new proposal would take Denver’s Support Team Assisted Response Program, commonly referred to as the STAR Program, and make it a model for the rest of the country. STAR started in June of 2020. The group operates a fleet of vans that goes out to...
Colorado takes a tentative step toward meeting the crisis of homelessness
Colorado Sun A significant factor in homelessness is mental illness and substance misuse, and it’s difficult to make progress toward long-term solutions without addressing them. Diane Carman 3:04 AM MDT on Jun 19, 2022 Whenever I tell people that we recently moved...
Study: Denver’s STAR program reduced crime, costs
Fox 31 by: Alex Rose Posted: Jun 8, 2022 / 03:03 PM MDT Updated: Jun 9, 2022 / 12:56 PM MDT DENVER (KDVR) — Denver’s Support Team Assistance Response (STAR) program has been operating in the Mile High City now for two years. A new study shows how...
Denver, Aurora boost alternative police response programs
Newsbreak Denver, CO David Heitz By David Heitz / NewsBreak Denver (Denver, Colo.) Aurora and Denver both agreed Monday to provide more money for alternative police response teams. At their respective City Council meetings, Aurora agreed to spend $230,000 on salaries...
Su Teatro Celebrates 50th With Art That Heals: ‘An Opportunity For Us To Heal’
CBS4 By Anna Alejo, June 2, 2022 at 10:45 pm DENVER (CBS4)– A gem in Denver’s theater scene is celebrating its 50th anniversary by finding new ways to respond to its audiences’ needs. Su Teatro will soon open a new production of “Chicanos Sing the Blues.”...
‘Defund the Police’ Is Dead But Other Reform Efforts Thrive In U.S. Cities
Newsweek by Steve Friess on 5/24/22 at 5:30 AM EDT Two years after George Floyd was killed, a surge in violent crime in major cities across the country has effectively ended the “defund the police” movement that sprung up in the wake of his death. A new national poll...
Seratones to Headline Underground Music Showcase Mental Wellness Impact Show July 30
Grateful Web ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY YOUTH ON RECORD | PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2022 A funk-soul-rock band from Louisiana that marries spirituality, protest, Black feminism, and Afrofuturism, Seratones will headline the Underground Music Showcase‘s...
City Council takes on Denver’s mental health and gun violence crises in twin proclamations
Denverite “Three in ten Coloradoans are in need of mental health or substance use disorder care,” stated one proclamation. “In Colorado, 78 percent of firearm deaths are suicides, and nearly half of all suicide deaths in Colorado involve the use of a firearm,” noted...
Caring for Denver Foundation gave out $35.5M in grant funding last year
The Denver Gazette Lindsey Toomer lindsey.toomer@denvergazette.comMay 18, 2022 Caring for Denver Board chair Leslie Herod, a lawmaker from Denver, speaks with Lorez Meinhold, executive director of the voter-approved foundation’s board of directors. The Caring for...
PlatteForum’s Big Year
Westword EMILY FERGUSON MAY 17, 2022 PlatteForum staffers (from left, back row): Michael Gadlin, Sigri Strand, Zaia Sever, Kendall Kultgen, Axel Leonhardt. Front row: Destany Rodriguez, Kevin Sandoval-Torres. Sigri Strand PlatteForum will celebrate its twentieth...