News Release
Media Contact: Taylor Roddy
(312) 208-6483
taylor@caring4denver.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 5, 2020
Caring for Denver Foundation Announces New Community-Centered Solutions Funding Opportunity
Denver, CO – Caring for Denver Foundation is inviting proposals for a new $5 million dollar Community-Centered Solutions funding opportunity for innovative community-based mental health and/or substance misuse supports that prioritize access, equity, community connections, and/or address stigma.
With investments in this priority area, Caring for Denver aims to achieve:
- Greater public visibility on mental health and substance misuse that helps reduce stigma and/or increases understanding and supportive actions by community
- Increased connections to and use of social networks and relationships that reduce isolation
- Increased use of supports meeting people where they are that address mental health and/or substance misuse needs in community
“We need to meet people where they are – where they live, learn, work, play, and trust. We need to promote the power of community and support efforts that encourage connectedness” said Lorez Meinhold, Executive Director of Caring for Denver Foundation.
“Innovation comes from community – this support will ensure the mental health and substance misuse needs are being addressed where people are and in the way that best meets their needs,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, Board Chair of Caring for Denver.
With robust input from over 1,600 community residents, Community-Centered Solutions, was identified an immediate area of need. The full strategic funding priorities report including other areas of focus can be found at caring4denver.org/about.
About Caring for Denver Foundation
Caring for Denver Foundation was founded and funded with overwhelming voter support to address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse needs by growing community-informed solutions, dismantling stigma, and turning the community’s desire to help into action.
About Lorez Meinhold
Lorez Meinhold serves as the Executive Director of Caring for Denver. She brings over nineteen years of implementation and policy experience as a director of multilateral initiatives involving the public, private and civic sectors, working at the local, state, and national levels. Lorez has worked in many capacities integrating health programs addressing mental health and substance misuse needs, connecting early childhood and health communities, delivery and payment system reforms, and efforts that required statewide stakeholder engagement.
About Rep. Leslie Herod
Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod (D-Denver) was elected in 2016 as the first LGBTQ African American in the Colorado General Assembly. Since then, she has passed 52 bills, addressing criminal justice reform, mental health, addiction, youth homelessness, education, and civil rights protections. Herod championed the Caring for Denver Ballot measure and now serves as Chair of the Caring for Denver Board.