As we celebrate five years of Caring for Denver Foundation, we’re incredibly grateful for the chance to create real change in our community—change that wouldn’t be possible without the support of Denver voters. At Caring for Denver, we’re committed to funding community-driven ideas and helping them grow. As a community-funded organization made possible through a taxpayer initiative approved by Denver voters, we are dedicated to partnering closely with the community at every stage to drive meaningful change. We take bold steps and invest in innovative solutions that respond directly to community needs. We trust our community to guide us, and we collaborate with our grantees to develop learning-centered approaches and measure impact in ways that are most meaningful to them.
Why it matters, especially now: In the midst of voting season, it’s important to remember how powerful community voice can be. Our unique approach has allowed us to pilot new programs and help them evolve in response to our community’s needs. When something isn’t working, our grantees let us know, and we pivot together for better outcomes. This is only possible because of our learning partnership with the community, the shared trust and authenticity we foster with our grantees, and support from the Denver community.
The power of change lies in the ability to make learning-driven pivots. It’s about not being confined to one idea but remaining open to exploring what could work better. In this article, we’re proud to highlight a few organizations that—with your support —have used our funding to pilot and expand mental health and substance misuse programs. Their growth and impact highlight the importance of bringing forward new ways of addressing mental health and our innovative approach to funding.
The Birth Squad
The Birth Squad is a community-driven, bilingual perinatal mental health program with the Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project, designed to support mothers and birthing people, with a special focus on creating safe spaces for Black and Latinx mothers. Their goal is to bridge the gap between mental health systems and the community. Through a series of classes, they help you and your support team feel as prepared as possible for childbirth. These sessions offer the chance to connect with experts and other families, discussing topics like changes in relationships, family dynamics, career, mental health, and how parenting may impact your sense of identity. The Birth Squad also provides new birthers with a “village”—a supportive network to lean on after the baby arrives.
Why it matters: We were the first to fund and help launch The Birth Squad. Initially, the program focused solely on postpartum mothers, but with our support, they’ve expanded to serve birthing people throughout the entire perinatal stage, including their partners. This is a crucial shift, as some of the most stressful moments of birthing can occur during the anticipation and preparation for a baby’s arrival. This is especially critical for mothers of color, who often face heightened stress and unique challenges during pregnancy and childbirth. By supporting mothers of color through every stage, The Birth Squad helps address disparities and fosters a more supportive, responsive birthing experience.
Impact: In the first year, our funding helped them with hiring staff. In the following year, The Birth Squad reached 167 birthers of color with 82 birthers participating in the support groups. Additionally, 93% of surveyed participants reported feeling connected to their Birth Squad providers through sharing common identities, languages, and life experiences—something that’s often hard to find for many birthers of color.
“We could not have launched The Birth Squad without the support of Caring for Denver! They have been a partner in our work in the truest sense—offering encouragement, connection to resources and opportunities, thoughtful collaboration, and dedication to our success. We are honored to be able to support the mental health and wellbeing of moms and birthers throughout Denver and are deeply grateful to Caring for Denver for the invaluable role they have played in making this possible.”
-The Birth Squad Team, Colorado Perinatal Mental Health Project
Colorado Artists in Recovery
Colorado Artists in Recovery (CAiR) creates a safe space for individuals seeking recovery through peer-led art, music, and creative expression opportunities. The organization nurtures creative spirit and builds a community rooted in recovery principles. Participants appreciate the freedom to define their own recovery paths, which can often be divisive.
Why it matters: We had the opportunity to fund CAiR when it was just an idea, and now we’ve seen it grow in staffing and programming, reaching more than a thousand people in Denver each year. Fear and shame are two of the toughest challenges in recovery, but CAiR offers a safe space to process those emotions. Creativity becomes a unifying force, sparking conversations that bring people together around shared interests.
Impact: By the end of their grant year, CAiR had served 518 Denver residents through workshops. Among the participants surveyed, 97% reported stronger connections for help and support, feeling a deeper sense of community and greater confidence in reaching out to others. Additionally, 96% said they were better able to identify and manage their emotions through creative expression, applying those strategies in their recovery. Most importantly, around 90% of participants also felt more empowered and hopeful about maintaining long-term recovery.
“Caring for Denver believed in Colorado Artists in Recovery when we were just an idea, offering not only the funding but also the human connection and guidance we needed to grow. Their unwavering support has been a cornerstone of our journey, helping us turn vision into reality. Through their open doors, genuine belief in our mission, and commitment to our success, we’ve been able to expand our programming, foster deeper community connections, and provide life-changing recovery support. Caring for Denver has been more than a partner—they’ve been a catalyst for transformation and hope. Addressing the immense needs of our community starts with empowering those who have lived experience to create and implement innovative approaches to serve our neighbors. The team at Caring for Denver exemplifies this approach and serves as a model that cities everywhere should embrace.”
-Darin Valdez, Executive Director, Colorado Artists in Recovery
Struggle of Love Foundation
Struggle of Love Foundation is dedicated to supporting underserved communities, particularly communities of color. They provide a wide array of services for underprivileged youth and families, offering alternative programs for those who might not qualify for traditional assistance. From food banks and toy drives to sports mentorship and community picnics, Struggle of Love Foundation (“Struggle of Love”) is deeply embedded in the community, serving the community in many ways. Through their work, they recognized a significant need for mental health support within the community. Initially partnering with external providers, they responded to the growing demand for centralized services by bringing mental health support in-house.
Why it matters: Struggle of Love has grown from partnering with other mental health providers to becoming a community hub for mental health support. They recognized that having in-house mental health providers was essential to building trust and improving access to care. Often, people must navigate multiple systems with different providers to receive mental health and substance misuse support, which can lead to fragmented care and leave individuals feeling lost in the system. In response, Struggle of Love made a learning-driven pivot to bring mental health services in-house, reducing barriers and enhancing the quality of care. With support from Caring for Denver, they’ve hired full-time mental health clinicians and expanded their services to offer free therapy sessions and a range of behavioral health supports, including art therapy, acupuncture, and more.
Impact: Struggle of Love is breaking down mental health stigma in underserved communities of color and creating generational change. They upgraded two part-time therapists to full-time roles. By the end of their grant year, they had reached 319 Denver residents through therapy, workshops, and community programs, with 94% of those assessed reporting improved or maintained mental health.
“Caring for Denver has not only been our leading champion, taking a risk on our organization, but they have also been instrumental in helping our Mental Health Department grow and thrive within the community we serve. Their support has connected Struggle of Love Foundation to vital resources and provided the technical assistance needed to ensure our programs in mental health are impactful and sustainable.”
-LaKeshia Hodge, CEO, Struggle of Love Foundation
As we look back on the incredible growth and impact of programs like The Birth Squad, Colorado Artists in Recovery, and Struggle of Love Foundation, it’s clear that community-driven innovation is key to addressing critical needs. Through the support of our funding, these organizations have not only expanded their reach but have also transformed lives by providing safe spaces for healing, connection, and growth. None of this would be possible without the support of Denver voters. The power of change lies in adaptability and collaboration, and we remain committed to uplifting bold ideas that create lasting impact in our community. Together, we can continue to foster hope and positive change for years to come.