MUSE June 2020 - Montbello Urban Spectrum Edition

Inside This Issue Montbello In The News...6-9 Elected Officials Speak Out...10-13 Voices From The Neighborhood...14-19 Resources For Residents...20-23 Montbello Urban Spectrum Edition • Volume 4 Number 5 • June 2020

Feeding the Community

FROM THE EDITOR’S TABLET Dear Friends and Neighbors, It is my sincerest hope that this issue finds you well, healthy, and beginning to find your way back to a new level of normalcy. The past two months have been challenging, unsettling, and inspirational. As you peruse the stories and articles in this month’s MUSE, I hope you will be as uplifted as I have been by the many heroic and mundane ways in which our community has risen to meet the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown our way. From the daily work of packing bags of food and delivering them into the hands of people needing those resources to the innovative ways people have celebrated their loved one’s graduations, birthdays, and other benchmarks, we have come together as community and in partnership!

In keeping with a theme of featuring Montbello Viewpoints this year, the last issue of the MUSE invited folks to submit photos that memorialize their viewpoints of our beloved Montbello community. For this issue, there wasn’t just one photo that stood out – there were many. This editor decided to feature a collage of photos on the cover that characterizes the many partnerships that emerged over the last two months to ensure that all of our neighbors have food. From the very young to the very not so young and those in between, their smiling eyes reveal the goodness of the human spirit when helping others.

Finally, please be reminded that it is more important than ever that everyone complete the 2020 Census. Over 60% of households have already responded to the Census nationwide. In Colorado and Denver, that number is over 62%. The 2020 Census is for everyone and it’s not too late to participate. If you haven’t responded yet you can fill out your paper questionnaire and mail it back or you can still respond online at 2020census.gov or by calling these toll-free numbers: • English (for 50 states and Washington, D.C.): 844-330-2020 • Spanish (for 50 states and Washington, D.C.): 844-468-2020 Whatever your viewpoint of Montbello – Be Counted, Be Heard, Complete the Census.

Respectfully,

Donna M. Garnett Editor, Montbello Urban Spectrum Edition montbellonews@gmail.com “Reporting the good news about Montbello”

MONTBELLO URBAN SPECTRUM EDITION PUBLISHER Montbello Organizing Committee/Denver Urban Spectrum EDITOR AND LEAD WRITER - Donna Garnett CONTRIBUTING WRITERS - Stacie Gilmore, James Coleman, Angelle Fouther, Zilingo Nwuke, Stacy Parrish, Samantha Silver, Mary Ann Bush, Laura Steavpack, Gaby Alamillo-Sanchez, Ann White, Mary J. Davis, Austin Chitwood, Kiera Jackson, Maricruz Herrera PHOTOGRAPHER - Terri Baldwin TRANSLATOR - Marta Welsh ART DIRECTOR - Bee Harris AD SALES - Mary Etta Curtis

The Montbello Urban Spectrum Edition (MUSE) is a bi-monthly publication produced and published by the Denver Urban Spectrum (DUS) and the Montbello Organizing Committee (MOC). MUSE is circulated throughout Denver’s Far Northeast community.

Contents of MUSE are copyright 2020 by Denver Urban Spectrum and the Montbello Organizing Committee. No portion may be reproduced without written permission of the publishers.

MUSE welcomes all letters, but reserves the right to edit for space, libelous material, grammar, and length. All letters must include name, address, and phone number. We will withhold author’s name on request. Unsolicited articles are accepted without guarantee of publication or payment and may be submitted to the editor at montbellonews@gmail.com.

For advertising information, email montbelloadvertising@gmail.com or call 303-292-6446.

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The month of March,

2020 marked an upheaval in the lives of millions of people across America. Montbello was no exception. As neighborhood schools began shutting down for early and extended Spring Break and people began to be notified of layoffs of unspecified length of time or to lose their jobs completely, Montbello leaders and organizations began to ramp up efforts to provide services and assistance to people in need. Notable among those endeavors was the implementation of an emergency food distribution system.

Several of the usual food distribution programs in the community almost immediately had to cease services as their volunteer corps quickly evaporated as those at high risk for contracting the novel coronavirus were encouraged to selfquarantine at home.

Montbello Organizing Committee (MOC) in partnership with Struggle of Love Foundation (SOLF) and Academy 360 (A360) rose to the occasion by quickly expanding the existing food pantry and no-cost grocery activities to a five-daya-week operation. MOC staff picked up the mantle usually worn by United Church of Montbello for the last 11 years to ensure that the mobile food pantry implemented in conjunction with Food Bank of The Rockies (FBR) twice each month could continue. With no students or teachers occupying the space, A360 offered up the school’s cafeteria and other community spaces as a location for an expanded food pantry. SOLF activated its team of “boots-on-the-ground” vol-

Montbello During COVID 19 “Feeding the Community Through Partnerships”

By Donna Garnett Executive Director, Montbello Organizing Committee Editor, MUSE

unteers (comprised mostly of young folks less susceptible to the virus) to pack food bags to hand off to people who drive up to receive food.

In the span of three weeks, the daily food pantry went from providing food for 100 people each week to providing food for upwards of 700 each day! MOC and SOLF rapidly exhausted their year’s budget for purchase of emergency food. So MOC staff went into overdrive to secure donated food, personal protection

equipment and sanitation supplies, and funds to hire pantry staff and to purchase needed storage equipment (refrigerators, freezers, shelving, etc.). Now two and a half months later MOC continues the daily coordination of resources for the daily and mobile pantries and SOLF continues to receive food donations, pack reusable grocery bags, and provide curbside service to hundreds of cars that drive up each day. Coordination includes multiple calls

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS Rent Assistance: Call 311, press option 6 Assistance for Immigrant Families: https://tinyurl.com/undocuassist Youth Food Bags: https://www.dpsk12.org/coronavirus/#food Xcel Energy/Water Assistance: https://tinyurl.com/energyassist20 Internet Asistance: https://www.internetessentials.com/ If you have COVID, apply for a Care Package by calling 214-302-9417 or apply at https://forms.gle/9FrQqWs6WToUDg6KA?fbclid=IwAR2kLaHIkx03zl5oqkbYnvMehZ4Kv_bgrQYQKW4CuZZZ9bGGE-3fPu5iK3k.

Do you need additional food?

Visit the Struggle of Love Foundation at Academy 360 12000 47th Ave. Denver, CO 80239 Monday-Friday from 11am - 2pm. Delivery options are available for people who are unable to leave the house and the elderly.

Call 720-240-7200 to schedule a time for them to deliver.

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each week with Denver’s Emergency Food Response Center, the Denver Community Food Access Coalition, Food Bank of the Rockies, and Blueprint to End Hunger in Colorado among others. By the end of May, SOLF had provided food for 27,000 people and distributed 120,000 pounds of donated food!

The FBR mobile food pantry managed by MOC operates twice per month. The activity expanded so rapidly that even providing the service in the A360 parking lot was not feasible as the line of 400 -500 cars shut down 47th Avenue to all other traffic. With the traffic control assistance of DPD District 5, the mobile pantry operates out of the Montbello Campus parking lot located at Andrews and Boling Streets.

Each mobile pantry distribution requires the volunteer efforts of at least 40 able-bodied volunteers who arrive at 7 am to pack boxes with donated food and to be ready for distribution as 700-800 cars drive through the pick up line. On its peak day in early May, the mobile pantry provided food for more than 2100 children, adults, and seniors. A total of just under 7000 people have received food via the mobile food pantry.

With the announcement that Montbello’s diverse residents (especially African Americans and Latinos) are among those most adversely affected by COVID-19. People of color in the neighborhood are at least three times more likely to be infected than others in less diverse and more economically stable neighborhoods. Many residents who are affected have no health insurance coverage and are more likely to be isolated at home with multiple family members increasing the

Children’s Farms in Action (CFA), Consumption Literacy Project (CLP), 5 Loaves Garden, Marie L. Greenwood Academy, and Academy 360 — joined with Denver Urban Gardens to launch a To Grow Movement across the metro area. The purpose of the movement is aimed at supporting backyard gardeners in growing their own food with a hope that some of the yield will be shared with others. To that end DUG, CFA, and CLP are providing technical assistance, consultation, and resources to participants in the movement.

DUG provided 250 grow boxes for residents with guidelines to achieve good gardening outcomes. The boxes included vegetable seedlings, and flowers to attract pollinators, and 15 packages of seeds.

EKAR Farms has joined the effort and has provided 100 kits

RECURSOS PARA RESIDENTES Asistencia de alquiler: llame al 311, presione la opción 6 Bolsas de comida para jóvenes: https://www.dpsk12.org/coronavirus/#food Asistencia de Xcel Energy / Water: https://tinyurl.com/energyassist20 Asistencia en Internet: https://www.internetessentials.com/ Asistencia para familias inmigrantes: https://tinyurl.com/undocuassist Si usted o alguien en su hogar ha contraído el coronavirus, y vive en la area metropolitana de Denver Colorado, Aurora, pueden aplicar para recibir un paquete de cuidado para poder realizar su quarentena. Aplique aqui https://forms.gle/9FrQqWs6WToUDg6KA ¿Necesitas comida adicional?

Visite a Struggle of Love Foundation en Academy 360 12000 47th Ave. Denver, CO 80239 De lunes a viernes de 11 a.m. a 2 p.m.

También tienen opciones de entrega disponibles para las personas que no pueden salir de la casa y los ancianos.

Llame al 720-240-7200 para programar una hora para que le entreguen una despensa. risk of spread of the disease.

Another Montbello organization, Colorado Changemakers Collective/Colectiva Creando Cambios en Colorado (CCC), stepped up to take on the challenge of getting supplies to those isolated at home with the virus. The CCC is working with other partners to bridge the gap between the community and partner organizations by creating a community-led COVID-19 Response Network. This COVID-19 Community Response Network (modeled after a similar effort out of Austin, Texas) is serving the needs of individuals and families who have self-identified as having contracted the coronavirus and lack the social and financial support networks to help them quarantine safely at home. This includes connecting impacted households to local resources, meeting unanticipated needs through the delivery of a care package which includes food for a week, conducting wellness checks, and serving as advocates to ensure people receive the healthcare they

need. More than a 1000 care packages have been delivered to those in need.

Just as partners began to get a grip on the emergency food distribution situation, news stories began forecasting the impending food shortage that is likely to hit Colorado and other states in the coming months. The coronavirus pandemic has severely limited the available workforce to plant, tend, and harvest the large agricultural institutions that supply most of our fresh produce and protein needs (i.e. meat, eggs, and dairy) in any given year. Already market prices for beef, chicken, and pork are rising and many large farms and poultry producers have euthanized millions of farm animals due to lack of feed and workers to tend the animals.

While not likely to be able to meet the full community need, local growers including small urban farms and gardens and backyard gardeners are urged to gear up production for greater yield to help meet this challenge.

In mid-May, MOC with Montbello FreshLo Partners —

of seeds to be distributed June 5th to people who sign up in advance. CFA, CLP and other partners will launch a virtual gardening site in June to help people with their gardening.

The FreshLo Farm-School Network is also ramping up to grow more fresh produce than ever through partnerships with Big Green and 7 Montbello schools – Academy 360, Marie L. Greenwood Academy, Monarch Montessori, Oakland Elementary, Escalante Biggs, Barney Ford Elementary, and Farrell B. Howell. The goal is to raise 20,000 pounds of vegetables and fruits to be distributed through the food pantry and Farmer’s Market.Y Editor’s note: For more inforinformation regarding any of these Emergency Food Response programs, contact montbellomontbellofreshlo@gmail.com. freshlo@gmail.com.

Order your green compost cart today

LESS THAN $10/MONTH

Did you know? Organic material such as leaves, branches, grass clippings and food scraps make up almost 50% of what Denver residents send to the landfill each year. We can change this, and it starts with more green carts!

ORDER YOURS TODAY: Call 311 (720-913-1311) or order online at DenverGov.org/GoGreen

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MONTBELLO IN THE NEWS

Chris Martinez: A Family Man and a Man for the Community

helped the organization grow from a small grass-roots, entirely volunteer-run group to an organization with staff, dozens of community and funding partners, a near $2 million operating budget, and a residentled plan, in-progress, to develop a grocery-store anchored cultural hub with 96 units of affordable housing.

Chris’s contemplations of retirement were forestalled again in 2017 when he accepted his current position, Executive Director of Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC), making it only his third job over the span of a 42-year career. Possessing a core and driving value of equity, Chris loves helping small, diverse contractors learn how to do business with public entities and large corporations through HCC. While the current pandemic has stifled Chris’s ability to go out with Terry and listen to jazz or cut a rug, he is content and happy because the things that are most important remain.

“Currently, we are blessed to have four generations in the family,” Chris says. “Seeing all family members every week reminds me that we can continue to learn from each member, no matter how young or how old. We also need to recognize that everyone contributes to the family in one way or another—it might be financially, through wisdom, or by just bringing a smile to each other’s faces. Each is valued.”

Chris rarely sits still for long and doesn’t imagine ever completely slowing down. “I say you are never too old to contribute. Sometimes it is the wisdom you bring or a new perspective to the table that makes the project even better.

Don’t sit by saying ‘I wish I

By Angelle C. Fouther Chris. He was approached and asked to come work for the City and County of Denver’s Office of Economic Development. Chris accepted the offer and began working with the Mayor and other officials in 2010 on programs to ensure equitable development in communities across the city.

A decades-long resident of Montbello, Chris gained a great deal of his experience in the realm of community development from co-founding and leading neighborhood organizations: Far Northeast Neighbors, Montbello 2020, and more recently, Montbello Organizing Committee, not to mention service on countless other nonprofit boards and committees, including as an elected board member for Editor’s Note: This article is rere- RTD. “I have the luxury of printed with permission by the being involved with so many author. The article was origioriginally published in Building MoMo- volunteer opportunities,” Chris mentum, Changing The says. “YMCA, Democratic mentum, Narrative Narrative May 18, 2020 Party, Growing Colorado Kids (refugee families), Latino orhen Chris Martinez, ganizations, schools, church, currently 65, retired from the and lots of community civic Federal Reserve after 35 years based organizations, each havof service, he thought it would ing a unique impact on the afford more time to do the community served. Working many things he treasures. Truly with schools provides me a strong sense of fulfillment bea renaissance man, Chris is cause you can see the impact equally adept and comfortable your work is having on stuspending his time cooking and dents.” baking, decorating, and enterA consensus-builder and taining his family—wife, Terry, strategic thinker, Chris was at two adult children, five grandthe center of planning Montchildren, his mother, and many bello’s 25th-anniversary celeextended family members—as bration as well as its 50th. He’s he is bowling with his league also helped usher positive and tailgating and attending change each of the years in beBroncos games. tween. As a co-founder and Life, as it so often does, had current chair of Montbello Orsomething different in store for ganizing Committee, he has

W

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would have gotten involved.’

Get up, and do it! Others will respect you for it—your wisdom, brought on by experience, is invaluable.” Y

Chris Martinez: Un Hombre de Familia y un Hombre para la Comunidad Por Angelle C. Fouther Nota del Editor: Este artículo se reimprime con permiso del autor. El artículo fue pubpublicado originalmente en BuildBuilding Momentum, Changing the Narrative, el 18 de mayo de 2020.)

C

uando Chris Martínez, actualmente 65, se retiró de la Reserva Federal después de 35 años de servicio, pensó que le daría más tiempo para hacer las muchas cosas que atesora. Es un hombre verdaderamente renacentista, Chris es igualmente hábil y cómodo pasando su tiempo cocinando y horneando, decorando y entreteniendo a su familia—esposa, Terry, dos hijos adultos, cinco nietos, su madre y muchos miembros de la familia extendida—mientras está jugando con su liga de los bolos, y sastrando y asistiendo a los juegos de los Broncos.

La vida, como tan a menudo hace, tenía algo diferente guardado para Chris. Fue acercado y pidió venir el trabajo para la Ciudad y el Condado de la Oficina del Desarrollo Económico de Denver. Chris aceptó la oferta y comenzó a trabajar con el alcalde y otros funcionarios en 2010 en programas para asegurar el desarrollo equitativo en comunidades a través de la ciudad.

MONTBELLO EN LAS NOTICIAS

Un residente de décadas de Montbello, Chris adquirió gran parte de su experiencia en el ámbito del desarrollo comunitario gracias a la cofundación y las principales organizaciones vecinales: Vecinos del Nordeste Lejano, Montbello 2020 y, más recientemente, el Comité Organizador de Montbello, sin mencionar el servicio. en innumerables otras juntas y comités sin fines de lucro, incluso como miembro de la junta elegido para RTD (Distrito Regional de Transporte). “Tengo el lujo de participar en tantas oportunidades para voluntar”, dice Chris.

“YMCA, Partido Demócrata, Growing Colorado Kids (familias de refugiados), organizaciones latinas, escuelas, iglesias y muchas organizaciones comunitarias de base cívica, cada una con un impacto único en la comunidad atendida. Trabajar con escuelas me proporciona una gran sensación de satisfacción porque puedes ver el impacto que tu trabajo está teniendo en los estudiantes ”.

Un creador de consenso y un pensador estratégico, Chris estuvo en el centro de la planificación de la celebración del 25º aniversario de Montbello, así como su 50° aniversario.

También ha ayudado a marcar un cambio positivo en cada uno de los años intermedios.

Como cofundador y actual presidente del Comité Organizador de Montbello, ha ayudado a la organización a crecer de un pequeño grupo de base, completamente dirigido por voluntarios, a una organización con personal, docenas de socios comunitarios y de financiación, un presupuesto operativo de casi $2 millones, y un plan dirigido por los residentes, en progreso, para desarrollar un centro cultural anclado en una tienda de comestibles con 96 unidades de viviendas asequibles.

También ha ayudado a marcar un cambio positivo en cada uno de los años intermedios.

Como cofundador y actual presidente del Comité Organizador de Montbello, ha ayudado a la organización a crecer

de un pequeño grupo de base, completamente dirigido por voluntarios, a una organización con personal, docenas de socios comunitarios y de financiación, un presupuesto operativo de casi $2 millones , y un plan dirigido por los residentes, en progreso, para desarrollar un centro cultural anclado en una tienda de comestibles con 96 unidades de viviendas asequibles.

Las contemplaciones de jubilación de Chris se volvieron a prever en 2017 cuando aceptó su puesto actual, Director Ejecutivo de Contratistas Hispanos de Colorado (HCC), convirtiéndose en su tercer trabajo en el transcurso de una carrera de 42 años. Poseyendo un valor central y de valor de capital, a Chris le encanta ayudar a contratistas pequeños y diversos a aprender cómo hacer negocios con entidades públicas y grandes corporaciones a través de HCC. Mientras que la pandemia actual ha sofocado la capacidad de Chris para salir con Terry y escuchar jazz o bailar,

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él está contento y feliz porque las cosas que son más importantes permanecen.“Actualmente, tenemos la bendición de tener cuatro generaciones en la familia”, dice Chris. “Ver a todos los miembros de la familia cada semana me recuerda que podemos seguir aprendiendo de cada miembro, sin importar lo jóven o lo viejo que sean. También necesitamos reconocer que todos contribuyen a la familia de una manera u otra, podría ser financieramente, a través de la sabiduría, o simplemente trayendo una sonrisa a los rostros del otro.

Cada uno es valorado.”

Chris rara vez se queda quieto por mucho tiempo y no se imagina nunca desacelerando por completo. “Digo que nunca eres demasiado viejo para contribuir. A veces es la sabiduría que traes o es una nueva perspectiva que traes a la mesa lo que hace que el proyecto sea aún mejor. No te sientes diciendo “Ojalá me hubiera involucrado”. ¡Levántate y hazlo!

Otros lo respetarán por ello: su sabiduría, generada por la experiencia, es invaluable”. .

MONTBELLO IN THE NEWS

The Struggle of Love Foundation:

Showing Our Love to Save Our Lives

By Zilingo Nwuke

LaKeshia and Joel Hodge

It’s no surprise after 15

years of serving and supporting Denver communities, LaKeshia and Joel Hodge are providing “Sacks Of Love” through a drive-thru food pantry helping residents in need during this COVID-19 crisis.

Located in the Montbello community, the pantry operates Monday through Friday providing delivery service to Denver’s most vulnerable residents – the elderly and disabled – and anyone else in need.

Since March 14 the Struggle of Love (S.O.L.) founders have been organizing and operating this much needed service while hoping to decrease the spread of the virus. “I’d say we have seen more 20,000 people come through the food pantry,” said Executive Director LaKeshia Hodge.

Determined to make it happen, S.O.L. partnered with Food Bank of the Rockies, Families Forward Resource Center, Academy 360, Denver

Rescue Mission, Montbello Organizing Committee and the City and County of Denver.

Collectively, they have kept the pantry stocked, and with committed volunteers, maintained a delivery service.

LaKeshiaIt wasn’t easy at first. Lakeisha and husband Joel took on the task of operating and funding this undertaking by themselves – initially buying all the food.

The Hodges created Struggle of Love out of personal experiences with homelessness. They use that experience to help identify and offer services they feel would have been valuable to them during that extremely difficult time.

“Our goal is, and will always be, to give back to the community in areas of struggle,” said Founder Joel Hodge. “And what better way and time than now, to show love as this virus is ravaging through our communities and killing our people?”

As the food pantry started picking up and help was needed, they reached out to their sponsors who assisted in getting it where it is now.

“Things picked up pretty quickly. The need grew really fast, but with the volunteer base

and everybody just helping out, it has really been a smooth operation,” said LaKeshia. “I’m really appreciative of all the volunteers. They come every day; we can count on them!”

Out of concern and safety for everyone involved of contracting the virus, extensive safety measures are in place in the 3,000 square foot facility; allowing for adequate social distancing. All volunteers are provided with the proper PPE and the space is disinfected each night.

Individuals picking up food are not allowed in the building.

Sacks of Love are prepared with fresh produce (fruits and veggies), a variety of meats, bread, cakes, can goods, rice, and beans. And when available, water, milk and eggs are distributed. “It’s a simple process to receive a Sack of Love,” said LaKeshia. “Just drive up with a mask on, sign a simple questionnaire and a volunteer will load the food in the vehicle,” she said who is prepared to continue this “special pandemic” drive-thru food services as long as it’s needed.

The Hodge’s are not strangers to helping communities and giving back. The dynamic duo has been recognized locally and nationally as

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being a strong organization for community outreach.

In 2005, the nonprofit Struggle of Love was created to provide community awareness, involvement and social activities, for disadvantaged youth and families.

Since then, S.O.L. has been a tower of strength in the Park Hill, Montbello and Green Valley Ranch communities.

“We spread love. That’s what we do,” said LaKeshia Hodge, also the CEO, “So, whatever that looks like, meeting the needs of the people, whatever that may be, we try to be there to bridge the gaps and spread the love in our community.”

S.O.L. was built from the ground up. The Hodges’ made the right connections and made something out of nothing. It began as a fundraiser for the funeral for a family friend’s daughter and S.O.L. skyrocketed and turned nothing into noble.

What started out as a blessing for someone else also became a blessing for the Hodges.

LaKeshia and Joel met under difficult circumstances in 1999.

Having already experienced a hard life and finding a way out of it, they knew what people in these situations were going through and what was needed to help them.

MONTBELLO EN LAS NOTICIAS S.O.L. started with their annual Reach for Peace picnic 15 years ago and since then has added events annually. “We started with a community picnic that is now duplicated in other communities,” said Joel.

“We basically provide a “wraparound” service. Any service that we cannot provide through our organization we lean on our partners to fill in those gaps,” said LaKeshia. “Whatever we can’t do, we make sure that we can find a resource that will be able to assist the need that someone is experiencing.”

In addition to their most successful program, the Reach For Peace Picnic which draws 800 people every year, SOL provides a multitude of annual events or programs that are all either free or very affordable.

LaKeshia and Joel Hodge hopes to one day expand. “That goal is past, present and future.

We want to hire a team but

have been challenged with access to funding. So, the same goal that existed in the past, exist today and is going to exist in the future,” said LaKeshia.

“Our ultimate goal is to create a Love Center,” said Joel, “for youth who don’t integrate into rec centers well, don’t integrate at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, in other words, the forgotten youth. It would be a safe haven for them.”

There are always disadvantaged youth who are in need of some type of assistance and sadly, there will always be youth in this position. Fortunately, the Hodges are working to do something about it..

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know could use a “Sack of Love” stop by the food pantry 12000 E. 47th Ave. in Denver. To volunteer, donate or for more information about S.O.L., visit www.struggleoflovefoundation.org call 720- 3533399.

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ELECTED OFFICIALS SPEAK OUT - OFICIALES ELEGIDOS HABLAN

City Council & Denver to Deploy $20M in Emergency Relief Funding Support to Community; District 11 Community Happenings

By Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore It has been a couple of months since we have seen many of you in person due to COVID19 public health crisis, but my team and I are still as responsive to your emails, calls and inquiries as ever. Denver City Council has also been approving and advocating for more funding and resources to help our residents. On May 18th, Denver City Council approved an initial emergency allotment of $20 million in federal funds to support residents and businesses struggling with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are the city’s first deployment of approximately $126.8 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) dollars. If you like to read more about these funds, go here.

Here’s how these funds will be divided as part of Phase One: Housing Relief: $6.5 million to support rent and utility assistance ($4M) and mortgage assistance ($1M) programs and rehousing strategies ($1.5M) for those impacted by COVID19.

Food Assistance: $2 million to support food assistance programs, as well as city agencies conducting feeding programs for vulnerable populations, including Denver

Public Schools. These funds will also be used for sanitization and retrofitting of food pantries across the city.

Non-profit and Business Relief: $6.5 million to support grants to non-profits ($2.2M) and small businesses ($4.3M).

This is in addition to existing grants and relief funds provided by Denver’s office of Economic Development & Opportunity.

Public Health and Safety Needs: $5 million to support continued public health programs and safety needs, including widespread community testing, sanitizing equipment for businesses, non-profits and nursing homes and personal protective equipment.

Also, the City of Denver opened a FREE, large-scale COVID-19 drive-up testing site on the parking area of the Pepsi Center. Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who has been exposed to someone who tested positive can register to be tested, particularly if they don’t have access to a healthcare provider.

The City is requiring that people sign up online or call 31-1 before going to get tested.

Go here to register for testing and more information.

A big thank you to the Struggle of Love Foundation, Montbello Organizing Committee, Pam Jiner with Montbello 20/20, Derrick Watson from Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) and everyone who has been helping to distribute this food! We are also grateful for the partnership of Denver’s Emergency Opera-

tions Center (EOC), Partnership for a Healthier America and FreshPoint who are providing thousands of fresh and healthy food boxes for delivery to families in Montbello as part of the Fresh Food Fund.

Another bit of exciting news is Natural Grocers opened its Green Valley Ranch store on May 20th! You can visit the new store located at 18471 Green Valley Ranch Blvd., Denver, CO 80249, call 720842-7089, or visit their website: https://www.naturalgrocers.co m/store/green-valley-ranch.

The District 11 Office knows that navigating resources during this time is difficult, so we created a landing page to make it easier. Visit our landing page if you need resources for food distribution and delivery, housing, rent and utilities assistance, employment, mental health, financial assistance, personal safety, business support, resources for the undocumented community and immigrants, child and adult care, and even ideas for entertainment and free classes: https://mailchi.mp/denvergov/d istrict11-resources.

My District 11 office has continued reaching out to our residents, and especially our older adult population through phone banks, to connect them with vital services. We even celebrated Older Americans Month with our first virtual bingo event on May 14th, along with the Denver Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships’ Office on Aging, DenverConnect and the 2020 Census.

We still need to make time for fun even now! Thank you to Franklin Cruz for organizing the first Montbello Driveway

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Soul Train on May 3rd. It really lifted the community’s spirits as we danced from our driveways and balconies to DJ Celia Rose Herrera’s amazing music mixes.

Remember that this too shall pass and we are all in this together! If you need to reach to me please email me at Stacie.Gilmore@denvergov.org or call 720-337-7711. We have been sending our email newsletter every Wednesday with news and updates. If you would like to receive it, sign up here: Bit.Ly/2XaJSPG.Y

Ayuntamiento de Denver inyectará $20 millones en apoyo de financiamiento de emergencia a la comunidad; Eventos comunitarios del Distrito 11 Concejal Stacie Gilmore Han pasado varios meses desde que nos vimos en persona debido a la crisis de salud

ELECTED OFFICIALS SPEAK OUT - OFICIALES ELEGIDOS HABLAN pública de COVID-19, pero continuamos respondiendo a sus correos electrónicos, llamadas y consultas como siempre. El Ayuntamiento de Denver también ha aprobado y abogado por más fondos y recursos para ayudar a nuestros residentes. El 18 de mayo, el Ayuntamiento de Denver aprobó una asignación inicial de emergencia de $20 millones de dólares en fondos federales para apoyar a los residentes y empresas que han sido afectadas financieramente por el COVID-19. Estos fondos son solo una parte de $126.8 millones de dólares federales de la Ley de Ayuda, Alivio y Seguridad Económica (CARES Act). Si quiere leer más sobre estos fondos, vaya aquí.

A continuación, la primera fase de la división de fondos: Alivio para Vivienda: $6.5M para apoyar los programas de alquiler y asistencia de utilidades ($4M), asistencia hipotecaria ($1M) y estrategias de realojamiento ($1.5M).

Asistencia Alimentaria: $2M para los programas de asistencia alimentaria, agencias de la ciudad con programas alimentarios para poblaciones vulnerables, incluyendo las Escuelas Públicas de Denver. Estos fondos también se utilizarán para la desinfección y el reacondicionamiento de despensas de alimentos.

Organizaciones Sin Fines de Lucro y Negocios: $6.5M en becas para organizaciones sin fines de lucro ($2.2M) y pequeñas empresas ($4.3M).

Esto se suma a las existentes y los fondos de emergencia de la

oficina de Desarrollo Económico y Oportunidad de Denver.

Necesidades de Salud Pública y Seguridad: $5M para la continuación de programas de salud pública y necesidades de seguridad, pruebas comunitarias generalizadas, equipos desinfectantes para empresas, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y residencias de ancianos y equipos de protección personal.

Además, Denver abrió un sitio de pruebas COVID-19 gratuito en el área de estacionamiento del Pepsi Center.

Cualquier persona que tenga síntomas de COVID-19 o haya estado expuesto a al virus puede registrarse para tomar la prueba, aunque no tenga acceso a un proveedor de atención médica o seguro médico.

La ciudad está requiriendo que las personas se registren en línea o llamen al 3-1-1 antes de ir a hacerse la prueba. Vaya aquí para registrarse para las pruebas y más información. ¡Mil gracias a Struggle of Love Foundation, el Comité Organizador de Montbello, Pam Jiner con Montbello 20/20, Derrick Watson de la oficina de Desarrollo Económico & Oportunidad y todos los que han ayudado a distribuir comida! Estamos bien agradecidos por la colaboración entre el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia de Denver (EOC), Partnership for a Healthier America y FreshPoint por las miles de cajas de alimentos saludables para las familias en Montbello como parte del Fondo de Alimentos Frescos. ¡Otra noticia emocionante es que el supermercado Natural Grocers abrió su tienda en Green Valley Ranch! Visítelos en 18471 Boulevard Green Valley Ranch Blvd., Denver, CO 80249, llame al 720-842-

7089, o acceda a: https://www.naturalgrocers.co m/store/green-valley-ranch.

En nuestra oficina sabemos que buscar recursos es difícil, por esto creamos una página web. Acceda a nuestra página si necesita recursos para la distribución y entrega de alimentos, vivienda, alquiler y asistencia de utilidades, empleo, salud mental, asistencia financiera, seguridad personal, apoyo empresarial, recursos para la comunidad indocumentada e inmigrante, cuidado de niños y adultos, e ideas para entretenimiento: https://mailchi.mp/denvergov/district11resources.

Mi oficina también se ha comunicado con nuestros residentes, en especial con la población adulta mayor a través de bancos telefónicos para conectarlos con servicios.

En mayo, celebramos el Mes de las Personas Mayores con el primer evento de bingo virtual, junto con la Oficina de Envejecimiento de la Agencia de Derechos Humanos y Asociaciones Comunitarias de Denver, DenverConnect y el Censo 2020. ¡Y claro que hay que sacar tiempo para la diversión, especialmente ahora! Gracias a Franklin Cruz por organizar la primera fiesta callejera andante Montbello Driveway Soul Train el 3 de mayo. Este evento levantó el espíritu de la comunidad mientras bailamos desde nuestras entradas y balcones con DJ Celia Rose Herrera. ¡Recuerde que lo que estamos viviendo también pasará y todos estamos pasando por lo mismo! Si necesita comunicarse conmigo, envíeme un correo electrónico a Stacie.Gilmore@DenverGov.org o llame al 720-337-7711. Hemos es-

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tado enviando nuestro boletín de noticias por correo electrónico todos los miércoles. ¿Desea recibirlo? Regístrese: Bit.Ly/2XaJSPG.Y

Celebrating 2020 Graduates

By James R. Coleman, State Representative House Majority Co-Whip State of Colorado, House District 7 One of the many, many difficult parts of the COVID19 pandemic has been the canceling of so many graduation ceremonies and celebrations, meant to honor the many outstanding, deserving graduates in the Class of 2020. My heart goes out to all these young men and women who have worked so hard to get where they are, and are not able to enjoy the celebrations and recognition they deserve.

Well, I wanted to take a moment to send a message to these graduates - if you are not one yourself, will you please make sure any you know get this message from their very proud representative?

Graduates: whether you are receiving a high school, college, or post-graduate degree, know what an incredibly huge milestone this is, and how incredibly proud I am of you.

Though I don’t know all of you personally, know that I am aware of the obstacles that so often stand in the way, the mountains many of you have had to climb, the hardships overcome to get where you are today. I do know from personal experience how difficult some of these obstacles can be - and

ELECTED OFFICIALS SPEAK OUT - OFICIALES ELEGIDOS HABLAN how difficult school can be in general! No matter your journey, you have achieved an enormous accomplishment, and no lack of official graduation ceremony or party can take that away from you. As a graduate, you have worked hard, persevered, and accomplished an amazing feat. The future is bright for all of you, and I personally cannot wait to see all that this year’s graduating class will go on to do.

Our state, our country, and our world need your leadership now more than ever. One of the main reasons I still have hope for the future is because of my interactions with many of you you ALL have the potential to change the world, and I have no doubt you will.

So though this May probably looks very different than you all expected, don’t let it stop you from being incredibly proud of yourself - and CELEBRATING! The celebrations will look different, but take the time to truly soak in all that you’ve accomplished and enjoy the rewards and honors!

Celebrate with your family, reach out to friends. Take a breath, and know there WILL be many, many more moments of celebration in your future, where you will be able to gather in-person.

In the meantime I encourage you to learn all you can from this experience, and then move on to the next adventure with more determination, strength, grit, and pride. You all will be better equipped to handle life’s curveballs after this - and will have some very interesting stories to tell!

Know that I am personally celebrating you all from afar in this season, and look forward to connecting with many of

of HOPE in this time, Pastor Hughes. We are deeply grateful for you, and continue to wish you a full and speedy recovery.

Much love.Y

Celebrando a Los Graduados de 2020

you in-person again when we are able. Never hesitate to reach out to me directly (colemanforcolorado@gmail.com), whenever.

Additionally, I wanted to take a moment here to point to the miraculous story of my friend, Pastor Terrance Hughes. After 7 weeks on a ventilator, he has recovered from COVID-19! His story is an amazing one - that we could all use especially right now!

This virus will not win. There is hope.

According to Pastor Hughes, the hospital staff where he stayed for 7 weeks referred to him as their miracle - meaning they couldn’t ignore the something-powerful that kept our friend going. It’s easy to understand why it’s appropriate to refer to Pastor Hughes journey as a miracle: After severe, COVID-related lung failure and being in a coma with seven full weeks of breathing only with the assistance of a ventilator, Pastor “Big T” Hughes is now breathing on his own and HOME. Many of you may already know Big T personally – but if you don’t, I would encourage you to seek him out (when we are able to safely gather in person again!). Not only because of his encouraging story, but because of the beautiful, exem-

plary life he has led: he is a civil rights leader in our local community, and co-pastor of New Covenant Christian Church/Alpha Omega Ministries Disciples of Christ. He was also a candidate for my current seat in the state, House District 7 until the virus struck him in early March. My own life personally has been deeply impacted by Pastor Hughes, as he has pushed me to live out my faith in more meaningful ways, showing me what it looks like to live out God’s love daily in our community, especially when it comes to serving and advocating for our most vulnerable members.

Pastor Hughes is an example for ALL of us, especially in this moment - he is an encouraging example of life overcoming death, certainly - but mostly because of who he is and the life he leads every day.

He is a true leader because he serves first and foremost, he loves selflessly, and he is always ready to advocate tirelessly for all of us in his community. I am thankful he has and will continue to show us how to live selfless, authentic lives. Take a minute to reach out and thank him and share words of love and encouragement, whether you know him personally or not.

Thank you for reminding us

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Por James R. Coleman, Representante de la Cámara Estatal de Colorado, Co-Whip de la Mayoría del Estado de Colorado, Distrito 7 de la Cámara.

Una de las muchas, muchas partes difíciles de la pandemia de COVID-19 ha sido la cancelación de tantas ceremonias de graduación y celebraciones, destinadas a honrar a los muchos graduados destacados y merecedores de la Clase de 2020.

Mi corazón está con todos estos jóvenes y mujeres que han trabajado tan duro para llegar a donde están, y no pueden disfrutar de las celebraciones y el reconocimiento que se merecen. Bueno, quería tomarme un momento para enviar un mensaje a estos graduados. Si usted no es uno, ¿se asegurará de que alguien que conozca reciba este mensaje de su orgulloso representante?

Graduados: Ya sea que usteded esten recibiendo un título de secundaria, universidad o postgrado, sepan qué enorme hito es esto, y lo increíblemente orgulloso que estoy de ustedes. Aunque no conozco a todos ustedes personalmente, sepan que soy consciente de los obstáculos que tan a menudo se interponen en el camino, las montañas que muchos de ustedes han tenido que subir, y las dificultades se

ELECTED OFFICIALS SPEAK OUT - OFICIALES ELEGIDOS HABLAN superan para llegar a donde están hoy. Sé por experiencia personal lo difícil que pueden ser algunos de estos obstáculos - ¡y lo difícil que puede ser la escuela en general! No importa su viaje, usted ha logrado un enorme logro, y ninguna falta de ceremonia oficial de graduación o fiesta puede quitarte eso. Como graduado, han trabajado duro, perseverado y logrado una hazaña increíble. El futuro es brillante para todos ustedes, y personalmente no puedo esperar a ver todo lo que la clase de graduación de este año va a hacer. Nuestro estado, nuestro país y nuestro mundo necesitan su liderazgo ahora más que nunca. Una de las principales razones por las que todavía tengo esperanza para el futuro es debido a mis interacciones con muchos de ustedes - TODOS ustedes tienen el potencial de cambiar el mundo, y no tengo ninguna duda de que lo harán.

Entonces, aunque este mes de mayo probablemente se vea muy diferente de lo que todos esperaban, no dejen que les impida estar increíblemente orgullosos de sí mismos - ¡y CELEBRAR! ¡Las celebraciones se verán diferentes, pero tómese el tiempo para empaparse de todo lo que ha logrado y disfrutar de las recompensas y los honores! Celebre con su familia, comuníquese con amigos. Tome un respiro y sepa que HABRÁ muchos, muchos más momentos de celebración en su futuro, donde podrá reunirse en persona.

Mientras tanto, te animo a que aprendas todo lo que puedas de esta experiencia, y luego pases a la próxima aventura con más determinación, fuerza, valor y orgullo. Todos

estarán mejor equipados para manejar las curvas de la vida después de esto - ¡y tendrán algunas historias muy interesantes que contar!

Sepa que personalmente los estoy celebrando desde lejos en esta temporada, y espero conectarme con muchos de ustedes en persona nuevamente cuando podamos. Nunca dudes en contactarme directamente (colemanforcolorado@gmail.com), cuando sea.

Además, quería tomarme un momento aquí para señalar la historia milagrosa de mi amigo, el Pastor Terrance Hughes. ¡Después de 7 semanas con un ventilador, se ha recuperado de COVID-19! Su historia es asombrosa - ¡que todos podríamos usar especialmente ahora mismo! Este virus no ganará. Hay esperanza.

Según el Pastor Hughes, el personal del hospital donde permaneció durante 7 semanas se refirió a él como su milagro, lo que significa que no podían ignorar algo-poderoso que mantuvo a nuestro amigo en marcha. Es fácil entender por qué es apropiado referirse al viaje del Pastor Hughes como un milagro: Después de una insuficiencia pulmonar severa relacionada con COVID y estar en coma con siete semanas completas de respiración solo con la ayuda de un ventilador, el Pastor “Grande T” Hughes ahora está respirando solo y en la CASA. Es posible que muchos de ustedes ya conozcan a Grande T personalmente, pero si no lo hacen, les animo a que lo busquen (¡cuando podamos reunirnos en persona de forma segura nuevamente!). No solo por su historia alentadora, sino también por la vida hermosa y

ejemplar que ha llevado: es un líder de derechos civiles en nuestra comunidad local y copastor de la Iglesia Cristiana del Nuevo Pacto / Discípulos de los Ministerios Alpha Omega de Cristo. También fue candidato para mi puesto actual en el estado, Distrito 7 de la Cámara hasta que el virus lo golpeó a principios de marzo.

Mi propia vida se ha impactado por el Pastor Hughes profundamente, ya que me ha empujado a vivir mi fe de maneras más significativas, mostrándome cómo es vivir el amor de Dios diariamente en nuestra comunidad, especialmente cuando se trata de servir y abogar por nuestros miembros más vulnerables.

El Pastor Hughes es un ejemplo para TODOS nosotros, especialmente en este momento, es un ejemplo alentador de la vida

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superando la muerte, sin duda pero principalmente por quién es y la vida que lleva todos los días. Es un verdadero líder porque sirve en primer lugar, ama desinteresadamente y siempre está dispuesto a abogar incansablemente por todos nosotros en su comunidad.

Estoy agradecido de que lo haya hecho y seguirá mostrándonos cómo vivir una vida desinteresada y auténtica. Tómese un minuto para acercarse y agradecerle y compartir palabras de amor y aliento, ya sea que lo conozca personalmente o no.

Gracias por recordarnos de la ESPERANZA en este momento, Pastor Hughes. Estamos profundamente agradecidos por usted y seguimos deseándole una recuperación completa y rápida.

Mucho amor.Y

VOICES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD - VOCES DEL BARRIO

School Celebrations Held Throughout the Far Northeast

By Samantha Silver, Regional Communications Specialist Denver Public Schools

Schools across the Far

in enthusiastically from their front yards — waving signs, playing music and dressing up in school gear. “I left with my teacher heart full, and my people heart even fuller,” said John H. Amesse teacher, Jeffrey McMahon.

Northeast won’t let anything get in the way of celebrating the end of the school year with their students. From car parades and caravans to yard signs, music and megaphones, school communities have made it a priority to celebrate their students to the fullest.

Northeast Early College It’s not every day that the school principal makes house calls, but on May 1, Principal

John H. Amesse Elementary Honks and cheers could be heard from Peoria to Uvalda Street as teachers and staff from John H. Amesse Elementary embarked on a car parade on April 24 that looped the neighborhood streets surrounding the school. Staff and teachers taped signs to their cars, painted messages on windows and gave plenty of social-distance air hugs to students and families as they paraded past.

Students and families joined

Stacy Parrish arrived at her seniors’ homes with a special delivery — custom yard signs for the Class of 2020.

Recapping the experience, principal Parrish wrote, “Loved seeing our graduates today as we dropped off their yard signs! We know your senior year is like no other, so small things like this are reminders to you that we miss you, love you, and are so proud of you! Hoooowwwwwllll!!!!”

Northeast Early College is now preparing for their interactive, virtual graduation on

May 26, during which they will unveil a special graduation video created for the students.

Collegiate Prep Academy (CPA) On May 1, staff members from Collegiate Prep Academy pulled up to the CPA parking lot in decorated cars — prepped with signs, music and plenty of energy before heading out to bring a celebration straight to their students.

The school community organized a Senior Caravan Celebration to honor graduating seniors, and in a long (and loud) parade of cars, drove by the homes of Class of 2020 seniors, stopping to deliver yard signs and wishing them all the best during their final weeks of school.

“Senior year of high school is such a defining moment, one that I think most of us have taken for granted,” said Neisa Lynch, CPA principal. “This is our way of acknowledging students’ hard work, and hopefully bringing a bit of joy and happiness during these hard times.”

The staff at Collegiate Prep Academy was at it again on May 15, decked out in CPA gear and radiating school spirit, this time to pull off an epic drive-through graduation ceremony for their seniors. Graduates circled the grounds as graduation music pumped through the speakers and balloon towers swayed in the breeze.

Instead of walking across a stage, students were announced

by Principal Lynch while Board of Education member Tay Anderson handed out diplomas through car windows. CPA staff made sure it was a true celebration of their students, right down to the pre-

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packaged slices of graduation cake.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College (DMLK) What usually serves as a parking lot turned into a celebratory drive-through on May 8 — brightly decorated with balloons, signs and teachers dancing to the music. Graduating seniors weaved through the lanes to pick up their cap, gown and other small gifts as teachers and staff cheered them on.

“It’s important to remind our seniors that we have not forgotten about them and all the accomplishments they have had. We know this is hard, but at the end of the day, we always say we’re family. Family doesn’t forget about each other, and we don’t do things small,” said Principal Kimberly Grayson. “We’re all in this together.

It means the world to them to know that. Today was awesome.”

Students then donned their caps and gowns for impromptu graduation photos set up by Denverite photographer, Kevin Beaty. The celebration spilled over into the airwaves, as Denver radio station KS 107.5 gave shoutouts to graduating seniors between songs.

The Senior Drive-Through took the place of DMLK’s traditional Senior Check-Out Day and is one of many events that will round out the school year.

Seniors were celebrated for their postsecondary plans with an online Senior Signing Day on May 15 and DMLK’s official, virtual graduation ceremony was streamed live 7 p.m. May 26. DMLK eighthgraders were also celebrated with an online Continuation Day on May 21.

VOICES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD - VOCES DEL BARRIO Noel Community Arts School Students and families traded clapping for honking at the Noel Community Arts School graduation on May 18. Set up like a drive-in movie, students parked their decorated cars in rows and then sat patiently for their name to be called- making the experience not so different from a traditional ceremony. Students practiced social distancing as they crossed the stage, receiving their diploma and congratulations from Board of Education members Tay Anderson and Jennifer Bacon.

DCIS at Montbello Seniors smiled for the camera as they drove through their decorated parking lot during Senior Checkout Day at DCIS Montbello. School staff was on hand to present the students with senior swag bags and snap photos with a custom-made Class of 2020 photo frame.

Board of Education member Tay Anderson was also present and captured a well-earned, celebratory cap toss — serving as a perfect end to the day.

The official virtual graduation ceremony for DCIS at Montbello was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 26. DCIS at Montbello eighth-graders and their families were also celebrated during an online Continuation event on May 19.

Although graduation and end-of-the-year celebrations look a bit different this year, there’s no stopping our school communities when it comes to lifting up our students. Congratulations to the Class of 2020, and to all students. Thank you for your resilience, your patience and your optimism during an otherwise extremely trying time. We are so proud of each and every one of you!

Celebraciones Escolares Realizadas Atravez del Nordeste Lejano

Northeast Early College – Colegio Temprano del Nordeste

Presentado por Escuelas Públicas de Denver

Las escuelas a través del

Nordeste Lejano no dejarán que nada se interponga para celebrar el final del año escolar con sus estudiantes. Desde desfiles de coches y caravanas, a letreros del patio, música y megáfonos, las comunidades escolares han hecho una prioridad de celebrar a sus estudiantes al al máximo.

John H. Amesse Elementary – Escuela Primaria de John H. Amesse Se escucharon bocinazos y vítores de la calle Peoria a la calle Uvalda cuando los maestros y el personal de la Escuela Primaria de John H. Amesse se embarcaron en un desfile de autos el 24 de abril que recorrió las calles del vecindario que rodean la escuela. El personal y los maestros pegaron letreros en sus autos, pintaron mensajes en las ventanas y dieron muchos abrazos aéreos a distancia social a estudiantes y familias mientras desfilaban.

Los estudiantes y las familias se unieron con entusiasmo desde sus patios — agitando carteles, tocando música y vistiéndose con ropa escolar. “Me fui con el corazón de un maestro lleno, y el corazón de mi gente aún más lleno”, dijo el profesor de John H. Amesse, Jeffrey McMahon.

No es cada día que el principal escolar hace llamadas de casa, pero el 1 de mayo, el principal Stacy Parrish llegó a las casas de sus estudiantes mayores con una entrega especial — letreros de patio personalizados para la Clase de 2020.

Recapitulando la experiencia, el director Parrish escribió: “¡Me encantó ver a nuestros graduados hoy mientras dejamos sus letreros de patio! Sabemos que su último año no es como ningún otro, así que las pequeñas cosas como esta son recordatorios para ustedes de que ¡los extrañamos, los amamos y estamos tan orgullosos de ustedes! ¡Huuurraaaa!!!!”

Northeast Early College se está preparando ahora para su graduación virtual interactiva el 26 de mayo, durante la cual presentarán un video especial de graduación creado para los estudiantes.

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Collegiate Prep Academy (CPA) – Academia Colegial de Preparación (CPA) El 1 de mayo, los miembros del personal de Collegiate Prep Academy llegaron al estacionamiento de CPA en automóviles decorados — preparados con letreros, música y mucha energía antes de salir para llevar una celebración directamente a sus estudiantes.

La comunidad escolar organizó una Celebración de Caravanas para los estudiantes mayores en honor a los graduados de último año, y en un largo (y ruidoso) desfile de autos, condujo por las casas de los estudiantes mayores de la Clase de 2020, deteniéndose para entregar letreros de patio y deseándoles lo mejor durante sus últimas semanas de la escuela.

“El último año de la escuela secundaria es un momento tan decisivo, uno que pienso la mayor parte de nosotros han dado por supuesto”, dijo Neisa Lynch, principal de CPA. “Esta es nuestra manera de reconocer el arduo trabajo de los alumnos y, con suerte, traer un poco de gozo y felicidad durante estos tiempos difíciles”.

El personal de Collegiate Prep Academy volvieron de nuevo a ella el 15 de mayo, engalanados con equipo de CPA y irradiando el espíritu escolar, esta vez para llevar a cabo una ceremonia épica de graduación para sus estudiandes mayores.

Los graduados rodearon los terrenos mientras la música de graduación bombeaba a través de los altavoces y las torres de globos se balanceaban en la brisa.

En lugar de caminar por un escenario, los estudiantes fueron anunciados por el director Continued on page 10

VOICES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD - VOCES DEL BARRIO School Celebrations Continued from page 9

Lynch mientras que el miembro de la Junta de Educación, Tay Anderson, entregó diplomas a través de ventanas de automóviles. El personal de CPA se aseguró de que fuera una verdadera celebración de sus estudiantes, hasta las rebanadas preempaquetadas de pastel de graduación.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College (DMLK) – Colegio Temprano de Dr. Martin Luther King, Hijo, (DMLK) Lo que normalmente sirve como un estacionamiento se convirtió en un paseo en coche celebratorio el 8 de mayo, decorado con globos, letreros y maestros bailando a la música.

Los graduados mayores se entrelazaron a través de los carriles para recoger su gorra, bata y otros regalos pequeños mientras los maestros y el personal los animaban.

“Es importante recordarle a nuestros estudiantes mayores que no nos hemos olvidado de ellos y de todos los logros que han tenido. Sabemos que esto es difícil, pero al final del día, siempre decimos que somos familia. La familia no se olvida el uno del otro, y no hacemos cosas pequeñas”, dijo la directora Kimberly Grayson. “Estamos todos juntos en esto.

Significa el mundo para ellos saber eso. Hoy fue increíble”.

Los estudiantes luego se pusieron sus gorras y batas para las fotos de graduación improvisadas, creadas por el fotógrafo de Denver, Kevin Beaty.

La celebración se extendió sobre las ondas, mientras la es-

mayo. Establecidos como un autocinema, los estudiantes aparcaron sus coches decorados en filas y luego se sentaron pacientemente para que su nombre fuera llamado- haciendo que la experiencia no fuera tan diferente de una ceremonia tradicional. Los estudiantes practicaron el distanciamiento social al cruzar el escenario, recibiendo su diploma y felicitaciones de los miembros de la Junta de Educación, Tay Anderson y Jennifer Bacon.

Noel Community Arts School – Escuela de Artes Comunitarias de Noel

DCIS at Montbello – DCIS en Montbello Los estudiantes mayores sonrieron a la cámara mientras atravesaban su estacionamiento decorado durante el Día de Salida para Mayores en DCIS Montbello. El personal de la escuela estuvo presente para

Junta de Educación, Tay Anderson, también estuvo presente y capturó un merecido lanzamiento de gorro de celebración, que sirvió como un final perfecto para el día.

La ceremonia oficial de graduación virtual para DCIS en Montbello estaba programada para las 5:30 p.m. el 26 de mayo. Los alumnos del octavo grado de DCIS en Montbello y sus familias también se celebraron durante un evento de Continuación en línea el 19 de mayo.

Aunque las celebraciones de graduación y de fin de año se ven un poco diferentes este año, no hay forma de detener a nuestras comunidades escolares cuando se trata de levantar a nuestros estudiantes.

Felicitaciones a la clase de 2020, y a todos los estudiantes.

Gracias por su resistencia, su

Los estudiantes y familias cambiaron los aplausos por tocar la bocina del coche en la graduación de Noel Community Arts School el 18 de

presentarles a los estudiantes bolsas de botín para mayores y tomar fotos con un marco de fotos personalizado de la Clase de 2020. El miembro de la

paciencia y su optimismo durante un tiempo extremadamente difícil. ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de todos y cada uno de ustedes!Y

tación de radio de Denver KS 107.5 daba saludos a los mayores graduados entre canciones.

El Paseo por Las Calles de los Mayores tomó el lugar del tradicional Día de Salida de los Mayores de DMLK y es uno de los muchos eventos que completarán el año escolar. Los mayores fueron celebrados por sus planes postsecundarios con un Día de Firma de los Mayores en línea el 15 de mayo y la ceremonia de graduación virtual oficial de DMLK se transmitió en vivo a las 7 p.m. el 26 de mayo. Los alumnos de octavo grado de DMLK también se celebraron con un Día de Continuación en línea el 21 de mayo.

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VOICES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD - VOCES DEL BARRIO

Proud Montbello Grandmother Celebrates College Graduate Grandchildren

By Ann White Montbello Resident and Co-Director, Montbello 2020

Jelani White is a recent graduate of Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. Jelani chose this major out of his lifelong love and curiosity for computers as well as the many opportunities this unique major provided him. Broad in scope, the Software Engineering curriculum exposed Jelani to requirements management, project management, prototype development, and User Interface development. Throughout his college career, he was able to work on projects in various diverse fields given the wide use of computers and programs in today’s world. In his junior year, he took a course called Application Domain where he learned the ins and outs of the finance industry, allowing him and his teammates to create software similar to QuickBooks where one could enter financial data and get reports on the company’s performance by the quarter or by the fiscal year. It was this class that really opened up Jelani’s eyes to the many jobs and possibilities available to his degree.

There is a high demand for software development consulting and advising for CEOs and business professionals. Jelani currently freelances for his

mom’s furniture dealership, providing IT services and consulting for her and her employees. He also designs websites and provides technical consulting to others that are referred to him for help. In the future, he plans to start his own technology consulting firm, helping others in the same way he’s helped his mom with her technology needs. In his free time, he takes courses to further his technological skillset and stay abreast of the newest developments in the field. He’s currently deciding whether he would like to continue his freelancing business or join the corporate world at a tech company. Either way he is excited to have the freedom of choice while pursuing his passion, the world of technology.

Journey White is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Engineering Management. During her time at Vanderbilt she was involved in

various activities and organizations. She participated in Vanderbilt’s premiere cultural showcases such as Café con Leche for Latin American culture and Harambee for African culture as both a dancer and a choreographer, working to spread cultural awareness to her peers. She studied abroad in Madrid, Spain during her junior year which inspired her to work at Vanderbilt’s Global Education Office as a peer advisor where she led info sessions and coached students on how to create their study abroad experience. Additionally, she volunteered as a V-squared mentor, advising first year Biomedical Engineering students on coursework, research, and other opportunities at Vanderbilt and beyond. Notably, she was an intern in Councilwoman Gilmore’s office in summer, 2019. Her most recent passion project was for senior design for which she collaborated with three other classmates to build a Head Rotational Tremor Alert Device for a young girl with Complex Motor Stereotypy, a condition that causes unconscious ticks and tremors. This device enabled the girl to control the effects of her condition to reduce the resulting social isolation she felt from her peers. This project has helped set the tone for the work she wants to do in the future: working in Clinical research and/or as a Clinical Specialist in Medical Devices.

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Sharlie Janae Goodson holds a strong fundamental belief that education is a basic human right and she operates with the hope of ensuring that all children are guaranteed a quality education no matter their race, religion or socioeconomic status. Her passions include race issues, politics, education and social justice.

Sharlie exemplifies her commitment when she says, “I am charged with the goal to help move our society towards educational equality, and believe the way to do so is through meaningful, educated, and thoughtful policy.”

Graduating May 2020 from Georgetown University Washington DC. with a Master of Arts - MA, Education, she has a concentration in advocacy and policy. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities with a minor in Education and a concentration in Human Rights, Communications and modern Languages.Y Editor’s note: Jelani & Journey are the son and daughter of Mason & Lisa White of College Park, Georgia and Sharlie is the daughter of Michael & Iris Goodson of Conyers, GeorGeorgia. All three are the grandgrandchildren of Ms. Ann White of Montbello.

VOICES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD - VOCES DEL BARRIO

School At Home – Supporting Parents Acting As Teachers

By Mary Ann Bash, Founder and Executive Director of Parents for Parity Parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have always been children’s teachers of life’s most important lessons. Now homes are classrooms and relatives are expected to teach academic lessons too without ever having studied how to teach reading, math and science.

At first supportive calls from teachers were appreciated. But the longer families have been safe-at-home teachers, the more concerned they’ve become with how well they are teaching what their children need to know to be on grade level.

Each One Teach One (EOTO) lessons at Marie L. Greenwood Academy are helping children and their parents keep their brains growing and having fun while they are learning. Have you been watching the interpreters for the deaf signing behind leaders when they tell us about the coronavirus? First grader Cesar has and he’s watching to see some American Sign Language (ASL) signs, numbers, letters he knows. Because Cesar and his family watch Ms. Stephanie’s ASL Google lessons made just for them, they learn math, spelling and how to introduce themselves to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. ASL is helping their brains AND hearts grow bigger!

Although school buildings are closed, parents, students and staff are helping the Marie

Photos by Terri Baldwin

well and parents breathe in the joy of a productive day of teaching their children all they need to know when schools reopen – they are loved, they are capable and learning is everywhere!

Looking for educational ideas to do at home, check out these sites: https://www.dpsk12.org/coronavirus/at-home-activities/ https://denver.kidsoutandabout.com/content/1000things-do-during-covid-19-onli ne-activities-kids-teens-families-and-adults

Escuela En La Casa – Apoyando A Los Padres Que Actúan Como Maestros L. Greenwood Academy garden thrive so it can produce food for people in Montbello who are hungry. Parent Evelia Soriano studied Mrs. Greenwood’s autobiography and learned that when she was six years old in 1918, schools were closed for six months because of the Spanish flu. But her family had food to eat because her mother tended her large garden and her dad raised chickens and rabbits for meat.

Now the Soriano family of five and 19 other families are growing tomatoes, chili and sweet peppers, basil and broccoli in their backyards or containers with plants donated by Denver Urban Gardens. The Plazola and Morales families are growing their own food AND growing their brains by learning botany, biology and environmental science and having fun through hands-on gardening at school where we can be safe, masked and 6’ apart.

Since gardening is new for many of our families, EOTO gardeners participate in online Cooking Matters “Cooking with Kids” Google classes, a fun way to practice math lessons while preparing healthy meals kids like!

For students whose happy place is doing art, EOTO sends home canvases and paint supplies for them to create inspired works for our garden.

We invite you to come to 5130 Durham Ct., sit on a bench and soak up the peace of the garden’s natural beauty and the students’ art.

After a full day of learning and growing together, EOTO families begin to wind down with www.bedtimeinabox.org nighttime rituals – the digital clock signals the time for a relaxing bath with floating stickon letters and numbers, Firefly timed tooth brushing, and a quiet reading of beautiful bedtime books. Children sleep

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Por Mary Ann Bash, Fundadora y Directora Ejecutiva de Parents for Parity Los padres, hermanos, abuelos, tías, tíos y primos siempre han sido los maestros de las lecciones más importantes de la vida de los niños. Ahora los hogares son aulas y se espera que los familiares también enseñen lecciones académicas sin haber estudiado cómo enseñar lectura, matemáticas y ciencias.

Al principio, se agradecieron las llamadas de apoyo de los maestros. Pero cuanto más tiempo las familias han sido maestras seguras en el hogar, más preocupados están con lo bien que están enseñando lo que sus hijos necesitan saber para estar a nivel de grado.

Cada lección de Each One Teach One (EOTO) - (Cada Uno Enseña A Uno), en la Academia Marie L. Greenwood, está ayudando a los niños y a sus padres a mantener sus cere-

VOICES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD - VOCES DEL BARRIO bros creciendo y divirtiéndose mientras aprenden. ¿Has estado mirando a los intérpretes para los sordos que hacen señas detrás de los líderes cuando nos cuentan sobre el coronavirus? César, de primer grado, ha estado y está mirando para ver algunos signos, números y letras del lenguaje de señas americano (ASL) que conoce. Debido a que César y su familia ven las lecciones de ASL de Google por la Sra. Stephanie hechas solo para ellos, aprenden matemáticas, ortografía y cómo presentarse a las personas sordas o con problemas de audición. ¡ASL está ayudando a sus cerebros Y corazones a crecer!

Aunque los edificios escolares están cerrados, los padres, los estudiantes y el personal están ayudando a que el jardín de la Academia Marie L. Greenwood prospere para que pueda producir alimentos para las personas en Montbello que tienen hambre. La madre Evelia Soriano estudió la autobiografía de la Sra. Greenwood y supo que cuando tenía seis años en 1918, las escuelas cerraron durante seis meses debido a la gripe española. Pero su familia tenía comida para comer porque su madre cuidaba su gran jardín y su padre criaba pollos y conejos para comer carne. Ahora la familia Soriano de cinco y 19 otras familias cultiva tomates, chile y pimientos dulces, albahaca y brócoli en sus patios traseros o en contenedores con plantas donadas por Denver Urban Gardens. Las familias Plazola y Morales están cultivando su propia comida Y sus cerebros aprendiendo botánica, biología y ciencias ambientales, y divirtiéndose a través de la jardinería práctica en la escuela

donde podemos estar seguros, enmascarados y separados por 6 pies.

Dado que la jardinería es nueva para muchas de nuestras familias, los jardineros de EOTO participan en las clases de Google “Cooking with Kids”, de Cooking Matters en línea — ¡una forma divertida de practicar lecciones de matemáticas mientras preparan comidas saludables para los niños!

Para los estudiantes cuyo lugar feliz es hacer arte, EOTO envía lienzos a casa y suministros de pintura para que puedan crear obras inspiradas para nuestro jardín. Te invitamos a venir a 5130 Durham Ct., sentarte en un banco y disfrutar de la paz de la belleza natural del jardín y el arte de los estudiantes.

Después de un día completo de aprendizaje y crecimiento juntos, las familias de EOTO comienzan a relajarse con www.bedtimeinabox.org rituales nocturnos – el reloj digital señala la hora de un baño relajante con letras y números flotantes, el cepillado de dientes programado por Firefly y una lectura tranquila de hermosos libros para dormir. Los niños duermen bien y los padres respiran la alegría de un día productivo de enseñar a sus hijos todo lo que necesitan saber cuando vuelven a abrir las escuelas: ¡son amados, son capaces y el aprendizaje está en todas partes!

En busca de ideas educativas para hacer en casa, consulte estos sitios: https://www.dpsk12.org/coronavirus/at-home-activities/ https://denver.kidsoutandabout.com/content/1000things-do-during-covid-19-onli ne-activities-kids-teens-families-and-adults

John H. Amesse Elementary Student Gives Back

dedicated and committed spirit toward getting the job done-without complaint!

Thank you, Marcus! Montbello appreciates you!

Estudiante de Primaria John H. Amesse Ayuda Donde Puede

Third-grader Marcus Jiner, or “MagicMarcus” as he is known in the community, has been serving seniors in Montbello for three years through the Montbello Walks program. Throughout the past month, Marcus has continued to help out where he can by assisting with food pickup and delivery to seniors.

He’s now 8 and it’s apparent that he enjoys doing good works - no matter how hard it is at times. He manages to get the job done, takes breaks to laugh, joke, run around and play. But when he’s needed he’s there! For his untiring service, this young man has received special recognition for his contribution and assistance with food pickup and delivery to seniors.

Ms. Ann White, President of Montbello2020, a Registered Neighborhood Organization, recently recognized Marcus as an “Outstanding Community Youth Volunteer.” Ms. Ann noted that “Marcus Jiner has been a visible youth presence throughout Montbello for the past 3 years. He is a cheerful community servant working to Feed our Seniors and he is always willing to assist wherever he is needed.” MagicMarcus is a public servant — a born leader and provider. He has such a great,

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Marcus Jiner del tercer grado, o “MagicMarcus”, como se le conoce en la comunidad, ha estado sirviendo a personas de la tercera edad en Montbello durante tres años a través del programa Montbello Walks. Durante el mes pasado, Marcus ha continuado a ayudar donde puede y sigue asistiendo con la recogida y entrega de alimentos a las personas mayores.

Ahora tiene 8 años y es evidente que le gusta hacer buenos trabajos, no importa lo difícil que sea a veces. Se las arregla para hacer el trabajo, toma descansos para reír, bromear, correr y jugar.

Pero cuando lo necesitan, ¡está allí! Por su incansable servicio, este joven recibió un reconocimiento especial por su contribución y asistencia con la recolección y entrega de alimentos a las personas mayores.

La Sra. Ann White, Presidente de Montbello2020, una Organización Registrada de vecindarios, reconoció recientemente a Marcus como un “Voluntario Juvenil Comunitario Destacado”. La Sra. Ann señaló que “Marcus Jiner ha sido una presencia juvenil visible en todo Montbello durante los últimos 3 años. Es un alegre servidor de la comunidad que trabaja para alimentar a nuestros mayores y siempre está dispuesto a ayudar donde sea que lo necesiten”. MagicMarcus es un servidor público — un líder y proveedor nato. Tiene un espíritu tan grande, dedicado y comprometido para hacer el trabajo, ¡sin quejarse! ¡Gracias, Marcus! ¡Montbello te aprecia!

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS

Open Arms Is on the Way

ACCESS CENTER

By Mary J. Davis, PhD, RN

If you have driven past the

The Access Center at the Mental Health Center of Denver is the first point of contact for all the treatment services we have to offer.

The Access Center staff provides telephone screenings to obtain necessary demographic, financial and clinical information to determine eligibility. The clinicians in the Access Center complete clinical assessments and identify other services that may be needed including admissions to nursing homes, hospitals, probate court evaluations and other specialty programs.

If we are unable to meet your needs, you will be provided with referrals to other community resources or referred back to the insurance provider.

Access Center staff will ask you about: • Current and previous treatment information • Insurance information • Social Security number (for children, a social security number or date of birth)

CONTACT THE ACCESS CENTER Phone: 303-504-7900 (Voice) Email: AccessCenter@mhcd.org

• Bilingual Spanish staff available • Interpreter services available for all languages • Email and sign language interpreters are used to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing community

HOURS Monday – Friday • 8 am to 5 pm • Closed on holidays

intersection of Peoria Street and Andrews Drive in Montbello in recent months, you may have wondered what was happening at the campus of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. The construction fence and equipment surrounding the entire property signaled the construction of what is a soon-to-be completed beautifully renovated structure on the site. So, what’s going on?

Here’s the scoop. For 50 years, St. Andrew operated a well-respected pre-school to elementary private school that serviced Montbello and surrounding Far Northeast families. The increased availability of other nearby educational opportunities resulted in the church making a decision to close the school. Subsequently, St. Andrew School structure lay dormant for more than five years. About four years ago, Urbitecture, LLC, a visionary architecture and development firm with a history of repurposing existing properties was invited to speak with the congregation about the possibilities of repurposing the school building. This was the beginning of the concept of Open Arms Assisting Living.

With the blessing of St. Andrew’s congregation, Urbitecture assembled a volunteer advisory team of church leaders, Far Northeast community members and eldercare experts to begin planning discussions. The team sought and received input on assisted living needs of Far Northeast Denver residents at several

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community events such as the Montbello Organizing Committee’s Montbello Alive annual celebrations.

The community’s excitement about having a never-before-available senior care resource, dedicated to the needs of the 70-plus residents, helped to crystallize the planning of what Open Arms should offer. Open Arms will provide support with what are generally considered activities of daily living. This may include assistance with bathing, grooming and dressing, toileting, getting in and out of bed and feeding oneself. Residents can also expect assistance with domestic tasks such as housekeeping, laundry, errands and medication management.

Open Arms’ commitments to residents are to provide a safe and pleasant environment, respect for individual preferences and personal values, respect for privacy, and high quality care and services at a competitive cost.

Open Arms will be a 30-bed facility that will include space dedicated to a combination of private pay residents and residents qualified for long-term care by Colorado’s Medicaid program. A unique amenity at the facility will be onsite telehealth capability. Each resident’s room will have telehealth monitors by which they can contact the assigned physicians for immediate attention to their healthcare needs.

Residents will also have an ice cream pub for them and their guests. The pub will be a one-ofa-kind ice cream shop where both residents and members of congregations can interact.

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS - RECURSOS PARA RESIDENTES

On October 12, 2019, St. Andrew Lutheran Church celebrated the groundbreaking of the Open Arms renovation. On hand at the event were over 50 supporters and community members. Both Denver City Councilman Chris Herndon and City Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore attended as did Doug Jamison from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. J.L. Melton Construction, Inc. the firm contracted to complete the renovation also attended the event.

Long-term Montbello resident, Open Arms Board Member and St. Andrew Lutheran Church Board President, Richard Poole, expressed his excitement about the expected September opening of Open Arms in this way: “Without the concerted support of the whole community, this project would not exist.”

Open Arms has contracted with the assisted living management firm, Drive Management Group, to direct the staff and day-to-day activities at the facility. This firm provides such services to assisted living facilities in many U.S. cities, including in the Colorado City of Loveland.Y

Editor’s note: For more inforinformation about Open Arms contact, Peter Hynes, at 303892-8957, or phynes@urbitecphynes@urbitecture. com. com.

Editor’s note: Dr. Mary J. Davis is the owner of World of WellWellness Home Care and is an Open Arms Assisted Living Board Member.

Open Arms Esta en Camino Por Mary J. Davis, PhD, RN

S

i usted ha conducido más allá de la intersección de la calle Peoria y Andrews Drive en Montbello en los últimos meses, es posible que se haya preguntado qué estaba sucediendo en el campus de la Iglesia Luterana de San Andres. La cerca de construcción y el equipo que rodea toda la propiedad señalaron la construcción de lo que es una estructura bellamente renovada que pronto se completará en el sitio. Entonces, ¿qué está pasando?

Aquí está la primicia. Durante 50 años, San Andres operó una escuela privada de preescolar a primaria muy respetada que prestó servicios

a Montbello y a las familias aledañas del Noreste Lejano.

La mayor disponibilidad de otras oportunidades educativas cercanas dio como resultado que la iglesia tomara la decisión de cerrar la escuela. Posteriormente, la estructura de la Escuela de San Andres permaneció inactiva durante más de cinco años. Hace unos cuatro años, Urbitecture, LLC, una empresa visionaria de arquitectura y desarrollo con un historial de reutilización de propiedades existentes, fue invitada a hablar con la congregación sobre las posibilidades de reutilizar el edificio de la escuela. Este fue el comienzo del concepto de Open Arms Assisting Living (Asistencia de Vida de Brazos Abiertos). Con la bendición de la congregación de San Andrés, Urbitecture reunió a un equipo voluntario de asesoramiento de líderes de la iglesia, miembros de la comunidad del Nordeste Lejano y expertos en cuidado de ancianos para comenzar a planificar discusiones. El equipo buscó y recibió información sobre las necesidades de vida asistida de los residentes del Nordeste Lejano de Denver

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en varios eventos comunitarios, como las celebraciones anuales de Montbello Alive del Comité Organizador de Montbello.

El entusiasmo de la comunidad por tener un recurso de atención para personas mayores nunca antes disponible, dedicado a las necesidades de los más de 70 residentes, ayudó a cristalizar la planificación de lo que Open Arms debería ofrecer. Open Arms brindará apoyo con lo que generalmente se consideran actividades de la vida diaria. Esto puede incluir asistencia para bañarse, arreglarse y vestirse, ir al baño, levantarse y salir de la cama y alimentarse a sí mismo. Los residentes también pueden esperar asistencia con tareas domésticas como limpieza, lavandería, diligencias y administración de medicamentos. Los compromisos de Open Arms con los residentes son proporcionar un ambiente seguro y agradable, respeto por las preferencias individuales y los valores personales, respeto por la privacidad y atención y servicios de alta calidad a un costo competitivo.

Open Arms será una instalación de 30 camas que incluirá un espacio dedicado a una combinación de residentes de pago privados y residentes calificados para atención a largo plazo por el programa Medicaid de Colorado. Una amenidad única en la instalación será la capacidad de telesalud en el sitio. La habitación de cada residente tendrá monitores de telesalud mediante los cuales pueden comunicarse con los médicos asignados para recibir atención inmediata a sus necesidades de atención médica.

Los residentes también tendrán un bar de helados para ellos y Continúa en la página 22

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS - RECURSOS PARA RESIDENTES Viene de la página 21

sus invitados. El bar será una heladería única en su tipo donde los residentes y los miembros de las congregaciones pueden interactuar.

El 12 de octubre de 2019, la Iglesia Luterana de San Andrés celebró el inicio de la renovación de Open Arms. En el evento estuvieron presentes más de 50 simpatizantes y miembros de la comunidad. Tanto el concejal de la ciudad de Denver, Chris Herndon, como la concejal de la ciudad, Stacie Gilmore, asistieron, al igual que Doug Jamison, del Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado. J.L. Melton Construction, Inc., la empresa contratada para completar la renovación, también asistió al evento. Residente a largo plazo de Montbello, miembro de la Junta de Open Arms, y presidente de la Junta de la Iglesia Luterana de San Andrés, Richard Poole, expresó su entusiasmo por la apertura prevista de septiembre de Open Arms de esta manera: “Sin el apoyo concertado de toda la comunidad, este proyecto no existiría.”

Open Arms ha contratado a la empresa de gestión de vivienda asistida, Drive Management Group, para dirigir el personal y las actividades diarias en las instalaciones. Esta empresa brinda dichos servicios a instalaciones de vivienda asistida en muchas ciudades de EE. UU., incluida la ciudad de Loveland en Colorado..

Para obtener más información sobre Open Arms, comucomuníquese con el presidente de Urbitecture, Peter Hynes, al (303) 892-8957, o phynes@urphynes@urbitecture.com. bitecture.com.

La Dra. Mary J. Davis es propropietaria de World of Wellness Home Care y es miembro de la Junta de Open Arms AsAssisted Living.

Colorado Young Leaders Host AtHome Global Youth Service Day

By Lauren Steavpack and Gaby Alamillo-Sanchez On March 12, 2020 Colorado Young Leaders (CYL) hosted a leadership meeting for teens in Northeast Denver, just like every second and fourth Thursday of the month. During the meeting, youth were overwhelmed with notifications from friends that spring break was extended. There was a lot of uneasiness and uncertainty in the room. It was CYL’s last in-person function before COVID-19 closed everything down.

Now two months later, CYL has hosted weekly virtual sessions to give a safe space for youth to increase connection.

CYL hosted an at-home Global Youth Service Day for youth and their families to participate in small service projects to spread kindness across their communities. The activities included painting kindness rocks,

making masks for healthcare workers, connecting with senior citizens, and sending letters to reduce loneliness.

The Northeast Denver Chapter has organized two food drives so far to support undocumented families in Montbello and neighboring communities. High school students can support behind the scenes or in-person in a variety of ways including requesting and tracking donations, organizing day-of logistics, driving food deliveries for people unable to leave their homes, and more. If your family is in need, contact Karla (information below) to receive a food box from the next food drive.

During the summer, CYL is launching a summer-long scavenger hunt. Teens entering 9th12th grade are welcome to participate! The scavenger hunt is filled with communityminded, outdoor, or at-home service project missions! This scavenger hunt will give teens a sense of purpose at a time when the summer seems uncertain.

If you are in high school and looking for a way to make a

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difference in your community, contact Karla Aldaraca at karla@coloradoyoungleaders.o rg to get involved!

Congratulations to our Class of 2020 Young Leaders in CYL-Northeast Denver! The transition out of high school is never easy, and the uncertainty of the future makes this time especially hard. Here’s to the next generation of young change makers: Ailyn, Angelica, Annette, Iris, Isaura, Jason, Kareem, Keidyfer, and Marlen.

We are so proud of you!

Los líderes jóvenes de Colorado organizan el Día mundial de servicio juvenil en el hogar

By Lauren Steavpack and Gaby Alamillo-Sanchez El día 12 de marzo del 2020, Colorado Young Leaders (Jóvenes Líderes de Colorado) organizaron una junta para jóvenes del Noreste de Denver como cada segundo y cuarto jueves del mes. Durante la junta, los jóvenes fueron abrumados con notificaciones de

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS - RECURSOS PARA RESIDENTES amigos, avisándoles que él descansó de primavera había sido extendido. Esta junta fue la última función en persona de la organización antes de que COVID-19 cerrara todo.

Ahora, más de dos meses después, Colorado Young Leaders (CYL) ha organizado sesiones virtuales cada semana para aumentar las conexiones entre los jóvenes. CYL organizo un Día Mundial de Servicio Juvenil desde los hogares, para que los jóvenes y sus familias puedan participar en la extensión de generosidad por su comunidad. Las actividades consistieron de pintar rocas de generosidad, crear mascarillas para los trabajadores de salud, conectarse con personas mayores, y mandar cartas para reducir la soledad.

La División del Noroeste de Denver (Northeast Denver Chapter) ha organizado dos

eventos de donación de comida para apoyar a las familias indocumentadas en Montbello y en las comunidades cerca de Montbello. Estudiantes de preparatoria pueden apoyar antes del día de distribución o en persona ese día en una variedad de maneras: solicitar y anotar donaciones, organizar planes y logísticas para ese día, manejar y entregar comida para las personas que no pueden ir por ella, y más. Si su familia necesita donaciones de comida, contacte a Karla (información abajo) para recibir una caja de comida en el siguiente evento de donación de comida.

Durante el verano, CYL lanzará una búsqueda de tesoros. ¡Jóvenes entre las edades 1418 son bienvenidos a participar! ¡La búsqueda será llena de actividades comunitarias y habrá opciones al aire libre o

desde los hogares! La búsqueda de tesoros le dará un sentido de propósito a los jóvenes cuando el verano se sienta incierto. ¡Si eres un estudiante de la preparatoria y estás buscando un modo de crear cambios en tu comunidad, contacta a Karla Aldaraca a k arla@coloradoyoungleaders.org para involucrarte! ¡Felicidades a nuestra clase de gradados del 2020 en CYLNortheast Denver! La transición de la preparatoria nunca es fácil, y la incertidumbre del futuro hace que los tiempos sean especialmente difíciles.

Suerte para la siguiente generación de jóvenes que cambiaran el mundo: Ailyn, Angélica, Anette, Iris, Isaura, Jason, Kareem, Keidyfer y Marlén. ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de ustedes! Y jlj

We are OPEN For Business!!!

Visit our Facebook Page to schedule your next appointment

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Staying home saves lives.

For more information, visit

coronavirus.gov

STA RT YOU R

SEARCH TODAY

TO ENROLL YOUR 4-YEAR-OLD IN PRESCHOOL

Get started today at

DENVERPRESCHOOL.COM

The Denver Preschool Program offers tools to help families find a quality preschool that best meets their needs and tuition support to help lower their child’s monthly enrollment costs.