2018 Beneficiary Organizations
PROJECT OUR TOWN's reach was wide. Below are some of the organizations that benefitted from one or more of our projects. This year's Weekend of Action will be November 8-10th. In the meantime, we encourage you to volunteer year-round. We have included a brief summary of each organization as well as the contact info for finding out more about volunteering.
If you have an organization that you are passionate about, please let us know! We will begin project planning in the summer. If you would like to get involved in planning the projects for 2019, we would love to talk with you! info@projectourtown.org
A LITTLE HELP - alittlehelp.org
A Little Help operates in five Colorado counties, helping seniors remain in their homes by connecting them with neighbors of all ages in their community. Many tasks around the house and yard chip away at independence, but with A Little Help, good neighbors can help elders with transportation, yard work, handiwork, home organization, and social engagement, empowering seniors to thrive in the communities they have put down roots in for decades.
Aside from the benefit of having help in the house and yard, volunteers offer rides, computer assistance, access to experts on aging, a 24-hour Friendship Line, social gatherings, companionship and respite for caregivers. To find out about volunteering, please go to the home page and click on “Get Involved”, email office@alittlehelp.org or call 720-242-9032.
www.alittlehelp.org/Volunteering
CLOTHES TO KIDS - clothestokidsdenver.org
Clothes to Kids provides free school clothing to preschool through 12th grade students from low income or in-crisis families in a warm, welcoming store-like setting. When students have the clothing they need to feel comfortable and confident in the classroom they are better able to focus on studies and fit in with peers. Without Clothes to Kids, thousands of Denver students would go without school clothing and basics each year.
Volunteers are used both in and outside the store, sorting clothing, assisting clients, and picking up and repairing donations. Clothes to Kids also accepts volunteers in areas of operations and special programming. Go to the website and click on “Volunteer” to find out about opportunities, or call 720-379-4630.
www.clothestokidsdenver.org/volunteer
COLORADO PET PANTRY - coloradopetpantry.org
The Colorado Pet Pantry is a food bank for family pets with 19 distribution locations in the Denver/Boulder metro area and rural areas outside cities. The Colorado pet pantry will temporarily feed Colorado pets, allowing families to increase their ability to care for pets with the goal of keeping them out of shelters and with their families.
Opportunities for volunteering are numerous and include pet food donations, working on site, managing new food bank sites and other volunteers, helping in the warehouse, picking up donations and planning special events. To find out more go to the main web page and click on “Volunteer” or call 303-818-0618.
www.coloradopetpantry.org/volunteer
COLORADO UPLIFT - coloradouplift.org
As teacher/mentors and life coaches, the Colorado Uplift staff develop long-term relationships as early as elementary school with at-risk youth. This bond continues through middle and high school and into college, providing the relational support missing from students’ lives.
Students have a better chance to emerge as successful, productive young adults. Since inception, UpLift has served around 30,000 urban youth in the Denver Metro area, and will impact more than 5,600 students this year. Current statistics show that 98% of the students graduate from high school and 86% enroll in college. To volunteer, click “Get Involved” on the website home page or call 303-830-6615.
www.coloradouplift.org/get-involved
DAHLIA CAMPUS FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING (MHCD) - mhcd.org/dahlia-campus-for-health-well-being
Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being is the result of a partnership between the Mental Health Center of Denver and the Northeast Park Hill community. Dahlia Campus provides a place for community members to connect with their neighbors, learn new skills and find support they need to increase their health and well-being, education, access to healthy food, access to dental care and mental health services.
Dahlia Campus offers a comprehensive array of services including early childhood education, access to naturally-grown produce and protein; and a variety of indoor and outdoor community spaces to support multigenerational populations as they gather, connect, play and grow. The campus features a teaching kitchen; community room, community gymnasium, pediatric dental clinic and a wide array of mental health services.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, click on “Support Us” at the top of the home page, then click “Volunteer.”
DENVER CHILDREN'S HOME - denverchildrenshome.org
Denver Children's Home restores hope and health to abused, neglected and traumatized children and their families suffering from mental health issues. A variety of services are offered, including a residential program, day treatment, community-based services, assessments and more. Clients participate in comprehensive prevention, intervention and treatment programs based on the latest research in brain development and trauma-informed care.
Volunteers are welcome, and to find out more go to the website home page and click on “Ways to Help” or call 720-881-3350.
www.denverchildrenshome.org/volunteer-opportunities
FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES - foodbankrockies.org
Food Bank of the Rockies helps families thrive by efficiently procuring and distributing food and essentials to the hungry through their programs and partner agencies. They serve 30 counties in Colorado and the entire state of Wyoming. More than 134,000 meals each day reach their neighbors facing hunger. Hunger is a problem not just for the homeless, who account for only about 10% of the Food Bank clients. Children, seniors on fixed incomes, low-wage workers and individuals with health care problems make up the majority of recipients.
Volunteers are needed in many capacities, such as distribution, preparing food, sorting produce, office work and warehouse help. If you are interested, please click on “Get Involved” or “Volunteer” from the home page or call 877-953-3937.
www.foodbankrockies.org/volunteer
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF METRO DENVER - habitatmetrodenver.org
Habitat for Humanity helps families build and improve places to call home. They create affordable housing which plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. They also bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Their programs include home ownership, repair and homebuyer education classes.
Volunteers are welcome! Click “Volunteer” from the home page, call 720-496-2736 or click the link below.
www.habitatmetrodenver.org/volunteer
IMPACT LOCALLY - impactlocally.org
Impact Locally helps individuals and families who are in need and homeless to regain their humanity by offering programs that provide both short and long term solutions. The multitude of programs at Impact Locally include making and distributing meals, giving gifts during the holidays and providing much needed clothing.
Go to the home page and click on “Volunteer” or call 720-629-2619 to make a difference in someone’s life.
JOYOUS PAWS - joyouspaws.org
Joyous Paws is a locally based volunteer non-profit organization, offering free pet assisted activities and visits in Denver and Colorado Springs. Joyous Paws offers free visits to nursing care, health care and other facilities where residents cannot have pets. Seniors, children and patients benefit from the unconditional love that a pet can provide during the visits.
For more information about the organization, email JoyousPawsTeam@gmail.com or call 303-378-5987.
TLC MEALS ON WHEELS - tlcmealsonwheels.org
TLC Meals on Wheels enriches the lives of seniors and homebound individuals in the South Metro Denver Area by providing nutritious meals and services that promote dignity, well being, and independence.
Volunteers prepare meals, deliver them to clients, host food drives and help conduct office interviews. To find out more, click “Volunteers” on the home page or call 303-798-7642.
www.tlcmealsonwheels.org/volunteer-opportunities
MENTAL HEALTH CENTER OF DENVER - mhcd.org
MHCD works to enable adults to live more fulfilling and productive lives, children to be more resilient, and families to be happier and healthier. MCHD provides treatment, prevention, outreach and crisis services to more than 60,000 children, families and adults annually. Services are offered by mental health providers in multiple community sites, several Denver public schools, collaborations with community partnerships and home-based outreach.
To find out more about services and volunteer opportunities, click “Support Us” on the home page or call 303-504-6732.
MOUNT ST. VINCENT - msvhome.org
Mount St. Vincent focuses on assisting children and their families by strengthening their ability to emotionally and socially participate in their community. Services include therapy for traumatized clients, residential and day treatment programs, foster care, assessments, training, school and educational assistance, and much more. Their innovative service offerings help children reach their full potential.
Volunteers are used in a variety of areas. To find out more please click “How to Help” on the home page or call 303-458-7220.
www.msvhome.org/how-you-can-help
NEWBORNS IN NEED - denverhealth.org/about-denver-health/volunteer
Newborns in Need, part of the Denver Health Foundation, provides care and necessities through local social service agencies and hospitals to premature, ill, or impoverished newborns to give them a safe, healthy start in life. Donors and volunteers provide thousands of items to fill “Warm Welcome” bags, given to new moms and dads needing a little extra help. Newborns in Need also provides larger items such as car seats and strollers to families in serious need.
To find out about volunteering with Newborns in Need email Sharon.mushkin@dhha.org or call 303-602-2985. Denver Health has more than 35 different volunteer specialties available to adults and teenagers. For other opportunities go to www.denverhealthfoundation.org/Programs and click on “Volunteer Today.”
POCKET FLAG PROJECT - pocketflagproject.com
The Pocket Flag Project’s mission is send pocket-size American flags to our active duty deployed and deploying troops. Included with each flag is a card that says: “A flag for your pocket so you can always carry a little piece of home. We are praying for you and we are proud of you. Thank you for defending our country and our freedom.”
The Pocket Flag Project offers opportunities for individuals and groups to fold and send flags to military personnel around the world. Please click on “Participate” from the home page or use the link below.
www.pocketflagproject.com/wp/participate
PROJECT LINUS - projectlinus.org
Project Linus provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need by gifting new handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
Click “Help” on the website to find out about various volunteer opportunities.
www.projectlinus.org/volunteer
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES OF DENVER AND AURORA - rmhc.org
Ronald McDonald Houses provide comfortable, low-cost housing to out-of-town families needing to be near their hospitalized children. The Aurora and the Denver Houses are able to keep 118 families close to their hospitalized children each night.
They operate four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, offering families a place to rest and regroup just steps away from their child’s hospital room. In addition, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program provides medical and dental services to uninsured or underinsured families.
To find out about volunteering call the Denver House at 303-832-2667 or the Aurora House at 720-324-2400. The link below will call up a list of all the facilities in Colorado.
www.rmhc.org/chapter-search?country=United+States&state=Colorado
SANDERSON APARTMENTS - mhcd.org/permanent-supportive-housing/#sanderson-apartments
The Mental Health Center of Denver (MCHD) has successfully owned and operated residential homes and apartments in Denver for over 25 years, providing safe and affordable housing throughout the city. Sanderson Apartments provides permanent supportive homes for chronically homeless people in our community, allowing them to live independently and get treatment they need to transform their lives.
For more information about volunteering click on “Support Us” from the home page or use the link below.
SOMEREN GLEN - somerenglen.org
Someren Glen is a retirement community that serves more than 1,000 older adults of every belief in many senior living communities throughout Colorado, including Southeast Denver. It is a “total plan” community, offering residences, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care and home services.
Call 303-900-5016 to find out about the community and any volunteer opportunities.
THIRD WAY CENTER - thirdwaycenter.org
Third Way Center is an organization that offers help and hope to high risk, mentally ill, disadvantaged and often homeless adolescents and their families. The shelters for troubled teens offer a continuum of services, empowering teens to build better lives for themselves and their future families.
Many volunteer opportunities exist. To find out more, click “Get Involved” on the home page.
www.thirdwaycenter.org/get-involved/volunteer
SANDY'S CLOSET - sandys-closet.business.site
Sandy’s Closet is a clothing store with almost new clothing for bargain prices. ALL proceeds from the store benefit adults and children with special needs.
Go to sandys-closet.business.site to get more information and directions.
WEINBERG FOOD PANTRY - jewishfamilyservice.org/services/denver-food-pantry
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Food Pantry in Denver assists individuals and families of all races and faiths facing hunger and food insecurity. In addition to canned and packaged staples, the pantry provides fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, dairy products and frozen meat. Other items such as baby food, toiletries and pet food are offered when available. The pantry also serves as a site for food commodity distribution to seniors through the Food Bank of the Rockies and Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
The pantry accepts donations and uses volunteers. For more information please email volunteer@jewishfamilyservice.org and check the website link below.
www.jewishfamilyservice.org/features/weinberg-food-pantry
SPECIAL OLYMPICS - specialolympics.org
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Volunteers are the heartbeat of Special Olympics Colorado and many different opportunities exist. To find out more click on “Volunteer” in the middle of the home page
www.specialolympicsco.org/volunteer
NATE’S WAY - jtownco.org/natesway
Nate's Way is a family project that delivers food to the homeless once a month. The project was created by the Burnette family in honor of their son whom they lost to suicide last year. Nate’s family, friends and community feed the homeless in Denver’s Civic Center Park once a month. Other opportunities will arise as this impactful project moves forward.
Please click on the homepage link above to find out more about Nate’s Way. To volunteer or donate food and supplies, please email debdo40@yahoo.com.
SHILOH HOUSE - shilohhouse.org
Shiloh House’s many locations offer nurturing, therapeutic and educational services to empower youth and families to overcome the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma. Through guidance, clinical intervention and advocacy Shiloh House meets the needs of a diverse community.
Many volunteer opportunities exist. To find out more go to the home page and click “Get Involved” or use the link below.
9HEALTH FAIR - 9healthfair.org
Every spring and fall, volunteers across Denver work to put on 9Health Fairs in their community to advance health awareness. Year-round health education is also available. 9Health Fair is the largest volunteer-driven, non-profit health, wellness and prevention effort in the nation.
To find out more about the many volunteer opportunities available, click “Volunteer” on the website or use the link below.