COLORADO COMMUNITY RESOURCES
AND ORGANIZATIONS
ACLU
The ACLU of Colorado is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the
promise of equal justice under the law for all Coloradans. Our work is fundamentally
defined by the Bill of Rights, including free speech, freedom of religion, due process,
privacy and equality for all people under the law. We advocate for members of
disenfranchised communities, including people of color, LGBT persons, women,
immigrants, low income people, homeless, prisoners, students and the elderly. We are
also an affiliate of the national ACLU. Contact: 400 Corona Street Denver, CO 80218,
Tel: (303) 777-5482, Fax: (303) 777-1773, erikm@aclu-co.org, www.aclu-co.org.
The Black Star Project
Community resources for those who wish to continue
to explore some of the best local responses
to the challenge of mass incarceration
The Black Star Project works to improve the quality of life for all children by eliminating
the racial academic achievement gap in public schools. Founded in Chicago in 1996 by
Phillip Jackson, the Project’s mission is to provide and advocate for educational
services that involve parents, families, schools and communities in efforts to enhance
students’ academic, social, emotional and physical development. Contact: 3509 South
Martin Luther King Drive Suite 2B, Chicago, IL 60653, Phone: 773.285.9600, Fax:
773.285.9602, blackstar1000@ameritech.net, www.blackstarproject.org
Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center
Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center, founded in 1994 is located in the historic Five Points
District in Northeast Denver—a space committed to fostering growth, strength, and
voice in the community. These ends are achieved through the exploration of visual and
performing arts, celebrations, and programs that inform and enrich people’s lives.
Contact: 2836 Welton Street, Denver, CO 80205, Phone: 303.297.0823,
brotherjeff1@earthlink.net, www.brotherjeff.com
Center for African American Health
The Center for African American Health is dedicated to improving the health and
wellbeing of the African-American community. It provides culturally-sensitive disease
prevention and disease management programs to African-Americans living in the metro
Denver area. Contact: 3601 Martin Luther King Blvd. Denver, CO 80205, Voice: (303)
355-3423, Fax: (303) 355-1807, info@caahealth.org, www.caahealth.org
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Published by Colorado Juvenile Defender Coalition
Guided by a vision of dance as the universal language of movement, Cleo Parker
Robinson Dance provides instruction, performances and community enrichment
programs that transcend boundaries of culture, class and age.
Contact:
www.cleoparkerdance.org or 303-295-1759.
2
Coloradoans Against the Death Penalty
Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
Coloradans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (CADP), formerly Coloradans Against
the Death Penalty, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making our justice system
more effective by establishing smart alternatives that abolish capital punishment. We
are concerned citizens, religious leaders, political leaders, criminal defense lawyers,
and relatives of murder victims.P.O. Box 46123 Denver, CO 80201, Phone: (303) 4952910 Fax: (303) 830-1392 ,E-mail: info@coadp.org, www.coadp.org
The Colorado Hispanic Bar Association formed in 1977, advocates for Latino attorneys
and the Latino community as a whole. It was born out of a need of a then handful of
Chicano attorneys to create an organization that would champion the causes of the
Latino community in and out of the profession. Contact: P.O. Box 8895, Denver, CO
80201, www.chba.net
Colorado Children’s Campaign
Colorado Juvenile Defender Coalition
The Colorado Children's Campaign is the leading voice for Colorado's 1.2 million
children. Through our research and advocacy expertise, we work to increase access to
health coverage for kids; increase access to and the quality of child care and early
education opportunities for working families; reduce the state's dropout rate and
improve the quality of K-12 education; and improve the state's ability to respond to
children's needs through fiscal reforms. 1580 Lincoln Street, Suite 420, Denver, CO
80203, Phone: 303.839.1580, Fax: 303.839.1354, http://www.coloradokids.org
The Colorado Juvenile Defender Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
ensuring excellence in juvenile defense and advocacy and justice for all children in
Colorado. CJDC promotes defense excellence through continuing legal education
seminars, resources for juvenile defenders, and supporting indigent defense. CJDC
seeks to protect the rights and improve the treatment of youth in the juvenile justice
system through community organizing and non-partisan research and policy
development. Contact: 670 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 303.825.0194,
Fax: 303 825-0182, francoise@cjdc.org, www.cjdc.org (under construction)
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
Colorado Progressive Coalition
The Colorado Criminal Defense Bar is a growing professional association of attorneys,
investigators, and paralegals who represent persons accused of crime. CCDB was
founded in 1979 and today has over 1000 members. CCDB and its members are
professionals of principle dedicated to protecting the rights of the accused. CCDB
supports an active professional network, excellent defense training programs, 10
chapters statewide, and numerous public & member services. See our website if you
need a criminal defense lawyer, paralegal, or investigator. Contact: 955 Bannock St.,
Ste. 200, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 303.758.2454, Fax: 303.623.0714,
cainmoya@aol.com, www.ccdb2.org
The Colorado Progressive Coalition is a statewide, member-driven organization that
engages communities to advance economic and social justice since 1996. Organized
around five program areas: Racial Justice & Civil Rights; Health Care for All; Economic
Justice; Statewide Base Building; and Civic Engagement; CPC advocates at the local,
state, and national levels on issues that affect people of color, low-income
neighborhoods, immigrants, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community, and
young people. Contact: 1029 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: (303) 8660908, Outside of Denver area: (866) 329-0908 www.progressivecoalition.org
Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition
CCJRC's mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We also
strongly oppose the for-profit, private prison industry and its presence in Colorado. Our
current objectives are focused on reforming criminal justice policies at the state and
local level that are fueling prison expansion with a priority on drug policy and
parole/reentry, halting prison expansion and ending the use of private, for-profit prisons
in Colorado. 1212 Mariposa St., #6 Denver, CO 80204, phone:(303) 825-0122, fax:
(303) 825-0304, email: info@ccjrc.org, www.ccjrc.org
The Community Reentry Project
CRP provides Education, Employment, Housing, Mental Health and Relapse
Prevention services to adult Denver residents recently released from the Denver
County Jail so that they can live successful and independent lives. Eligibility
Requirements: 1) Denver resident; 2) 18 years or older; 3) Misdemeanor conviction; 4)
Sentenced to Denver County Jail; 5) Within 1 year of release. CRP is a program of The
Council on Substance Abuse and Mental Health and supported by the City & County of
Denver. The goal of the project is to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and
improve the quality of life in Denver. Contact: 655 Broadway, Suite 450, Denver, CO
80203, Phone: 720.865.2329, Fax: 720.865.2335, www.denvergov.org/crp
2
3
The Conflict Center
El Centro Humanitario
The Conflict Center’s mission is to reduce levels of physical, verbal and emotional
violence by teaching and applying skills to help people in diverse communities manage
everyday conflicts nonviolently. TCC’s values include peacemaking based in justice,
relationships based on mutual respect, violence prevention through education and skill
building, celebration of diversity, commitment to building a peaceful community, service
to persons living in poverty, practicing forgiveness, and establishing a safe space for
dialogue. Contact: 4140 Tejon Street, Denver, CO, 80211, Phone: 303-433-4983, fax:
303-433-6166, info@conflictcenter.org; www.conflictcenter.org
El Centro Humanitario promotes the rights and well-being of day laborers in Colorado
through education, job skills and leadership development, united action and advocacy.
Our goals are to develop a sense of community and self sufficiency among workers
and to foster worker ownership over El Centro. Contact: 2260 California St. Denver, CO
80205, 303.292.4115,info@centrohumanitario.org
Denver African American Commission
The Commission is an advisory body to the Mayor and the City & County of Denver
and is charged with advising the Mayor on issues and concerns relating to the African
American community of Denver. Contact: Phone: (720) 913-8471, http://denvergov.org
Denver - Rocky Association of Black Psychologists
The Denver-Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists (D-RMABPsi) was
established in 1977 as a chapter of the national Association of Black Psychologists
(ABPsi). Since its inception in 1977, the D-RMABPsi has engaged in numerous
activities in pursuit of the goals outlined by the national organization. A partial
itemization of these activities include psychology student recruitment conferences,
providing graduate level scholarships, conducting symposia for psychiatrists, social
workers, and other mental health related professions, providing consultation to local
nonprofit organizations on African American mental health issues. Contact: PO Box
3171, Denver, CO 80202, Phone: 303.534.3555, www.abpsi-denver.org
D.U. Latino Law Student Association
The DU Latino Law Students Association (LLSA) welcomes you to the Sturm College of
Law. Our mission is threefold: to foster the professional development of our members,
to encourage community support, and to encourage high personal integrity. We support
first-year students in the transition period into law school through various programs. We
also help students develop working networks with local practitioners in the legal
community. Contact: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2255 East Evans
Avenue, Denver, CO 80208 Phone, 303.871.6000, www.law.du.edu.
Flobots.Org
Flobots.org works to create positive social change by harnessing the power of music
and those who love it. The Flobots view music as a tool for therapy, community building
and leadership development and action. Contact: www.flobots.org, info@flotbots.org
Gang Rescue and Support Project
GRASP is a peer-run, intervention program that works with youth who are at-risk of
gang involvement or are presently active in gangs, helps families of gang victims, and
serves as a youth advocate. GRASP is effective because it is run by ex-gang members
who broke free of gangs & turned their lives around. Contact: 701 South Logan Street,
Denver CO 80209, Office: 303-777-3117, Fax: 303-777-0150, www.graspyouth.org
The Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance
The Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance is a faith based organization that serves as a
catalyst for network development and coalition building across faith traditions and
between community organizations, service providers and governmental entities for the
purpose of coordinating and expanding resources for Denver's at risk populations.
Programs address populations experiencing disparities due to economics, education,
health, housing, mental health, substance abuse and the overrepresentation of
racial/ethnic groups in the juvenile and criminal justice systems and child welfare. We
also promote interfaith education and dialogue. Contact: 3030 Downing St., Denver,
CO 80205, www.greaterdenverinterfaithalliance.org
Iliff School of Theology
At the Iliff School of Theology, you will find a rich combination of rigorous academics
and experiences that will help you lead in life’s journey – whether your choice is one of
personal or professional growth, a stepping stone toward service helping others, or for
ministries yet to be imagined. The school was named one of the top 20 engaged in
3
4
multi-faith education! Contact: Iliff School of Theology, 2201 S. University Blvd. Denver,
CO 80210, Phone: 800.678.3360, www.iliff.edu.
Life Fund Foundation
The Foundation is focused on increasing postsecondary completion rates because
whether it is a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor degree, a postsecondary
credential is the best path to success for under-served students. Contact: 1305
Krameria
St
H111,
Denver,
CO
80220,
Tel:
702.426.4927,
info@lifefundfoundation.org, http://www.lifefundfoundation.org/
Manual High School
Manual High School opened its doors in the fall of 2007 to the first class of 9th grade
students since it was closed in 2006. When the doors opened in the fall of 2007,
students found an environment that supports their learning and development and one
that is centered on high expectations and opportunities for all. Denver Public Schools
believes that Manual High School will emerge as a premier high school in Denver and
has made a commitment, along with the community, to support Manual students with
future college and career success. Contact: 1700 East 28th Avenue, Denver, CO
80205, Tel: (720) 423-6300, Fax: (720) 423-6301, www.manual.schoolfusion.us
Math Literacy Project
The Math Literacy Project is a nonprofit organization providing a wide range of
educational services to Denver-area youth, their families, schools, community centers,
and youth organizations. The Math Literacy Project designs workshops and learning
experiences that link mathematical concept and skill development to real-world
applications. Without a proficiency in mathematics literacy, student risk being denied
full participation in today's technological society. Contact: 119 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205, Phone: (720) 621-5771, Fax: (303) 861-1515,
www.mathliteracyproject.org
NAACP Denver Youth Council
Sponsors annual youth parent conference, community service projects,
intergenerational discussions, and programs regarding historical and current events.
Dr. Carolyn Phillips, P.O. Box 1234, Westminster, CO 80036,
denvernaacpyouthcouncil@comcast.net, (303) 588-7296, www.denvernaacpyouth.net.
National Alliance of Pan African Seminarians (NAPAS)
NAPAS’s mission is to provide social, spiritual, academic and professional support for
Pan African Seminarians during their pursuit of theological education and vocational
discernment. Contact Information www.iliff.edu, Address: Iliff School of Theology, 2201
S. University Boulevard, Denver, CO 80210, Tel: 303 744 1287
No Credits Production, Inc.
No Credit Production, Inc is based in Denver, CO specializing in film and video
productions, headed by donnie l. betts. No Credits will take your project from concept to
completion. donnie l. betts has over 20 years of experience in theatre, film, video and
radio. He is a founding member of two theatre companies in Denver, City State
Ensemble and the Denver Black Arts Company. No Credit's mission is to be a keeper
of the culture, and a collector of untold stories. Phone: (720) 748-1388, Fax (720) 7481387, Toll Free: 1-(866) 966-1390, dlbetts@nocredits.com, www.nocredits.com
Padres & Jovenes Unidos
With roots in the struggle for educational justice, Padres & Jóvenes Unidos has evolved
into a multi-issue organization led by low-income communities of color who work for
educational justice, immigrant student rights, ending the school to jail track, and quality
healthcare for all. We organize and build power to challenge the root cause of
discrimination, racism, and inequity by developing effective strategies to realize
meaningful and humane change. Contact: 3025 W. 37th Ave. Suite 206, Denver, CO
80211, Tel: (303) 458-6545, Fax: (303) 458-5635, www.padresunidos.org
Park Hill United Methodist Church
PHUMC is an inclusive congregation, embracing diversity and includes people of all
ages and backgrounds, speaking over twelve languages including, Korean, Tagalog,
German, French, Spanish, Edo, Efik, Hausa, Yoruba, Swahili, Kikuyu, Imeru and
English. As United Methodists we embrace the words of John Wesley; “The World is
my parish”. We are a connectional church that is strategically located around the world
to accomplish our mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ”. Contact Pastor John
Thompson, (303) 322-1867, john@phumc.org, 5209 Montview, Denver, CO 80207.
4
5
PeaceJam Foundation
Regis
PeaceJam creates young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their
communities and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass
on the spirit, skills and wisdom they embody. To date over 600,000 young people have
participated in the USA and around the world. They have created almost one million
service projects designed to address problems in their own schools and communities.
Archbishop Tutu recently commented on the creation of PeaceJam, saying, “It seemed
like a crazy idea at the time, but it has gained an incredible kind of momentum and it
has made a huge, huge difference in the lives of many young people by giving them
hope and direction.” Contact: info@peacejam.org or 303-455-2099.
University educates men and women of all ages to take leadership roles and to make a
positive impact in a changing society. Standing within the Catholic and United States
traditions, we are inspired by the particular Jesuit vision of Ignatius Loyola. This vision
challenges us to attain the inner freedom to make intelligent choices. We seek to
provide value-centered undergraduate and graduate education, as well as to
strengthen commitment to community service. We nurture the life of the mind and the
pursuit of truth within an environment conducive to effective teaching, learning and
personal development. Contact: 3333 Regis Blvd. Denver, CO 80221, Tel:
1800.388.2366 E-mail WebMaster@regis.edu, website: http://www.regis.edu
The Pendulum Foundation
Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center
We at the Pendulum Foundation believe that the only real prison is the prison of the
heart. Our mission is to physically, emotionally and spiritually free all of our young men
and women whose childhoods have been lost, and who have been thrown away in
Colorado’s prison system. Established as a non-profit in 2001, Pendulum is dedicated
to educating the public about the issue of children in adult prisons, and in transforming
the lives of all those youthful offenders who are currently behind bars. Contact: 5082 E
Hampden Ave, 192 Denver, CO, 80222, Website: www.pendulumfoundation.com
The mission of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center is to protect and save the
lives of abused and neglected children through zealous legal advocacy, innovative
programs and public policy reform. 1325 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite 308, Denver,
CO 80222, Tel: 303.692.1165 Website: www.rockymountainchildrenslawcenter.org
Prax(us)
Prax(us) is dedicated to ending human trafficking. We address the root causes of
exploitation by creating systemic change and providing direct services through a
comprehensive street outreach program. We conduct street outreach through a harmreduction lens that supports youth agency and facilitates access to resources. We
achieve systemic change through community organizing, collaborative relationships,
community education, and policy work. Contact: 240 South Broadway, Unit 200,
Denver, CO 80209, Tel: 720.251.3263 website: www.praxus.org
Prodigal Son Initiative
Strengthening and building up our communities by giving our youth, and future leaders,
the positive tools and knowledge that they will need to succeed. Contact Information:
5405 E. 33rd Ave (33rd and Hudson St) Denver, CO 80207 (303) 953-1541,
TRoberts@ProdigalSonInc.org, www.prodigalsoninc.org
Saint Stephen Missions Church
We seek to serve ALL of God’s people through outreach and missions. We are a
multicultural congregation and believe in the promotion of social justice and non-violent
work toward human freedom. We currently participate in outreach programs for the
homeless and make donations toward food and clothing banks. We are also in our
fourth year of a program for single Dads (all ages) that we have named Boys 2 Men. It
is targeted to single Dads who intend to learn how to be better fathers. Worship
services convene every Sunday morning at 11:30AM. All are welcome! Contact
Information: 700 Bonnie Brae, Denver, CO 80209
Scott Family Resource Center
Serves as a referral agency for health issues, re-entry programs, and youth projects.
Speakers are available for conferences. 2880 Garfield Street, Denver, Co 80205, Tel.
303.322.8967, Fax: 303.322.1334. www.scottumc-denver.org
The Spirituals Project
The mission of The Spirituals Project is to preserve and revitalize the music and
teachings of the sacred songs called “spirituals,” created and first sung by enslaved
Africans in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Spirituals Project is a broad5
6
based initiative to explore the many, varied dimensions of African American spirituals
as art form, tradition and tool; and to invite all people to experience the joy and power
of this dynamic music and gift from African Americans to the world. Contact: 1999 E.
Evans, Denver, CO 80208, 303-871-7993, www.spiritualsproject.org
Victim Offender Reconciliation Program
Formed in 1972 in a University of Colorado classroom, Su Teatro quickly became an
important artistic arm of the Chicano and civil rights movements of the 1960s and 70s.
Its mission is to create, produce, and promote theater and other art that is committed to
education, social justice, and community enrichment. www.suteatro.org, 303-296-0219.
The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) of Denver began in 1993 in
response to the summer of violence. VORP collaborates with the justice system to
provide restorative justice processes as a way of addressing issues overlooked in a
more traditional, adversarial justice system. VORP has been a catalyst for long-term
answers to crime for offenders, victims, and our community. The VORP program gives
an opportunity for reconciling and restoring relationships between victims, offenders,
and our community. VORP seeks to reduce recidivism, restore and strengthen
community relationships, empower victims, and keep youth out of prison. Contact: 430
West 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204, Phone: 303-534-6167, www.denvervorp.org
Triple Threat Ministries, LLC
Violence and Intervention Center of UCCS
Our mission is to Educate, Equip and Empower women and young ladies to pursue self
authenticity and fulfill their divine callings, purpose and dreams in the face of sexism,
racism and classism. Services include, workshops, strategic planning for groups,
organizations, and individuals, leadership and ministerial training, motivational
speaking/preaching/singing and signature programs such as women of extraordinary
Thunder (WOET) and Daughters of extraordinary thunder (DOET) Contact: P.O. Box
102902, Denver, CO 80250, Tel: 720 413 8418, afields@triplethreatministriesllc.com
or vjackson@triplethreatministriesllc.com:
The VIP Center was created to increase research, education, practice, and service on
issues related to violence and its prevention. In partnership with the Beth-El College of
Nursing and Health Sciences, the center collaborates with other organizations and
agencies to address these issues. Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway Colorado
Springs, CO 80918 719.255.4169, www.uccs.edu/vip
University Park United Methodist Church
(TWC) is dedicated to boldly lead in the communities where they live, work, and
engage, with a focus on leadership that advances women and contributes to the
greater good. TWC offers certificates and baccalaureate degrees in business
administration, communication, law and society, and information technology.
Certificates in community-based research, conflict management, writing, social and
business entrepreneurship, information technology, gender and women’s studies,
leadership, and philanthropy complement the college’s degree offerings. Students
range in age from 18-60; 37% of students identify as women of color and approximately
10% are international refugees. www.womenscollege.du.edu
Su Teatro
We are a community of disciple leaders who practice stewardship and hospitality as we
engage each other and the world around us. 2180 S. University Blvd, Denver, CO,
80210, upark@universityparkumc.org, www.universityparkumc.org
Veterans of Hope Project
The Veterans of Hope Project is a multifaceted educational initiative on spirituality,
culture and participatory democracy. Its primary mission is to encourage a healingcentered, multi-racial, intergenerational approach to community building and youth
leadership development, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of spirit, creativity
and democratic citizenship. The Project, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded
in 1997 by Vincent and (the late) Rosemarie Freeney Harding, historians and longtime
advocates for social justice, and is based on the campus of the Iliff School of Theology
in Denver. Contact: 2201 S. University Blvd, Denver, CO 80210, Phone: 303-7653194, Fax 303-744-2903, vohproject@iliff.edu, www.veteransofhope.org
The Women’s College of the University of Denver
Youth Engagement Zone (YEZ)
North East Denver’s Youth Engagement Zone (YEZ). YEZ represents youth, educators,
service providers and community leaders working to integrate service-learning
strategies into the fabric of Northeast Denver. YEZ is organized around the principle
that every young person, regardless of circumstance has a right to quality education
and that high quality ser-vice-learning is a strategy for accomplishing that goal. Call
720-495-0277.
6