September Peak News
15 Years at Urban Peak
Since its founding in 1988, few have witnessed Urban Peak change over the years like Dwayne Wright, Lead Life Skills Manager at the Shelter and one of Urban Peak’s longest-serving employees. Dwayne recently celebrated 15 years with us, 15 years of helping to ignite the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives.
Originally from North Carolina, he and his wife moved to Denver in 2003 to be closer to her family. Having run a group home back east, Dwayne knew he wanted to continue working with young people in need. His cousin happened to work as a volunteer coordinator at Urban Peak and recommended that he apply.
In the years since, Dwayne has become famous at the Shelter for his no-nonsense, straightforward attitude. “I don’t believe in sugar-coating it. And a lot of people aren’t used to that,” he says. His self-described “mean” reputation doesn’t concern him because he knows that hard truths are better than life on the streets. And his results speak for themselves.
“I see [former] youth in the community, they run up to me and hug me, they say, ‘aww man you were hell man, you were cussing me out, but thank you. It made me a better person.” One such woman, now in her 30s, recently told Dwayne that he was like a father to her, saying “I came here as a minor, and now I’m trying to get a job in this field because of you. I know I was hard, but you stayed on me, you never gave up.”
And that’s the key. He credits the strong women and male figures who never gave up on him as the reason he managed to stay out of trouble as a young man. Now he is the caring and compassionate adult in our youths’ lives, the one to teach them the important lessons he learned while growing up. “Don’t quit,” he tells them. “Keep fighting, don’t quit.”
From all his years of experience, Dwayne knows that what youth most need is support. Support can come in many forms, whether it’s a resume workshop, counseling, life skills development or even just casual interactions with trusted adults.
“I just wish people would come volunteer, talk to the youth and listen to their story,” he expressed. “Be like a best friend to them. See how they're doing, take them out and keep giving them encouraging words. Because you never know how you’re gonna affect someone or change someone’s life.”
Well said, Dwayne. Happy 15 years!
Peak Spotlight
We have new murals at Rox’s Place! Through our partnership with LYNX Arts Camp at CU Denver, a summer immersion program for prospective students interested in music and the arts, Rox’s Place residents had the chance to collaborate with local high schoolers to design a few new paintings for the building as part of their 2021 Mural Creations class.
We are grateful to the students and facilitator of the class, Abby Gregg, for giving our youth the opportunity to have a voice in the creation of their ideal art piece. The Lynx camp participants made sure to get input from youth at every step of the way, starting with a focus group to determine the message they wanted to convey through the use of imagery, design and color scheme. Those ideas were then beautifully brought to life by the students, based on the following note from youth:
“A mural full of color, hope, imagination and love. We hope that it conveys a sense of inclusivity, welcoming and connection to the universe around us. Through the color schemes in the stars and planets, we recognize the LGBTQIA+ community and express our hope to someday view our identities as purely being, with no restrictions or oppressions, simply living as we wish to be.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Partner Highlight
On Friday, September 10th, we were joined at the Drop-In Center (DIC) by volunteers from Xcel Energy as part of their annual Day of Service, dedicated to supporting local nonprofit and community organizations. A dozen volunteers spent a few hours in the morning painting the walls of our DIC Poetry Room and the lobby to give them a more vibrant and energetic feel, while others potted lovely flowers for the lobby.
Volunteers from Xcel stand by one of several freshly painted walls at Urban Peak.
Not only do they frequently collaborate with us as part of their Day of Service, but Xcel Energy has been a strong and consistent supporter of Urban Peak for many years. A group of volunteers has a longstanding appointment every month to prepare and serve meals for our Shelter youth, while at the DIC, they sponsor a yearly holiday party for youth and staff. We’re so grateful to Xcel Energy for their continued commitment to support Urban Peak’s youth and ignite their potential to exit homelessness and lead self-determined, fulfilled lives.
Interested in becoming an Urban Peak partner? Email donate@urbanpeak.org.
Overdose Remembrance Day
August 31st marked Overdose Remembrance Day, a day to memorialize those we’ve lost to the overdose crisis, as well as to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with drug abuse. Drop-In Center staff accompanied Urban Peak youth to a memorial event hosted by the Harm Reduction Action Center (HRAC). Youth had a chance to ask the Action Center’s representatives insightful questions about harm reduction and the organization’s impact on the community.
Tables were set up for candlelight vigils and take-home memorial kits were available for anyone who wanted to grieve in private. HRAC also provided all attendees with free NARCAN Nasal Spray (a prescription medicine used for the treatment of opioid overdose emergencies) and fentanyl testing strips, which can be used to test unregulated injectable drugs, powders and pills for the presence of fentanyl.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), opioid overdoses accounted for roughly 17 percent of all deaths in homeless populations nationally between 2003 and 2008, a statistic which has only risen in the last decade. If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for support.
Youth Spotlight
Immediately after turning 18 at the Shelter, Rachel got a job at Dollar Tree and has been working hard to become independent. She is a good friend around the Shelter and regularly meets with her case manager to discuss her long-term goals, which include saving up for her own apartment.
Fun fact about Rachel: she is one of 12 siblings!
