November Peak News
13 Floors of Fright!
For Halloween this year, lead life skills manager Savannah accompanied youths Alex, David and Tony to McGregor Square, an outdoor community space near Coors Field in the heart of LoDo. The spirit of Dia de los Muertos hung in the air as the group enjoyed face-painting, tarot card readings, and a showing of the Disney movie Coco (a true gem!).
Across town in Elyria-Swansea, meanwhile, youth and staff from Urban Peak’s community housing celebrated with a trip to the 13th Floor Haunted House for some terrifying frights at terrifying heights! Apparently, our youth aren’t too easily spooked, as everyone was all smiles for the group photo. Must have been a good time!
Peak Thrift Updates
Exciting news out of our enterprise store Peak Thrift! We will be opening back up for shopping with limited hours starting this Saturday, November 20th. Our new store hours are 10am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, and donation drop-off hours will remain the same (Friday from 2pm to 6pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10am to 4pm) for the time being.
Though it might be a little while longer before we can fully reopen, we’re excited to once again provide sweet deals and the opportunity to give new life to well-loved products while simultaneously supporting our critical programs. Stop by the store this weekend for all your thrifting needs, and stay tuned for future updates as we continue working to fully reopen!
If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the Peak Thrift team, please review our open positions here. We're looking for a Key Associate to help manage daily store operations and oversee the floor. A more detailed job description can be found here.
Urban Peak Volunteers
Medical Services Coordinator Stephanie showing off her medical services table, complete with condoms, resource pamphlets and a life-size Operation guy with interesting medical facts to uncover.
We're thrilled to be able to say that we're expanding our volunteer opportunities to once again include serving meals at the Drop-In Center! Located at 2100 Stout St, any fully vaccinated individuals over the age of 16 years old are welcome to sign up for a volunteer shift serving breakfast or dinner to our youth at the DIC every day of the week except Wednesday. Interested in volunteering? Email donate@urbanpeak.org for more information.
Peak Spotlight
This past month, Urban Peak hosted its first-ever Support Services Wellness Fair at the Drop-In Center (DIC). The fair, organized by support services supervisor Meghan and her team, provided a great opportunity for our youth to interact with staff members from across Urban Peak’s programs and learn more about our wraparound services.
In the morning, staff from all our support services programs set up booths to showcase different resources that are available to youth who are interested in pursuing goals related to education, employment, medical services and social-emotional wellness. We also partnered with local hair stylists to give our youth the option for a haircut if they desired, right at the DIC!
Next door in the Poetry Room, Peak Thrift store manager Oliver set up a mini thrift store featuring professional clothing available for youth to purchase using complementary raffle tickets. These fresh outfits will help them feel more confident when going into job interviews and while at work.
After breaking for lunch, everyone came together for Meghan’s presentation about how to gain valuable job experience and skills training through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Finally, raffle winners were announced and one lucky youth took home two tickets to a Broncos game! Everyone had a good time, learned a lot and the first Support Services Wellness Fair (of what will surely be many) was a big success.
Partner Highlight
It’s no secret that the social determinants of health affect different communities in different ways, and that we see disproportionate numbers of LGBTQ youth in homeless populations. In fact, over a third of youth we served in 2020 identified as LGBTQ, and many reported that mental health was the most significant barrier to a self-determined and fulfilled life off the streets.
That’s why we partner with Envision:You, the only statewide nonprofit organization focused solely on improving behavioral health outcomes for LGBTQ+ Coloradans. Research shows that individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental health or substance use disorder than their straight peers, yet they often face more barriers when seeking out affirming care. Envision:You is dedicated to eliminating those barriers through programs designed to improve outcomes and by promoting positive change on individual, community, policy and system-wide levels.
Envision:You also runs a public awareness campaign that addresses ways to safely and comfortably have a conversation with LGBTQ friends and family about their mental health. It can be a sensitive and awkward conversation to initiate, but How to Have the Talk provides guidance and resources to ensure that everyone involved feels respected and cared for. To learn more about Envision:You and the important work they’re doing, visit www.envision-you.org.
Their work is especially relevant as this week is Transgender Awareness Week and this Saturday is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual observance to honor the memory of transgender people who've lost their lives to anti-trans violence. Urban Peak is firmly committed to honoring and respecting the identities of all people and we're thrilled to partner with Envision:You for the mutual good of our trans and queer siblings.
Interested in getting involved with Urban Peak? Contact donate@urbanpeak.org and let us know!
Youth Spotlight
Isaiah has been working hard on his education and employment goals while staying at the Shelter. He has been diligent not only in his efforts to re-enroll in high school and finish his traditional diploma, but also in filling out employment applications. All his hard work has paid off in spades, as Isaiah recently got a job doing construction. He has done an amazing job to set himself up to achieve his goals!
In his downtime, Isaiah loves working on cars and really enjoys hanging out at car clubs with his fellow gearheads.
Colorado Gives Day is a few weeks away!
Urban Peak ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives. Will you #bethespark and support Urban Peak for Colorado Gives Day?
The biggest fundraising day of the year is Tuesday, December 7th, and you can schedule your gift now!
Join hundreds of other friends of Urban Peak by making a commitment today at www.coloradogives.org/urbanpeak. #bethespark and make a difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness.
