At the Foundation, our community engagement approach is significantly enriched through our locally focused initiatives. We invest substantial time and effort in understanding individual communities. The East Colfax Corridor is one of nine communities where we are deeply committed.
Our goal is to cultivate profound and meaningful relationships, connect with residents and support long-term efforts that prioritize community-informed, collaborative solutions to health challenges.
Why local focus? We firmly believe that solutions generated at the local level are more likely to address the community's unique needs and drive lasting change.
East Colfax is a vibrant corridor spanning Denver, Arapahoe and Adams counties. Colfax Avenue, the axis of this diverse region, embodies both challenges and potential. Known for its cultural richness, it is also marked by issues like poverty and homelessness. As a haven for marginalized communities, East Colfax balances support and struggles, drawing people seeking refuge yet aiming to overcome its challenges. In this dynamic tapestry, independence and dependence intersect, creating a delicate equilibrium.
In the East Colfax Corridor, our locally focused work is actively implementing three interrelated strategies: community property ownership, meeting essential community needs and wealth creation.
Community Ownership of Property
Food Justice Northwest Aurora
The Foundation has played a pivotal role in supporting community ownership by contributing to the successful launch of Food Justice Northwest Aurora. Through strategic grants and thought partnership, the Foundation facilitated the provisional agreement by the Aurora City Council to upgrade and lease two city-owned greenhouses to Food Justice Northwest Aurora for $1 per month. If formally approved, this initiative will provide a space for culturally relevant plant starts, fostering community-driven agriculture.
Meeting Basic Community Needs
Amigos De Mexico
Improving coordination, communication and collaboration among organizations serving basic community needs is a key focus. CLDP has been working closely with Amigos De Mexico, a grassroots group of women in the East Colfax Corridor. By facilitating meetings in Spanish with English translation and providing support in organizational planning, CLDP is contributing to the formalization of Amigos De Mexico as a nonprofit to enhance its capacity to meet the community's essential requirements.
Wealth Creation
El Alba Cooperative and La Cueva
By adopting a community wealth-building approach, especially for immigrants and refugees, cooperatives have emerged as a powerful strategy. El Alba Cooperative, with CLDP's support, is transitioning from an informal structure to a formal cooperative. The City of Aurora is reviewing El Alba's financial and business plan, paving the way to lease a building from the City.
El Alba Cooperative has inspired the creation of La Cueva, a new cooperative supporting food entrepreneurs in Aurora. CLDP is providing support to La Cueva with a Foundation grant contributing to staffing support. These cooperatives empower immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs, creating pathways to community wealth.
If you have ideas about creating a healthier community or want to learn more about the Foundation, please email Ageno Otii, senior program officer, or call her at 303.953.3690.
Explore the impactful initiatives shaping East Colfax Corridor through our Locally Focused Work Program:
- Food Justice Northwest Aurora
- Addressing food justice and community-driven agriculture
- Potential greenhouse space for culturally relevant plant starts
- Amigos De Mexico
- Grassroots efforts to meet basic community needs
- Formalizing as a nonprofit with language justice considerations
- El Alba Cooperative
- Community wealth building through a formal cooperative structure
- City-approved plans for leasing a building and promoting immigrant and refugee entrepreneurship
- La Cueva Cooperative
- Inspired by El Alba, supporting food entrepreneurs in Aurora
- Strategic direction supported by CLDP and a Colorado Health Foundation grant
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