By Brian Dibley, former VOICE vendor
Nightfall, ever more pronounced
A sky full of wonder
What might we find there?
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This issue of the Denver VOICE includes a special pullout guide to volunteering in Denver, compiled by Metro Volunteers. If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to your community but aren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you.
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Denver VOICE vendor Gary Davis is a prime example of turning mistakes into stepping stones on the path to success. Gary has had a long journey battling alcohol addiction, a problem which has led to him being homeless more than once. Today, however, Gary is one year sober and housed.
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These Denver nonprofits rescue and redistribute fruits and veggies in the city’s food deserts—and food swamps.
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What does nutrition look like when food access is limited?
Research and infographics by Morgan Kinney
Denver VOICE Vendors Explain Their Food Choices
VOICE vendor T.J. Jackson
“I go to Dollar Tree and get their frozen food.
By Jon Lonardo, VOICE vendor
Before I was homeless, I was narrow-minded in a way. There were some people I never would have given the time of day to. After I was homeless, I began to see people in a different light. When I travel around town, I like to help people find information they need. If I meet someone who needs help getting an ID, food stamps, or Medicaid, I tell them where to go.
By Ann Bitela, VOICE vendor
I volunteer at Goodwill. I have to volunteer 23 hours per month for my benefits (specifically food stamps). I am in workforce, which helps in preparing you to look for a job. I have to take part in workforce to receive food stamps, and workforce requires me to either work or volunteer a certain number of hours.
What is the single biggest obstacle preventing you from finding a job or housing?
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A friend of mine still pays $450 for a studio in Baker. She knows that isn’t going to last, though. Her building’s new owner has recently begun renovating, a telltale sign that rent is about to increase. My friend and her boyfriend know they won’t be able to afford anything in their neighborhood, so they’re starting to look at places on the outskirts of town: neighborhoods like Globeville and Elyria-Swansea.
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Standing at just under five feet tall with a petite frame, Denver VOICE vendor Penny Sandoval is noticeably adorable. One would be hard pressed to find a person as sweet and naturally pleasant as Penny.
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What brought you to Denver, and why did you decide to stay here after becoming homeless?
The Denver Rescue Mission is asking that would-be Samaritans stop giving food and supplies directly to people on sidewalks near its facility in the Ballpark neighborhood.
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When the new affordable housing facility The Meadows at Dunkirk opened in January, building managers and officials at the Aurora housing complex weren’t prepared for the rush of eager potential renters it would bring. Hopeful applicants waited out an entire night in a line that, by morning, spanned hundreds of people long. But in the end, many were turned away.
Though Denver’s rent market may be showing early signs of a cool down, average rent in the Mile High City remains unaffordable for many.
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I would like to dedicate this to Ms. Wilma Fisher at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. She epitomizes the essence of mercy, not only through her profession, but also through her gestures and words. She inspires hope in all of those she serves.
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When you see someone hurting, do you look away? Hope someone else will help the person as you walk around them, because you don’t want to have to get involved? Do you play it safe?
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Last fall, the Denver VOICE partnered with Write Denver for a special walking tour and writing workshop that focused on the ideas of place and time. VOICE vendors and Denver residents joined members of Lighthouse Writers Workshop—which hosts Write Denver—on a two and a half mile walk around the City Park, Cheesman Park, and Congress Park neighborhoods.
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By Linette Hidalgo
A new year often brings change, as it is a time for reflections, resolutions, and a refreshed sense of possibility. For former Denver VOICE vendor Brian Dibley, 2016 is certainly proving to be a year of positive change. Brian recently moved from Denver to Amherst, New York, to be close to family and focus on his goals of finding work and staying sober.
The “Ask a Vendor” column allows us to share the thoughts and wisdom of the diverse group of people who make up the Denver VOICE vendor pool. Do you have a question for VOICE vendors?
What item do you keep with you that you would really struggle without?