The Mayor's Office of Social Equity & Innovation - City and County of Denver

The Assessment Intake and Diversion (AID) Center, in partnership with the Colorado Asylum Center, recently held a crucial workshop designed to support asylum seekers in our community. This impactful event, which assisted 200 families, offered comprehensive guidance on navigating the asylum process, securing basic needs, and accessing available social services. The success of this workshop underscores the importance of community collaboration in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. The AID Center and Colorado Asylum Center are committed to continuing this vital work, providing ongoing support to those seeking safety and a new beginning in Colorado.

The Office of Social Equity and Innovation, with its newly integrated Office of Neighborhood Safety, is taking a rigorous and methodical approach to addressing the needs and concerns of our community. Every suggestion, idea, and recommendation provided by our stakeholders is being carefully examined to develop actionable strategies that truly reflect the voices of those we serve. Our team understands that effective solutions can only emerge from a deep understanding of the community's lived experiences. That’s why we have actively engaged with local stakeholders, ensuring that the development of our initiatives is not only community-informed but also grounded in real, actionable outcomes. We are committed to making sure that every piece of feedback is thoroughly analyzed and used to craft robust strategies that address the most pressing issues in our neighborhoods. This rigorous process is about more than just listening—it’s about turning those insights into concrete actions that build trust, foster security, and promote equity across Denver. We believe in the power of collaboration and invite you to join us in this transformative work. If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to contribute to the development of our strategies, consider applying to be part of the Office of Neighborhood Safety’s Community Advisory Board (CAB). Your insights could be instrumental in shaping a safer, more equitable future for our city. To be a part of this change, apply for the CAB here: https://lnkd.in/gvtWjw2D. Together, we can create lasting impact and make Denver a place where everyone thrives.

Safe Haven activation this Thursday. Please spread the word!

Denver’s Assessment Intake and Diversion Center (A.I.D.) hosted an asylum workshop that was met with an impressive turnout. Under the leadership of Director Carlon L. Apparicio-Manuel, the event saw over 150 attendees. The workshop targeted individuals who, along with their immediate relatives, had stayed in a City and County of Denver newcomer "migrant" shelter on or before April 10, 2024, making them potentially eligible for asylum assistance. Attendees were advised to bring their immigration paperwork and identity documents, allowing volunteers to conduct initial screenings to determine eligibility for future asylum workshops. The event marked a significant effort in supporting the asylum-seeking process for Denver's newcomer community.

Safe Haven will activate in response to recent violence that has adversely affected the Near Northeast Denver Community. Please share with those who may benefit from gathering with the community and receiving access to support.

OSEI leadership, Daelene Mix, Dr. Nicole C. Monroe, DSL, MA, NCC, LPC, LAC, ATP, Carlon L. Apparicio-Manuel, Franchesca Luistro, Brian Firooz, and Tandis Hashemi, receive remarkable training from Darrell Hammond, Sr. Hammond is a distinguished international speaker, facilitator, and trainer renowned for his expertise in leadership and employee engagement. Darrell’s engaging keynotes, workshops, and executive coaching sessions employ proven frameworks that enhance clarity, focus, and effectiveness, helping leaders and their teams achieve peak performance. His tailored presentations are meticulously prepared to resonate deeply with his audience, utilizing familiar terminology and insights drawn from his extensive experience. Beyond his professional endeavors, Darrell’s personal achievements include earning a silver medal with Team U.S.A. at the Australia Games and an NBA Legends M.V.P. award, underscoring his commitment and work ethic. When not delivering transformative workshops or coaching sessions, he enjoys spending time with his wife of over 30 years, cycling, practicing archery, or connecting with his five children via video call. Darrell’s practical approaches and real-world applications in leadership have empowered many to say, “I can do that!”—a testament to the practical, inspired outcomes of his work with Higher Ground.

OSEI staffers celebrated National Night Out. National Night Out is an annual event that strengthens community and law enforcement relationships by fostering trust and unity. Held on the first Tuesday in August, neighborhoods hosted block parties, cookouts, and safety demonstrations, where residents engaged with police and emergency personnel in a friendly setting. The initiative promotes safer, stronger communities by building connections among neighbors and with local law enforcement. Dr. Nicole C. Monroe, DSL, MA, NCC, LPC, LAC, ATP, director of our Office of Community Violence Solutions was on hand to engage with residents, supporting the event's focus on collaboration and community safety.

OSEI’s team members honored with PEAK Academy’s esteemed Best Cross-Agency Collaboration award for their remarkable partnership with diverse city agencies. Denver’s quest to enhance healthy food access initially focused on corner stores. Over the next 5 years, the city expanded its approach, acknowledging the intricate interplay within the entire food system, covering producers, processors, distributors, retailers, and consumers. Recognizing inequities in access, particularly among marginalized communities, Denver prioritized a comprehensive evaluation of its food programs.   In 2021, OSEI, collaborating with Bloomberg’s; Turn the Curve initiative, revitalized a citywide movement addressing food equity. Partnering with the leading food agency: DDPHE as well as PEAK Academy, Denver Human Services, and the Office of Children’s Affairs in 2022, OSEI helped to establish the Food Interagency Group (FIG). This collective undertook pivotal tasks: analyzing food access data, forming specialized subgroups (Data & Mapping, Funding, Business Supports, Centralized Resources), consolidating budget requests, restructuring food licensing, conducting a citywide inventory, and evaluating food funding. The Food Interagency Group (FIG) embodies collaboration among 15+ City and County of Denver agencies, committed to realizing Food Vision 2030. The goal is to cultivate a food system promoting inclusivity, health, vibrancy, and resilience within Denver. The group convened to reassess strategies, document each agency’s current progress, and develop actionable items to advance over arching goals. Together, they crafted a comprehensive action plan with specialized workgroups focusing on Food Data/Mapping, Common Grantmaking/Funding, Business Supports/Barriers, and Centralized Resources. This collaborative initiative has produced substantial outcomes: including an extensive assessment of Denver’s food funding, the establishment of public-facing food resources, collaborative data collection and monitoring, a progress report outlining the Denver Food Vision, joint budget requests, and the streamlining of food licensing procedures. The team’s unwavering dedication and advocacy for food justice have been instrumental in achieving these significant milestones. Congratulations to the team for their exceptional achievement!

The Office of Neighborhood Safety is now a vital part of the Office of Social Equity and Innovation. Our team is actively engaging with local stakeholders to ensure that the development of this office is both community-informed and highly effective. We acknowledge the systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities and are resolute in addressing these issues and making Denver a safe and equitable place for everyone.  By confronting these issues, we aim to build trust and foster a sense of security and equity throughout our city. Community members interested in joining this effort are encouraged to apply for the Office of Neighborhood Safety Community Advisory Board (CAB) here: https://lnkd.in/gY87aGQF

Congratulations The Assessment, Intake, and Diversion (AID) center and Director, Carlon L. Apparicio-Manuel The AID Center takes a trauma-informed public health approach to public safety by acting as a connection point to comprehensive community and systems-based services. It is a resource for law enforcement, the community, and individuals as both a continuum of services and an alternative response model. While any member of the public is eligible to receive services at the center, the focus is on providing resources to individuals who have active warrants for low-level, non-violent crimes and continue to face challenges accessing services and stable housing. Additionally, law enforcement officers have the option of referral to the supportive services located at the AID Center in lieu of arrest under appropriate circumstances.