Christy Steadman
csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods honored some outstanding community members and organizations in January.
The 2021 S.E.E.D. Awards Program recipients were recognized during virtual presentation on Jan. 6.
This is the second year for the S.E.E.D. Awards Program. The program exists to help organizations meet immediate funding needs for smaller projects that encourage civic entrepreneurship and/or promote neighborhood engagement. To be awarded S.E.E.D. funding, a project must enhance the greater Capitol Hill community and align with CHUN’s mission and values. S.E.E.D. is an acronym for Smart development, Enrichment, Environmental sustainability, and Diversity in the community.
The Good Neighbor Awards is a longtime program of CHUN. This award recognizes nonprofit organizations, individuals or businesses for outstanding contributions to the greater Capitol Hill community. Good Neighbor Award recipients were recognized on Jan. 27 during CHUN’s annual membership meeting, which took place virtually.
2021 S.E.E.D. funding recipients:Harm Reduction Action Center
The project: underwrite ongoing community cleanups where the organization can facilitate hard conversations regarding homelessness and drug use issues.
Our Saviors Lutheran Church
The project: purchase clothes and toiletries for those needing a helping hand in the neighborhood.
Safehouse Denver
The project: upgrade playground fencing to create a music fence, which will ensure child safety and provide more outdoor play options.
“SafeHouse Denver is honored to receive a CHUN SEED Award. The Award will allow us to spruce up fencing at our location serving survivors of domestic violence, while also making a special music and art fence for the children accessing our services. This is exciting for our agency, but more importantly, gives survivors an even greater sense of safety and dignity as they work to rebuild their lives.” – Victoria McVicker, CEO of SafeHouse Denver.
Senior Housing Options
The project: enhance the exterior grounds of the Olin Hotel apartments, which provides affordable housing for more than 100 seniors in the heart of Capitol Hill, by installing garden boxes for which the residents can use to grow their own flowers or vegetables. The garden boxes are part of a larger renovation project, which is expected to be complete within a couple of months.
“Gardening is fulfilling because it produces something. The garden boxes will also offer an opportunity for socialization (and) a connection to nature. It’s all about enriching their lives.” – Jim Goddard, CEO of Senior Housing Options.
South City Park Neighborhood Association
The project: collaborate with Front Line Farming to provide affordable, locally-grown food for those needing food assistance.
Swallow Hill Neighborhood Association
The project: employ adults experiencing economic insecurity and offer them a unique opportunity to rebuild their lives through work in their own neighborhood. Particular emphasis will be placed on neighborhood cleanup efforts surrounding the Temporary Safe Outdoor Site at 16th and Pearl Street.
The Gathering Place
The project: expand the organization’s recovery program to include a trauma-informed program in a community-based day shelter setting in the neighborhood.
Urban Servant Corps
The project: pair young adult volunteers with nonprofit organizations to give them opportunities to understand social needs, to create social change and to achieve personal growth through the experience.
2021 Good Neighbor Award recipients:
Roger Armstrong Award for Outstanding Volunteerism: Bill DeMaio for his work on CHUN’s successful efforts to rezone the Tears-McFarlane property at 1290 Williams St.
Neighborhood Safety Award: Courageous Yoga for creating safe communities for historically marginalized populations by increasing access to yoga and wellness programs.
Affordable & Accessible Housing Award: REDI Corp for its contributions to address homelessness and ensure accessible, affordable housing in neighborhoods throughout the greater Capitol Hill community.
“REDI has been a provider of supported, affordable housing in the Capitol Hill neighborhood for over 40 years. We take great pride in the appearance and upkeep of our properties, yet we are most proud of our residents for being the great neighbors that they are. This award honors them as much as it does our organization.” – Sandra Goldhaber, vice president of REDI Corp.
Tom Knorr Award for Outstanding Community Leadership: Rev. Bonita Bock for bringing people together and building partnerships to work collectively to become a better neighborhood. Her efforts include addressing climate change, including helping to organize a community electronics recycling event, which will take place in May; extensive work to address income inequality; and engaging communities of faith to support socioeconomic justice in Denver and throughout Colorado.
“A sense of community gives us purpose and meaning. Being able to feel like you’re making your corner of the world a better place is really rewarding.” – Bonita Bock.
Neighborhood Character Award: Smith and Cannon Ice Cream and Joy Wine and Spirits for preserving and developing neighborhood character through smart land use, effective zoning, community beautification, small business development and architectural preservation.
Historic Preservation Award: St. Francis Center for preserving and restoring the historic, architecturally significant Warren Church at 14th Avenue and Gilpin Street to provide affordable housing options for Denver residents.
