July Peak News
Congrats to our 2023 Maverick Thinkers!
Thank you to everyone who showed up for our youth at Maverick Thinkers! It was an evening full of laughter, tears and opportunities to honor some of our most committed friends and champions.
We are immensely grateful for those who helped us surpass our fundraising goal and raise over $600,000 for the youth we serve! Such incredible generosity will allow us to continue providing essential services for youth experiencing homelessness as they strive to achieve self-sufficiency and success.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed honorees, David Jennings and Dick & Karen Thomas, as well as our sponsors, guests and volunteers who played a vital role in making this event a resounding success. Their unwavering generosity and commitment to our youth created an evening filled with inspiration and hope.
Urban Peak's 2023 Maverick Thinkers: Dick Thomas, Karen Thomas and David Jennings.
Our amazing Urban Peak family continues to be the spark that ignites the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined, fulfilled lives!
Peak Spotlight
At Urban Peak, we’re always looking for ways to kick back and have fun with our youth, especially during these extraordinarily hot summer months. ESPECIALLY in July, which happens to be National Parks and Recreation Month! ☀️🏞️
Youth Dee never misses an opportunity to share her truth during open mic night.
These activities can take many forms depending on the program and our partnerships. Here are just a few:
Pool Outings – One of the most popular activities among our youth (big surprise), we love getting outside for excursions to the local pool to help beat the heat and simply enjoy ourselves!
James, “a most modern magician,” captures the attention of youths Raymond and Valentine.
Open Mic Night – Urban Peak hosts a monthly open mic night at The Spot for youth from all programs to flex their creative muscles in their chosen medium. Some youth share powerful poems straight from the heart, while others bust out the rhymes in a song or rap. Regardless of how they participate, it is always a pleasure to be part of this communal and creative moment with our youth who are so resilient and brave for being willing to be vulnerable.
Partner Highlight
Urban Peak is grateful to partner with the From the Heart Foundation, a local community-based and BIPOC-led organization dedicated to strengthening families and making a difference by offering mental health support to those who’ve fallen through the cracks.
It is essential that the youth we serve, many of whom are young people of color, can see themselves in the folks and organizations we work with. It’s one thing to say they can do anything they set their minds to. But being able to work firsthand with people who look like them and who may have overcome similar systemic struggles supports both their self-esteem and their ability to envision a self-determined and successful life for themselves.
Our social-emotional coordinator, Manon, shared how much she appreciates “the intentional consistency they’ve built in our space.” With a transient population like youth experiencing homelessness, it’s important that our partners show up each week, remember the names of our youth and build relationships with them. What’s more, “they take on tough conversations each week with ease. From financial decisions to personal boundaries to living with PTSD to substance use – they approach these topics with a compassionate, subtle expertise in creating a comfortable environment for those who join them.”
A big thank you to From the Heart for their consistent and compassionate workshops with our youth!
Restoring Lost Treasures
It’s easy to forget just how dirty and worn our clothing can become when we do not have easy access to resources like clothing stores or laundry services. There are plenty of people who take a lot of pride in the clothes they own and wear out in public; for many, their attire is an important extension of their identity. That’s why it was so exciting when Kaitlin Esquivias reached out to us and offered her sewing skills in support of our youth!
She utilizes her sewing skills every month at The Spot to bring back to life our youths’ most treasured outfits, ensuring that they can navigate the world confidently and with pride.
Kaitlin shared that “I’ve enjoyed working with Urban Peak’s clients. It’s very fulfilling to be able to help out! So far, I’ve repaired jackets, clothes with holes, broken zippers, and I even turned a dress into a skirt and top for someone! Everyone has been respectful and appreciative of my help, but really it’s an honor for me to be able to help people care for their valued possessions. I’m very happy to have found an organization where my skills are needed and that I like volunteering at.” We are so happy you found us, thank you Kaitlin!
Youth Spotlight 😎
Javoni was awarded Student of the Month in recognition for his hard work in attaining his education goals. He attended every single classroom session of summer school at RiseUp Community High School and hopes to continue his classes in the fall. RiseUp is a charter school within Denver Public Schools (DPS) whose vision that “all young people, regardless of their circumstances, have access to an education that will prepare them to counter social inequities and realize their full potential” aligns very closely with our own.
Javoni is funny and charismatic, and he brings joy into our spaces. He likes to work out and play football and says his dream is to play in the NFL one day. His favorite sports team is (naturally) the Denver Broncos, whom he would love to play for! Currently, he’s working in landscaping for the summer to earn some extra money. Keep up the great work, Jovani!
