QuickConnections Newsletter


Quick Connections is an electronic (email) subscription news digest for Making Connections-Denver staff, resident leaders, consultants and other interested parties. Sent approximately every three weeks or as needed, it provides information about events, deadlines, opportunities and people in the MC-D network.

09/19/2007
Quick Connections # 95
IN THIS ISSUE:
•Osage Mercado—Saturday & Sunday, September 22 & 23
•Turn $1,000 into $5,000 with a MHUW/MCD IDA
•MC-D 2006-2007 Annual Report
•Community Research Team Staffing Updates
•Amigos de Jesus Seeks Youth Volunteers
•Resident Leader & MCD Staff Present at the Housing Colorado Conference
•Colorado Community Brownfields Workshop
•Denver Workforce Training Schedule
•Upcoming Events & Meetings
Osage Mercado
The Mercado Coalition (a 501(c)(3) organization) announces their third Osage Mercado being held this Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23rd, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at the 10th and Osage Light Rail Stop. This weekend event will showcase a variety of handmade crafts, fresh vegetables, multi-cultural entertainment, and many other products and information. The ultimate goal of the Mercado Coalition is to create a year-round market district that will promote business entrepreneurs from low income families, increase regional economic opportunity, and foster cultural and social understanding.

Turn $1,000 into $5,000 with a MHUW-MCD IDA
Making Connections Denver (MCD) and Mile High United Way (MHUW) sponsor a savings program for low income residents to save money for large purchases such as a home, education or small business development. With the Individual Development Account (IDA) an individual saves a specific amount every month and for every dollar saved an additional $4.00 is received! For more information call Margarita Ruiz at 303-561-2375, English/Spanish.

MC-D 2006-2007 Annual Report Goes to Press
The MC-D 2006—2007 Annual Report goes to press next week. This exciting publication highlights the accomplishments of MCD and its partners. Look for it in your mailboxes in the first part of October.

Community Research Team Staffing Updates
The Community Research Team (CRT) said good-bye to Veronica Quezada, the Community Based Research Project Manager on September 19th. Veronica is moving to San Antonio, TX to use her considerable skills, talents and passion as the director of the Promotoras, a group of Latina community activists. The CRT welcomes new hire, Steve Stewart as the bilingual Spanish-English researcher. Steve lived and worked in Guatemala for 25 years.

Amigos de Jesus Seeks Youth Volunteers
Annunciation Church seeks youth of all ages to participate in the Amigos de Jesus Youth Program. Annunciation Church is located at 36th and Humboldt in the Cole Neighborhood. For more information, contact Gabriela or Alejandra at 303-296-1024.

MC-D Resident Leader & Staff Present at Housing Colorado Conference
MC-D resident leader Tia Lottie and Carri Ratazzi, Resident Engagement Coordinator will be presenting along with a developer at a workshop at the Housing Colorado conference in early October. The workshop will explore how engaging with neighborhood stakeholders before the redevelopment process impacts housing outcomes and neighborhood well-being. They will be using examples from the proposed Transit Oriented Development in Sun Valley and La Alma/Lincoln Park.

Colorado Community Brownfields Workshop
The Voluntary Cleanup Advisory Board (VCAB), a Denver-based community group overseeing the clean-up of the former Gates Rubber Plant, will host a workshop to share community skills for engaging with brownfields redevelopment.
This workshop is open to all Coloradans and will be held at 2980 Curtis Street, Denver, CO on Saturday, September 22, 2007 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Attendees will learn how and why communities should participate in the brownfields clean-up and redevelopment process. "Brownfields" are sites where pollution from past uses is an obstacle to new development. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is requested. Light meal, childcare, and translation provided (please indicate your needs when registering). Please visit www.cocobrownfields.org for more information, including registration and agenda, or leave a message at 720-837-5446.
The Colorado Community Brownfields Workshop is co-sponsored by:
The Voluntary Cleanup Advisory Board (VCAB) www.vcab-denver.org
The Center for Public Environmental Oversight (CPEO), www.cpeo.org
Making Connections-Denver, www.makingconnectionsdenver

Denver Work Force Development Training Schedule
Denver Work Force Development (DWD) offers various workshops at five Workforce Centers and three Community Resource Centers in the Denver City area. One of them is at King Trimble where MC-D staff are housed. Training programs are designed to teach customers how to use the software applications most in demand by employers. DWD also offer career development workshops and assessment tools to assist customers assess their employability skills and find employment. All classes are offered on a first come, first serve basis and are available at no-cost to the customers. Please contact the appropriate center at least one week prior to the class to request any special accommodations. For your convenience, please find feel free to visit our website at: http://www.milehigh.com/employment to view additional information about the Denver Division of Workforce Development’s technical computer and career development classes.


MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Annunciation School and Parish Fall Fest, October 13, 2007. Food will be served from 5:00- 6:30pm. Tamales, burritos, posole, pizza, pop and ice cream sundaes. Win fun prizes at bingo. Raffle drawing at 7:30 pm-- $1000, $500, $250. Raffle tickets $5 each or 3 for $10.

Building Inclusive Organizations: Stories from the Journey, a day long conference presented by The Denver Foundation and Community Resource Center on September 27, 2007, 7:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec Street, Denver. For more information go to: http://www.denverfoundation.org/page30157.cfm or contact the Community Resource Center at 303-626-1540.

Baker Historic Neighborhood Association (BHNA) Meeting: Tuesday, October 9th, 6:30-8:30pm at 1st Ave. Presbyterian Church at 1st and Acoma.

Community Learning Network Data Volunteers Orientation Meeting, Saturday, September 22, 10:00am—1:00pm, Whittier Community Center, 2900 Downing, #1B, Contact Rosella Palacios at 720-891-4915 for more information or if you are interested in joining this group.

Family Economic Success (FES) Guidance Group—Thursday, September 27, 6-8pm. For more information contact Deborah La Torre at 720-891-4923.

La Alma Lincoln Park Planning Group (LLPPG) Monday, September 24 6:00—8:00pm. Contact Tom Kelsey at 303-404-1961.