In the latest episode of MSU Denver Alumni Bird Talk! guest Kayla Wright-Jackson, the CEO and Co-founder of Transition, a workforce-ready platform, spoke about the importance of workforce development in healthcare and how organizations like Volunteers of America Colorado play a critical role in supporting communities and bridging the gap between education and employment. You can listen to the episode here:

One of the most exciting events of the year was the groundbreaking of the new Theodora Family Hotel. The ceremony was attended by many of our wonderful volunteers and donors, as well as Denver Mayor Johnston, our partners at the Department of Housing Stability, our board chair Glenn Rippey, and representatives from the City and County of Denver.  The Theodora Family Hotel will allow us to serve families in greater numbers, in an improved facility, and offer more services. By the time this Hotel is complete, we will be able to house 60 families and veterans. There are many unique…

Heather Schelble, volunteer for VOA of Colorado’s Meals on Wheels program, has a deep passion for helping others. Her grandfather delivered for Meals on Wheels in California for over 40 years and well into his 90s. She would go with him on his route starting when she was just five years old. Today, Heather is passing along her servant’s heart to her two little boys. Both of her sons – one just started kindergarten and the other just learned to walk – often come with her when she makes her Meals on Wheels deliveries every week.  With just about every delivery, Heather takes the time to talk with the recipients and form relationships that…

The holidays are a time for joy and generosity, and VOA Colorado’s Village Toy Drive is at the heart of it all. This beloved annual tradition, spearheaded by the incredible Michelle Gruber, brings our community together to ensure that every child in need experiences the magic of the season. Michelle’s dedication and passion for this initiative have made it a cornerstone of hope for families facing challenges. “Every toy represents not just a gift, but a message of love and support to the families we serve,” she says. Since The Village Toy Drive began, Michelle estimates that 18,000 children in…

(1/17/2025) – Over the MLK Jr. weekend, VOA Colorado expanded its shelter services for women, ensuring hope and care during extreme weather.

(1/17/2025) – As subzero temperatures hit, VOA Colorado stepped up to provide women with shelter, demonstrating its care for those in need.

(1/17/2025) – During the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, VOA Colorado expanded its shelter services for women, reaffirming its commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.

The cycle of homelessness is complex. This is especially true for our veterans. In addition to an already overwhelming and challenging set for circumstances such as a lack of affordable housing, poverty, job or income loss, mental illness, substance abuse, and health problems, many vets live with debilitating PTSD, often don’t have a good family or support network, and must deal with a complicated and nearly impossible system when it comes to receiving benefits and resources. VOA Colorado’s Veterans Service Center (VSC) located at 1247 Santa Fe Drive in Denver, stands as a testament to compassion and innovation in supporting…

As we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, we are reminded of the silent pain endured by too many in our community. Behind closed doors, countless individuals—our neighbors, friends, and family members—are living in fear. Across the nation, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience severe intimate partner violence. In Colorado, over 27% of women and 14% of men face the unimaginable reality of domestic violence at some point in their lives. These numbers are not just statistics—they represent real people, with real stories of suffering and survival. At Volunteers of America Colorado, we believe…

Toni Hunter, associate director of VOA Colorado’s Mission, describes the facility in two simple words: “holistic and transformational.”  Located at 2877 Lawrence Street in Denver’s RiNo District, the Mission is a daytime center for people in the community experiencing homelessness. The program provides clients with food, basic hygiene products, clothing, job training, employment assistance, spiritual guidance, referrals, and a comforting place for relaxation and refreshment.  Recently the Mission began providing dog food for clients’ pets, as well. According to Hunter this is a vitally important addition as many people needing help might not seek or receive assistance if they had…