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History
Through the foresight and commitment of United Methodist clergy and laity, Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM) was organized in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) human service agency to provide emergency and stabilization services in Denver’s most impoverished neighborhoods.
For twelve years, the agency operated primarily as a food and clothing bank, then began to add other services as volunteers, supporters, and service recipients determined there were existing unmet needs.
In 1993, DenUM began offering job assistance services through the Job Center, and a new emphasis on helping low-income people become economically self-reliant was borne.
After many years of operating from several locations, DenUM was able to purchase a building, and centralize operations to the East Colfax corridor in 1998.
A Year in the Life: A chronicle of happenings at DenUM
May, 2006
Matching Funds report
Thanks to communities and individuals who made special efforts to donate during the months of March and April, DenUM collected $137,988 in cash and in-kind donations - an increase of $5,700 over 2005. All donations during the two months count toward a proportion of $1 million to be distributed nationwide by the Feinstein Foundation. (See Press Release here.)
Special thanks went to Capitol Hill United Ministries, who surprised DenUM with a grant of $1,000 during the appeal.
April, 2006
DenUM Founder Honored
The First Unitarian Society of Denver devoted its 2006 Hobart Community Service Award to the Rev. Dr. Clarence Snelling, Jr., DenUM founder, Chair of DenUM's Advocacy Committee and an active DenUM Board member. Rev. Snelling has a long history of work on civil rights and social justice issues.
March, 2006
DenUM turns 25!
Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM) celebrated its 25 years of service in Denver’s most impoverished neighborhoods at its Annual Meeting. The celebration was held at University Park United Methodist Church, which is pastored by DenUM's first executive director, Rev. Paul Kottke. The featured speaker was past Board President Steve Graham, now Executive Director of Community Resource Center. Also in attendance were all of but one of DenUM's past directors and many supporters from pivotal moments in DenUM's history.
January, 2006
DenUM is a "Good Neighbor"!
On January 5 Denver Urban Ministries and Executive Director Tammy Mulligan were honored by Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN). This "Good Neighbor" award commended DenUM for the quality of its services in the Colfax Corridor. Thank you, CHUN!
Board Vice President honored
DenUM Board Vice President Cecelia Mascarenas was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for 2006 for her notable work with the City of Denver.
December, 2005
DenUM Featured in Denver Post
Please see the link below for an article referring to the vigil held Wednesday at Denver Urban Ministries. The vigil was part of a national effort to bring attention to the decision of Congress to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy (those making $200,000 or more per year) through cuts in programs that provide the essentials of food, medical care and other basic aid for the poorest Americans.
The vigil was organized through Capitol Hill United Ministries with the assistance of ProgressNow. The article quotes DenUM Executive Director Tammy Mulligan.
Religious left's budget protest is a testament to values
“How you choose to spend your money, cutting programs for the poorest Americans and giving tax breaks to the wealthiest, is a statement of morality," Mulligan said. "You're speaking with your money. You're saying where your priorities are."
(Also see related article here: Christian groups fight 'immoral' budget bill
Offices of Musgrave, Allard targeted as part of vigil)
Thanks for using IGive and Network for Good!
Many thanks to supporters who used DenUM's IGive and Network for Good links to purchase holiday gifts online. This effort raised $1,800 in proceeds to benefit DenUM's programs in December!
Links to IGive and Network for Good can be found at the bottom lefthand corner of this page. Use them anytime to connect to your favorite vendors, including Barnes & Noble, Office Max and Land's End. Up to 26% of your purchase goes to support those in need!
November, 2005
Food For All 2005
Thanks to the generous support of neighborhoods, faith communities and friends, DenUM's Thanksgiving event gathered 16,000 pounds of food this year!
Thanksgiving boxes were given to 425 individuals and families the week of Thanksgiving. In addition, DenUM distributes an average of 2,000 lbs. of food each week. Food For All food will supply emergency food bags until the end of 2005, serving approximately 800 additional families.
October, 2005
DenUM Hunger Banquet
Youth and religious leaders joined DenUM staff and volunteers for the first DenUM Hunger Banquet, a meal and event designed to raise awareness of hunger and poverty in Denver. Hosted by Warren United Methodist Church, the event was used as a kick-off for Food For All food drives and was personalized to neighborhoods near the church.
September, 2005
Youth Nights at DenUM
Youth from Hebrew High School, Heritage United Methodist Church, and St. Andrew United Methodist Church came to DenUM in September for a fun scavenger hunt and some serious conversation about homelessness and poverty in Denver.
Assistance for Hurricane Katrina Evacuees
DenUM collaborated with the Red Cross and the United Way to build infrastructure for hurricane victims who relocated to Denver in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Nearly 1,000 evacuees were placed temporarily at Lowry Air Force Base at the beginning of September.
August, 2005
DenUM Supporters Come Through in a Crunch
A continued trend of high client numbers (an average of 7% more each month in 2005 than in 2004) coupled with low summer donations meant that DenUM was unable to provide emergency food resources for three days in August of 2005. Thanks to the quick mobilization and generous response of supportive faith communities, service groups and individuals, DenUM quickly recovered. In fact, as much food was brought in during the month of August as during the prior six months altogether - 15,121.50 pounds! Many thanks to DenUM's community of support.
Eagle Scout Brings in Record Donation
With 3,289 pounds of food and 52 bags clothing collected from neighbors and at local Safeway stores, Eagle Scout Chris Job (Troop 459) collected DenUM's biggest donation by a service group in 2005! Safeway donated 1/3 of the grocery bags needed for the collection.
July, 2005
Feinstein Foundation Announces Awards
DenUM has been awarded a $900 challenge grant by the Feinstein Foundation. The foundation distributed $1 million nationwide, but based its gifts on cash and in-kind gifts given to participating food banks during the months of March and April. DenUM received a relatively large grant, thanks to its gracious supporters.
March, 2005
Hickenlooper Speaks at Annual Meeting
DenUM was privileged to have such esteemed guests as Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Director of Human Services Roxane White, and Bishop Warner Brown of the United Methodist Church at its 2005 Annual Meeting.
In May, Mayor Hickenlooper released his commission's "10-Year Plan to End Homelessness," recommending a comprehensive strategy that pairs emergency services like those at DenUM with "wraparound" services including case management, counseling, and affordable housing.