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2021-2022 Community Report

A message from our President & CEO

The greatest joy of being part of the Mile High United Way team is seeing first hand the grace and resiliency of a community united – from our tireless volunteers, our generous donors, our committed staff, and our extraordinary Board of Trustees to our corporate and non-profit partners, policymakers, and the families and individuals we are privileged to serve. This past year has once again called upon all of us to reach out our hearts and our hands and find what truly unites us – a vibrant community where every Coloradan can prosper.

I have stood in awe watching the parents in our HIPPY program celebrate as their preschoolers skipped across the stage at their first graduation, seeing our young people in Bridging the Gap unlock the door to their first apartment, hearing our 211 Community Navigators respond to over 100,000 requests for help, working alongside hundreds of volunteers to create magical experiences for new moms and their babies, listening and learning to bold journeys in brave spaces, and witnessing so many other countless stories of hope.

What a year it has been.

I am deeply grateful, as always, for the courage and commitment of our Board of Trustees, led these past two years by the simply amazing Catherine Hance.

At a time when the world changed in front of our eyes, the needs of our community multiplied, and hope wore thin, Catherine’s steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission was a port in the storm. Her legacy will be felt in our community for years to come.

It is also truly an honor to welcome our new Board Chair, Carlos Pacheco, a longtime resident and community leader in Boulder, who previously served as Chair of the Board of Foothills United Way. I cannot wait to see what this next chapter of our story brings.

As we begin celebrating 135 years as the first United Way in the world, it is clear that Mile High United Way’s story is our community’s story. We are excited to continue writing that story with you.

Warmly,

Christine Benero
President and CEO, Mile High United Way

Our Wraparound Approach

By addressing the following needs, Mile High United Way provides wraparound support to families across the seven-county Metro Denver area. Our programs and initiatives align with three Community Priorities: giving all children a strong start, supporting education and academic success, and creating economic opportunity for all.

Our Stories

Tonya is excited to expand
Like many small business owners, Tonya was faced with challenges when the pandemic hit and struggled to keep her company afloat. Mile High United Way's United for Business team worked with her to create a financial strategy and marketing plan to help stabilize her business. She is now excited for the future and making plans to expand.

“This road has been extremely challenging. [Mile High] United Way provided hope when my fighter spirit was almost done."
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Supporting Our Youngest Learners
Mile High United Way started offering Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) services in 2020 to empower parents with tools to support their child’s school readiness at home. HIPPY quickly became a beacon of our United for Families program. In June, Mile High United Way staff gathered alongside families participating in our HIPPY program to celebrate the graduation and accomplishments of their amazing children.
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A home for Jill* and Her Family
Our Bridging the Gap program provides stable housing and wellness supports for young adults transitioning out of the child welfare system. For many in the program, this is the first time they have had a stable place to call home.

“This has really changed my life for the better. This is truly giving me the opportunity to give my kids a good home and a stable upbringing, which is all I could ask for. It’s the leg up I’ve been praying for.”
Ruben is now thriving
Ruben was diagnosed with a speech delay at 15 months old. His mother, Yazmin, wanted the very best support for her son and joined our HIPPY program.

“It’s been amazing. Once we started the Mile High United Way HIPPY program, that’s when Ruben really started talking and growing. Now he’s my little chatterbox and he is talking so much. We work on fine motor skill, gross motor skill, reading, literature, understanding of what they're reading, and just activities that make it fun for them."
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More than a Tax Refund for Dianne
Our Tax Help Colorado program provides free tax preparation services to low- and middle-income families. Getting the refund you are owed can be life-changing for many individuals and families, including Dianne*.

“I am in a really tough situation as a widow. Using this money, I plan to buy furniture for my kids. I was homeless, but now I have a place, and I am needing to buy a bed for my kids. My mom has cancer, so this also helps with her medical bills. This is a blessing."
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