Our Work

Basic Needs

We believe everyone should be able to meet their basic needs, so they can focus on what’s possible.

In Colorado, 40% of residents say they are “just getting by financially.” 1 in 3 are concerned that they may not always be able to afford food.¹ Our programs and services ensure everyone in our community has a roof over their head and food on the table, so they can focus on the future and on achieving greater resiliency. 

¹ Colorado Health Foundation

Our Programs

How We Support Basic Needs

211 Help Center

Through our multilingual and confidential resource center, we connect people to resources including shelter, rental assistance, food assistance, child care and more.

Bridging The Gap

We support young people transitioning out of the foster care system, helping them access housing and wellness supports, so they can focus on their future.

United FOr Families

Our Community Advocates ensure that families in our United for Families program have access to high-quality child care and education and are able to meet their other basic needs.

Community Investments

Through our community grants, we invest in nonprofit organizations that provide crisis support and help families meet their basic needs.

Impact At a Glance

Last Year
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resources provided by our 211 Help Center.

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parents and caregivers received child care assistance. 

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neighbors received in-person assistance meeting basic needs. 

Mile High United Way's 211 Help Center Navigators Connects Callers to Basic Needs like Housing, Food, Rent Assistance, Childcare, Food Benefits, and More

Harvesting Resources to Restore Hope

After injuring his back at work and losing his job, a Metro Denver man faced eviction and mounting medical bills. That’s when he reached out to our 211 Help Center. We used an emergency assistance fund made possible through generous donors to help him catch up on his bills, and we connected him to shelter, food resources and a P.O. box to use as he pursued a worker’s compensation claim. The emergency assistance fund is just one example of how our 211 navigators search for every possible resource when working with clients.

“I highly recommend 211 to anyone who is in need, especially those who are losing their hope.”

More STORIES

211 Colorado on the Go: Evolving to Meet Our Community’s Needs
10 Ways You Strengthened Our Community in 2025
Over 500 Thanksgiving Baskets for Families Like Yesenia’s
Invested in Strategic Community Growth
Serving My Community, One Call at a Time

Dalia was one of five 211 Help Center staff who last year traveled outside Metro Denver in our new mobile 211 unit to provide in-person support following major storms and flooding. Patty Ramos and Claudia Cervantes joined Dalia in Southwest Colorado, assisting families affected by flooding in LaPlata and Archuleta counties.

February 9, 2026

As we approach the start of a new year, Mile High United Way staff are reflecting on the many ways you helped create change for Metro Denver families in 2025. Here are the ways you helped our community thrive.

December 22, 2025

In addition to distributing emergency food bags to help fill the SNAP gap, Mile High United Way provided Thanksgiving baskets to the families we serve to help make the holidays bright.

December 4, 2025

During the 2023-2025 funding cycle, Mile High United Way invested $3.5 million in Metro Denver nonprofits focused on basic needs, early child care and education and out-of-school time. Learn more about this investment in nonprofits like Urban Peak.

November 5, 2025

By Ashley Monroe, 211 Community Resource Navigator | Ashley connects Coloradans to basic needs resources through our 211 Help Center.

April 24, 2025

Invest in Mile High United Way

You can connect families in our community meet their basic needs.