As 2024 comes to an end, we are reminiscing about the many ways you stepped up to support Metro Denver families! Here’s how you created change this year:
You helped open the Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center.
On a beautiful spring day, we cut the ribbon and welcomed families and community members to the Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center at Mile High United Way. Operated in partnership with Mile High Early Learning, our best-in-class early learning center serves up to 60 children, with 70% reserved for families with low incomes. Watch the video to relive this special day!
We remain deeply grateful to everyone who supported the vision for the center. A special thank you to Paul and Sue Sparks, who made a transformational $1 million gift in honor of Paul’s mother, Tamara.
You celebrated the power of women and girls.
At the 25th annual Women United Luncheon, we asked, “Who is in our village – who are the people who have helped us grow and thrive?” During this milestone event, guest speaker and Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and our own Anahi Loera Garcia inspired us to dream of a bright future for Metro Denver women and girls. We also were thrilled to celebrate our Frances Wisebart Jacobs honoree Lindsay Filsinger. Thank you to everyone who helped us raise more than $420,000 to support women and girls in our community!
You supported school readiness for our youngest learners.
In June, we celebrated with the children and families who graduated from our Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program. These children started kindergarten ready to succeed thanks to HIPPY, which provides parents and caregivers with the resources and support they need to be their child’s first teacher. Friends and family enjoyed musical performances and one student, Levi, read a book, ¿Donde Está Spot? Learn more about how Mile High United Way has supported Levi and his mother Dulce.
You provided families with essential resources at our community events.
Hundreds of people and companies ran supply drives to provide families with backpacks, school supplies, baby essentials, Thanksgiving baskets and holiday gifts through events like our Back to School Bash, Women United Village and Children’s Holiday Party. This year, more than 4,100 volunteers helped serve more than 2,000 children and families. Thank you for supporting our community year-round!
You connected Coloradans to valuable tax credits and refunds.
More than 300 Tax Help Colorado volunteers helped middle- and low-income Colorado families file more than 9,700 tax returns, returning $19 million to hard-working Coloradans. Thank you for being a part of this important work.
You took part in Denver’s greatest Thanksgiving tradition.
More than 10,200 community members trotted, volunteered and cheered on runners at the 51st Mile High United Way Turkey Trot. Thank you for helping raise $641,000 to support our programs and services! This annual event has become a family favorite and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped make it a success.
You answered the call.
When disaster strikes or people don’t know where to seek help, our 211 Help Center is there to meet the community’s needs. Last year, 211 staff provided more than 278,000 referrals for essential resources to Metro Denver families.
In addition to serving Colorado residents, in October, Kasey Harlos, our senior director of 211 and disaster response, deployed to Virginia – representing the state of Colorado – to provide help and assistance to families impacted by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, Rudy Morales, our community response coordinator, answered calls from families across the southern United States, helping them find critical resources near them.
You volunteered to enrich our community.
Volunteers are essential to our work, and last year, volunteers gave more than 27,100 hours of their time to serve families across Metro Denver. During Day of Caring, National Volunteer Week, our community events and other volunteer opportunities, you showed up to create change for families – thank you! This year, Monica, a Mile High United Way Board Member, brought her daughter to help volunteer during Back to School Bash. “It’s always a great time volunteering with Mile High United Way. It’s an honor to serve our community,” she said.
You helped families access safe, affordable housing.
Through our 22-unit apartment building in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, we provided safe, stable and affordable housing. At any given time, Uptown is home to families leaving the foster care system, new immigrants and people paying below market-rate rent. When people have a stable place to live, they can focus on what’s next for themselves and their families. Residents also receive wraparound support from our 211 Help Center with on-site services once a week.
You helped small business owners reach their goals.
This year, our staff and volunteers supported Denver’s local businesses through our Small Business Accelerators, the THRIVE Small Business Summit and our website build initiative. Thank you to everyone who joined our work this year – we cannot do this without you!
We invite you to make a year-end gift so even more families can thrive in the coming year.
