In May 2022, Mile High United Way Bridging the Gap participants began moving into a new long-term housing facility centrally located in Denver. Mile High United Way recently purchased the 24-unit building as a part of our $8 million investment in five transformational community projects.
These studio apartments will provide long-term housing for 24 participants.
Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap program helps young adults who have aged out of the child welfare system find stability and caring support as they transition to adulthood. The program prioritizes housing assistance, where each participant is given a 36-month Family Unification Program housing voucher. The recent purchase of this new facility takes our commitment to providing safe and stable housing one step further.
Mile High United Way believes everyone should have access to secure housing and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. When young adults have access to stable housing, they can focus their time and energy on pursuing academic and professional opportunities, caring for their families, establishing financial security, and more. An Independent Living Coach will be available onsite to help guide residents and provide essential support services. So far three Bridging the Gap participants have moved in, with a fourth expected to take residence before the end of May. Additional units are expected to become available later this year.
Next with Kyle Clark recently highlighted Bridging the Gap, supporting the program as a part of his Word of Thanks giving campaigns. “There are options for one-time support for young people in crises. Bridging the Gap is different. It’s a sustained, years-long relationship with young adults leaving the foster care system,” Kyle Clark said in a social media post.
“Bridging the Gap tells teenagers coming out of foster care in Colorado that this community wants them to succeed, and we’re alongside them for the long haul,” Clark added during an on-air segment.
This initiative was made possible through Mile High United Way donors and the investment of philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott.
This year, we are celebrating our 135th anniversary as the first United Way in the world. Our theme “Our Story Continues,” invites reflection on the future of Bridging the Gap, and other Mile High United Way initiatives, while honoring our past. This new housing facility marks a new chapter in the story of Bridging the Gap and the young adults who will call it home.
Learn More About Bridging the Gap
Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap program supports young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who have transitioned out of the child welfare system, connecting them to stable housing, one-on-one coaching, and other essential services. Independent Living Coaches also help participants pursue employment, access education, set wellness goals, and build a support system for themselves and their children. Learn more about Bridging the Gap
