Colfax Ave Announces Partnership with Ready to Work
Partnership expands the Colfax Works program to include transitional housing
[Denver, CO (February 5, 2019)] – The Colfax Ave Business Improvement District (BID) announced a new partnership with Ready to Work, an innovative program that provides employment, supportive services, and housing for those experiencing homelessness. Ready to Work will help to execute the BID’s Colfax Works initiative, which started with a three-month pilot project in June of 2018 and continued through the end of 2018 and into 2019 with additional funding from Denver Human Services.
The Colfax Works program provides enhanced maintenance services within the BID’s boundaries (approximately Grant to Josephine, between 14th and 16th). Crews are responsible for trash, surface litter, graffiti, and sticker removal within the district. In addition to employment, trainees receive case management support and dormitory housing at the Ready to Work House.
“Ready to Work is thrilled to partner with the Colfax Ave BID,” said Isabel McDevitt, CEO of Ready to Work and its parent organization, Bridge House. “Our mission is to transform lives of people experiencing homelessness through the power of work while improving the community. This partnership to help keep Colfax clean and thriving while creating jobs for our Ready to Work trainees is a true win/win for our organization.”
After one year in the Ready to Work program, trainees graduate to mainstream jobs and permanent housing. The Colfax Ave BID will play an instrumental role in connecting upcoming graduates with potential full-time employment at local businesses within the district.
“We saw fantastic support from the business community during the pilot project,” said Michelle Valeri, Communications and Programs Director for the Colfax Ave BID. “We’re working to help build those relationships so when businesses in the district are hiring, our crew members are the first people they contact.”
Ready to Work, a program of non-profit Bridge House, has operated since 2012 in Boulder and opened Ready to Work Aurora in December of 2018. The program’s holistic approach has a 75% success rate, which means that 75% of trainees obtain a full-time, mainstream job and independent housing at the end of the program.
Funding for the 2019 Colfax Works program comes from a mix of funds from the Colfax Ave BID’s budget, Denver Human Services, and The Denver Foundation. The Colfax Ave BID hopes that this model will be replicated across the city.
“When we launched Denver Day Works, we wanted to create an innovative low-barrier jobs program for people experiencing homelessness that connects them to work opportunities and helps them find permanent jobs,” said Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “Innovative public-private partnerships like this one with the Colfax Ave BID to support Colfax Works, are one way we are creating opportunity for all people to achieve economic resilience and an overall healthy life in Denver.”
The community has been very supportive of the Colfax Works program. Numerous businesses and residents have sponsored lunch for the crew and many more stop and thank them for their work to make Colfax clean and friendly.
You can learn more about the program at www.colfaxave.com/colfax-works.
About Colfax Ave
The Colfax Ave Business Improvement District (BID) promotes economic vitality, implements a clean and safe street program, and advocates on behalf of area businesses among public and private partners. Founded in 1989, the organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing a diverse mix of area businesses and property owners and who are appointed by the Mayor. Follow Colfax Ave on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Bridge House & Ready to Work
Bridge House provides a range of programs and services to help adults experiencing homelessness have access to the resources they need for a better future. Programs are arranged across the Bridge of Opportunity spanning from basic needs to employment and housing. Ready to Work combines paid work in a social enterprise, housing, and supportive services. By design, these 3 pillars break the expensive and persistent cycles of homelessness, joblessness and incarceration while empowering individuals and transforming communities.