Denver Inner City Parish Programs Overview
Denver Inner City Parish has been serving Denver's low income communities since 1960 through programs that relieve suffering, promote self-sufficiency, enrich lives, and address chronic obstacles prevalent within these communities. DICP is a classic example of a wrap-around human service nonprofit. We offer over 12 programs that address one of the following areas: education, hunger, shelter, employment, wellness and/or community development. During the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2011, the DICP served over 23,000 people.
Education
La Academia is a private 7-12 grade school that serves low-income students. The primary goal of La Academia is to motivate and educate each student to graduate at a college-ready level so they may achieve success beyond graduation. Many of the students at La Academia have overcome unimaginable obstacles in their academic and personal lives. Through highly personalized curriculum the students have rebuilt their lives and broken the cycle of academic failure prevalent in their communities and families. La Academia is located at 910 Galapago Street.
Night School is an accelerated diploma or GED program available for adults 18 years of age and older. We currently offer Night School at our College View location Monday through Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons.
The Summer Day Camp and After School Program provide low-cost childcare for working poor families, many of whom live in shelters. The program serves children ages 6 to 12. Both our La Academia and College View locations offer After School and Summer Day Camp programs.
Hunger
The Emergency Food Bank is one of the original and is the longest running program offered by the DICP. Today the DICP offers two Food Bank locations, our 1212 Mariposa building and 2830 S. Zuni FERN food distribution center, both of which are located in food desserts in impoverished neighborhoods in Denver.
FERN (Food Exchange Resource Network) is a food bank distribution center. FERN operates within a unique collaborative model where other food pantries join to have access to the storage space and shared food. DICP is the lead agency of FERN.
The Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program serves free breakfast and lunch weekdays in the summer to low-income children at our La Academia location.
Shelter/Employment
Project ReNew works with previously incarcerated adults reentering society and chronically homeless and other disenfranchised individuals. The project achieves success by addressing the critical needs for someone coming out of incarceration or other unproductive and unhealthy living situations. These needs include: job counseling and training, housing, addiction counseling, transportation, emergency support, healing family relationships and referrals. In addition to programming offered, project ReNew also offers a special support for Veterans and manages sober living houses for men. The Project ReNew office is located at our 1212 Mariposa location.
Wellness and Community Development
DICP offers a wide range of recreational services, health and exercise programs, and other enrichment classes such as computer and citizenship classes. These are mainly available at our satellite location in College View, and occasionally are offered at our other locations.
Parish Seniors enhances the quality of life for aging low-income community members. Participants engage in social activities, wellness education, and share meals together. Both our 1212 Mariposa building and College View location provide space for Parish Seniors.
The DICP Young Fathers program offers opportunities and activities for young men and their children to build healthy, productive relationships. Classes are offered at our 1212 Mariposa location.
The Parish Community at Worship celebrates faith in action by building community in Denver with services twice a month with dinner following at our La Academia location. See Calendars for the current schedules.
The longest standing tradition offered at the DICP is the annual community Thanksgiving Dinner. Recently, another holiday tradition has been offered, the Christmas Gift Distribution. Contact the 1212 Mariposa location for more details about these two events at 303.629.0636. |
