On July 21st, 2009 I was appointed by the Board of Directors as the Interim Executive Director of Colfax Community Network, replacing Brooke Davidson who had served as the Executive Director since January 2008. I accepted the position with a sense of honor. In February 2010, I was appointed by the Board of Directors as the Executive Director of Colfax Community Network.

The mission of Colfax Community Network is to provide children and families residing in low-income, transient housing (primarily residential motels) along Colfax Avenue with information, advocacy, services and programs that will strengthen and improve family and community life.
I have been with Colfax Community Network (CCN) since March 2006. I started as Children Program Director and in December 2007 became the Director of Program. I am extremely familiar with the clients we serve, programs we provide and the community members we work with CCN is known for high quality programming and service delivery and I am committed to ensuring that the quality remains high, while working to develop new services that effectively respond to the changing needs of our fellow neighbors who primarily live in motels along the 40-mile stretch of Colfax Avenue.
Colfax Community Network has been blessed with generous assistance and cooperation from the philanthropic community and network of steadfast volunteers and noble donors. I look forward to seeing these relationships prosper and grow in the future.
With your continued support, we will strengthen and develop our programs and expand our outreach services so that we can be a strong resource and step on the road to self-sufficiency for families and children in need who seek improved lives, a desire for community, and hope.

I look forward to working with Colfax Community Network’s friends and supporters, In addition, to meeting new friends and future sponsors of the Colfax Community Network. I am available by phone at 303.360.9175 and email at mandie_ccn@hotmail.com

Upcoming Events:
Sunday, July 11th: We invite you to The House Restaurant to support the works of the Colfax Community Network. The House Restaurant will be donating a % of your bill towards Colfax Community Network’s efforts and mission. Hope to see you there for dinner!

“The House Restaurant is located in the heart of the Berkeley Art District, House Restaurant & Bar offers contemporary comfort food in a warm neighborhood setting. Enjoy a drink at our cozy bar, hang out all summer long on our dog friendly patio or bring the entire family for a delicious Sunday Brunch. From meatloaf to pizza, salmon to salad, there is something for everyone at House.” They are located 4363 Tennyson St. Denver, CO 80212 and can be reached at 720.855.980.

If you are not able to make it our upcoming events and would still like to contribute to our efforts – please check out our website at www.colfaxcommunitynetwork.org to discover the good work of CCN. The website outlines each of our program areas that translate our mission and values from words to deeds. If you like what you see and are interested in helping to grow the services and programs please click on the secure online giving page to make a donation.

Thank you so much for your support and time.

Sincerely,

Mandie Birchem
Executive Director
Colfax Community Network

Colfax Community Network is 10!

Who’s Invited: You are!
When: The Whole Year
Where: At our multiple service delivery sites along Colfax Avenue in Lakewood, Denver and East Aurora

Are you wondering how you can share in the celebration? Here’s how:

This invitation is your pass to join CCN staff, volunteers and motel families at a monthly Family Night Dinner in 2009 (see days and times below). Come break bread with us and get to know the children and families you have supported over the years. Hear their stories, listen to their struggles, feel what it’s like to walk in their shoes endlessly looking for home…Then, take action! Make a donation that will change a life, possibly forever.

Make 2009 the year you ensure a hungry child has nutritious food to eat each day.
Make 2009 the year you help end the cycle of homelessness, poverty and despair for one family.
Make 2009 the year you ensure CCN is strong and delivering life saving services for another 10 years.
Make 2009 your best year ever! Help CCN bring safety, warmth, food, health care, access to vital services, hope for a way out of the motel trap, and the love of a neighbor to our most vulnerable—the often invisible children and families clinging to life on the dangerous streets of Colfax.

Visit www.colfaxcommunitynetwork.org every month to see where we are, what we are doing and how you can be involved. I want your skills and talents to good use in one of our seven programs or on our Board of Directors. Volunteer applications and BOD applications are available online. Please take advantage of my offer and experience the magic of Colfax Community Network with your own eyes!

Here’s to working together in 2009,

Brooke

“Martin” is just 9 years old, yet his poetry already tells a story of longing for wings to lift himself out of the despair and childhood anxiety that a life of homelessness and motel living offers. “Martin” wrote this poem during an art therapy component of our After School Program for children between the ages of 6 and 12 experiencing homelessness and living in Colfax motels.

Eagle
By “Martin”

I am an eagle.
Flying in the sky.
I am free.
I can go anywhere.
It is very exciting in the sky.
The wind is loud and tickles my feathers.
It makes me happy.
I am flying to the football game to say hi.

We are inspired by the spirit, gifts and dreams of our youth and their parents. Our seven programs are designed to help families realize these dreams by providing the right set of tools and connections so they may lift themselves out of poverty and the dangers of motel life. With your in-kind, financial and volunteer support CCN programs opened the doors of opportunity for over 2500 individuals and families last year.

Will you consider a donation to CCN at this time? We need your help more than ever! We have already provided our services and programs to more children and adults (45% more) than this time last year and we are doing it with fewer funds. If we are to keep up this pace we need your help now!
Sincerely,

Brooke Davidson

Conditions are often unsanitary, dangerous and overcrowded, leading to great distress for families, especially those with children.

Colfax Community Network advocates for and works on behalf of children and families residing in low-income, transient housing (primarily residential motels) along Colfax Avenue by providing information, services and programs to strengthen and improve family and community life.

How You Can Help Today!

1) Donating items for our weekly motel outreach (Access to Services Project) such as; travel-sized hygiene items (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.), razors, deoderant, toliet paper, powder laundry detergent, etc.

2) Volunteer your time with our After School Program, facilitating our Mom and Tot’s Group or assisting with our weekly motel outreach with our Access to Services Project.

3) Making a cash donation or sending a check to the P.O. Box listed on the website. Your donation is tax deductible and you will receive a letter detailing your donation.

4) Donating gas cards to help cover the cost of gas for outreach services and children programming.

5) Donating Office Depot, Staples or Office Max gift cards to help cover the cost of office supplies.

6) As always, we are still accepting donations of non-perishable food.

Thank you for your commitment to CCN’s vision and the families we serve!

Current Announcements:

Please check out our upcoming events page for our upcoming fundraiser at the Blake Street Tavern in October!

Many thanks goes out to Noodles & Company, 3014 and The House Restaurant for donating proceeds of sales to the Colfax Community Network!!

Interested in serving on the board? Please fill out the Board Application or call Mandie Birchem at 303-360-9175 for more information.

Rocket by: Isaac

R ockets are fast
O bject that is fast
C heck out the rockets
K eep your
E ars peeled &
T oss

Bees by: JJ

B ees, Bees, Bees
E ver been stung?
E ees, Bees, Bees
S ummer

Diamonds by: CJ

D iamonds
I n my mind
A re worth
M ore
O pportunity for my eyes
N ice
D iamond dinosaurs

Tia by: CJ

T ime
I love her
A very lot

Rockets by: Olivia

R ockets with Danielle
O nce launched
C areful
K eep your
E yes on the
T arget

Rockets by: Danielle

R ockets with
O livia
C areful
K eep your
E yes on the
T arget

Diamond by: Brandon

D iamond was shining
I ce china people eat rice
A rt makes Donny want to fart
M oney smells just like honey
O n and his nickname is Ron
N ine makes me want to shine
D riven that’s why I’m climbing

A Hundred by: Theresa

A

H appy Day
U nder the blue sky
N ot impossible
D on’t tell me
R emember my rocket hit one hundred
E veryone was surprised
D ead people were too.

Ninety Feet by: Jaime

N inety feet
I mpossible, no way
N ot at all,
E veryone was surprised
T onight I broke the record
Y ou rock, Therea”, I said.

F ive, High five
E veryone shouted, “You Rock!”
E ven old people
T onight me and Theresa had fun

Jupiter by: Jerry

J upiter
U ranus
P luto
I n a planet
T rapped
E ither side
R ubber inside

Bees by: JJ

B ees
E at
E veryone
S orry

Rockets by: Donny

R ockets hit 80!
O nly 4 times
C an’t make it to the wall
K eep trying
E very
T ime

Rockets by: Angel

R ockets can be red
O nly sometime
C an you see the rocket
K icking in the air
E ating it would be gross
T aking it apart would be cool!

What a world this is…

-Maggie Tidwell

A few months later, my friend Francis asked me was I going to “Family Night?” She was another mother living in the motel that I felt accepted by. It was late in the month so I was out of food stamps and was wondering what to feed my kids.

“CCN’s Family Night,” she replied.

I looked at her bewildered and she said, “You’re coming with me. It’s great food and company. You won’t have to cook dinner.”

Well, anytime I don’t have to cook, I’m there. So when Matt pulled in the parking lot, Francis and I loaded up our kids and went to the church for dinner. I still remember what we ate that night, Tammy’s fried chicken. I don’t think I have missed a “Family Night” since. That was two and a half years ago.

I told Maggie a few months ago how important “Family Night” is me. I love the social aspect. It is a great place to acquire new information about services and to talk to all my favorite CCN people. The best part about “Family Night” is that I have never felt excluded or judged. All the people there are my community. Every month there is a mix of old timers, like myself, and a few new scared faces. After filling our bellies, getting new information, and possibly playing our own version of BINGO, new faces are no longer scared. They feel how strong our community is.

I’m now proud to be a resident of the motels. I know I have a purpose here. CCN played a major part in making my self and my children feel a part of something. Our community is what it is.

Amendment 42 passed. With the help of hundreds of volunteers and the understanding of 53% of Colorado voters, the minimum wage has been raised from $5.15 per hour to $6.85 with annual increases tied to inflation rates. It is a crucial first step in eradicating poverty in this state and one that calls for celebration. However, as we celebrate, we should not overlook the fact that while the new minimum wage provides a worker an annual income of $14,250 (for 52 weeks of work), the poverty threshold for a family of four is $19,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). There is still work to be done.

In America, we are taught from childhood that hard work and persistence is rewarded with prosperity. This belief is a cornerstone of our democracy and a major influence on our attitudes and policies concerning the poor. When we encounter someone who is not prosperous, the assumption is that he/she does not work hard enough. Herein lies a central flaw. Anyone who is familiar with the backbreaking minimum wage jobs available to the marginalized in our society knows that hard work does not equal financial success. In fact, if work were measured by the amount of physical labor put forth, the exact opposite would hold true. The physically harder an individual works, the less they earn and the more likely they are to live in poverty, sustain serious injury on the job and suffer long-term disabilities related to the physical nature of their work.

The time has come for us to value the physically hard work that makes life easier for the rest of us and to demonstrate this appreciation in meaningful ways . We can do this by insisting on a living wage and decent housing for those who build our houses, care for our children, clean our homes, and grow our food. We can do this by ending the invisibility of those who do the “hard” work in our culture. We can do this by saying, “Thank you!”

-Maggie Tidwell