Urgent Collection Need for Latin American Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylees Resettled in Denver
What:
The Venezuelan and other Latin American immigrants, refugees, and asylees recently relocated from Texas to Denver are in desperate need of some items. WINTER ITEMS & BASIC CLOTHING ARE NO LONGER REQUESTED. The items specifically being requested are:
Suitcases and backpacks (must be in good working order with working zippers; no garment bags)
Tents, sleeping bags, pads
Diapers (open/partially used packages are fine)
Menstrual products (open/partially used packages are fine)
Reusable water bottles
Rain gear: raincoats, ponchos, rain boots (kids and adults, all sizes up to Large; no tears/rips/holes; no umbrellas)
Lightweight jackets/windbreakers for spring/summer/fall (kids and adults, all sizes up to Large; NO WINTER COATS/SNOW PANTS)
Hiking boots and athletic shoes (kids and adults, all sizes; no winter boots)
Safety vests and hard hats
Men’s work pants (jeans, canvas, coveralls)—small and medium sizes only
Men’s work boots (including steel-toed boots)
NOTE: The items above should be in GOOD & USABLE condition. As they are not recyclable, they will be put in the trash if they are not useable. Additionally, they must fit within your standard Two Bags + 1 quantity allotment.--
How:
Simply include these items with your normal Happy Beetle pickup. As we seek to maximize the usefulness of existing products and divert them from the landfill, please find these underutilized items from within your home, rather than purchasing new items to be donated.
When:
From now until the need abates.
Who:
We are working with various local non-profits and mutual aid networks to distribute these items to those in need. Some of the organizations include:
Highlands Moms & Neighbors - Venezuelan Migrant Support Facebook Group: City-wide organizing group
Mutual Aid Monday: Brings food directly to camps across the city
Food Bank of the Rockies: Provides food for pantries across the region
Birdseed Collective: Provides food for migrants in the Globeville neighborhood
Bienvenidos Food Bank: Located in Sunnyside at 38th and Pecos
Local Latino nonprofits supporting this population with housing, medical care, and workforce connections in Spanish:
Papagayo - currently fundraising to help provide rent deposits
Centro Humanitario: Denver’s only day laborer center, direct access to jobs, workforce development and job skills training.
Rose Foundation Newcomers Fund: Money from the fund is distributed as grants across Denver nonprofits working on the migrant crisis.
Rocky Mountain Immigration Advocacy Network (RMIAN): free immigration legal and social services to immigrants
Organizations serving the Denver homeless population, including the migrant camps:
Housekeys Action Network Denver