Hope Communities

05/29/2026

Yesterday, Hope Communities received a generous donation from Feed the Children, including five pallets of essential supplies such as basic kits, meal kits, books, and other much-needed items for families in our community.

At Hope Communities, we know that stability starts with the basics. Access to food, household goods, and everyday essentials can make a meaningful difference for families working toward greater stability and independence. This donation helps us continue meeting people where they are and connecting them with resources that support their health, well-being, and sense of security.

We are deeply grateful to Feed the Children for this generous contribution and to the volunteers who showed up to help unload, organize, and move these supplies where they are needed most. Their support reflects the power of partnership and community care.

We were also glad to share part of this donation with Clayton Early Learning and Warren Village, helping extend the impact to even more families across our community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. Together, we are strengthening communities and helping families access the essentials they need to thrive.

05/22/2026

Hope for the Future is Coming

We are excited to announce that Hope Communities’ annual fundraising event, Hope for the Future, is coming up on Wednesday, September 23, 2026!

Each year, Hope for the Future brings together community members, partners, supporters, and friends of Hope Communities for an evening of connection, celebration, and shared purpose. It is a special opportunity to reflect on the impact made possible through community support and to look ahead at the work still to come.

This year’s event will help raise support for the 6,000+ individuals and families Hope serves each year through affordable housing, wraparound services, and programs that support stability, opportunity, and community wellbeing. Guests will enjoy dinner catered by Aung’s Bangkok Cafe, with event emcee Adam Morgan, as heard on KUVO and KOSI.

Hope for the Future
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
6:00–8:30 PM
Upper Larimer St., Denver, CO 20205

As we look forward to this year’s event, we invite you to take a look back at last year’s Hope for the Future celebration and the community that made it so meaningful.

Watch highlights from last year’s event here:
https://lnkd.in/gFebmd7F

Interested in attending or learning more about sponsorship opportunities? Tickets and sponsorship information are available on our website here:
https://lnkd.in/gY9DSMfj

Please mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details. We can’t wait to gather with you for an evening celebrating Hope’s mission, our community, and the future we are building together.

05/19/2026

Congratulations to our President & CEO, Sharon Knight, for being named to the 2026 Colorado 500 Power List in Nonprofits & Philanthropy by ColoradoBiz!

Her leadership continues to help Hope Communities expand access to affordable housing, vital resources, and opportunities for families across the Denver metro area.

We’re proud to see her work and Hope’s mission recognized in this way.
https://lnkd.in/gkrkw5FK

05/15/2026

Sweet Dreams Shared With Love

Did You Know? This week, more than 200 of Hope’s youth residents ages 0 -16 received bedding sets, comforters and blankets, toothbrushes and toothpaste, toys, and books through the incredible generosity of Sweet Dream in a Bag.

Program staff worked closely with families so each child could choose the bedding set they loved most before deliveries were made to families at Hidden Brook, Carolton Arms, The Gardens, and our office in Northglenn.

At Hope Communities, we know that stability starts with the basics. What may seem like a simple gift can mean so much more. A cozy bed, a favorite blanket, or a new book can bring comfort and stability, helping a child feel safe, valued, and at home. This effort was truly a labor of love, strengthening not just access to essential items but also the sense of care and community that surrounds our youth and families.

A special thank you to Susie and Wayne Fox, and to the team at Sweet Dream in a Bag, for making these moments possible and helping our youth feel seen, supported, and cared for.

https://lnkd.in/gc7SDWHF

05/09/2026

Creating Pathways to Stability and Opportunity: As Hope Communities continues to explore whether expanding the PACES Program and Employment Programs could help meet growing community needs, recent success stories have reinforced just how impactful this work can be.

PACES, which stands for Pathways to Change, Empowerment, and Stability, is led by Amber Owens, Hope Communities’ Manager of Housing Stability and Employment Programs. Through this work, Amber supports individuals both during and after incarceration, helping them navigate the often difficult transition back into the community.

One example of how effective this support can be is Mr. McDonald, who recently graduated from the African-American Trade Association with plans to pursue a career in HVAC. Hope Communities staff worked alongside him to tailor his resume and highlight the transferable skills and experience relevant to the field. By aligning his resume more directly with the positions he applied for, he secured more interview opportunities and built confidence as he entered the workforce.

In addition to supporting individuals directly, the PACES Program works with families of incarcerated individuals, helping loved ones better understand how to support someone returning home and navigate the challenges that can come with that transition. Twice each month, Hope Communities staff facilitate sessions within the Denver Detention Center focused on resume development, job searching, and identifying career pathways that align with participants’ strengths and experiences.

Over the past year, the PACES Program served 231 individuals, helping create pathways toward long-term stability, employment, and personal growth. At Hope Communities, we know that stable futures are built not only through housing, but through opportunity, support, and the belief that positive change is always possible.

Programs Integration

04/24/2026

Strengthening Community Connections

Over the last couple of weeks, Hope Communities has been out in the community for tabling events hosted by Denver Public Schools, creating opportunities to connect directly with new families who might need assistance from our staff. Over 90% of the families Hope serves are from the broader community and do not live at a Hope property, so sharing this information broadly could be life-altering.

These events give us a chance to share information about our programs, offer resource navigation, and meet people where they are. Whether it’s answering questions, connecting someone to services, or simply starting a conversation, each interaction helps strengthen our connection to the broader community.

We were pleasantly surprised by the number of families we engaged with at these sessions. There is no doubt that many families are feeling the crunch of a tough economy, high costs, and the lack of essential services to support family well-being. We’ve been making many regular appointments with individual family members and cemented meaningful relationships with DPS employees who interact regularly with students and their families. We are hopeful that this will be a well-spent time, creating stepping stones to resolution for families in need.

This work is made possible through the support of our donors and funding agencies. Your investment allows us to stay engaged, accessible, and focused on creating pathways to opportunity.

Together, we are building stronger, more connected communities.

04/22/2026

On Monday, we partnered with STIR Cooking School to host a hands-on cooking class that brought community members together for an evening of shared learning and connection.

Participants prepared a diverse menu including spicy tuna hand rolls, karaage, garlic shrimp bao buns, and Thai basil beef lettuce wraps. Beyond the recipes, the experience created space for people to step outside of their day-to-day routines, try something new, and connect in a meaningful way.

What was especially meaningful was that the group, eager to expand their horizons related to food and culture, all supported the vision and mission of Hope Communities. Each attendee accented their belief that everyone, no matter where they are from, should have a safe place to call home, the resources needed to thrive, and the ability to pursue their personal dreams for family stability and economic mobility.

We are grateful to Stir, our event committee, and all the people who support our mission and want to make a difference in our community. If you also want to contribute to this work, follow this link: https://lnkd.in/gcpnryxM.

04/16/2026

Congratulations to the leaders identified as "Women of Distinction" by Girl Scouts of Colorado, including Hope Communities' President and CEO Sharon Knight. Girl Scouts of Colorado honors 10 exceptional women each year, recognized for their meaningful contributions to the community. We know that Sharon has been making a tremendous impact in our community for many years, and we couldn’t be prouder.
It is wonderful to see other leaders with whom we work also recognized with this honor.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 Denver Women of Distinction honorees! These honorees were selected by a committee of previous Women of Distinction honorees and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. This year's event will also celebrate CEO Leanna Clark’s retirement, honoring the legacy she leaves of believing in girls and inspiring future leaders. Celebrate these women and their amazing accomplishments at the Sept. 10 ceremony. Tickets and sponsorships are available: https://bit.ly/3LN3rXS

Amanda Blaurock, CEO and Co-Founder, Village Exchange Center
Lori Davis, Retired Partner, Grant Thornton
Renee Ferrufino, President and CEO, The Women's Foundation of Colorado
Rebecca Holmes, President and CEO, The Colorado Education Initiative
Shannon Jones, Chief People Officer, FirstBank, now part of PNC
Sharon Knight, President & CEO, Hope Communities
Annie Lee, President & CEO, Colorado Access
Laura Love, Founder, GroundFloor Media
Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Executive Director, David Merage Foundation for Confronting Antisemitism
Anita Padilla-Fitzgerald, Founder & CEO, MegaStar Financial Corp and Take 3 Technologies

04/10/2026

Building Community with Shared Cultures and Amazing Food!

Food has a unique way of bringing people together—across cultures, languages, and life experiences. On April 20, we invite you to be part of something truly special: A Taste of Hope, an intimate, hands-on culinary experience benefiting Hope Communities.

In partnership with STIR Cooking School - Denver, this one-of-a-kind evening is more than just a cooking class—it’s a celebration of the diverse cultures that shape our community. Every day, Hope Communities serves families from around the world, helping them build stable lives while honoring the traditions and identities they bring with them.

A Taste of Hope brings that mission to life. Together, we’ll cook, learn, and share a meal inspired by global flavors—experiencing firsthand how food can connect us all. Whether you choose to roll up your sleeves in the kitchen or simply enjoy the atmosphere and incredible dishes, you’ll be part of a meaningful evening that supports families on their journey to stability and success.

Menu highlights include:
• Garlic shrimp bao buns
• Thai basil beef lettuce wraps
• Spicy tuna hand rolls
• Karaage (Japanese fried chicken)

EVENT DETAILS
Date: April 20, 2026 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Stir Cooking School – 1801 Wynkoop Street, Suite 175, Denver
Tickets: $125 (includes a $50 donation to Hope Communities)
Parking: Convenient nearby garages available

Space is limited, and seats are filling quickly. If this experience speaks to you, we encourage you to reserve your spot by registering today at https://buy.stripe.com/bJe5kD8e9eAf5G1f2W6g80e?mc_cid=f6b4c5e757&mc_eid=3c1f50afde

Your participation helps ensure that families in our community not only have a place to call home, but also the support, resources, and sense of belonging they need to thrive.

We would truly love to see you there.

04/03/2026

Evolution and Growth to Fuel Impact: We are delighted to share that we’ve been growing. In the last few weeks, four new staff members have joined the organization, with more expansion to come. Hope Communities has an exceptionally strong team, and these new positions will allow us to make an even greater impact in the community.

We’ve added three new navigators to expand the breadth and depth of our team. Hussen Abdulahi comes to Hope with years of experience at the African Community Center and provides comprehensive navigation and employment services in Amharic, Arabic, English, Hindi, Oromo, and Silte. Quinton Feast joined Hope after working at the Denver Public Library for many years and brings strong experience in navigation and digital learning. Shamim Sharifi has an exceptional ability to support clients in Dari, English, Urdu, French, and Persian.

All three have quickly stepped into their roles and are already providing meaningful, life-changing support for clients.

David Bell joined the team as our Payroll and Accounting Specialist. With many years of experience across both business and nonprofit sectors, he is well-equipped to support our essential administrative functions and help ensure we remain compliant and responsive. While not new to the organization, Elfi Mandefro has taken on a new and expanded role as Communications and Executive Engagement Specialist. With a background in software engineering and web design, along with strong communication skills and a commitment to continuous learning, she is well-prepared to support organizational communications and executive engagement.

We are so pleased to have David, Elfi, and our three new navigators on board.

WE ARE ALSO EXCITED TO SHARE three additional positions as we continue to grow our team. We are currently seeking a Director of Development as our current leader begins her transition into retirement. This role is critical to supporting our programmatic growth, as all programs and services are made possible through fundraising.

In addition, we are expanding the Development Specialist role to further support both fundraising and volunteer efforts and introducing a new Director of Community Impact position. This role will strengthen program oversight, support impact measurement, and help grow a social enterprise focused on delivering holistic services to other housing agencies. All 3 job descriptions are listed on Hope's website at https://lnkd.in/g_h_G_z5

It is exciting to look ahead at the future of Hope Communities with such a strong and growing team. Please feel free to share these opportunities with anyone who may be interested in joining our work.