Together we can make a lasting impression by helping people help themselves.

Thousands of people in our community are working hard in their jobs. Some even have two or three jobs but are still unable to get ahead and achieve long-term financial stability and independence. Indeed, 20,000 families are just one paycheck away from being homeless in metro Denver.

Together with our partners in the community, Mile High United Way is reaching out to hard-working individuals and families to stop their cycle of struggle.  Our work centers around three related initiatives designed to create lasting change for people in our community: School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self Sufficiency. 

 Three Initiative Success Story
A Young Family Strives for Education and Independence 

When 19-year-old Gary talks about the rocky journey of his young life he describes it as “going from being a knucklehead to trying to be a grown man.” Gary and Lanessa each express enormous gratitude for the services they have been able to access through Parent Pathways and acknowledge that life for young teens raising a baby is full of unexpected struggles.

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School Readiness 
Preparing Young Children to Succeed in School

While Shontel works toward her degree at the University of Colorado, her son attends a quality, affordable early learning center. Each day, he is being prepared to enter school ready to succeed.



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Youth Success
Nurturing Students When the School Day Ends

At the end of each school day, eleven-year-olds Miguel and Duveena attend Lights On After School. In addition to getting academic help, they enjoy supervised activities, adult mentoring, and a safe place to "hang out" after school.




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Adult Self Sufficiency
Taking Pride in a Self Sufficient Life

After a difficult adolescence spent in foster care, Gina is enjoying her hard-earned self sufficiency. She now pays rent without assistance, has a job with good benefits, and a safe community in which to raise her sons.



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Adult Sufficiency
Getting Help and Giving Back 

As a single mother, Brooke constantly juggles her family and career responsibilities, while volunteering in her community and putting her dreams for the future in place. In these ways Brooke is not unlike millions of other women. But the story of how she survived a serious drug addiction, domestic abuse, and the temporary loss of her children, sets her apart in a very singular way.

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