Located near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is a city thriving in arts and culture and offers countless opportunities for adventure and outdoor recreation. Blue skies and sunshine are the norm in this clean, young and environmentally conscious city. Take your eyes off the scenic landscape, however, and you’ll find a large homeless population and many people, both young and old, struggling with poverty. Your group can be the hands and feet of Christ to these individuals through your ministry to the homeless and participation in children’s programs and outreach to the elderly.

Demographics

Denver, Colorado sits at almost the exact center of the country. It’s known as the “Mile-High City” because of its elevation of exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level. Prior to 1858, there were no permanent residents in the Denver metro area. Thirty years later, following the Gold Rush, Colorado was a state with a population of almost 200,000. Today, Denver’s population is 554,636. Thirty-two percent of residents are of Hispanic and Latino descent and 11 percent are African American. Denver’s diversity is celebrated at numerous festivals, including the nation’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebration. There are plenty of recreational opportunities in the area, with more than 200 parks in the city and 20,000 acres of parks in the nearby mountains. Like many urban areas, there are pockets of Denver that struggle with affordable housing and poverty. Fifteen percent of residents live below the poverty level, including 12 percent of those age 65 or older. There also are 4,600 homeless individuals in the city of Denver, 43 percent of whom are women and children. Children represent a growing percentage of homeless people in the area—many living in motels, shelters or other temporary housing. You will be blessed by the diversity and culture of this city as you serve some of its most needy residents.

About the Ministry

Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Our goal is to partner with local organizations and programs that seek to address the very basic needs of residents. Students may serve at places like: Children’s Programs, Elderly Centers, Soup Kitchens/Homeless Shelters and Thrift Stores. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants an insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: attend a community cookout; visit Lookout Mountain; take part in a community educational experience; attend a church service. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.

Ministry Week

Partnering with Local Ministries.

Mileage

Denver has an international airport.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. Denver can only accommodate standard 15 passenger vans or smaller and cannot accommodate trailers.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Denver and surrounding areas before or after your trip, visit www.denver.org and www.colorado.com.