In the midst of a pandemic and social unrest, Montbello is a resilient community. No matter the challenge, we are a community that comes together to tackle the big issues. Despite many losses to our neighborhood and regardless of larger outside institutions not always following through on commitments, we are listening to and taking care of our own. Exemplifying that fact is the Struggle of Love Foundation’s reveal of a beautiful mural created and installed on the walls of Crown Market and in proximity to Escalante Biggs School. Through the creative talent and amazing patience of artist, Ulises Villa, Jr. and 15 kids ranging in age from 9 to 16 years, this not particularly aesthetically appealing building has been transformed into a work of art. Many community organizations and individuals worked together to find the funds and other resources to make it happen. This Is What Community Looks Like Nowhere has that listening to people and taking action been more evident than in the planning and implementation of the Montbello FreshLo Hub. This complex initiative is the result of 2500+ people express-
This Is What Community Looks Like By Donna M. Garnett, Editor, the MUSE Photo by Khadija Haynes
ing their passion and vision for the community. After almost three years of actively pursuing that vision, the support and funds that are necessary to make it a reality are all coming together. Since the beginning of 2020 this has happened: •The former RTD Park and Ride at 12300 Albrook Drive has been purchased by Montbello Organizing Committee on behalf of the community; •Denver City Council has approved a $700,000 loan to pay for the site; •Locally-owned FLO Development Services has worked with a crew of architects and engineers to design a sevenstory building that will include a grocery store; a cultural center featuring performance and meeting spaces, store-front retail; and 97 units of affordable housing; •A $54mm fundraising campaign has been launched to begin construction in late 2021; •More than 1000 residents and stakeholders were engaged to get input into the design and programming of the FreshLo Hub; •22 FreshLo Partners (local organizations and schools) are
collaborating to build out a sixmile walkable/bikeable loop through the heart of the community. This Is What Community Looks Like Montbello has come together to take on other issues identified by our neighbors. Not least among those are the ongoing efforts of Struggle of Love Foundation, Montbello Organizing Committee, Colorado Changemakers Collective, and Montbello Walks — with the help of scores of volunteers – to provide access to food as the pandemic continues to jeopardize the wellbeing of our residents. Literally, hundreds of backyard gardeners have been growing food for themselves and others for months. Through the commitment and actions of community organizations like Families Against Violent Acts, RISE Network, FaithBridge, Struggle of Love, Steps To Success, and Mental Health Centers of Denver we are not waiting for someone outside our community to step in to stop the violence and save our children. The community is actively
MUSE - Montbello Urban Spectrum Edition – September/October 2020
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forming a circle of love and action around our young people with youth safe zones, virtual and in-person mental health services, creative programming for out-of-school time, and securing the resources to open a community center where young people can drop in to a place where trusted people who look like them and have lived experience can help form a bridge to resources and support systems. This Is What Community Looks Like Finally, this community is lucky to have the tireless support of Councilwoman Stacie Gilmore and her staff, who advocate for the organizations and people who are on the ground making everyday differences large and small. The District 11 crew shows up by helping to secure resources and by even being on the ground pitching in to do the work. As always, the MUSE makes a call to action. Want to know how you can be involved in the multitude of efforts that make this community resilient? Send an email to montbellonews@gmail to be connected to any of the efforts mentioned in this article or contact City Council District 11 office at 720-337-7711 or email Stacie.Gilmore@denvergov.org. This Is What Community Looks Like.Y