Daily life at CCC

I realize that I've written very little about what I actually do here in Denver, at least on a 9 to 5 basis. Hence, I hope that this post explains a bit more about the agency I'm working for.

I work for an agency called Cross Community Coalition, located at 48th and Columbine in northern Denver. The Coalition began as a grassroots group of concerned citizens in three neighborhoods - Swansea, Elyria, and Globeville. Initially, the Coalition's work revolved around environmental issues. The 80216 zip code in northern Denver is the most industrialized and polluted area within city limits, thanks to a conglomeration of oil refineries, animal rendering plants, truck stops, and heavy metal processing plants. In fact, studies done of the soil and air in the neighborhoods revealed concentrations of arsenic, lead, and zinc in quantities far beyond what is healthy for human existence. When this information was revealed a few decades ago, the Coalition was instrumental in securing a settlement with one of the largest polluters, the Asarko metal refinery, that included the removal of 12 inches of soil in residents' yards and its replacement with clean soil.

Also, in the 1960's, highway 70, which extends from Kansas City to Denver and beyond, was constructed just about through the middle of Swansea, Elyria, and Globeville. Predictably, this has greatly affected the neighborhood dynamics, effectively splitting communities in two and necessitating the demolition of dozens of houses. The highway is noisy, dirty, and sometimes dangerous - it edges right up to Swansea Elementary school and in the past, objects from trucks have careened off the road and into the playground. All of this raises very interesting and (more crucially) important questions - how does a community decide where to erect infrastructure, and more generally, what are the moral principles that should govern any project of development? On the one hand, highways, factories, and buildings are testaments to humankind's ingenuity and ability to expand the parameters of our capabilities, not to mention providing more jobs. But is there a point where development becomes detrimental, either to the population as a whole, or a portion? Any thoughts on the subject, please send my way! =)

Over the years, the Coalition has expanded to address various needs of the community. They now have a sizeable grant from Denver Human Services in order to help residents with food stamps, medicaid, utility and rent payments, and other financial needs. Two mental therapists share an office at the Coalition and treat residents' psychological ailments. There is a food bank at the center once a month, computer classes, GED preparation, parenting skills classes, and much more.

The branch of the agency that I am working with is their services to youth. Along with Paul (Lorraine's son) and Sylvia (a Denver University college student and longtime resident of Swansea), I will tutor schoolage children three days a week at the local elementary school. I'm so, so excited to begin! In addition, I'm trying to start an ESL class in the evenings, for those who work during the day.

I hope this gives you more of a sense of the agency I work for and the 3 neighborhoods it serves. Thanks again for reading =)