Nature Connection
Across Denver, nearly 10,000 families live in affordable housing. They rely on the Denver Housing Authority for adequate housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment. Beyond these basics, however, many of these at-risk kids and teens live without a strong connection to their community—and the outdoors.
To forge that connection, the Denver Housing Authority hopes to pilot a program, “Nature Connection,” that public housing sites nationwide can adopt. Nature Connection is meant to give kids three broad tools: appreciation for the natural world; skills to restore natural areas in neighborhoods; and job skills to enter the “green collar” job market.
The Denver Housing Authority seeks to collaborate with organizations such as Denver Urban Gardens, the University of Colorado, local park authorities and others to put its pilot plans into action.
As this program unfolds, public housing buildings could gain community gardens in which kids grow flowers or vegetables. Families may be able to take public transportation, free of charge, to visit parks. Older teens and young adults could get internships in parks and recreation or gain experience by, for instance, running a farmers’ market.
The Denver Housing Authority has this vision—and is now putting in place the resources and partnerships to make it reality. For thousands of vulnerable kids in the city – and across the country this reality could mean a fuller childhood and better future. They deserve it.
To Learn More
Denver Housing Authority
lpicar@denverhousing.org
777 Grant Street,
Denver, CO, 80203
720.932.3052
www.dhanet.com
