ULC July 2015 Partner Spotlight – The Social Enterprise Foundry!
Urban Land Conservancy celebrates the achievements of its partnerships that create and preserve nonprofit facilities and affordable housing for communities in metro Denver. ULC’s Monthly Partner Spotlight is awarded to partners who demonstrate the value of collaboration, furthering our mission to improve the lives of Denver area residents through our real estate investments and community assets.
Congratulations to our July 2015 Partner Spotlight of the Month, the Social Enterprise Foundry!
The Social Enterprise Foundry is community change in action. The Foundry is a collaborative home for triple bottom line nonprofits to train, employ, and empower individuals and the community. This critical neighborhood asset envisions a community that empowers and supports all people by providing meaningful employment opportunities, responsibly managing our natural resources, and investing in financially sustainable businesses and nonprofits. Through this physical building, and the partnerships that it fosters, all members of the Foundry are working to achieve that vision.
“This building improved our triple bottom line and has been a catalyst for collaborating with other exceptional organizations. We’ve been able to streamline our service delivery, reduce our overhead with more affordable and functional space, and we’re close to transit so our youth (employees) can get to work. There’s also a lot to be said for working alongside other successful social enterprises, sharing ideas and leaning on one another as we try to make the most of our aligned missions,” said Kelly Causey, CEO of Mile High Youth Corps.
Acquired by ULC in 2014, with support from the Denver Office of Economic Development, this 44,000 square foot warehouse includes over 8,000 square feet of office space and provides an affordable, quality home for several partners. Located in the Sun Valley neighborhood of Denver, with transit access to the W Line, nonprofits in this property provide education and employment opportunities to this traditionally underserved community and beyond.
In its role as owner of the Social Enterprise Foundry, ULC is working to ensure that light industrial, employment focused spaces remain affordable in the Sun Valley neighborhood as redevelopment pressures begin to grow. Assets like the Foundry are essential for the health of a community, and we greatly appreciate all of the nonprofits who provide these critical services and essential job opportunities to residents of the Denver region!
Denver Shared Spaces is one tenant of the building, and through strategic tenant collaboration, promotes collective visioning which enhances the productivity and impact of all partnering nonprofits as a whole.
“The Foundry is a neighborhood hub that is not only serving the community, but is creating local jobs. This unique shared space proves that collaborative work increases a nonprofit’s ability to accomplish mission and increase impact. I’m excited to be able to support the growing collaboration between the partners housed here,” stated Megan Devenport, Program Manager of Denver Shared Spaces.
With over $500,000 of capital improvements made to the building, the organizations within the building have grown and flourished. Currently, 4 community-focused organizations are located in this warehouse, employing over 100 people. ULC would like to spotlight all of the incredible organizations that provide critical services and jobs from the Social Enterprise Foundry:
Blue Star Recyclers is an award-winning, 501c3 social enterprise, with a mission of providing certified electronics recycling services to create local jobs for people with autism and other disabilities. Blue Star Recyclers delivers measurable results in job creation, taxpayer savings and environmental stewardship, and operates facilities in Colorado Springs and Denver. www.BlueStarRecyclers.com
Effective shared spaces create a sense of place, extend the reach of organizations and businesses housed within them, and achieve greater impact on local communities. We envision a community where social-impact organizations intentionally share space to create a sense of place, extend their reach, and achieve greater impact on local communities.
As an innovative collaborative, Denver Shared Spaces works ensure that the Denver Metro is home to a dynamic network of effective shared space centers through programs that Create, Improve, and Champion shared spaces. www.denversharedspaces.org
Since 1979, ERC’s mission is to help income-qualified residents make energy efficiency improvements to their homes or apartments that will increase their quality of life, save them money on energy bills. Our efforts help to keep southern Colorado families warm and protect them from the risks associated with dangerously low temperatures and carbon monoxide poisoning. The Energy Resource Center works closely with Colorado Springs Utilities as well as other utility providers and nonprofits in El Paso, Denver, Jefferson, Teller, Fremont, Elbert, South Douglas, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Saguache and Rio Grande counties. www.erc-co.org
Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 1992 to give youth ages 16 to 24 a chance to earn an income and learn hands-on job skills while serving in their communities. In its first year, 20 youth served Denver neighborhoods through a single 10-week program. Today, MHYC engages over 200 youth (called Corpsmembers) every year through several comprehensive programs that integrate paid work experience on community service projects with leadership development, career exploration and education.
During our 23 year history, Mile High Youth Corps has grown from a small, seasonal, neighborhood-based organization to a comprehensive, year-round, regional program that integrates work experience, education, career preparation, and life skills training. Our mission is to help youth make a difference in themselves and their community through meaningful service opportunities and educational experiences. www.milehighyouthcorps.org
Make sure you check out the Sun Valley Community Block Party for the 3rd Annual Denver Days presented by Ink Monstr and The Sun Valley Community Coalition!
All are cordially invited to join a block party on Holden Place on August 1st from 12:00pm to 5:00pm for food, fun, games, and giveaways. The block party will have a variety of family oriented activities such as: live art demonstrations, face painting, yard games, live music, jumping castle, slip-n-slide, free food & drinks, back to school raffles, and giveaways. The Sun Valley Community Block Party is open to the public and free for all who attend.
The Foundry is dedicated to the Sun Valley neighborhood and serves as a resource to create a positive path for youth to learn and become successful. Over the years, Foundry tenants have trained dozens of local youth who need creative outlets and supportive role models in their lives.
Thank you all for the great work you do at the Social Enterprise Foundry!
We are grateful for the opportunity to share space with such terrific neighbors who are committed to making Denver a better place to live and work. Special thanks to ULC for making all that possible in a market where warehouse space is beyond the budgets of most nonprofit organizations like ours. We invite the entire community to come for a visit!
Bill Morris
Co-Founder & CEO
Blue Star Recyclers
The Urban Land Conservancy is making a major difference for nonprofits around the city. Thanks to them, the Energy Resource Center is able to serve more families here.