Mike Johnston, former school principal and state senator, says he spent a lot of time in the past year thinking about what’s broken in our democracy—and what we can fix.
Reflections on the State of Our Democracy
Veterans Battle with PTSD, “Walking through Fire”
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD impacts up to 30% of veterans, according to the National Center for PTSD. It can take years to fully manifest, and may take decades for a vet to tackle through therapy.
Immigration Reform: A National Problem in Our Backyard
Frustration with Congress’ longstanding failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform is mounting across the country and in our own community.
Casa de Paz: A Helping Hand for Detainees
Every weeknight, volunteers gather to ferry people released from Aurora’s GEO detention facility to the Casa de Paz (“House of Peace”), an all-volunteer nonprofit that since 2012 has served 2306 people from 30 countries.
Korey Wise Innocence Project
“When They See Us” devotes a full episode to Korey Wise, referred to as “a walking miracle” by the other men whom the media dubbed the “Central Park Five.” Though the five boys-turned-men-in-prison continue to live with that moniker, all were exonerated in 2002.
Wildlife Contraband Becomes Conservation Library
A lion, row upon row of feline heads of many varieties, bags of bear claws and dozens of coin purses made of frogs are among the 1.3 million items stored at the National Wildlife Property Repository in Commerce City.
The Immigrant Detention Center Next Door: Who are they accountable to?
A mere mile and a half from Isabella Bird Community School, a school established with a mission to educate “newcomer” refugee and immigrant children, sits a monolith identified as “The GEO Group.” The ICE detention center in Aurora has shown little accountability to lawmakers, and living conditions are a concern for lawyers and advocates for asylum-seekers held there.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with NE Neighbors
Are you a busy mom feeling alone dealing with your job commitments, community groups, kids’ needs, and household drudgery? Or are you a family of color or blended family wishing to connect with families like yours? NE Denver has two Facebook groups where you can connect with like-minded neighbors: Soulfully Stapleton and GEMS.
A Life Dedicated to Social Impact
At age nine, Luis Duarte, who grew up in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, joined some of his soccer friends and classmates to volunteer in a rural community a few hours from his home. When he got there, he found homes built of cardboard, mud, and wood—and people who were both wise and humble.
Hickenlooper’s “Giddy-Up Start-Up Rally”
As the sun went down on March 7, the crowd moved in and filled Civic Center Park to hear John Hickenlooper announce his candidacy for president of the United States.
