Immigrant Integration in Denver has Taken Root and Continues to Grow

By Jamie C. Torres, City and County of Denver, and Meg Allen, Colorado African Organization

In 2007, the Denver Coalition for Integration (DCI) was created through The Colorado Trust’s Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Families Initiative (SIRFI). While DCI wrapped up its grant-funded work in December 2012, its impact and influence live on through the strong partnerships developed during its tenure. Among DCI’s notable developments is an immigrant and refugee service provider network, a multi-media story project, a centralized resource database and new and creative partnership opportunities.

The immigrant and refugee service provider network began as a monthly information gathering of about 60 representatives from nonprofits, government agencies and community-based organizations. The network has grown to nearly 400 participants representing almost 300 different organizations providing services to immigrant and refugee residents in education, health, legal, social service, financial literacy and more. Last year, the network changed its name to become the Colorado Providers for Integration Network and is managed out of the Colorado African Organization by Meg Allen.

Stories of Integration is a multi-media project initiated by DCI to capture the images and stories of local immigrants and refugees. The project focuses on the challenges and successes each individual faced as they began rebuilding their lives in Denver. Stories of Integration began with 12 individuals and has grown to nearly 30 portraits of the remarkable lives lived by immigrants and refugees in the Denver metro area. The project is a collaborative effort by Meg Allen, together with Jamie Torres of the City of Denver and local photographer and videographer, Erin Preston of EMP Images. The Denver Public Library will host an exhibit of the images in May, June and July at the Central Branch.

The foundation laid by DCI has left deep and lasting impressions in the way the City and County of Denver prioritizes immigrant integration as well. The Denver Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships has become the primary site for the searchable, online directory of resources for immigrants and refugees developed by DCI.

The City and County of Denver also recently added a new mayoral commission. The Denver Immigrant and Refugee Commission will announce its first set of Commissioners, appointed by Mayor Michael Hancock and confirmed by Denver City Council, to develop collaborative and partnership potential between Denver’s immigrant and refugee communities and identify and impact mutual community challenges and opportunities. We have also seen new and creative ways to approach immigrant and refugee outreach taken on by other city departments including the Denver Police Department and Community Planning and Development.

Immigrant and refugee integration is a journey, not a destination and we recognize now, more than ever, that it is done at every level of the community from residents, service providers, business owners, government and policymakers. An African proverb perfectly describes this dynamic: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”