A New Way to “Give a Better Way”

NEW WAY FOR DONORS TO “GIVE A BETTER WAY”
TO HELP THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

The Downtown Denver Partnership and Downtown Denver Business
Improvement District joined Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Denver’s Road
Home today to announce text-to-give was added as another way for
Denver residents to “Give a Better Way” to help those who are
experiencing homelessness. The new giving option is part of the
longstanding “Give a Better Way” campaign which was created in 2007 to
encourage people to contribute in ways that will most effectively connect
homeless individuals with the resources they need.

LEARN MORE: Denvergov.org/HomelessHelp

“Our residents are very compassionate when it comes to this issue, and are
ready and eager to give. So whether it’s sending a text or donating your
spare change, giving through the ‘Give a Better Way’ program ensures that
their donation goes to support programs in our community that are proven
to have a positive impact for people experiencing homelessness,” MayorHancock said. “From residents to visitors, this program offers every person in our community the opportunity to make a lasting change for someone in
need by making a simple donation.”

The “Give a Better Way” campaign is a joint venture between the City and
County of Denver, Downtown Denver Partnership and Downtown Denver
Business Improvement District. Through the campaign, the city and local
business partners hope to give residents an alternative to handouts on the
street and drive-by food drop offs. Donations to the campaign fund job
training and other services to help those who are homeless become selfsufficient.
“We are excited to join the City and Denver’s Road Home on programs like
Give A Better Way to provide direct and tangible ways we can connect
contributions and resources to the people who need them,” said Tami
Door, President and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “From
the blue and red donation meters to the new texting option, we are
equipping the community with tools to best support Denver’s homeless
population.”

“We can do so much more for those who experience homelessness by
working together as a community to place our collective dollars, time and
energy into programs proven to provide real solutions to homelessness,”
said Denver’s Road Home Executive Director Bennie Milliner. “Rather
than giving money to a panhandler or dropping off food to groups of people
on the street, you can Give a Better Way and know that your funds will go
to support nonprofit programs to help people who are homeless in Denver
move toward self-sufficiency.”

One of the programs funded through the Give a Better Way campaign is
Bayaud Enterprises. Bayaud uses the donated funds to support their Rapid
Job Placement program.

“The donations to the Give a Better Way campaign fund our work to quickly
connect people who are experiencing homelessness to job training and
employment opportunities,” Scott Kerr, Director of the Employment and
Opportunity Center at Bayaud Enterprises said. “We really believe that
work is a way to engage in community and to truly help those experiencing
unemployment and homelessness begin their recovery and journey to self-sufficiency.”

With the launch of the campaign, Denver residents have access to more
ways than ever to donate and make a real difference in the lives of those in
need.

Text to give: To donate, text HOMELESSHELP to 41444 to give $5 to
Give a Better Way. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 years of age or have parental
permission to participate. Message and Data Rates May Apply.
Donations will be directed to Denver’s Road Home through a
partnership with the Mile High United Way.

Parking meters: Donors can give spare change or electronic funds to
Denver’s Road Home parking meters throughout downtown Denver.
Businesses, non-profit organizations and even families sponsor meters
for $1,000 per year. Denver’s Road Home and Mile High United Way
use the funds to connect homeless individuals to services, provide lowincome
housing and fund other homeless outreach initiatives.

More options: For more ways to “Give a Better Way,” residents and
visitors can visit Denvergov.org/HomelessHelp for a list of services
providers and means of donating time and money toward helping those
experiencing homelessness.

New “Give a Better Way” campaign posters, electronic billboards, flyers,
advertisements and light pole banners will also share the message
throughout Denver beginning this week. A look at the updated posters and
other public awareness items may be found at
www.denvergov.org/homelesshelp.