Montbello Organizing Committee

Montbello Mental Health Solutions is a collaborative initiative involving 16 community-based organizations providing non-clinical behavioral health services as well as clinical services for residents experiencing trauma and stress. Over 1700 children, youth, and adults have received services this year.

Strengthening Neighborhoods involves multiple partners utilizing community organizing, surveying, and advocacy to impact solutions to community-identified issues. Committees comprised of community members plan for, advocate for, and implement actions that bring increased resources to this economically stressed, BIPOC neighborhood. Projects undertaken in 2022 include community-wide events, housing door-to-door surveying, electric mobility projects including an electric bicycle library, and an electric van for partner organizations to transport residents to activities such as doctor's appointments, school fieldtrips, and distribution of food resources for shut ins.

MOC's comprehensive FreshLo Community Development Program is designed to create places in the community that promote cultural heritage through arts education, address community need for affordable housing and a grocery store, improves local business viability and public safety, and brings diverse people together. MOC is leading a community driven development project that includes a six-story residential and mixed-use building that includes a mental health center and a business incubator. Phase 2 of the project includes a non-profit grocery store, retail spaces for local businesses and an arts education facility. Upon completion, more than 200 residents will have access to affordable 1,2,3-bedroom apartments. The project has created more than 80 new jobs.

Montbello Sustainable Food Access

is a collaborative impact project among several

local schools, churches, and nonprofit

organizations working together to reduce

food insecurity. Youth and parents are

paid to manage each of the school farms.

More than 1 million pounds of food is

distributed through the network of no-

cost groceries or sold for low-cost at

MOC's seasonal Farmer's Market.

This network provides charitable food

resources for 700 - 900 people each day,

5 days per week. MOC also works with 11

nonprofits and schools to implement

Healthy Food for Denver Kids

MOC's Building Community

Wealth Initiative is aimed at

the social determinants of equity

and assisting residents in creating

wealth that supports communities.

from the inside out. The goal is to

develop an economic system within

Montbello that provides employment

and business ownership opportunities

for residents along with building

generational wealth by creating home

ownership opportunities. In 2022, 39

entrepreneurs (all people of color)

were trained in successful business

ownership and 78 local businesses

received resource navigation/services.