Mountain Dreamers

Community education/advocacy: in 2023 md participated on state and local policy advocacy efforts related to immigration legal defense, the co immigrant driver's licenses, and equitable access to housing and transportation. Md continued to build awareness and empathy for immigrant community members through media and community events.

Immigrant services: in 2023 md served over 800 immigrant residents with resources and referrals to partner agencies on a variety of needs, and with in-person assistance to obtain the co immigrant drivers license; with tax preparation and itin applications; and with gaining professional and occupational state licensing.

Immigration legal defense fund: in 2023 md helped 71 clients with over 116,000 of financial assistance in order to benefit from some type of immigration related legal service, with priority given to cases involving gaining work authorization and protection from deportation, victims of violence; persons fleeing persecution and violence and seeking asylum; women and families; and juvenile victims of abuse or neglect. Md helped hundreds of clients with immigration- related questions and referrals to partner immigration legal providers.

Oso outdoor equity & inclusion initiative in 2023 md continued its initiative to increase equity and inclusion of immigrant families and adults in outdoor recreation through an initial grant from co parks & wildlife. Efforts included developing culturally and linguistically appropriate trailhead signage with the white river national forest, and providing an on-mountain snowboard lesson program to local immigrant residents, in collaboration with arapahoe basin ski area. Migrant integration program in 2023 md created the newcomers migrant integration program to welcome and integrate newly arrived immigrants to the community, by connecting them with resources such as housing, transportation, schools, medical care, and jobs.