DHS Adds Neighborhood Resource Site within Westwood Community Center
Published on December 04, 2024
DENVER (December 4, 2024) — Denver Human Services (DHS) is excited to announce the opening of its newest Neighborhood Resource Site (NRS) at the Westwood Community Center, located at 1000 S. Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO 80219. This new location will provide critical resources and assistance to residents in the Westwood neighborhood and surrounding areas, offering easy access to a range of support services.
“We are committed to making it easier for all Denverites to access the resources they need,” said Anne-Marie Braga, DHS Executive Director. “When we outgrew the space we shared with Denver Health at 1339 S. Federal, we knew we had to stay in the community. We are pleased to partner with the Westwood Together team, a community coalition that includes three leading nonprofits in the area, Una Mano Una Esperanza, Southwest Denver Coalition and Southwest Food Coalition to provide DHS services in the Westwood Community Center. This new NRS in Westwood will provide a welcoming and supportive environment for Denver residents to find help with food, cash, medical needs, and other critical services. Additionally, the location will allow DHS to explore collaborations with other nearby nonprofits and city agencies such as the Denver Public Library and Denver Parks and Recreation to innovatively and effectively deliver the services Denverites and the Westwood community deserves.”
The Westwood Community Center NRS offers a range of essential services to help individuals and families facing social and economic challenges, including:
- Food, Cash, and Medical Eligibility Assistance
- Rental assistance
- Child Support Services (provided every Thursday at our nearby Denver Housing Authority location at 855 S. Irving St., Denver, CO 80219)
- Child Care Assistance
- Energy Assistance Program
- Free Necessity Items including hygiene products for adults and babies, and snack bags
- Referrals to other DHS and community-based services
Before visiting, residents are encouraged to call 720-944-4DHS (4347) to confirm service availability, as some services may vary due to staffing.
"Having DHS present at the Westwood Community Center is a crucial piece to our mission in providing a community driven space for residents and agencies working together to create a vibrant and inclusive Westwood. Centralizing these resources in one community hub will help residents of Southwest Denver get what they need when they need it and build resilience when people need it most," said the Westwood Together team.
The Westwood Community Center Neighborhood Resource Site is open Monday through Friday, from 8-4 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12-1 p.m.) and will be closed on city and federal holidays. Limited services will be available from 2-4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, during which food, cash, and medical services will be unavailable. Street parking and free parking is conveniently available in the front and north lots of the Westwood Community Center building.
The new Westwood Community Center NRS joins six other strategic DHS locations in northeast, southeast, southwest, and central Denver. With these diverse options, customers have easier access to DHS’ essential services across the city. In March, DHS reopened the second-floor lobby at Richard T. Castro Human Services Center in Sun Valley and there are plans to open a Neighborhood Resource Site in east Denver by the end of the year. These physical locations will allow DHS customers to choose what is best for them to access support – whether it is online, by phone or in-person.
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About Denver Human Services
Denver Human Services provides assistance, benefits and protection and prevention services to one in three Denver residents. DHS envisions a healthy and connected community where all people are safe, supported and well. For more information, visit www.denvergov.org/humanservices.