West Side Organization Offers Hope For Less Fortunate Neighbors

DENVER (CBS4) - People in West Denver have little, but they manage to give a lot at a neighborhood organization called Servicios de La Raza.

Recipients like grandmother Rebecca Trevizo say everyone from volunteers to employees to those in need "feel like one big family."

Volunteers hand out warm clothing and well-rounded meals to families this holiday season. Amber Watson is a single mother of two and says she needs that type of support during a rough time. Her concerns include, "Where the meals are coming from and whether the kids are taken care of."

Watson's mounting bills mean cutting back on things like groceries, but she got to bring home a turkey dinner for her children. Her daughter, 6-year-old Delphina, is excited to celebrate with a big holiday meal. Watson is thankful.

Servicios de la Raza is at an ideal location for those types of services because it's wedged between what the US Census Bureau has called the two poorest neighborhoods in Colorado -- Sun Valley and Westwood.

The organization offers a number of programs year-round, including health care. It offers a safe place for sexual abuse and domestic violence victims as well as teen pregnancy classes and job training for homeless and foster kids. Employees say the goal of the youth program is to keep kids motivated and off the streets.

"Servicios de la Raza empowers people because it gives a voice of advocacy. That strong voice means economic mobility and opportunity," Executive Director Angela Alfaro said.

She says most of the employees have gone through the programs as kids, like Sylvia Gonzalez, who now helps victims of domestic violence.

"We like to make the impact straight within the community,"Gonzalez said.

Volunteers may have been recipients in the past. Longtime volunteer Cassandra Simpson doles out turkeys and holiday cheer to the families in need.

"I love it. I love all the people. I love all the people I work with and it makes me feel good and my heart feel good," Simpson said.

She and other volunteers hand out hot chocolate to recipients to combat cold temperatures, yet it's the sense of hope offered that warms Watson's heart.

"It's very important, especially being on a low income and having kids. It's harder during the holidays and just to have that extra help out and peace of mind," Watson said.

Servicios de La Raza relies on donations. For more information go to serviciosdelaraza.org.

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