Focus Points 2022-2023 Impact Report
Building better communities by strengthening families
Since 1995, Focus Points has been serving and advocating for families in the Greater Denver Area.
To provide families with resources and tools they need to build their future and contribute to a vibrant community.
Letter from Jules Kelty, Executive Director
Dear Friends, 
As many of you know, 2022 included some significant challenges for Focus Points—and when I look back on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support that we received from all of you, which helped us to rebound.
Like many non-profits, Focus Points had to navigate bumps in the road as we worked through the impacts of the pandemic. For example, we had to strategize how to manage a restaurant while also maintaining other programs. This caused us to temporarily pause programming while adjustments were made. So many of you—from our foundation partners, to local businesses, Board members and dedicated individual supporters—stepped up to help us do this, finding a way to give more, to connect us to new partners and resources, and provide the encouragement we needed to persevere. Your support helped us to move forward with new insights and innovations that continue to benefit the communities we serve.
With your support, Focus Points’ amazing families and our hard-working staff accomplished so much this year, as you will see on the following pages. One of the things I am most proud of is the expansion of our Community Advisory Committee, a collection of current and former participants who meet monthly and provide us with valuable guidance to ensure that community input is always the driving force behind our actions. It was also heartwarming to see our community participating together, in person again, in many of our activities. Some of my favorite memories from the past year include seeing fathers engage in our Early Childhood Education programs, witnessing the continued growth of the weekly Farmers’ Market, and re-igniting our signature fundraising event, Lotería. Thank you to everyone who helped make these, and many other Focus Points initiatives, a great success during our 2023 fiscal year! You truly demonstrated the Focus Points values in action—equity, integrity, and collaboration.
As I look to the year ahead, I know that Focus Points will continue to grow and serve our communities better than ever before. We will work in solidarity with you toward a more equitable and prosperous Denver.
In solidarity,
Jules Kelty
Executive Director
Our Impact at a Glance
The data included in this report represents Fiscal Year 2023, beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023.
Huerta Urbana Farmer’s Market
Huerta Urbana, one of two social enterprises, provides workforce training in urban agriculture using an “earn while you learn” model. Huerta Urbana supports community residents in growing and distributing fresh, organic, culturally relevant produce while utilizing the seasonal “pay-what-you-can” farmer’s market. The Huerta Urbana Farmer’s Market addresses the community concerns of food access. Operating from June to October, the market served on average, over a hundred individuals each week. This comprehensive approach to accessibility and community representation extended to both marketgoers and vendors. Market vendors are intentionally invited to offer a platform for locally owned-businesses.
Adult Education
Focus Points hosted two adult English Language Acquisition (ELA) programs this year. These programs were funded by the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) and the Adult Education and Literacy Act (AELA). CRSP classes focused on supporting refugees, while AELA classes served the general immigrant population. Both use a practical adult education curriculum that includes life skills and workforce readiness.
The AELA and CRSP programs provided virtual English classes to best accommodate our participants’ diverse schedules and home locations. Participants came to our programs with a wide range of English competency levels. Notably, the programs experienced an increase in preliterate participants joining the classes requiring shifts in the curriculum to properly support students.
Early Childhood Education
The Parents as Teachers (PAT) and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) programs demonstrated unwavering commitment to supporting early childhood education (ECE) for families with children aged 0-5. These initiatives address the community-wide childcare gap, offering families free, evidence-based home visit programs that are both culturally and linguistically sensitive. Participants secure opportunities and resources to foster their children’s development and success.
The ECE programs organized bi-monthly group connections which offer essential resources and a space for meaningful relationship building among participants. Notably, the PAT program maintained its Blue-Ribbon Affiliate status for the sixth consecutive year.
Back to School
Our annual Back2School event held on August 13th, 2022, provided families with valuable resources as learners prepared for the upcoming school year. The event included the distribution of backpacks filled with school supplies, new shoes, and an open house showcasing Focus Points’ early childhood education, adult education, social enterprise, and family support services programs.
Back2School was sponsored by BellCo Credit Union, National Western Center, Lost City, Xcel Energy, Wellspring, Comcast, Jacobs, Suncor, Shopworks Architecture, and Denver’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
Through the distribution of these supplies, hundreds of learners were equipped with the resources and confidence needed for a successful year.
Staff Spotlight: Educator Maria
Meet Maria, a Parents as Teachers (PAT) educator. Her story is nothing short of inspiring. From her early days to now, Maria has touched countless lives and continues to do so. Maria began her journey with Focus Points as an English class and GED participant. After earning her diploma, Maria heard from her sister, a mom in the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program, of an opening for educators. Maria served as a HIPPY educator before taking some time away, returning a year later in 2007 as a PAT Educator.
In her role, Maria meets with a variety of parents and their children for one hour twice a month. She reviews activities, monitors child development, and discusses topics regarding child development and family wellbeing. Maria strives to promote the optimal early development, learning, and health of children by supporting and engaging caregivers following PAT models. Maria, after having two decades at Focus Points, reflects fondly on the families served throughout the years. When asked about her most impactful experience while serving as an educator, Maria reflected on the experience of getting to know the children in the PAT and HIPPY families. “I personally have attended several graduations of [PAT and HIPPY children] and this filled me with pride and satisfaction because I have seen that these two early childhood programs make a difference in many families for whom we work.” Maria’s dedication to supporting families in the community does not go unnoticed. Thank you, Maria, for helping us build better communities by strengthening families.
Family Support Services
Our Family Support Services (FSS) team continued to support hundreds of community members and their families. The team provided the community with services ranging from emergency rental and utility application assistance to facilitating food access, providing public notary services, and implementing a goal-setting program to enhance long-term familial stability. FSS offered walk-in Mondays for immediate assistance in addition to daily appointments.
The team hosted an in-house bilingual mental health therapist through a WellPower partnership to provide individuals aged 6 and older with free mental health services. By collaborating with community resources, the team ensured that individuals requiring services beyond Focus Points’ reach were referred to community partners offering other vital resources for housing, healthcare, and more.
Comal Heritage Food Incubator
Comal Heritage Food Incubator, one of two social enterprises, provides workforce training in the culinary arts using an “earn while you learn” approach to immigrant and refugee women. This approach offers hands-on skill building that instills a deep understanding of food industry standards, ultimately encouraging economic independence and knowledge of operating a small business.
The program spans two to three years, during which participants engage in the full range of operational specialties involved in running a fully equipped commercial kitchen. This practical experience equips participants for their future endeavors as restaurant managers or even as they venture into entrepreneurship within the food industry, building upon their diverse cultural backgrounds.
*This cohort had to be rebuilt as Comal recovered from the impact of the pandemic
Financials
Focus Points 2022-2023 Impact Report
The data included in this report represents Fiscal Year 2023, beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023.
