Denver, Colorado – The Denver Foundation released the
results of its Listening Campaign today, detailing a year-long research study
that asked nonprofit, private, and public sector leaders to share their
understanding of community needs in the Metro Denver area. While not a
comprehensive needs assessment; the Listening Campaign Report offers an
in-depth look at the region from more than 200 community leaders working in the
areas of health, education, human services, and the arts.
“At every stage of the research, The Foundation asked the
people we interviewed to set aside their own particular interests and tell us
about what was best and most urgent for the entire community,” says Rich Lopez,
Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “Their ability to do so
produced an unanticipated consensus about the critical issues we must address.”
Across all focus groups and interviews, participants noted
core challenges related to three key areas: public education; economic status,
race, and immigration; and health care.
Public Education
The most commonly cited concern in the focus groups and
interviews was the state of public education in the Denver Metro area.
This area was mentioned consistently by respondents across the board, even by
those working in the arts and health care. Most of these discussions
related directly, but not exclusively, to the Denver Public School system.
Participants identified the following challenges for public
schools:
· Lack of
early childhood education programs for low-income communities;
·
Disparities among teacher salaries across Metro Denver;
· Lack of
maintenance in facilities and curriculum;
· Lack of
adequate out-of-school youth programs; and
· Disbelief
that government can solve the
problem.
Economic Status, Race, and Immigration
Many interviewees and focus group participants were troubled
by the growing income gap in Denver. Respondents mentioned the disparity
between the salaries of more highly-skilled workers and the working poor and
underemployed. Interviewees noted that they see two tiers of quality of life in
Denver. They also pointed to the geographic segregation of wealth and poverty
within the city and across the metropolitan area. Several interviewees called
for more and improved inter-class and inter-ethnic interaction.
According to many participants, Metro Denver residents need
to be more aware of each other and their differences in order to reverse the
trend in inequality. Participants in several focus groups expressed their
disappointment surrounding the lack of discussion about these issues in the
news media and among community leaders.
Many interviewees mentioned the challenges facing service
providers due to recent legislation regarding immigrants coupled with the
increase in the immigrant population. Confusion and fear within immigrant communities
often prevents residents from seeking available and much-needed services. Most
interviewees commented on the interrelation among the issues of inequality,
race, and immigration.
Health Care
Interviewees and focus group participants from organizations
across the spectrum expressed concern about the rising costs of health care and
the growing gaps in service for the uninsured and underinsured.
Topics mentioned included barriers to access, the lack of
high-quality preventive care for low-income persons and the lack of appropriate
mental health services. The separation of mental health services from other
health care was listed as a common concern. While participants applauded
efforts to coordinate the mental health system across the Metro area, there are
many places where funding and resources are in short supply. A common concern
voiced among participants was the lack of public understanding about mental
health issues, including diagnosis and treatment.
Other Findings:
In addition to these overall findings, the Listening
Campaign uncovered specific concerns related to Arts and Culture, Civic and
Education, Health, and Human Services. Among the additional findings:
· According to
telephone interviews and focus groups, a common issue facing arts organizations
is audience development. Many organizations often know how to do audience
development, but don’t have the resources to implement such plans.
· Community leaders
noted the link between parental involvement and educational achievement and
stressed programs that focus on early childhood education and basic parenting
skills.
· During focus groups
and telephone interviews, participants mentioned the need to advocate for
prevention and early intervention. Often low-income communities lack
resources to address these issues.
· According
to research participants, the major issues confronting human services
organizations involve the intersection of poverty and race. Interviewees
felt that leaders and media do not adequately discuss or address poverty in the
Metro area.
Methodology:
The Listening Campaign, conducted by BBC Research of Denver,
involved the following data collection efforts:
· In-person
interviews with Denver Foundation volunteer Advisory Committee Members who are
experts in each of the four issue areas;
· Telephone
interviews with nonprofit leaders from each of the issue areas, totaling 100
interviews;
· Focus
groups with 8-10 members of the nonprofit community for each of the issue
areas; and
· Key person
interviews with community leaders discussing “big picture” trends
The research sample was diverse in as many ways as possible,
e.g., by issue area, geography, culture, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and
even by opinion about The Denver Foundation. When possible, BBC did not
identify The Denver Foundation as the source of the research.
About The Denver Foundation: Established in
1925, The Denver Foundation is a community foundation that inspires people and
mobilizes resources to improve our community. Community foundations throughout
the United States work with local donors to improve life in their
regions. More information is available on the web at www.denverfoundation.org.
