Dear Friends of Delores,

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the courage, resilience, and joy of LGBTQIA+ communities. It’s also a powerful reminder that safety, dignity, and belonging are not yet guaranteed for all.

At The Delores Project, we believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home and a community where they feel seen, respected, and affirmed. Our mission comes to life through the stories of the people we serve—people like Mariam. Her journey reminds us why affirming, trauma-informed care is essential, especially for those pushed to the margins.

*Mariam holding a key that say’s “I’m Home!” in her new apartment!*

When Mariam arrived at The Delores Project, she spoke only French, had just fled an abusive relationship, and was navigating the unfamiliar terrain of being an Ivorian transgender woman without a home or support network. She had come to the U.S. from Côte d’Ivoire on a work visa with an NGO—but after escaping violence, she found herself alone and afraid.

At many shelters, Mariam would have faced language barriers, transphobia, or been turned away altogether.

But The Delores Project is different.

At The Delores Project, Mariam found more than a bed—she found dignity, community, and support. With translation services, case management, behavioral healthcare, and a team that believed in her, she enrolled in a CNA program at the Community College of Denver and completed two years of coursework while living in the shelter.

Today, Mariam is in her third year of school, has regained her legal documents and just moved into her very own apartment through our rapid rehousing program. Always smiling, always determined, Mariam called the other women at the shelter her “sisters.” Mariam's story reminds us that when we create spaces of true belonging, people don’t just survive—they thrive.

We are the only congregate shelter in Denver that welcomes and affirms women, transgender, and non-binary individuals. For many of our guests, we are not just the best option—we are the safest option. This is a responsibility we hold with deep care and unwavering commitment.

Women and gender-expansive people experience homelessness at significantly higher rates than the general population, often due to gender-based violence and systemic discrimination. That’s why our model of inclusive, dignified shelter isn’t optional—it’s lifesaving.

But this lifesaving work is under threat.

Due to our commitment to remaining an inclusive, low-barrier, and housing-first focused shelter, we anticipate losing $325,000 in federal funding in 2026, which enables us to provide 24/7 programming and services. This helps us move over 40% of our guests into housing each year. If we’re unable to replace the majority of these lost funds by the end of 2025, we will be forced to make painful cuts to the essential, life-changing services our guests rely on every day. This could mean scaling back to an overnight-only shelter model, eliminating daytime access to case management, behavioral health support, housing navigation, meals, and community programming. For many of our guests, these services are not just helpful, they’re the difference between continued instability and a real chance at healing, housing, and long-term stability.

That’s why we’re launching Bridge the Gap: Belonging Can’t Wait, a community-wide call to action.

We’re asking you—our supporters, neighbors, and champions—to step forward and help us ensure that no one is turned away from shelter or support because of who they are. Your gift today will help us sustain the programs and services that provide safety, healing, and housing for hundreds of women and gender-expansive individuals every year.

Because Belonging Can’t Wait—and neither can we.

With Gratitude,
Emily Wheeland, CEO

P.S. One of the most powerful ways you can support this urgent campaign is by setting up a recurring gift, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, from now through the end of December. A weekly gift of $25, a bi-weekly gift of $50, or a monthly gift of $250 can help us replace lost funding and sustain the services our guests depend on every day.

To make a gift, set up a reoccurring donation, or explore more ways to support this effort, please visit our campaign page.