DENVER — The Colorado community continues to help migrants, many of whom are seeking asylum, who are newly arriving in Denver.
While some plan to move on to other cities, many hope to stay in Denver and are utilizing community resources such as donations as they settle.
Haydee Rodriguez has been working with people who have newly arrived to Denver by collecting donations and supplies. She has kept them in a spare room in her home.
"Look, this is excellent for them. It's filled with feathers. It's a really good jacket," Rodriguez said in Spanish, holding up a down-filled winter coat.
Rodriguez was scrambling to find clothing such as winter boots and items to battle the cold, especially around the holidays, when up to 200 people per day were making their way to Denver.
Nonprofits, such as Lifespan Local based in the Westwood community, also helped in Rodriguez's effort.
"I feel really happy that people have been willing to help me, because if I were alone, I wouldn’t be able to. I feel really grateful to go in that way," Rodriguez said. "[The people] are very grateful and they always say 'thank you so much for helping us,' and I want to cry every time they tell me that, because I don’t feel that I do that much."
The current donation sites to help migrants staying in Denver are at Temple Emmanuel and the Little Saigon Community Donation Site.
Temple Emmanuel is located at 51 Grape St. People can drop off items on Mondays from 5 to 8 p.m.
Little Saigon is located at 1011 S. Federal Blvd. People can drop off items on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 5 p.m.
This donation site is not the well-known Little Saigon restaurant; it is the Little Saigon Community Donation Site in a vacant building off Federal Boulevard. Volunteers are needed at this location from 10 to 6 p.m. People can just show up if they are available to help.
Items currently in high need include:
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Travel-size shampoo and conditioner
- Soap
Hygiene items donated must be new and unopened. Used items will not be accepted or used.
They remain in need of the following items:
- New or very gently used men’s winter clothes such as jackets, hats, gloves, and sweatpants, in sizes small and medium only (high-demand item)
- New socks, underwear/boxers
- Backpacks and/or medium-size duffel bags (highest-demand item)
- Large and XL men's belts
- Men's shoes and work boots size 7-10
- Shower sandals
The city asks people to only bring the items listed, as storage space is limited.
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