APARTMENTS GIVING BACK
Entryway ' s Vision :
Transforming Lives , Filling Jobs , and Building Community in Denver
By Jared Miller
Denver , like many large cities , is facing one of the biggest societal and economic challenges : homelessness . A new partnership between Entryway , a program that strives to help the situationally homeless , and local housing partners , provides new opportunities for Denver to help address this challenge by filling much-needed jobs , providing housing and empowering those who most need a leg up to help themselves get back on their feet .
Entryway ( formerly known as Shelters to Shutters ) is a national nonprofit organization that is expanding its outreach programs into Colorado . The program aims to offer those experiencing situational homelessness ( caused by a costly medical emergency , losing a job , etc .) opportunities for career training , employment , and stable housing . Entryway is committed to providing continuous training , mentoring , and support services to ensure a stable transition for participants , and therefore helping to support their long-term success .
Denver is poised for significant growth in the next decade , with a surge in new housing developments on the horizon . According to the Apartment Association of Metro Denver , there are 45,000 new housing units expected to come onto the market in the next couple of years . This wave of construction will not only provide much-needed shelter , but it will also generate a huge number of job opportunities ( approximately 900 roles ). Entryway is strategically positioned to help bridge the gap between these new employment opportunities and individuals ready to work .
As someone deeply entrenched in Denver ’ s housing industry and as a Denver resident myself , I realize the impact that Entryway could have on our community . By working together , we can help prevent homelessness before it happens by working with those who are situationally homeless to find housing and employment stability at the same time , creating a safety net for those individuals .
The foundation of Entryway ’ s program lies in personalized career training for high-demand positions
Darryl , Entryway Program Participant
within the multifamily housing sector , such as maintenance , leasing , and groundskeeping . Through a blend of online and in-person training , job shadowing , and strategic partnerships with staffing agencies , Entryway participants gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in these vital roles that typically suffer from high turnover .
Entryway has found that on average , each graduate of its 12-month program generates an impact of $ 88,892 for the local community , the individual , and their family . With the support of its local and national partners , this transformative impact can be extended throughout the Denver area .
Entryway has grown to serve over 550 individuals and families in 10 markets : Atlanta , Charleston ,
30 | TRENDS OCTOBER 2023 www . aamdhq . org