Voices of Belonging: Papa Dia, African Leadership Group

Why Belonging Colorado is investing in entrepreneurs Most of us don’t think about belonging when we open an app, join an event, or interact with a service. But those moments shape whether we feel connected or alone, included or overlooked. Increasingly, those experiences are shaped by entrepreneurs—designing the platforms, services, and interactions that influence how we spend our time, who we meet, and whether we feel included or left out. But of course, most businesses aren’t built with belonging in mind. They prioritize growth, efficiency, and engagement, but not always connection, trust, or the feeling that you matter. Belonging Colorado is working to change that. Through a partnership with Startup Colorado, Belonging Colorado is funding entrepreneurs to develop new ways businesses help people connect and increase belonging. Belonging @ Startup Colorado is both an experiment and an investment in what’s possible. By investing in entrepreneurs, we’re asking: What happens when

We are delighted to share this inaugural edition of the Belonging Colorado e-newsletter with you. We hope you’ll sign up for updates so you can stay in touch with us and we can work together to foster a state where everyone can show up as their true selves and know that they belong. Over the past year and a half, Belonging Colorado demonstrated what is possible when people come together with intention, curiosity, and care. During the first year-and-a-half of this exciting new effort focused on increasing belonging by bridging differences, one theme stood out clearly: Belonging grows where trusted communities intentionally build relationships. From Lamar to Steamboat, from Durango to Denver, we’ve seen people coming together in new ways to share, learn, and connect. Whether it’s enjoying the great outdoors together or working to try and solve the housing problem, we’re seeing evidence that people can move beyond surface-level

How Youth Participation Is Strengthening Communities Across Colorado Across Colorado, Belonging Colorado partners are demonstrating the powerful role young people play in strengthening communities. More than half of this year’s 15 grantees engage youth, either as the primary focus of their work or as active participants alongside adults. This work highlights how belonging can take root early and ripple outward across generations. Several organizations center youth directly in their programming, including Homies Unidos Denver and TEENS, Inc. in Nederland. Through mentorship, outdoor experiences, storytelling, and leadership development, youth participants build confidence, strengthen relationships, and deepen their connection to their communities. “Just stepping out of my comfort zone and having people by my side really helped my confidence,” says TEENS Inc. youth participant Suraya. Along the way, they develop skills to reach across differences, listen and learn from others, and help foster stronger belonging in the places they live. Programs that

How Colorado Communities are Building Connection Belonging doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built through intention, practice, and partnership. Across the state, Belonging Colorado partners are bringing this to life with support from the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center (GGSC).  “We’re already seeing leaders and organizations create opportunities for people to work together in ways that are practical, local, and human.” GGSC studies the science of well-being—drawing from psychology, sociology, and neuroscience—and equips communities with practical tools to build a more resilient, compassionate society. Through its Bridging Differences program, GGSC shares research-backed approaches to strengthening dialogue, relationships, and understanding across lines of difference. As Belonging Colorado’s implementation partner, GGSC is helping translate this research into action, working alongside community organizations and leaders across Colorado to apply these tools in real-world community settings. We talked with GGSC’s Bridging Differences Director, Juliana Tafur, and Belonging Colorado Project Manager, Marcy Campbell, about

Few issues are as important to fostering a sense of belonging as having a place to live. Stable, affordable housing provides the foundation people need to work, attend school, care for their families, and achieve financial security. In Colorado, communities across the state are working to address housing challenges, each with the same goal in mind: ensuring every person has both a place to live and a voice in shaping their future. Montrose: Supporting Young Adults and Seniors Through Intergenerational Housing In Montrose, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 7th Judicial District is taking innovative steps with its supportive housing community, The Village on San Juan. The Village provides stable housing for young adults ages 18–24 who have experienced childhood trauma, are emancipating from foster care, and lack a strong family support system. Alongside housing, these young people receive wraparound support as they work toward employment, education, and independence.

Belonging is more than having an address. It’s about connecting with neighbors, sharing traditions, and shaping a community where everyone feels welcome. It means building relationships, creating shared experiences, and recognizing that every person has a role in shaping the future. When these connections grow, neighborhoods become stronger, more resilient, and places where everyone feels seen and valued. In Southwest Denver, this vision is coming to life through Commún and its Bridging Cultures, Building Belonging initiative. Rooted in a community-led approach, the effort brings together residents of Athmar Park, Mar Lee, Overland, Ruby Hill, and Westwood, spanning cultural, linguistic, and generational divides. Instead of imposing outside solutions, Commún elevates community voices, ensuring that change is driven by those who know their neighborhood best. Thanks to a recent grant from Belonging Colorado—a statewide effort supported by The Denver Foundation—Commún is set to deepen this impact even further. Neighbors Supporting Each Other