February 2025 Newsletter | Vol. 2 | |
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THE BELLOS – February Edition!
Welcome to the February edition of THE BELLOS, your trusted e-newsletter connecting Montbello neighbors, businesses, and organizations. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, learn what love means to a few elementary school children, plus read tips on how to center yourself in these unsettled times, an update on the FreshLo Hub and explore many exciting upcoming events!
The Jan.-Feb. 2025 edition of the MUSE, which includes a focus on uplifting voices of color as well as in-depth features and articles from elected officials, is available online or pick up a copy at your favorite Montbello community spot. We also invite you to visit our updated website to learn all about MOC’s programs and community resources.
As always, we welcome your story ideas and event submissions for future editions of THE BELLOS or the MUSE. Have something to share? Reply to this email.
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Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a day of love. Any type of love. Many couples have a romantic celebration, friends host Galentine parties, school-aged children exchange cards and small gifts, pet parents dress up their furry loved ones and give them special treats, and families come together to express their love through family traditions.
Here’s what love means to some young people across Montbello …
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We encourage all our friends and neighbors to take time on February 14th doing what they love with whomever they love. Happy Valentine’s Day! | |
Tip of the Month:
Finding Your Tranquility in Turbulent Times
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Many of us are feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty that surrounds us. While some things may be out of our control, we each have the power to find tranquility by aiming for moments of rest, recovery, and rejuvenation.
Rest gives you time to recover while rejuvenation is the process of revitalizing mind, body, and spirit.
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Good Sleep helps to store positive emotions and can contribute to calm and wellbeing. Setting a time to wind down without stimulant interference allows the mind, body, and spirit to relax emotions and recover from toxic memories.
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Meditation focuses your breath while establishing intention on the good thing to activate awe, awareness, and gratitude. Deep breathing helps to feel relaxed and restful.
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Hobbies like music, crafts, arts, journaling, pottery, gardening, and volunteering can help with rejuvenation as part of creating neuroplasticity.
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Mindful Movements such as prayer walks, tai chi, yoga, and stretching are integrated mind, body, spiritual activities that release positive neurotransmitters and can restore the brain.
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Healthy Eating utilizes the brain gut axis to regulate emotions with eating a diet rich in healthy fats, fiber, and probiotics helps to promote mood associated with cognitive rest for the immune system.
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Connecting with Nature immersion in the outdoor environment can create a sense of serenity from observing and aligning with natural rhythms and rest cycles.
These types of mindfulness practices help harness healthy emotions and create inner calm even in chaotic times.
If you are feeling an overwhelming response to major changes, it is best to seek a health professional! MONTBELLO SOLUTIONS offers FREE holistic mental health resources and professional clinical services to help manage stress and build relationships for enhanced well-being.
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Director of Operations, Denver Food Market Consortium
The Denver Food Market Consortium (DFMC), a new nonprofit organization opening grocery stores across the Denver metro area with the mission of providing access to healthy, affordable food in the areas where it is needed most, is seeking a Director of Operations. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape store operations and mission delivery from day one, with the first grocery store planned to open in mid-2025. Previous experience managing multi-unit grocery or retail stores and a passion for creating access to healthy, affordable food for communities across Denver are required. As a self-motivated and engaged leader, the Director of Operations will start in a direct store leadership role in the first store and expand to oversee multiple stores as they come online throughout 2025-26. The salary for this full-time position is $90,000. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to jobs@montbelloorganizing.org with the subject line “Director of Operations." View the full job description.
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Program Specialist, SustainEd Farms
SustainEd Farms, a nonprofit that uses gardens as a way of teaching students at 43 Denver schools about nutrition and environmental sustainability, and provides the produced food as a supplement to communities that lack equitable access to fresh, healthy foods, is hiring Program Specialists. These part-time positions will work 20-30 hours per week during the growing season, March 18-November 14, 2025. Responsibilities include utilizing a provided curriculum to lead sustainability and nutrition programming with students at school garden sites, as well as maintaining school garden sites throughout the growing season, including the harvesting, packaging, and distribution of food grown. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, pass a background check and have reliable transportation to travel between school sites. Proficiency in Spanish and prior experience working in an agricultural or K-12 education setting are preferred. Pay ranges from $23-$26/hour. To apply send a resume and cover letter to maya@sustainedfarms.org with the subject line “Program Specialist 2025.”
View the full job description.
| Montbello Talent is dedicated to connecting local job seekers with living wage jobs where they can thrive. Whether you're seeking your first job, looking to shift careers, or aiming to climb higher in your current path, Montbello Talent offers personalized support and resources. Each month in THE BELLOS, we will highlight a job meant to help strengthen our community's economic fabric. If you are a job seeker, or employer, please reach out to Michael.Crossland@montbelloorganizing.org. | |
FreshLo Update: 90% Occupancy at FreshLo Residences | |
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The FreshLo Residences, a cornerstone of community-driven living in Denver, has reached a significant milestone—more than 90% occupancy. The complex is home to a diverse group of residents who appreciate its modern amenities, sense of community, and supportive management.
New resident Evelyn G., who recently relocated to Denver, expressed gratitude for the welcoming environment. “Moving to a new city is overwhelming, but Janice Wright has been an incredible help,” Guevarez said. “She connected me with local resources, and I already feel at home.”
Janice Wright, the property manager, has played a key role in fostering a sense of community, ensuring residents have a place to live and also feel supported.
With spring around the corner, excitement is building for FreshLo’s newest initiative—the community gardening club. Residents are eager to transform shared green spaces into vibrant gardens, growing fresh produce and flowers while strengthening neighborhood bonds.
FreshLo Residences is more than just a place to live—it’s a growing community where neighbors support one another and look forward to building something special together.
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Event Recap: 13th annual be well awards and community celebration | |
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The 13th annual be well Awards and Community Celebration hosted by be well, gathered community members, leaders, and youth under the theme "Face the Moment." The event took place on February 5, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center in Aurora.
Attendees enjoyed an evening filled with music, food, and inspiring stories, celebrating those who make a difference in their communities. Senator James Coleman, the President of the Colorado Senate and Representative for Senate District 33, addressed the crowd of over 120 people, delivering a powerful speech on leadership and resilience.
Honorees were recognized for their dedication to health, equity, and community empowerment. The night was a testament to the strength and unity of those working to create lasting change. Congratulations to all the award recipients and thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success!
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Featured Event: Inaugural MOC Golf Tournament | |
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Friday, June 13, 2025 * Green Valley Ranch Golf Club
4900 Himalaya Road, Denver, CO 80249
Make plans now to enjoy a fun day of golf at one of Colorado’s premiere golfing facilities. The inaugural MOC Golf Tournament is a fundraiser to help support the mission of the Montbello Organizing Committee, which is committed to enhancing quality of life for all Montbello residents. Registration includes breakfast, golf, lunch, awards and a swag bag. Only 144 spots are available so be sure to submit your registration soon. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Learn more and register for the MOC Golf Tournament.
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Community Connections: Events, Classes & Happenings* | |
10th Annual District 11 Town Hall
Thursday, February 13th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Evie Garrett Dennis Campus Building 1: 4800 Telluride St, Denver, CO 80249
The 10th annual District 11 Town Hall hosted by Councilperson Stacie Gilmore will feature a round-robin format to allow attendees to engage with city representatives one-on-one. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your ideas, questions, and concerns and get answers directly from our dedicated city agencies.
Line Up with Colored Pencils Workshop by Colorado Black Arts Movement
Saturday, February 15th from 10 AM to 1 PM
Saturday, February 22nd from 10 AM to 1 PM
4660 N. Peoria St., Suite 105, Denver, CO 80239
Learn how to draw a fantastic piece of art using colored pencils with artist Darrell Anderson. Two workshops available for children and adults. $15 registration fee includes all materials. Learn more and register today.
Revolutionary SelfCare Presents… Fam SelfCare!
Wednesdays thru March 26th, 5:30-6:30 PM
Virtual
This 6-week virtual group will support and empower families to increase their self-care, self-esteem, and joy together. Register online.
Montbello Mobile Food Pantry
1st & 3rd Thursdays – February 20th and March 6th – at 9 AM
ELK Education Center,12680 Albrook Dr., Denver, CO 80239
Montbello Recreation Center: 15555 E. 53rd Ave., Denver, CO 80239
The Mobile Food Pantry distributes food boxes on the first and third Thursday of each month, weather permitting. The pantry operates out of the parking lot at Montbello Recreation Center. New clients can streamline their visit by registering ahead of time here.
Buying Affordable Homes
February 21st from 11 AM to 2 PM
ELK Education Center: 12680 Albrook Dr., Denver, CO 80239
Join ELK and Elevation Community Land Trust to learn more about land trust programs which help people buy first homes. We will learn about Community Land Trust programs which differ from regular home purchases.
*Unless otherwise noted, events are free. Visit montbellocalendar.org to register and to see additional events happening in the community.
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