The Empowerment Program
www.empowermentprogram.org/ The successful delivery of self-sufficiency services helps many women decrease or completely stop their criminal activities.
The Empowerment Program opened its doors in 1986 in response to a growing number of homeless women, women living in poverty, sex workers, and women involved in the criminal justice system. Throughout the past twenty-four years, Empowerment has continued it's efforts to decrease the number of women living in poverty who have significant barriers to self-sufficiency due to involvement in the criminal justice system, substance abuse and violence, by providing onsite education, employment training, counseling, supportive services and long-term follow-up support services. Many of the women are homeless, are living with HIV/AIDS or are at high risk for HIV infection, are actively using drugs, are living with serious mental illness that is treated or untreated, are survivors of abusive relationships, or any combination of the above. We have provided street and community outreach activities since 1987. Support and education groups are provided in metropolitan area county jails, halfway houses for women leaving prison, shelters for homeless women and drug treatment programs. From 1993 to 1997, we provided Prevention Case Management services, through a cooperative agreement with CDC, focusing on African-American, Latinas and other women in the Denver metropolitan area whose behaviors placed them at high risk for HIV infection. In 1999, we conducted a Community Identification Project, in conjunction with Denver Public Health, to learn more about HIV transmission and African-American women and Latinas who use crack/cocaine. In response to the closure of the only community-based anonymous test site in Denver in 1998, in 1999, we began offering free, anonymous HIV tests at our offices.
09/29/2026
Hope Happens Here - October 22, 2026, 5:30-8:30pm
Please join us for an unforgettable evening of delicious hors d'oeuvres, open bar serving w**e, b**r and specialty sangria, and an inspiring program benefiting The Empowerment Program. Together, we will celebrate impact, community, and the power of creating opportunities for lasting change.
Event Tickets: $50 - Get your tickets by scanning the QR code
or visit our website www.empowermentprogram/hope
If you are unable to attend the event, you can still sign-up to bid in the auctions!
https://www.empowermentprogram.org/Hope
09/28/2026
Today we are proud to share an episode of The Buildout podcast from
Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), featuring an interview with The Empowerment Program’s Executive Director, Julie Kiehl, and program participant Mandelyn Lewis. Listen to the episode for a discussion about Colorado organizations dedicated to helping folks find a home amid their reentry journeys.
Episodes are also available on the CHFA website at www.chfainfo.com/buildout
https://chfainfo.com/community-partnerships/the-buildout-a-chfa-podcast -ep2
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09/23/2026
The Empowerment Program is incredibly grateful to for providing beautiful purses filled with toiletries and essential items to the women we serve.
Many of our participants are returning to the community after incarceration, often with little or nothing, while also facing challenges such as homelessness, addiction, traumatic brain injuries, and domestic violence.
Receiving a means so much more than receiving a purse. It gives our women dignity, confidence, hope, and empowerment. Most importantly, it sends a powerful message: You are not alone. You matter, and people care about you.
For many of our women, this simple act of kindness can be the beginning of healing, rebuilding, and believing in themselves again.
Thank you, , for helping our women feel seen, supported, and worthy of a fresh start.
We're excited to announce the start of another grant year for our State Opioid Response (SOR) program!
Thanks to continued funding, we're able to continue providing compassionate, person-centered harm reduction services and peer support to our community.
Whether someone is ready to begin treatment, looking for resources, or simply wants someone to talk, our SOR Criminal Justice Peer Specialist Mikky is here to help.
We provide connections to Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT), overdose prevention education, naloxone resources, referrals to community services, and nonjudgmental support every step of the way.
Recovery looks different for everyone, and every positive step matters. We're honored to continue walking alongside our community throughout this new grant year.
Ready to start your journey? Call her at 303.320.1989 ext. 206
09/21/2026
Stay Ready! Get PrEP’d!
Testing is canceled Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, September 30
06/29/2026
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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Contact the organization
Telephone
Address
1600 York Street
Denver, CO
80206
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8:30am - 5pm |
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