Project RISE

Project RISE - A Trauma Treatment Project is dedicated to serving Denver youth ages 11-17 who have experienced severe trauma in their lives, and who are involved in a gang, or at risk of gang involvement.

Trauma treatment groups are conducted in the school and community settings by mental health therapists who are sensitive to the unique cultural needs of the youth. Have you had any of the following traumatic experiences?

Witnessed violence:

• Experienced physical or sexual abuse
• Been involved in a natural disaster such as a fire, earthquake, tornado etc.
• Witnessed someone being beaten, shot or killed
• Felt like your life was in danger

 Project RISE can help you:

• Understand and cope with your trauma
• Find meaning in your life
• Make positive life choices
• Develop healthy relationships
• Connect to others
• Ask for what you want
• Keep your self-respect

 Our services are:

• Free of charge
• Confidential
• Culturally appropriate, respecting all definitions of family and culture
• Strength-based, focusing on the uniqueness and individuality of each youth
• Available to youth in the school and community settingy MHCD, GRASP and NCTSN

Community referrals can be made by calling 

For More Information Contact:
Beth Tamborski, Project Manager at the Mental Health Center of Denver 
303 504-6608 or

Gerardo Lopez
GRASP Program Assistant 
Mobile Phone 720-443-2029
gerardo@graspyouth.org

MHCD, GRID, GRASP and NCTSN

Support Groups

 

The Support Project consists of peers, staff and former gang members meeting in informal and educational groups where they talk about issues facing youth in the gang life-style and in their personal lives. Designed to be a ‘safe’ environment, these group meetings encourage open discussions and help staff get to know and assess youth for more intensive intervention needs. The groups meet weekly and are open so a kid may begin attending at anytime. Youth stay in these groups for ten to twelve weeks. If, after three months, the youth does not need more intervention, he/she is referred back to the original agency. Groups are conducted weekly. GRASP group meets every Thursday sessions are held at the 303 W. Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80204 beginning at 6:00 P.M., On the 9th Floor

Targeted Presentations

Targeted Presentations are given at schools, businesses, and other community forums. These talks are uniquely designed so GRASP members can connect with boys and girls who are at-risk of gang involvement, or are active in gangs now. Youth in the audience hear from former gang members who have successfully left the gang life-style. Presenters tell why they joined a gang, why and how they left the gang, and how they turned their lives around.

Online Presentation Request Form
CLICK HERE

Tattoo Removal Program

Tattoo Removal Program is a collaborative effort between INK-B-GONE and GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Project). The focus for this program is to assist youth in an integral part of a positive, lifestyle change. Tattoo removal is an important part, at any stage of change, in breaking one’s identity from the gang lifestyle and creating a person free of negative labels written on their skin to define who they are. It is, therefore, an expectation that each participant has already made the commitment to exit gang life and commit to a positive lifestyle void of gang identification. Tattoo removal would then become the next necessary step toward successful change, and reward for completing the rehabilitation process.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Barrio Unity Mural Project

There has always been a parallel that could be drawn between the domestic economy, unemployment epidemics, and youth crime, particularly violent crime. Many youth growing up in the inner-city feel that the problems they face such as family dysfunction, gangs, drugs and alcohol abuse are what they deserve. The never ending cycle of violence that grips our barrios needs to be broken. GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Project) is taking on the challenge by using graffiti art as a call to action.

The Barrio Unity Mural Project will use art as a social utility to bring to the forefront, issues of youth violence and the effects that gang lifestyle have on our families and the community.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!