Building Community Care: Mental Health First Aid Training at Denver Justice Project
On Saturday, April 25, the Denver Justice Project hosted a Mental Health First Aid training at our office in Five Points, facilitated by WellPower. We were joined by 15 participants from DJP, Movimiento Poder, Aurora COS, Street Frat, and Pulse Street Medics—bringing together a powerful group of community leaders committed to showing up for people in meaningful ways.
The full-day training grounded us in practical tools to better support individuals experiencing mental health challenges. We learned how to recognize early signs before situations escalate into crisis, how to hold nonjudgmental space for people to share what they’re going through, and how to connect community members with appropriate resources when additional support is needed. At the end of the training, all participants received a three-year Mental Health First Aid certification.
In our work at DJP and in the work our partners lead every day, we are often in close contact with people navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Many are carrying trauma, stress, and uncertainty. This training helps us show up with greater care, confidence, and intention. It equips us with tools to engage in difficult conversations, actively listen without judgment, offer reassurance, and respond in ways that support—not escalate—challenging situations.
We were intentional about bringing together not only DJP staff and board members, but also partners across organizations we collaborate with in the community. Sharing this knowledge strengthens our collective ability to respond with compassion and builds a broader network of care across Denver.
We are deeply grateful to WellPower for facilitating this training and sharing their expertise. At a time when so many in our communities are facing hardship, it is more important than ever that we invest in each other, build stronger support systems, and continue showing up with empathy and care.
