JUUST LIVING
1629 Simms Street, Lakewood, CO 80215 justlivingrecovery.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: Provide healing residence organized to promote long term healing and recovery from addictions and other self destructive life habits through residential community.

The mission of JUUST Living is: To create clean and sober residential opportunities for recovery and healing, with a special mission to support the LGTBQAI+ community.2020 brought many challenges to JUUST Living but also many accomplishments and include the following achievements:?In January 2020 we purchased the building at 1629 Simms, Lakewood, CO 80215. The building serves as the recovery residence for JUUST Living Sober Living and is zoned to serve 16 residents.?In February 2020 the Board of JUUST Living committed to serve only people in the LGBTQ community in an effort to increase the census of LGBTQ folx at JUUST Living.?In March 2020, salaries began to be paid to the Executive Director and Operations Director.?As the impact of COVID 19 increased, JUUST Living responded by:? Housing residents in separate bedrooms, one person per room. This required that we convert several living spaces to bedrooms.?Applied for COVID relief funds in order to support residents who had lost employment or had their hours reduced. We provided close to $4000 in fee waivers for residents. Cleaning supplies and PPE were also purchased with COVID relief funds and heightened cleaning protocols were implemented. ?Several laptops were purchased to support access to virtual meetings for residents.?In April 2020, we implemented a Recovery Coaching program at JUUST Living for the residents.?We were awarded two substantial grants in 2020:?Daniels Foundation to support the operations budget of JUUST Living.?Colorado Health Foundation to support Anti-Racism work at JUUST Living; the remodel of the Great Room to create space for residents to gather and engage in community, and to share and experience the journey of recovery, as well as the remodel of another room as a work-at-home space that supports social distancing and adequate workspace, technology, and equipment. The residents of JUUST Living informed the design and purpose of these rooms, and will be engaged in some of the work.?We served and housed 35 individuals in 2020, several who remained from 2019. Demographics included ages ranging from 18 to 63; male/female/two-spirit/nonbinary; racial heritage of white/black/Taino/Lakota/Hispanic; transmen, transwomen, lesbians, and gay men, as well as several individuals in transgender transition.?JUUST Living held its 1st Annual Drag Show competition as a fund raiser. This event recognizes drag queens who appreciate sober and family-friendly performance venues. This will become an annual event.?JUUST Living received certification from the Colorado Association of Recovery Residences, ensuring compliance with national standards.?JUUST Living resident census demographic achieves 70% queer in early 2021. We are the only LGBTQ+ affirming recovery residence in the metro Denver area that welcomes all genders.The important story of JUUST Living is the success of the residents who have chosen to fight the ravages of addiction, regain their lives, families and relationships and join the community.?Russell (he, his) came to JUUST Living after an alcohol related incident left him in jail with DUI charges and no recollection of the incident, jobless as he had enjoyed a career for over 30 years as an over the road truck driver, years of alcoholic drinking, in extremely poor health and without a connection to the community. Russell moved into JUUST Living in June of 2020. He immediately showed an interest and aptitude for facilities maintenance and soon became the Facilities Resident. He fulfilled his probation requirements of UAs and alcohol classes and attended weekly AA meetings. On occasion now, Russell leads a weekly all recovery meeting at JUUST Living for the other residents. He has reconnected with his family and has even supported and encouraged one of his brothers to work towards recovery from alcoholism too. Russell still suffers from serious health conditions but is following through with all his doctor's appointments, tests and treatments. In spite of the challenges, life is better for Russell. He repeats a common affirmation in AA: My worst day sober is still better than my best day drinking.?Carl (they, them) transferred to JUUST Living from a local women's recovery center. Carl had only recently come out as a transgender male and it created some discomfort for him living in the all-women's house. Carl although young had been in several treatment facilities over the years seeking help for substance abuse, mental health challenges and multiple trauma recovery. They were estranged from their parents. Carl has achieved three years of sobriety and is now employed in a job that they love in the ski industry. They recently began masculinizing hormone therapy as they continue their journey of identity. They have reconnected with their family.?(names have been changed to protect privacy)

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Data for this page was sourced from XML published by IRS (public 990 form dataset) from: https://s3.amazonaws.com/irs-form-990/202121379349308082_public.xml