Denver City Council approved a set of resolutions authorizing contracts with local nonprofits to deliver supportive services for Colorado Works/TANF participants and culturally responsive food to residents and youth. The items were discussed by Councilmember Michael Lewis and approved as part of a consent block during the meeting.

Councilmember Lewis called out Council Resolution 11‑41, a proposed agreement with Goodwill of Colorado to provide case management and supplemental services to Colorado Works and TANF participants. Lewis noted Goodwill’s partnership with his office and the sheriff’s office to provide clothing for incarcerated individuals visiting family and praised Goodwill’s role in reuse and the circular economy. "I'm grateful to Goodwill for their partnership," Lewis said, and added that he had personal experience relying on similar programs in the past.

Lewis also called out Council Resolutions 10‑63 and 11‑42 authorizing agreements with Colorado Women's Employment and Education, Inc. (doing business as the Center for Work Education and Employment) to provide culturally responsive fresh food to residents and to provide case management and supplemental services to Colorado Works/TANF participants under the Healthy Food for Denver Kids Initiative. Lewis said the monthly benefit amounts he remembered when he used such programs were small and that he feared the contracts should be larger to meet need following recent layoffs; he urged continued support for the programs.

City staff placed the resolutions into a consent block that was approved by council during the meeting. The resolutions authorize the city to enter the described agreements; staff will execute the contracts and manage program reporting and compliance.