GVPJ ID Project, Then and Now!
On Monday, May 2nd, 2011 GVPJ sponsored a visit from the Colorado Legal Services ID Project Team out of Denver. Throughout the morning, a variety of people came for assistance from their legal staff in obtaining identification. Over 30 U.S. citizens were assisted including homeless families, the elderly, ex-offenders, single men and women. As these people had discovered, it is hard to find a job if you do not have ID. Without ID, how do you open a bank account, obtain housing, apply for Medicaid or even pick up mail at a post office? One woman drove in from Cedaredge with a friend because she had been born at home and needed a birth certificate. The CO ID Team helped people through the required paperwork process to obtain identification and were able to use grant funds from the Colorado Health Foundation to also pay the fees for those IDs.
It is now 9 years later, and Peace and Justice is still a major force in helping people obtain identification. We are in a powerful collaboration with Metro Caring in Denver which gives us vouchers to help pay for Colorado ID, DL, BC and Driving permits. These vouchers are funded through the Colorado Legislature and up for renewal next year. This financial boost is critical for individuals and families who must show a birth certificate to enter many housing units and programs. Each member of the family must have a birth certificate in hand, and at $20 each, that can create a burden along with a security deposit, first month’s rent and other fees for background checks all at once.
Our Program Coordinator not only issues vouchers to persons in need, she is in close contact with our local Department of Motor Vehicles Drivers License Office to make the process smoother for those seeking help. She is approved through the Department of Revenue to sign Affidavits of Identity for those who must gather more documentation and enter the Exceptions Processing path. With the help of GVPJ staff, she has helped 3,000 people over the past 4 years to either gather documents, make a workable plan, receive vouchers, or navigate Exceptions Processing resulting in a Colorado ID being issued.
Whether it is a homeless or unaccompanied teen, a victim of domestic violence, a child or adult with special needs, a person suffering loss from fire or other natural disaster, a houseless or low income person, or someone who is just confused by the process because they have moved from another state and need help to figure it out, GVPJ has been dedicated to filling this gap and improving the quality of life for so many people, both then and now!!!
KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP OBTAINING IDENTIFICATION? Have them call 970.985.4253 or email programcoordinator@gvpeacejustice.org