empowering the community

A guiding principle at Struggle of Love Foundation is a powerful quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the revolutionary 20th-century community organizer and reverend: “Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.” SOLF is deeply committed to the truth behind these words, believing that peacemaking is not passive or quiet work. It requires active, continuous effort both within individuals and in the wider community.

Born in partnership with several advocacy groups, as well as Aurora Public Schools and the Aurora and Denver Police Departments, SOLF’s violence prevention and intervention initiatives have contributed to reduced crime rates and increased perceptions of safety in their target neighborhoods.

Having participated in extensive trainings provided by Alternatives to Violence Program, SOLF staff works in partnership with Community Violence Solutions (CVS) to approach conflicts that arise among groups and/or individuals. At the same time, their in-house Gang Outreach Specialists, also known as violence interrupters, are deployed through an extensive referral system, reaching out to individuals who are at risk.

How they approach this work is just as important as the work itself. Critical to the success of SOLF’s violence prevention programs is building authentic relationships and trust in the community, which aids in identifying potential threats and areas of tension. As well as responding directly to incidences of violence, SOLF also offers programming like Night Moves, an athletic group meant to steer at-risk and high-risk teens away from violence and gang involvement.

“We’re supposed to be family to each other,” says SOLF founder and program director Joel Hodge, who, like King invited with his words, has spent much of his career organizing for peace. “We tell everyone who comes through our doors: We have your back. If you need something, call us. If you hear something, tell us. We're human, and more than that, we're family.”