WHO WE ARE
Showing Our Love to Save Our Lives
The struggle of Love Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Colorado-based organization that provides opportunities for underprivileged youth and/or families to access year-round services and programs. These programs offer alternatives to those that may not qualify for other community-based assistance programs. Since it’s conception, SOLF has assisted thousands of families through its community outreach events. With diverse offerings such as competitive sports and mentor teams, school supplies, food initiatives, toy drives, community picnics, and mental health awareness, Struggle of Love collaborates with other local nonprofits to reach and educate under-served communities in the Denver metro area. During their annual backpack giveaway, S.O.L.F gives away more than 1,500 backpacks full of school supplies for children who need them. S.O.L.F also hosts an annual hot Thanksgiving dinner for homeless children and families. In addition, SOLF has led efforts as violence interrupters by Co-chairing the RISE Network in Denver. They also provide mental health services and most recently opened the doors to the new community FOOD PANTRY in the Montebello community. The struggle of Love has been recognized at a local and national level as a strong organization for community outreach. S.O.L.F has been awarded by the federal government for PROGRAM OF THE YEAR, by the Colorado Fatherhood Council’s Program of the year, the Denver Urban Spectrum for top 25 AAWMAD & POWER COUPLE, by Sister Enterprise for RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS, by Michael B. Hancock for MBK25, 1st Place winner of Denver Office of Economic Development Re-Imagine Retail and 1st Place in the first round of Shark Tank. The Struggle of Love founders created S.O.L.F from their own experiences with homelessness. They use that experience to help identify and offer services that they feel would have been incredibly valuable to them during that difficult time. “We serve underprivileged youth and families because we’ve been there. Having been in the same shoes as the people we serve, we really can relate to what they’re going through. We don’t get a salary, and we both work two jobs. God sent us on this mission, and we want to make Him proud. He opened the doors for us to be able to do all that we’ve done. Funding is always a challenge. It’s hard to take it out of our pockets, but we make sacrifices and do what we can to make it work. “Showing Our Love to Save Our Lives.”
Testimonial:
The Struggle of Love Foundation is an outstanding organization for the youth. My name is Kendrick Shaw, and I am 17 years old. I was recommended to this organization at the start of my probation in 2021 and have been going through the programs that Struggle of Love offers. The people at the Struggle of Love Foundation encourage greatness, creativity, and work ethic from the youth. Before I joined this organization, I was involved in criminal activities. But, after coming here, I realized I don’t want to hurt people; I want to help people. Coach Eye has been a father figure to more than just me but also to my family. He has really helped me build character, integrity, respect, discipline, responsibility, and, most importantly, love. I will continue to come up here for any and everything because the Struggle of Love Foundation is more than an organization; it is a family.
Thank you all for everything!
- Kendirck Shaw
The Struggle of Love Foundation (S.O.L.F.) is a 501(c) 3 Colorado community-based non-profit organization created to provide community awareness, community involvement, and social activities, for youth, adults, and families. The SOL program addresses youth mental health, gang intervention, sexual behavior, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The Struggle of Love Foundation (SOLF) is a 501(c)3 Colorado non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community awareness, involvement, togetherness, and positive social activities for youth, adults, and families through a diverse range of essential programs and resources. Our overarching vision is to promote and create holistic lifestyles by focusing on mentorship, intervention, prevention, health, and wellness. Established in 2000 by Joel and LaKeshia Hodge, the Struggle of Love Foundation officially became a nonprofit organization in 2008. The foundation's core values, encompassing Communication, Integrity, Accountability, Inclusivity, Love, Fun, Forgiveness, and Growth, form the guiding principles for our work.
The youth and families in Denver and Aurora are in need, facing increasing challenges in the current socio-economic landscape. As life becomes more demanding for working individuals, the resulting stresses on children intensify, leading to heightened levels of anxiety, trauma, misbehavior, and depression, even among the very young. The community's children and youth are reaching out for assistance, signaling a call for help.
In response, SOLF is committed to providing life-saving services grounded in the social determinants of health, healing justice, mentorship, cultural affirmation, and nonviolence solutions for youth and families in the community. Our youth programs, such as the Spreading Our Love Mentor & Leadership Program for at-risk youth and young adults, focus on character-building, accountable decision-making, responsible civic participation, financial literacy, college-career readiness, peer support, and other essential life skills.
The organization extends its impact through programs and services encompassing gang intervention and prevention, mental health services, organized sports competitions, civic engagement projects, live events promoting community wellbeing, and a food pantry operating every Monday-Friday. In 2023, we engaged with over 6,000 youth participants across our various programs.
Throughout the school year, the Struggle of Love Foundation supports to twelve school sites, providing a range of programs tailored to each school's unique needs and culture. Our Spreading Our Love Mentor and Leadership Program was seamlessly integrated into these schools, offering both in-school and after-school mentorship classes. Our team of eight skilled facilitators engaged with 260 students in grades K-12, delivering over 100 hours of programming per month through interactive lessons, courageous conversations, and relationship-building. These programs focused on empowering students to develop confidence, resilience, and strategies for overcoming interpersonal conflicts and life's challenges. At McGlone Academy and Elevate Academy, our mentoring and leadership group helped students raise their GPAs and prepare for high school, resulting in several success stories of substantial academic and personal growth. Beyond the school year, we hosted two enriching camps during the summer and winter, benefiting 30 students each with activities such as dance, art, sports, and music. As our student leaders mature, they are actively contributing to their communities by organizing events like the Sol & Salsa Festival and developing business plans for their own clothing lines, showcasing their growth in compassion, character, and capability through engagement in our program.
Organization name
Struggle Of Love Foundation
2000
Category
Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
12000 E 47th Ave Suite #403Headquarters
12000 E 47th Ave Suite #403Mailing
12000 E 47th Ave Suite # 403Colorado Location
9715 E Colfax AvenueDenver County, CO, US
Aurora, CO, US
Phone
720-923-6122
other
303-353-8029