Background Statement
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.