By Camron Bridgford

Over the past few years, the Denver metro area has become a booming region of growth and innovation for urban planning and development and social and community change, leading to a burgeoning commitment to the arts and culture, and creative entrepreneurship. These elements—all catalysts for positive change in the place that we call home—put JVA in a unique and inspiring position to be actively involved in the great work and changes that Denver is currently experiencing.

Many of the hot topics overheard at coffee shops, behind office doors and in the community today are connected to the work that JVA does with current clients. JVA is actively involved in the changing health care landscape by assisting clients such as Clínica Tepeyac and Mile High Behavioral Healthcare to better serve underserved members of sidelined and struggling communities. On a personal level, I serve as a board member for a Lakewood-based innovative animal-assisted mental health therapy organization, Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado, which has been nationally recognized as one of the first animal-assisted therapy programs to use the science of this new field to treat the mental health needs of diverse populations throughout the Denver area.

Another of JVA’s clients, the City and County of Denver, is actively involved in promoting and executing its ambitious 2020 vision, which includes immense changes to the urban landscape of the City designed to promote an environment of creative and innovative entrepreneurship; capitalize on the growing population of 20- to 35-year-olds with inspiring ideas that focus on a triple bottom line; and upgrade areas such as downtown’s Union Station, the RiNo District and the National Western Stock Show Complex as part of a larger city vision to promote economic prosperity, progressive social change and a re-envisioned landscape.

Denver and its surrounding communities offer a plethora of avenues through which to become involved in the exciting changes that are taking place as we speak. JVA is fortunate to not only provide expertise to its clients working on changing the social community and outlook, but also learn from its many clients about how we can make the world a better place one project, program or motivation at a time.

I’ve recently thought about this concept—one person’s ability to make a real change in our world for the better—with the passing of South Africa’s former president, Nelson Mandela. New and creative concepts for community and social change are often sparked from a single idea and a desire to make a difference. Each and every one of us is capable and able to take on this challenge and give back to our community that provides us so many ways to become involved.