Greater Park Hill Community

Greater Park Hill Community

Who We Are

Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC) is a non-profit, neighborhood-based organization founded in 1961 to united neighbors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to establish a stable, integrated community. The 1960's was a turbulent time in our country's history in terms of race relations and civil rights. Park Hill residents noticed real estate agents were discriminating against African-American families who were looking to buy a house in Park Hill. In response to the discrimination they were witnessing, a strong, grassroots movement spear-headed by neighborhood churches and Park Hill residents - both White an Black - was born to make Park Hill a racially and economically diverse community.

GPHC serves as a liaison to City agencies and responds to neighborhood concerns regarding emergency food, senior citizen assistance, employment, zoning violations, police/citizen relations, housing, schools, traffic, and fortunately, no longer: airplane noise!

Young Park Hill residents (age 12-15) can apply for our Youth Jobs Program which matches young people with neighborhood businesses during the Summer. These kids gain valuable work experience, build relationships with adults in the community, and provides a safe alternative to spending their free time at home, unsupervised during Summer Vacation. GPHC is also collaborating with 6 community-based youth violence prevention and family support agencies to help Park Hill families and youth

GPHC also sponsors a home tour every Fall. This year we will be collaborating with Smiley Middle School to organize a kids fair to complement the street art fair.

The GPHC Emergency Food Shelf provides Park Hill families with a 3-day supply of non-perishable food. The Food Shelf is open between 9:00 AM and Noon, Monday through Thursday.

Greater Park Hill has an office at 2823 Fairfax Street. Office hours are 9a - 3p Monday - Thursday. Greg Abdur-Rasheed is the Executive Director. Betty Coffee is the Office Manager.

GPHC Board meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at Park Hill Congregational Church, 2600 Leyden. All residents of Park Hill are encouraged to attend.

We Need You!

The Park Hill Community needs your help. Whether it's volunteering to help in the office or the food pantry or serving on a committee, GPHC welcomes any assistance. To volunteer in the office, please call Greg Abdur-Rasheed at 303-388-0918.

The Park Hill Community committees are chaired by the following people. Please call the GPHC office if you are interested in serving on any committee.

Charirman: Bob Homiak
Secretary: Bill Lee
Block Workers: Ann Long
Community Planning: Vacant
Community Safety: Geneva Goldsby
Education: Stuart Francone
Finance: Chuck Holum
Fund Raising: Elizabeth Leenhouts
Health & Human Services: Vacant
Human Relations: Vacant
Property Use: Benjamin Kahn
Public Information: Philip Lucero
Youth Services: Vacant
Volunteer Coordinator: Vacant

The Greater Park Hill Community Board

Greater Park Hill Community is a registered 501(c3) non profit corporation which derives its support from sponsoring religious organizations, individual or family, business, and corporate members. The officers and Board of Governors are all volunteers. Part-time staff are assisted by volunteers in the office at 2823 Fairfax Street, which is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Requests for help such as: emergency food/utilities, senior citizen assistance, information about and referral to city services, employment, sanitation, zoning violations, police/citizen relations, schools, housing, traffic, real estate. GPHC also responds to resident concerns about zoning changes/liquor license applications, citizen safety/crime, and illegal business operations.

GPHC sponsors: an annual Home Tour, Youth Programs, monthly free blood pressure screening, low-income and senior tax assistance (through AARP) and coordinates the distribution of tree seedlings. A free monthly newspaper, "The Greater Park Hill News" (circulation 17,000+) is distributed by dedicated, volunteer blockworkers to the 500 blocks which comprise the residential portion of the Park Hill Community and most of the public facilities, neighborhood businesses, libraries, recreation centers, schools and churches.

A Food Shelf is maintained at the office to meet emergency food needs of our residents. Open from 9:00 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, it is supplied and financially supported by sponsoring religious organizations, schools, individuals, and the Metro Food Bank Coalition. There is a solar greenhouse which, with a summer garden, maintained by "green thumb volunteers" supplements the needs of the Food Shelf.

The Board of Governors meets once every month, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the first Thursday at The Park Hill Congregational Church, 2600 Leyden Street. All residents are invited to attend this meeting. Committees work in the areas of: Youth, Education, Block/Sector Organizing, Housing, Zoning/Licensing, Grants, Parks, Membership, Transportation, Health and Human Services, Economic Development, and Fund Raising.

GPHC,Inc. continues to be a strong force in influencing the quality of life in both Park Hill and the entire City of Denver. The organization continues its work to maintain an environment of a "committment to total diversity", a dynamic of active community participation, and a dedication to meet the ever changing needs of all of the people of Park Hill.

Greg Rasheed is the Executive Director. Current Board Members Include:

Bob Homiak, Chair
Stuart Francone, Chair Elect
John Lee, Secretary
Chuck Holum, Treasurer
Geneva Goldsby
Laurette Potter
Dennis Pearl
Lawrence Lewis
Jack Farrar
Lillie Watson
Barbara Cavender
Roberta Locke
Susan Barden
Melinda Lee
Neil Herzog
Roz Wheeler-Bell
Marsha Osborn
Roger Adams
Philip Lucero