2024 In Review

December, 2024

Dear Friends and Allies-in-Hope,

As the year comes to a close, I reflect on the beauty, resilience, and hope that have defined this season at Dry Bones. Together, we’ve witnessed profound transformations—young people discovering their worth, finding belonging, deepening their connection with God, and stepping into futures they once thought impossible.

This year has been filled with sacred moments: scattering ashes in the wilderness, uncontrollable laughter at the lunch table, tear-filled 4 a.m. calls from prison, delivering casseroles to a sick friend, celebrating sobriety with cake, and even spotting a magical moose on a hike. Moments like these cannot be planned or programmed—they are the essence of pure companionship and they tell a piece of the 2024 story at Dry Bones – each spark fully capable of kindling a raging, warm fire of love and belonging.

A Spark of Inspiration
Sunshine embodies the hope we carry together. Her journey began on the streets years ago and recently led her to step through the door of opportunity at Purple Door Coffee. Life tested her in ways that could leave anyone weary, yet she held on to that flicker of determination, fanned by the steady love and friendship of this community.

I’ve watched that flicker grow into a steady flame. Sunshine has invested in her own healing, embraced the challenge of learning new skills, and experienced the power of being seen and valued. She has now taken a part time staff position with Purple Door where she pours her strength and wisdom into others’ lives. Her story reminds us that transformation happens in the sacred spaces of community, where love is shared, and hope spreads like wildfire.

You can watch 5 minutes of her incredible story HERE.

A Spark of Update
This year brought growth and challenges. We added phenomenal staff, met countless new young people experiencing houselessness, and deepened our commitment to walking alongside our friends with compassion and dignity.

Purple Door Coffee continues to provide a place where young adults find not just jobs but a pathway to belonging and stability. In April, we opened our new downtown coffee shop—a space filled with beauty and, unsurprisingly, steep learning curves. There are some exciting new updates that are taking place this month in the shop. We hope you’ll drop in soon to savor a cup of imagination, connection, and coffee!

Meanwhile, the need has only grown. Denver’s street-connected youth face mounting barriers to housing, mental health resources, and employment. To fulfill the challenges of 2024 and prepare for 2025, I want to express our financial need to raise $150,000 by December 31.

A Spark of Invitation
We invite you to join us. Your generosity plants seeds of hope, growing into lives renewed and futures reclaimed. Every gift—whether $25, $100, or $10,000—is a seed planted in fertile ground, bearing the fruits of transformation for years to come.

We invite you to make a one-time donation or establish a recurring gift to help us reach this goal. Give online HERE or send your gift to the address below.

Thank you for journeying with us. Your partnership and prayers help build a community where no one is forgotten, and every young person experiences their worth. Together, let’s spark new hope for the years ahead.

With gratitude and peace,

Matt Wallace
on behalf of the entire Dry Bones Team