June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact firearm violence has on individuals, families and communities across the country and here in Colorado. While it’s often discussed through the lens of crime or public safety, firearm harm is a broad public health issue — one that affects the health, wellbeing and stability of communities statewide.
In recent months, Denver has seen a spike in gun violence, and local organizations are leading critical work to prevent harm and support those affected. Through the Colorado Safe Futures Fund and responsive grantmaking, Rose Community Foundation supports these community-led solutions.
An example of this work can be seen through our partnership with Struggle of Love Foundation. A longtime grantee of the Foundation and recent Colorado Safe Futures Fund grantee, Struggle of Love has long supported individuals and families impacted by violence in Northeast Denver and Aurora. The organization provides a broad spectrum of support for youth and their families, including workforce development, food security and mental health services. Together, these efforts foster healing, stability and opportunity.
In response to recent events and ahead of the summer months, Struggle of Love launched the Make It Home Safe Campaign in June of 2026. The initiative engages youth, families and community members through outreach, public awareness efforts, safety messaging and resource distribution designed to promote positive decision-making and strengthen community connections.
“At Struggle of Love Foundation, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to make it home safely,” says Executive Director and CEO LaKeshia Hodge. “The Make It Home Safe campaign is about more than awareness—it’s about creating a culture of responsibility, accountability, and care for one another. Through education, community engagement, and access to resources, we can work together to prevent violence, reduce harm, and ensure that every family has the opportunity to return home safely at the end of the day.”
This Gun Violence Awareness Month, we are grateful for partners like Struggle of Love Foundation and the many organizations working every day to reduce firearm harm and strengthen communities across Colorado.
“Public safety is a shared responsibility, and lasting change happens when communities come together with a common purpose,” says Hodge.
Colorado Safe Futures Fund | Be Part of the Solution
A public health approach focuses on prevention — using data, research and other evidence-based strategies to understand the factors that contribute to violence and identify solutions that can reduce harm before it happens. This approach is at the heart of the Colorado Safe Futures Fund, which invests in community-driven efforts that promote safety, strengthen preventative measures and create pathways to safer futures.
To learn more about the Colorado Safe Futures Fund and how you can support community-led solutions to prevent firearm harm, visit: https://cosafefuturesfund.org/.