We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on Sky, a resident whose passion for community building and creating meaningful connections has transformed not only his own life but the lives of those around him!
Sky joined the Nest56 community in June of last year, and from the moment he arrived, his commitment to fostering greater access, collaboration, and connection among his peers has been unmistakable. His approach to community building is about creating lasting change that extends far beyond the walls of supportive housing.
“One of Sky’s biggest passions that he has in life is just community building, creating greater access for his peers, his community, greater collaboration and connection,” shares Paige, our Director of Housing. This passion has manifested in tangible ways that have enriched our entire community.
A significant contribution Sky has made to Nest56 has been introducing the Rooted303 group to our community. This recovery-centered organization operates on a strong peer model, coming directly onsite to provide services to residents. By bringing these resources to his neighbors, Sky has helped create a supportive environment where residents can access recovery support without barriers. The impact of having peer-led recovery services available onsite cannot be overstated. It removes transportation obstacles, reduces stigma, and creates a safe space where residents can support one another through their journeys.
Sky’s community building also extends into the broader political landscape. He has become deeply involved in his local political community and party affiliation, demonstrating that young people experiencing housing instability have valuable voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard in civic spaces. His political engagement has grown so significantly that he’s now working toward becoming a precinct organizer in Denver. This role would position him to advocate not just for himself, but for his entire community, bringing the experiences and needs of young people in supportive housing to the forefront of local political discourse.
Sky’s vision extends well beyond the present moment. He’s actively working to develop pathways for residents that extend past supportive housing, including exploring opportunities around housing co-operatives and first-time homebuyer programs. These initiatives reflect his understanding that supportive housing should serve as a stepping stone to greater housing stability and independence. Sky’s commitment to systemic change is also evident in his desire to join the Young Adult Action Board (YAAB) or establish a resident advisory council onsite at Nest56. These leadership roles would formalize his already significant contributions to community building and give other residents a structured voice in shaping their living environment.
For Sky, Nest56 has been a foundation for rebuilding his entire life. “It’s been huge. It’s been life changing for me, honestly,” Sky reflects. “I have spent so much of my life bouncing around from place to place. I mean, I grew up in the same household, but I never felt safe there. And then, when I became an adult, I was just so far deep in this state of fight or flight that I’d desperately try to find somewhere else to stay. I was couch surfing basically up until I moved into this building.”
The transformation has been remarkable. Sky explains how the stability has allowed him to focus on what matters most: “Now that I’ve been here, it’s given me the opportunity to focus on my mental health, coach out of fight or flight, and focus on developing myself professionally so I can finally enter the workforce in a good place and be truly productive.”
The staff has nicknamed him the little worker because he’s always going around helping to support the community. His approach to engagement is wholehearted: “I’m trying my best to engage with services, and I try to go to all the groups they have here. I think they’re really helpful.”
One program that has particularly resonated with Sky is the cooking group. “It’s really helpful learning about cooking stuff because I didn’t grow up in a home where I was taught how to cook,” he shares. “Now that I’m an adult and I have all these things that I’m working on that are already overwhelming me, it’s taking one of those things off that plate. I can learn with people. I don’t have to do it by myself.”
Sky’s story demonstrates the power of supportive housing when it’s combined with individual passion and community commitment. TGTHR has provided him with the stability and platform he needed to pursue his goals, while his natural leadership abilities have enriched our entire community.
As we watch Sky continue to grow as a leader and advocate, we’re reminded that the young people we serve aren’t just recipients of services—they’re changemakers, visionaries, and the future leaders of our community. Sky’s journey from new resident to community organizer exemplifies what’s possible when we provide young people with the support and space they need to thrive.
We can’t wait to see what Sky accomplishes next, and we’re honored to be part of his journey!