Join Verizon’s Josh Miller for a discussion with Kristi Shaffer, Executive Vice President of Junior Achievement – Rocky Mountain, Inc. Kristi and her team work tirelessly to equip kids with the tools they need to achieve future success. Her programming includes training on career success, self sufficiency, and developing a comprehensive financial acumen. Listen into their conversation, and learn how Kristi and her team are cultivating the next generation of STEM leaders.
Denver Blog
Community Partnership Chat: Latinas First Foundation
In this installment of Community Partnership Chats, Verizon’s Josh Miller sat down with Dr. Judi Díaz Bonacquisti, Executive Director of Latinas First Foundation, to discuss the incredible work her organization has done in fostering success for Colorado Latinas. By developing strong connections in the community and providing inspiration and support throughout every step of Colorado Latinas’ educational journeys, Latinas First provides the resources and support to allow each individual reach their highest potential. Watch the video to learn more!
Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth: The Power of Community Engagement
In celebration of Pride Month 2022, Verizon’s State Government Affairs and PRISM, Verizon’s LGBTQ Employee Resource Group convened a national conversation with community partners working to empower and support LGBTQ+ youth across the country. Guest speakers from the Boston Alliance of LGBTQ Youth (BAGLY), Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL), The Center on Colfax, and the LYRIC Center for LGBTQQ Youth shared their insights and how their organizations are taking action to protect and advocate for young people. Check out the full event video below!
Community Partnership Chat: Amp The Cause
Join Verizon’s Josh Miller as he chats with Julia Simmons, President of Amp The Cause–a Denver based nonprofit supporting around 55 other local nonprofits by raising funds, awareness, and volunteerism. Julia and Josh discussed how Amp the Cause is using technology to improve the lives of families through entertainment, annual events and community service. Watch the video to learn more!
Community Partnership Chat: Lorii Rabinowitz, Denver Scholarship Foundation
In the latest installment of our Community Partnership Chat series, Josh Miller (Colorado Manager, Community Engagement, Verizon) sits down with Lorii Rabinowitz (CEO, Denver Scholarship Foundation) to discuss how the Denver Scholarship Foundation works to help students find their passions and achieve their dreams through education.
Xcel Energy Day of Service
Xcel: Welcome to our 11th annual Day of Service in Colorado. Day of Service began in 2010 to honor the anniversary of September 11 and has grown to be Xcel Energy’s largest single-day company volunteer effort. Day of Service is September 9-11 and we are offering a mix of in-person and remote volunteer projects. Volunteer projects during the work week are eligible for VPTO. Xcel Energy employees, family and friends are invited to participate, so choose a project or projects (yes, you can sign up for in-person and take home projects) that work with your schedule and comfort level!
Learn more about this year’s volunteer projects and register.

Community Partnership Chat: The Center on Colfax
Verizon’s Josh Miller talked with John White, Events Director for the Center on Colfax about the Center’s mission to support the LGBTQ+ community in the Denver area–particularly during the pandemic–and how the Center plans to celebrate Denver Pride in person and online in 2021.
Community Partnership Chat: Juneteenth Music Festival
Verizon’s Josh Miller sat down with Norman Harris, President of the JMF Foundation that leads the Juneteenth Music Festival for a discussion of what the Juneteenth holiday celebrates; how the festival has evolved over the last two years due to the pandemic; the exciting line-up of speakers and musicians at this year’s hybrid in person and virtual festival; and Verizon is supporting some of the virtual event components at this year’s event.
Community Partner Chat: Plume
One of the most rewarding aspects of our community engagement work is the opportunity to partner with many non-profit organizations and support innovative programs that help advance the diverse communities we serve. In May 2020, we launched our Verizon Community Partnerships Initiative to celebrate community organizations supported by Verizon and highlight their important work.
Today, we feature Jerrica Kirkley, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Plume.
Below we share an inspiring conversation with Jerrica about empowering individuals with gender-affirming care through digital health services.
Connecting to STEAM Through Beauty
Curls on the Block is a program designed to engage girls in science, technology engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) while also embracing and encouraging cultural competence. Analise Harris discusses how COVID-19 has changed their program offerings, and how 5G will increase access to programming like Curls on the Block.