SWIC’s purpose is to improve living conditions for its residents through civic engagement, health and human service programs, and affordable housing.

Today SWIC provides housing counseling, meals and food for seniors and families, health and disease-prevention programs, evening recreation through various youth and adult organizations, an urban wildlife refuge and 19 units of affordable multi-family housing (contact SWIC for information on applications and waiting lists for the housing units).
Area seniors rely on the SWIC/ Westwood Community Center for their hot lunch, served Monday-Friday, and provided and prepared by Volunteers of America Colorado. In addition, a welcoming outdoor classroom serves as dedicated space for local residents to learn about nutrition and healthy and active lifestyles.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

SWIC has 19 units of affordable multi-family housing serving 100 children and adults.  There is one 10-unit, two 4-units and one single family home that are truly affordable as rental rates are 40-50% AMI.
SWIC also owns 1.1 acres of land 1/2 block east of the Westwood Community Center. Site planning is completed for three more affordable housing scenarios. 
Contact us for information on applications and waiting lists for our housing units.
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We are UNique!

SWIC is the only place that:
  • Provides any of the services within a three-mile radius
  • Has the Sandos Hall, the gymnasium that is constantly in use for community groups
  • Provides housing counseling in the neighborhoods served
  • Provides Senior lunches every day and is the hub for meals on wheels distribution
  • Provides home care and personal care items from a free store to Native American and Hispanic Elders over 60 from anywhere in Colorado
  • Serves a large contingency of local Asian Community residents from the bi-weekly food bank
  • Provides bus passes to Native Americans and Hispanic people so they an attend and participate in programs, obtain other City and social services and for personal and family needs 
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ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY Services

  • SWIC provides a twice-a-month food bank for those who are hungry, and summer lunches for kids through Jewish Family Services. ​
  • SWIC provides a monthly OYATE Native American Community Gathering with food, home and personal care supplies and RTD passes for this low-income under-served population.
  • SWIC provides low-income Elders over 60 bi-weekly distribution of free household and personal care items and essentials that they cannot afford.
  • SWIC provides Special Events such as Thanksgiving dinners, Holiday distribution of free toys, distribution of backpacks and school supplies.
  • SWIC generates unique and culturally sensitive programs and activities to enhance the life for Elders.  For example, the students from Richard Castro Elementary serenaded the Elders on Valentine's Day!
  • SWIC is a central gathering and meeting space for community groups, such as the Southwest Denver Coalition, Westwood Unidos, Urban Land Conservancy, Asian Pacific Development Center, and Denver Parks & Recreation.  We are a hub for evening cultural and recreation activities through various youth, adult and community organizations and City Agencies.  
  • SWIC is the host site for KIPP Denver Collegiate High School Volleyball and Basketball. Games are played at Sandos Hall on the Westwood Community Center Campus.
  • SWIC holds a classroom, play, and recreation space for Mile High Montessori Early Learning Center.
  • SWIC provides an urban garden and wildlife refuge, the Jan Marie Belle All National Community Garden.
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HEALTH & DISEASE
​PREVENTION PROGRAMS

  • SWIC provides health and disease-prevention programs through regular visits by the Mile High Health Alliance and the Denver Health Access Express Community Enrollment Van.  Please Contact us ​for more information.
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FOOD BANK
EVERY OTHER TUESDAY • 9am - 11am

​JULY 9th and 23rd
​AUGUST 6th and 20th
  • $1.00 donation for all food bags distributed.
  • Please bring an ID with proof of address and a reusable cloth grocery bag.
  • Volunteers are available to load boxes into vehicles as needed. Boxes are distributed first-come, first-served.
  • Boxes contain $20-$30 worth of food.
  • SWIC also receives bread donations from a number of community sources.
  • Please keep in mind that donations vary from week to week.
  • ​For more Information contact us.​
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VOA Senior Lunch
monday - Friday
10:00am Coffee   •   11:30am lunch

  • In partnership with Volunteers of America, Senior Lunch feeds more that 600 seniors annually.  SWIC is also a Southwest Denver distribution center for "Meals on Wheels".  
  • Westwood Community Center / Eagle Bear Hall
  • Available to Seniors over the age of 60. 
  • ​FREE HOT LUNCH is provided by Volunteers of America.
  • For more information about senior lunch, please call SWIC’s main line at 303-934-2181.
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Your help makes these services possible for our community.

THANK YOU

WESTWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER

MODERN FACILITIES FOR MEETINGS, ATHLETICS, FORUMS, CLASSES, BANQUETS, AND MORE!
Do you need a place to meet up or host an event?
Consider SWIC’s modern facilities! Our state-of-the-art gymnasium, Marigold Room and Eagle-Bear Hall are for rent.  ​
Currently we have KIPP Denver High School Basketball and Volleyball, Scorpion Soccer, Casa Soccer, Play Mile High Adult Basketball, and Sports Monster Adult Basketball as tenants.  Come join the fun!
  • . Marigold Room will hold about 35 for meetings (without tables) and Eagle-Bear Hall will hold about 50 with tables (note: Eagle-Bear is booked from 9am-1pm M-F for Senior VOA Lunch).​
  • Gym rental is available daily from 9am-4pm (note Sunday mornings are booked for the year). 
  • The gym has a high school regulation size court for volleyball and basketball, with updated padding on the walls and the backboards. New Daktronic scoreboards were installed in December 2018 along with a new sound system. 
  • NOTE: Contracts are required in addition to Certificates of Liability for renting the gym. All evening requests most be reserved by calling the main office. (303) 934-0923. Evening Gym Hours for rental are from 5-10 p.m. 
Call SWIC at 303-934-2181 to schedule your tour or to check availability!
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SOUTHWEST IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL
​SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING CORPORATION

5045 W. 1st Avenue
DENVER, CO 80219
Phone:  303-934-2181
Fax: 303-934-3360
SWIC HOURS 
MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:00 AM- 5:00 P.M.
CLOSED SATURDAY 
​CLOSED SUNDAYS