With a six-figure, multi-year grant from The Colorado Trust, Regis University will deepen its service to Spanish-speaking children and families

Last month, Regis University was among 83 entities awarded a multi-year grant from The Colorado Trust, one of the state’s largest foundations and a long-time Regis advocate. Regis will receive more than $328,000 to support training for five bilingual play therapists serving the Spanish-speaking immigrant community in Metro Denver. With this support, students in Regis’ Master of Arts in Counseling Program will provide, under the guidance and supervision of faculty, no-cost play and family therapy sessions to migrant children and their families.
 
By addressing the wellness of children and their families, we care for the whole person, honoring their humanity and right to live healthy, balanced lives. As an example of how we live our mission and put our Jesuit Catholic values into action, the program reaffirms our commitment as a Hispanic Serving Institution by incorporating bilingual programming into our curriculum and by welcoming Spanish-speaking newcomers to Colorado into the Regis community. Through inclusive play and connection, we invite healing and joy. 

We are deeply grateful that The Colorado Trust recognizes the value of this work, which aims to increase and improve access to quality mental and behavioral health care for those who face barriers to living long and healthy lives. The Colorado Trust’s mission resonates deeply with our own. In its new strategic plan, the Trust is focused on enhancing access to food, housing, and mental and behavioral health, particularly among communities that have “faced disruptions resulting from economic downturns, social turbulence, public health crises, or a lack of coherent or effective public policy,” as described in the grant announcement.

Regis was one of 600 nonprofit organizations to apply for the Trust’s “Community Resilience” grants. Our selection is a testament to our outstanding faculty and staff and the quality and impact of our academic programs. It also highlights the breadth and depth of hundreds of nonprofit organizations working to serve and support the people in Colorado. We are truly blessed to work among so many dedicated individuals who engage in helping those in need.

Our thanks to The Colorado Trust, and to the incredible students, faculty and staff who will engage with our community and serve the newest members of our extended Regis family.