COLORADO HOSTING ASYLUM NETWORK 

The founder of Colorado Hosting Asylum Network​

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Denise grew up in East Side San Jose, California, surrounded by immigrants, who shaped her understanding of the US as a nation of immigrants who bring ambitious energy, new ideas and a wide variety of perspectives and experiences that enrich us all.

Years later, while doing graduate work in Central America, she was confronted with the very real suffering driving migration such as persecution, violence, war, and extreme poverty.  And yet, at the same time, there are few legal options for them to immigrate to the United States. For asylum seekers, the situation is particularly dire.  

Volunteer work both at the border and in the Aurora Detention Center helped her understand the need and develop a service model that would effectively assist asylum seekers as they pursue their petitions in Immigration Court. CHAN was created to assist them with what they needed most - a stable living situation, mentorship, and access to legal services.