Our History

Housed, Working, and Healthy's journey is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and holistic thinking. Our story began in 2017 when our founder's (Brad Volin) volunteer experiences revealed the complex web of challenges facing individuals experiencing homelessness. This insight led to a year of intensive research and community engagement, culminating in the birth of HWH in 2019.

We built our foundation on a revolutionary three-pronged approach: combining stable housing, mental health support, and employment training. In 2020, we launched our flagship culinary program, partnering with Emily Griffith Technical College to offer top-tier training. The following year marked a significant milestone with the opening of our Ft Logan Eatery, a dual-purpose facility serving as both a training ground for our students and a beloved community restaurant.

As we grew, so did our network of support. By 2022, local businesses were proudly featuring our students' creations, expanding our impact beyond our kitchen walls. Recognizing the importance of holistic development, we enhanced our curriculum in 2023 to emphasize crucial soft skills, ensuring our graduates are prepared for long-term success. Today, HWH stands as a beacon of hope and a model of innovative social entrepreneurship. Our journey from a simple idea to a transformative force in our community illustrates the incredible change that's possible when compassion meets strategic action. As we look to the future, we remain committed to our core mission: cooking up hope and serving second chances, one life at a time.

Today & Beyond

As we stand at the threshold of a new chapter, Housed, Working, and Healthy remains committed to our recipe for change. Our kitchen is buzzing with activity, not just with the sounds of culinary creation, but with the energy of lives being transformed. We've seen firsthand the power of our holistic approach - the "three-legged stool" of housing, employment, and mental health support. But we're not resting on our laurels. We're constantly refining our programs, expanding our partnerships, and reaching out to more individuals in need.

Our vision extends beyond the walls of our kitchen, as we aim to become a model for addressing homelessness that can be replicated in communities across the nation. We're exploring new career tracks beyond culinary arts, always with an eye on sustainable, living-wage employment.

Our alumni network is growing, creating a supportive community that extends well beyond graduation. As we look to the future, we see a world where homelessness is a temporary challenge, not a permanent condition. With every meal prepared, every skill learned, and every life touched, we're cooking up a future where everyone has the opportunity to be housed, working, and healthy. The best is yet to come, and we invite you to be part of our continuing story. Together, we can turn up the heat on homelessness and serve up a generous portion of hope and opportunity for all.

Our Team

  • BRAD

    Founder & Executive Director

    Brad Volin holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a MBA from Harvard Business School. HWH is the 4th business Brad has founded. Brad brings an entrepreneurial growth and data driven mindset for sustainable impact to fulfill our mission of helping people achieve sustained employment. 

    Brad has lived experience with mental health issues and feels incredibly blessed to be part of other people’s journey toward self-sufficiency. I have deep gratitude to the staff and students of HWH, and my family for supporting me in my work at HWH. My favorite days are monthly Graduations and daily closing circles where we collectively recount all the celebrations and achievements that happened that day.

    Carpe Diem - may your day be a blessing!

  • BEN

    Operations Manager

    My background is in operating programs for at-risk, and incarcerated, youth in Honolulu, HI as I was one of them myself in CA and HI.  I went on to complete a masters degree in mental health counseling (MFT) and ABD for a Psy.D in clinical psychology.  Although my training and education is in mental health, my passion is in the operations of programs for optimal programmatic performance and processes. 

    I am beyond thrilled to have the blessing of being the Operations Manager at HWH as the work we do here is fulfilling Maslow's Hierarchy of needs in real time and space with a severely vulnerable population demographic struggling with challenges of housing and food insecurity, mental health diagnoses, and substance misuse histories.  As our students complete their culinary training programs, some attain housing where warranted, and proceed onwards to securing gainful employment in the dining and restaurant industry. 

    A saying I have given them that reportedly resonates with them is - 'An attitude of gratitude elevates us to higher altitudes'.

  • AL

    Chief Technology Officer

  • KRISTEN

    Chef and Instructor

    Kristen brings extensive culinary expertise to her new role in education, having spent over 15 years in the culinary world. With an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Kristen’s career has taken her through some of the country’s top restaurants, including Annisa and The River Cafe in New York City, as well as notable spots in Atlanta, Nashville, Houston, and Denver.

    Her journey through fine dining, catering, and private events has now led her to HWH, where she’s thrilled to combine her passion for cooking with her dedication to education. Kristen is excited to mentor and inspire individuals, showing them how to turn their culinary interests into rewarding careers, whether in restaurants or beyond.

    A firm believer in community and growth, Kristen loves witnessing her students’ progress and helping them harness their potential.

    Her favorite quote, from the ever-inspiring Dolly Parton, reflects her positive outlook: "If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours."

  • JOY "MS. JOY"

    Recruiter / Outreach Specialist

    Born in Gary, IN, graduated from George Washington High School in Denver, Colorado.  B.S. Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Metropolitan State University of Denver.  40-year non- profit background spanning from Denver Colorado to Halls Tennessee, with a spell on the Corporate side of the Cannabis Industry.

    Currently an Intrapreneur at HWH creating innovation and change daily.  I have been a recruiter for 2 years.  My passion is helping others who can't help themselves, without sacrificing who I am as a person. 

  • RITA

    Recruiter/Outreach Specialist

    My degree is Non-Profit Organization Management. I have had a variety of jobs that include Education, Outreach, and Event Planning, For over 20 years I was the Assistant Principal of a Religious School and the Librainain where I worked with multiple ages developing curriculum, planning activities and programs. I supervised teachers, teens and volunteers in the classroom and the library. I coordinated all Social Action projects for the Religious School which familiarized me with the landscape of homelessness and organizations which provide support.

    Making the transitions to Housed Working and Healthy was a natural move for me. It's an organization that believes in providing people an opportunity to change and improve their lives through culinary training. It combines my love of teaching, helping others, networking and providing resources to people on their journey to self-sufficiency.

  • NICOLE

    Case Manager

    My background is in working with domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking survivors in Alaska. I did that work for 12 years and then relocated to Denver. I am currently working on my master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. When I graduate, I plan to work with trauma survivors.

    I am currently working as a case manager at Housed Working and Healthy and I love the work that we do here. I am grateful to work with such a passionate and dedicated team, taking a multi-pronged approach to combat homelessness in our community.

  • ADAM

    Case Manager / Employment Coach

    Adam is a dedicated Case Manager and Employment Department Lead with nearly a decade of experience in the not-for-profit sector. Holding a certificate in Professional Crisis Management, Adam has excelled in various roles, including Job Coach, Life Coach, Case Manager, and Employment Specialist, across three different organizations. His extensive background in supporting individuals in their career and personal development is complemented by his expertise in crisis management and supportive coaching.

    In addition to his work in social services, Adam has a rich history in the retail and culinary industries, having held General Manager positions where he honed his skills in leadership, operations, and customer service. This diverse experience has equipped him with a unique blend of skills, making him a versatile leader in both social services and business management.

  • ANTOINETTE

    Case Manager / Employment Coach

    Antoinette Catano has come to HWH after working with many other nonprofits in Colorado. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and will soon have her master’s in clinical mental health counseling with her licensure in addiction counseling. Antoinette has a deep passion for serving the demographics that are experiencing substance use and being unhoused. This is not only due to her own lived experience but also from witnessing her family go through the same experiences. This demographic is usually not provided a holistic or trauma-informed approach when receiving services and resources.

    Working with HWH has allowed her to work with this demographic with a holistic, trauma informed, solution-focused lens and approach. She mentions the gratitude she has daily to be able to not just help get people employed, but to get to be a part of their process in building resiliency and self-sufficiency.

  • BRITTNEE

    Case Manager / Employment Coach

    My name is Brittnee. I have been working with individuals experiencing various traumas, hardships and houselessness for going on 3 years. What originally brought me into this line of work, was covid. Pre covid I worked in kitchens. Once the pandemic hit, kitchens weren't quite the same. As I pursued social work in school, I ventured off into the work. I learned I loved it and have been in it since! Serving others and being a vessel of support is what this work is all about, and I am so happy and grateful to do so. I have lived experience in being homeless as well. So, paying it forward is always the motto. 

    I love working with HWH because here, we support our students in multiple areas. With Trauma Informed Care at the forefront of our minds, our students can trust that when they come to the kitchen, they will be learning skills to get back into the workforce, but they can also be supported in other areas such as mental health, housing and friendship. I also love working here because I am empowered to share my story and guide our students to success. And I love that I feel valued. There is nothing else like it! 

    "Attitude is a little thing, that makes a big difference."

  • WILL

    Admin. Support / Recruiting/ Transportation Coordinator

    With a solid background in administrative support, recruiting, and transportation coordination, I bring over two decades of lived experience to my role at Housed Working and Healthy (HWH). My career has been dedicated to optimizing organizational efficiency, streamlining recruitment processes, and ensuring seamless transportation logistics. With that, I am also currently in college to advance my skill set in writing, directing, and producing for television and film. My expertise in these areas, coupled with a strong commitment to supporting underserved communities, has equipped me with the skills necessary to effectively manage the diverse needs of our program and contribute to its success. My passion for making a positive impact and my ability to foster a collaborative and productive environment make me well-qualified to serve in this capacity.

    Working at Housed Working and Healthy (HWH) brings me immense joy because it allows me to be part of a transformative journey for individuals experiencing homelessness. Seeing our students grow, gain confidence, and acquire valuable culinary skills is incredibly rewarding. Our mission to foster self-sufficiency and provide job placement resonates deeply with my commitment to community service. As Maya Angelou once said, "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." This quote encapsulates the spirit of our work at HWH and inspires me daily.

  • KERI

    Marketing Manager

    Keri Cotterman, a visionary executive with a remarkable track record in emerging technologies and marketing, has brought her expertise to Housed, Working, and Healthy (HWH) in a transformative rebranding initiative. With her unique approach to branding and go-to-market strategies, Keri has been instrumental in reimagining HWH's public image and messaging. Her exceptional creativity in developing disruptive marketing campaigns and crafting compelling narratives has been pivotal in repositioning HWH as a leading force in addressing homelessness through culinary training and holistic support. Leveraging her over two decades of experience, including founder and C-suite roles, Keri has skillfully blended HWH's mission with data-driven marketing strategies to create a visually striking and impactful new brand identity.

    Keri's expertise in managing diverse teams and budgets has been crucial in orchestrating HWH's comprehensive rebranding effort. Her strategic marketing approach aims to significantly expand HWH's reach, attract new donors and partners, and more effectively communicate the organization's unique "three-legged stool" model of housing, employment, and mental health support. Drawing from her experience in acquiring millions of subscribers for previous projects and her success in securing substantial funding for startups, Keri is applying her proven methodologies to elevate HWH's presence across various platforms. Her work in reintroducing HWH to the community is set to not only increase awareness but also to drive engagement and support, ultimately enhancing the organization's capacity to transform lives through its innovative culinary program.

  • DONNA

    Fundraising Director

    Donna Hines is an accomplished Development Director with over 15 years of  experience in the nonprofit sector with a proven track record of success in driving organizational growth, and delivering exceptional results. With a focus on strategic planning, operational efficiency, and stakeholder engagement, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead organizations through complex challenges, develop and implement innovative solutions, and achieve measurable goals.