Divergent Inclusive Representation Transforms

DIRT Intern and Job Coach at Cash RegisterInvesting in Opportunity

As we celebrate Colorado's first 150 years, DIRT is helping shape the next generation by investing in inclusive workplaces and meaningful employment opportunities for all. This Colorado Gives Day, we're aiming to raise $30,000 to create meaningful opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to thrive in workspaces across Colorado through intentional training with job seekers and employers.

Just as every ring on a tree tells a story of growth, resilience, and possibility, every person who joins and invests in DIRT's mission becomes part of a story that's still unfolding. Whether through meaningful employment, community partnerships, volunteerism, or philanthropy, each act of support helps create new opportunities for neurodivergent individuals to build confidence, independence, and belonging.

Why DIRT?

DIRT (Divergent Inclusive Representation Transforms) cultivates intentional workspaces where neurodivergent individuals can gain meaningful, integrated, and equitable employment.

What began in 2013 as a mobile coffee truck has grown into nationally recognized employment social enterprise with two brick-and-mortar locations across the Denver Metro area operating as inclusive training grounds and employment hubs. Since inception, DIRT has:

• Provided paid internships to over 200 neurodivergent job seekers, utilizing an strength-based one-on-one approach

• Employers participating in Neurodiversity 101 education trainingTrained and educated over 1,700 employers and employees about inclusive hiring practices and best practices to hire and retain neurodivergent talent

• Educated communities about our mission, advocated for more inclusive workspaces, and role modeled neurodiverse workspaces to over 16,000 community members at over 140 community partner events utilizing our mobile coffee truck

• Opened Colorado's first Workforce Connections Center specifically tailored for neurodivergent talent, providing drop-in workforce development services to support career exploration, employment readiness, resume and interview preparation, job development, application support, workplace accommodations, self-advocacy, benefits planning, job placement, and ongoing retention coaching.

Your donation helps us keep the doors open for the people who are working hard to build independence, stability, and self-worth through employment that strengthens both our economy and the kind of world we want to live in.

Testimonials

Spring 2025 Intern: "I'm most proud of making as many people happy as possible by serving them great food and drinks! Making people happy every time I take their order and knowing I will make them happy, knowing [that] I'm that kind of person!"

2021 Ambassador of the Year: "I am most proud of becoming a more independent woman in the business industry... I worked really hard in this internship!"

2021 Intern: "You know when you get that feeling that the place you're at is right for you, like you're right where you want to be? That's how I feel about DIRT. When I'm here it just feels right for me. I get an experience but I also get to be myself."

2023 Intern Parent: "DIRT is a place where young neurodivergent people can have a positive first work experience working with a customer base that understands what is going on and never stops smiling and showing the kids patience and gratitude. It is also a place where the customers, including caregivers like me, can learn a little more about the way neurodivergent people interact with the world around them. It is a place of joy, acceptance, and hope".

Barista in front of DIRT's OG Truck