Today we’re chatting with Taylor Johnson (she/her), community engagement manager at The Gathering Place—a Denver nonprofit providing low-barrier, trauma-informed care to women, gender-diverse folks, and children experiencing homelessness and instability.
We’ve partnered with The Gathering Place for years (on everything from creative projects to community events), and in 2025 we’re proud to step up as their official print sponsor. Supporting their vital work is one of the many ways YellowDog gets to give back to the community we love.
So grab a seat, meet Taylor, and learn more about the paws-itively incredible work happening at The Gathering Place!
YellowDog: Hello, Taylor! Give us the short version of your nonprofit’s mission. What population or cause do you serve?
Taylor Johnson: The Gathering Place serves marginalized communities—women, gender diverse people, and their children—through home, health, purpose and community programs. By offering essential services like showers, clothing and food, along with long-term supportive services like case management and health and wellness programs, we support people through all stages of the housing process. In the words of our first employee and previous member of TGP, Tina Stein: “We are here to do with, not for.”
YD: How and when did your nonprofit start?
TJ: The Gathering Place was founded in 1986 by two social work graduate students who noticed a need for women and children to have a safe place to take shelter during the day. TGP started as a one-room facility off Santa Fe Drive. As our community grew, so did our programs and resource offerings. We are now in a three-story building with a rooftop, offering wrap-around, holistic services in response to our community’s needs.
YD: What was your journey into your role? How did you get here?
TJ: My career has had a lot of twists and turns, starting off in fish and wildlife, and taking a rapid shift into nonprofits. As I faced the need to change career paths due to health reasons, I really had to evaluate what was important to me and going to bring value to my life. Ultimately, it was passion for community and equity that led me to The Gathering Place.
YD: What are the top three items on your organization’s wishlist?
TJ: It’s so hard to only pick three! We always need hygiene items (soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.), tennis shoes (all genders, all sizes), and baby formula (any brand)! That was a great way to turn three into 20+ needed items. I know, thanks.
YD: Describe your organization in three words.
TJ: Accepting, dignifying, resilient.
YD: What’s one thing our readers can do right now to support your work?
TJ: Donate! Even $10 a month can buy a couple meals, baby wipes for a family or bus passes to help someone get to work, interviews or appointments. Our monthly donors make the difference between one pound of food and 10 pounds.
Homelessness in Denver continues to rise, but government funding is dwindling. We never charge for any services, so we rely on grants and individuals to deliver our programs and services to about 6,000 people every year. Consistent monthly donations help us plan for the future and supports our members in the present.
YD: Where can people find you/learn more/following along/get involved? Drop all your links here!
TJ: Visit tgpdenver.org! Subscribe to our newsletter! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Join our community of partner organizations! Email Taylor.Johnson@tgpdenver.org to learn how to get your workplace involved.
YD: Shameless plug time… How did you come to work with YellowDog?
TJ: Being a nonprofit, our organization has a pretty strict budget. In looking for affordable resources, we appreciated that YellowDog was a small, local company that was also multitalented. Our mutual values of diversity, authenticity and community made it a no-brainer for us to partner together! The nonprofit discount doesn’t hurt, either!
YD: What is one of your favorite projects you’ve done with YellowDog and why?
TJ: We’ve worked with YellowDog on direct mail fundraising appeals over the years, and they’ve always come out fantastic. This year we hosted a Steps to Stability 5k fundraiser and YellowDog printed a bunch really of fun yard signs with a variety of designs, and they made us an eye-catching pull up banner with our new branding. These signs and the banner have been so effective at outreach events because of the visually appealing designs and product quality. It really helps us get noticed when we are out in the community!
Now for some friendly rapid-fire questions!
YD: Are you a dog person or a cat person?
TJ: Both!
YD: Early bird or night owl?
TJ: Night owl
YD: Winter or summer?
TJ: Summer
YD: Favorite local beverage?
TJ: All drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) from Table Top Tap, a board game bar in Englewood.
YD: Favorite under-the-radar Colorado destination or attraction?
TJ: Herman’s Gulch Trail
YD: What’s your best party trick?
TJ: Bringing a birthday cake to any party, even if no one asked for it. Okay, not a party trick, but a great conversation starter and wonderful excuse to eat cake.
YD: What show are you currently binging?
TJ: Squid Games. Isn’t everyone?!
YD: Any book you’re currently reading?
TJ: The Women by Kristin Hannah
YD: Oooh the bookworms over here have to know. Does it live up to the hype?
TJ: 100% yes. It lives up to the hype!!! I cried.
Thanks, Taylor! It has been wonderful to hear your story and learn more about how The Gathering Place serves our Denver neighbors. We encourage everyone to check out The Gathering Place in all the places to keep up with Taylor and her team’s mission and get involved.
