The Kaleidoscope Project started as a dream…a dream to create health equity.
The Kaleidoscope Project was founded in Denver, Colorado in 2007 in response to the growing health disparities in communities of color. The first year was spent conducting a community assessment to determine the particular needs and desires of the African American community. The goal was to learn less about deficits and disparities and more about hopes and desires of this community. After collecting over 2500 assessments, the data revealed there were three key areas of interest for the African American community:
•    To be a part of something…
•    To help or support something or someone…
•    To feel valued…

This data, as broad as it was, provided the framework for the development of the model used by The Kaleidoscope Project – The Civic Engagement Model. In essence, the model addresses all three of the areas of interest indicated by the community assessment. The model creates “temporary communities” by linking people with similar health concerns together to participate in volunteerism projects. Volunteer projects are scheduled with care and are designed to appeal to all three of the assessment areas. The outcome?

The individual most involved in community volunteerism and effective dialogue around inclusivity and leadership (civic engagement) is the individual most likely to become engaged in personal health and wellness initiatives, as compared to those who are not.
In 2008, The Kaleidoscope Project was funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership to develop a plan to utilize the Civic Engagement Model in the reduction of tobacco use in the African American community. To date, over 600 people have completed tobacco reduction programming utilizing the Civic Engagement Model.  To date, 96% of people completing the program have become actively engaged in tobacco cessation initiatives.