10.17.15 ECM Work Day - West Colfax Neighborhood

God's Grace Community Church

Orthodox Christian Fellowship

RegisCorps

St. Andrew United Methodist Church

The Two- Way- Street Project

West Colfax Association of Neighbors

Individuals

Summary of 10.17.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 85
• Projects Completed - 6
• Alleys Cleaned - 11
• Volunteer Hours - 475

10.3.15 ECM Work Day - Swansea Neighborhood

Mile High Young Professionals

Individuals

Summary of 10.3.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 40
• Projects Completed - 5
• Alleys Cleaned - 1
• Volunteer Hours - 275

Pay It Forward

The joy of being Extreme Community Makeover is we get to hear stories of how volunteering changed someone's life and changed their perspective. We are blessed to help people with their practical needs, resulting in a softening of a heart and a desire to give back.

ECM recipients, Michaela and Brian, decided to pay it forward. They had work done on their front yard and wanted to help someone else out. "They acted like it was their yard. I mean, they put that much pride into it! That's what instilled in us to say, hey we need to give back and show the same thing to help some other family or help out this organization," says Brian. Giving back is what this is all about. ECM is happy to see Denver being transformed by bringing neighbors together and building up our communities, one block at a time.

9.26.15 ECM Work Day - Elyria Swansea Neighborhood

CU Denver Business School

Gas Processors Association

Individuals

Summary of 9.26.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 30
• Projects Completed - 9
• Volunteer Hours - 210

9.12.15 ECM Work Day - Westwood Neighborhood

Cherry Creek High School Big Sisters

Regis Jesuit Day for Others

Westwood Unidos

Individuals

Summary of 9.12.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 65
• Projects Completed - 3
• Alleys Cleaned - 5
• Volunteer Hours - 285

Volunteer Spotlight - Experience Is Golden

Daron is one of those people whose bright smile and attitude makes you feel at ease. Humbly, she gives thanks to Extreme Community Makeover for opening doors for her career path. Currently, she is the Corporate Event Planner for the nonprofit Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance. She is thankful to be in a job that is a perfect fit. Daron can remember a time, after graduating college, when she did not have the experience she needed to move her towards her desired career path in event planning. That is when Extreme Community Makeover came along. 

The ECM Fun Day Event is a success Daron now looks back on. This event is a volunteer appreciation BBQ and Daron remembers planning this annual event in its early stages. Fundraising campaigns, event planning, admin work, and helping with Saturday Work Days kept her busy throughout the internship. The chance to see the ins and outs of the nonprofit world was invaluable to Daron. She planned events and fundraising campaigns from start to finish. With this experience, she landed a job with Colorado Biz Magazine as their Event Coordinator; leading Daron to her current position with Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance. 

"At the end of the day, I owe my career success to Angela. She took a chance on me and gave me a break. She was so encouraging," graciously says Daron. She found out about the internship with ECM through an internship nonprofit matchmaker. Immediately, Daron knew it would be a good fit. She had the opportunity to see people's lives changed and their communities transformed. She sensed that the people involved with ECM truly cared. She felt she was with like-minded people. 

Volunteering gives you a new perspective on life. It can change your heart and allow you to see people and your community in a new way. For Daron, it not only did all these things, but also gave her a stepping stone into gaining valuable skills to reach her career dreams. Sometimes, we need to give a little in order to gain a little. So whether, you want to gain a new friend, gain a new perspective, gain a new skill, etc. consider giving of yourself through volunteering. 

A true testimony to the value and structure of Extreme Community Makeover is that Daron still volunteers with ECM. Angela and the folks at ECM have become family to Daron. "It's truly inspiring how Angela cares and all the good work she does," says Daron with a smile. 

8.22.15 ECM Work Day - La Alma/Lincoln Park Neighborhood

PICU Sunshine

Individuals

Summary of 8.22.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 10
• Projects Completed - 2
• Volunteer Hours - 40

8.8.15 ECM Work Day - Barnum Neighborhood

Bethany United Methodist Church

Dakota Ridge High School Drama Department

Individuals

Summary of 8.8.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 20
• Projects Completed - 2
• Volunteer Hours - 80

Volunteer Spotlight - Family Time

We all know that volunteering is good for the soul. It brings a smile to those around us and helps transform our communities. Extreme Community Makeover has over 3,500 volunteers per year. We are privileged to meet wonderful people who are making a difference in our communities and reshaping lives.

The Gonzales Family at
ECM Fun Day, 2014

The Gonzales Family has been with Extreme Community Makeover for over seven years. Tammy and Charles have been volunteering with their two kids, Ethan and Ivy, on a regular basis. To them, giving their time to lend a helping hand is a great opportunity to spend time together as a family and helps them to bond. "Volunteering has taught me to work better with my family and with the community," says daughter Ivy. And, they would all agree that, volunteering not only helps to strengthen them as a family, but it also is a lot of fun.

One fond memory is of a Barnum resident Ginger. Ginger was one of those people that you just don't forget. She had spunk and charm. They enjoyed hanging out with Ginger and she truly touched them as a family. Ginger passed away a few months ago, but she will remain with them as a family and they are thankful to have enjoyed getting to know such a wonderful lady.

Ginger & Ivy

Extreme Community Makeover provides a unique opportunity for families, groups and individuals to get out into their communities and make a difference. The Gonzales family is grateful for their experience with ECM and they will continue to put a smile on someone's face by giving their time through volunteering.

Volunteering on July 25, 2015

ECM has plenty of opportunities for you and your family to volunteer. The next Works Days are Saturday August 8, Saturday August 22, and Saturday September 12. And, you can check out our fall schedule by viewing our calendar.

It's a Block Party Kind of Day!

Block party, was definitely the theme of this ECM Work Day.  Not only because of the upbeat tunes provided by resident Jessica and family, but also because of the inspired message given by Restoration CommunityChurch’s associate pastor, Nanci. Nanci challenged volunteers to fully take in the day with thoughts and actions of community, personal growth, and service. 

Volunteer and youth pastor, Lance, spoke cheerily as he described his work with Restoration Community Church and their annual participation with Extreme Community Makeover. The community attitude of Lance and his team did not go unnoticed by Globeville resident, Uriel.  Uriel witnessed the happiness and fun as volunteers painted his house and was so moved by the experience, that he was inspired to sign up to participate in future projects to give back to his community.  For me, I was moved by the energy created as people came together to serve one another, but also to see our youth, such as Uriel being inspired to help as well.

The connection and conversations continued as volunteers and residents shared their stories.  Katie took a break from her painting as she checked in on her ten week old daughter…ECM’s youngest volunteer.  Obviously, Katie’s daughter couldn’t do much in the way of physical work, but her sweet disposition helped to keep volunteers and residents in an upbeat mood. A common theme shared among residents assisted by ECM, as confirmed by Jessica, is of ECM’s perfect timing.  Her husband recently had bypass surgery and wasn’t able to keep up on the maintenance of their home.  Jessica said she was still grieving over the passing of her daughter in February, but was grateful and moved by the support and kindness of the volunteers with ECM. She and her niece, Rika asked for suggestions on how to improve their home’s curb appeal. I suggested they plant a flowering bush in memory of their daughter…they loved the idea.  Like resident Uriel, Rika was inspired by ECM’s work to better Denver’s neighborhoods and asked how she could contribute.

As I drove away from Globeville and the residents I met today, I quickly reflected on how moved I am by the work and inspiration that Extreme Community Makeover and volunteers are contributing to our city and our community.  Truly, all it takes is one act of kindness to create a ripple effect of inspiration, service, and personal growth.  To witness service and kindness in another is surely a recipe for positive change and growth; so thank you to Restoration Community Church and our individual volunteers for being a beautiful example.  Also, special thanks to our Globeville residents for letting us into your homes, your lives, and for your kindness.

- Lisa, ECM Communications Team

7.25.15 ECM Work Day - Globeville Neighborhood

Restoration Community Church

Individuals

Summary of 7.25.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 75
• Projects Completed - 10
• Volunteer Hours - 375

7.11.15 ECM Work Day - Westwood Neighborhood

Westwood Unidos & Individuals

Summary of 7.11.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 25
• Alleys Improved - 1
• Volunteer Hours - 125

6.27.15 & 6.28.15 ECM Work Days - Elyria Swansea Neighborhood

Denver Community Church

Fehr & Peers

Pinnacle National Honor Society

Summary of 6.27.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 60
• Projects Completed - 9
• Alleys Cleaned - 6
• Volunteer Hours - 345

Hillside Church

Summary of 6.28.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 35
• Projects Completed - 8
• Volunteer Hours - 140

6.13.15 ECM Work Day - Swansea Neighborhood

Individuals

Jubilee Fellowship Church

Summary of 6.13.15 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 65
• Projects Completed - 9
• Alleys Cleaned - 2
• Volunteer Hours - 370

June's Industry Work Week

Every year, in the month of June, ECM hosts an Industry Work Week. The idea behind the Industry Work Week (one hosted on a Tuesday and the other hosted on a Thursday) is to bring a valuable opportunity for industry leaders to connect with colleagues and other professionals, while volunteering together. 

This year, ECM featured these industries: 

• Real Estate Professionals
• Title Companies
• Lending Companies

Here are stories from some of the Industry Work Day volunteers: 

We have multiple offices, and I was able to meet people that I would not normally come in contact with. You realize that everyone there is supporting the same cause, and has the same outlook on serving others. It brings you together in a special way. 

The homeowner was so grateful. She came out and took photos of the work being done. Her kindness fueled us on, and helped us want to deliver a great redone yard!

~Nate Postlewait 
Broker Associate, LIV Sotheby's International Realty 

We were able to bring employees from different offices and clients of ours. I learned that sometimes we have a preconceived notion of the type of people that live in these communities that is not correct. There are elderly and hard-working people in these communities that just need a helping hand.

This really says something about the culture of our overall company because of our employees. It says that we like making a difference and helping others. Our team leads, not only in our company, but also in these types of events. It makes us stand out amongst other companies in our industry and it’s been a great thing to talk about when we interview new hires.

~Connie Malonson

Regional Vice-President, Heritage Title Company 

PorchLight decided to participate in an ECM work day because a big part of our company philosophy is giving back to the community. Doing a work day together is a great way to actively be a part of things and work together as a team. It was great to meet Dan, the homeowner, and talk with him and spend the day working alongside him. That is what is special about ECM, getting out there in the community and helping. 

In real estate, everyone is on their own schedule and working with clients, but not necessarily spending time with agents like in a normal office setting. A work day really allows you to spend the day with those you work with and get to know them on a personal level. Working together, talking, laughing, eating lunch, sharing stories and, of course, looking at the completed task at the end of the day is a perfect team building activity.

~Caroline Glidden
Broker Associate, PorchLight Real Estate Group