Radio Interview

Angela Bomgaars, Executive Director of Extreme Community Makeover, was interviewed on the Corner Cafe Coffee Break on AM 810 KLVZ. Corner Cafe host, Rachel Mains, asked her some in-depth questions.  

1) How did ECM get started?

ECM was started as a practical way to demonstrate how to be a good neighbor and to simply have a way to “show up” and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

2) What is ECM's vision?

ECM’s vision is to meet practical home needs, while connecting neighbors, forming relationships, and building stronger communities “one block at a time."

3) Where do you see ECM in 3 years?

Hopefully ECM will be working in more neighborhoods around Denver and eventually be a model that can replicated in other cities as well.

4) After spending one day on a work day, what do you expect a volunteer to gain?

A sense of what life looks like in another part of Denver from the perspective of a neighbor they haven’t met before or probably wouldn’t have connected with outside of their Work Day experience with ECM.

5) If you were to pick one value that is the most important to ECM, what is it?

Relationships and community!

6) Changing the community one block at a time: How have you seen this practically change the lives of the individuals who live in the communities you serve?

The biggest change happens through the relationships that are built. Weeds will come back, paint will chip, and projects will continue to need to be done, but if we can connect neighbors to each other, help facilitate building relationships between them, and encourage them to work together on these projects moving forward...that means we’ve been successful.

7) How did you select the communities EMC currently helps?

Multiple factors – neighborhoods that are lower income, have older homes that can use some TLC, synergy with other things happening in those neighborhoods, willingness of residents to participate and be involved, and neighborhoods were a lot of people don’t know their neighbors – all lead to great opportunities to do the work ECM does.

8) Why is volunteering so valuable?

Volunteering makes such an impact because one person can’t do everything alone, but when multiple people choose to give even one day of their time to something outside of their own life, they contribute to something greater.  That’s why volunteers through ECM have made such a significant impact in Denver.

9) How has the city of Denver been transformed by ECM?

I believe ECM has brought people together who otherwise would not have connected, the physical environment is cleaner and safer, and we’ve built an expectation for why it’s important to get involved in your local community.

There are 3 significant ways to get involved with Extreme Community Makeover.

• Work Day: Your Bible study, school group, youth group, office team, etc. can participate in a work day. This is a great way to build relationships amongst your team members, encourage community and a create a sense of accomplishment by helping others. 

• Extreme Teams: There are a number of options to get more involved with ECM. Pick your area of interest!

• Neighbor to Neighbor Club: Your donation is a huge help to ECM. Your financial support helps keep the ball rolling one block at a time. 

For more information about Extreme Community Makeover or getting involved, please contact Angela Bomgaars. To listen to the Corner Cafe Coffee Break, click here.

Phone Number: 720.235.8847.
E-mail: angela@extremecommunitymakeover.org