Enduring a pandemic has brought a new wave of solidarity to the Denver community. Despite the distance, we’ve come together in a new way. But even with all of the virtual support, we’ve been missing our volunteer opportunities.
But what if there was a way to safely give back to local organizations? To meet the needs of our neighbors from the comfort of our own couch between Netflix marathons?
I reached out to three of my favorite Denver-based nonprofits and asked if there was a way for us to volunteer from home and—good news community-loving, sweatpants-wearing friends—there is!
A Little Help
With a pandemic primarily endangering the lives of older adults, organizations like A Little Help have been doing critical work. This nonprofit connects older adults to their neighbors who assist them with transportation, yard work, home organization, social engagement, and more.
Many of these older adults live alone and don’t have family nearby, so now more than ever, they could use “a little help.” It’s in the name, folks.
Volunteer from home by signing up to regularly call and check in on older adults in your community to show them that they’re not alone as well as help them sign up for a vaccine list.
Supporting your older neighbors is as simple as dialing a number on the phone that’s already in your hand.
Apply to volunteer with A Little Help by filling out their application here. You can also sign up to join one of their A Little Kindness days coming this spring.
Denver Rescue Mission
Denver Rescue Mission exists to “help restore the lives of people experiencing homelessness and addiction through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs, and community outreach.”
This organization serves some of the most vulnerable in our community, so we are honored to join their cause.
Volunteer from home by ordering much needed items using the Denver Rescue Mission’s Amazon Wish List and having things sent directly to them.
This list is updated as needs come up, so it’s always up to date. How cool is that?
Denver Rescue Mission volunteers are considered essential during the Covid-19 response. Find other ways to volunteer here.
Colorado Youth for a Change
Colorado Youth for a Change supports children from Preschool to High School by “helping them chart positive paths forward through education” and addressing early warning signs of dropping out of school.
CYC is always in need of school supplies like backpacks, pens, composition notebooks, and water bottles for their older youth. And for their K-3 Reading program, they use incentives at their tutoring stations like pencil erasers, stickers, markers, and books.
They also distribute $10 gift cards to celebrate big milestones like increased attendance or graduation.
Volunteer from home by having the supplies above mailed directly to the following address:
Attn: Julia Hughes
2490 W. 26th Ave, Suite 110a
Denver, CO 80211
You can also help Colorado Youth for a Change recruit 100 AmeriCorps members to serve this fall by following them on Facebook and Instagram and sharing their recruiting posts…or by joining yourself.
A lot has happened over the last year, but we made it through together. With the end in sight, let’s continue safely supporting our Denver neighbors by volunteering from home on that cozy couch that has become like a second home to us all.
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Donate to A Little Help here.
Donate to Denver Rescue Mission here.
Donate to Colorado Youth for a Change here.