Communications Team Blog : 4.9.22

Denver Organizations Unite for First 2022 ECM Work Day

Various organizations and businesses collaborated with Extreme Community Makeover (ECM) to serve their community on April 9, for the first Work Day of the season. 

Chaparral High School Boys Lacrosse

Chaparral High School Boys Lacrosse has had a partnership with ECM since 2011, completing various projects in the neighborhood. Personally serving since 2017, Nick Miles is a teacher and coach who has his students involved. He began his time with ECM as a project leader, and he comes back once a year because he feels rewarded, both as his business and time to mentor kids can all come together.

“We wanted to lend a helping hand and let the players know how to be selfless.”

A big motivator for Nick to labor on a workday is being raised on a farm and working long hours. He knows this enables his students to encounter the challenges in life. 

“I grew up on a farm and know what hard work is all about. It has made me resilient in life. I think these boys need more of that for the challenges they face.”

ECM provides Chaparral Lacrosse students an opportunity to build character and integrity in leadership opportunities. "Every year on a workday, it is validated that we are doing the right thing. And that brings us back every year."

Great Guys HVAC & Electrical

If the students come back every year to maintain their rhythm, the Great Guys HVAC & Electrical group discovered their opportunity to serve the neighborhood during their first endeavor with ECM. Their owner, Markus, volunteers once a quarter and builds his company culture by going on similar outings together. They were painting when we approached them. Markus was motivated by his life experience and his passion for wanting to give back. 

Another Great Guys team member, Maddy, joined the conversation about why their company decided to get involved in ECM. 

“It is important to give back to the community that has helped us be successful and pay it forward and look back at what we were able to build.”

ECM helps a growing business like Great Guys find ways to get involved. 

"As we grew, we struggled to find work for all of our employees to do with us, so we were excited about this particular program because it can accommodate us working together."

Maddy was pleased with how Great Guys could use their hard labor skills to assist the community. 

"I'm thankful that I found ECM because of what we do. It is tough to find a place where we can use our skillsets, so to connect with a volunteer program like ECM is very exciting for us."

The process of having Great Guys involved for their first volunteer opportunity was seamless, and they would recommend any group teaming with ECM. "From the time I emailed Angela to the survey day to today, it has been seamless, and she has been a great support. All of you have been supportive in being able to ensure we’re making an impact and always having fun."

Ro & Co.

The organization Ro & Co focused on a project at the King Street Community Garden. Jesse works at community testing sites and educating the public about HIV. "I figured we should give back to the community and have the community see us out there. We are powered by community and what we do in our efforts, so I want to be there for them." This is a way to get to know different neighborhoods around Denver and learn what needs are out there. 

Who do these three groups (a suburban high school lacrosse team, a scrappy small business, and a health advocacy group) have in common? Meeting people like Isabel. 

One of seven children, her mom passed away a while ago and her stepdad passed away the day after she started chemo. She bought the house she lives in now from her mother, since it is the home where she grew up.

The whole family has memories of Isabel riding her tricycle and playing in the front yard. She was determined to stay in the house, even if the other siblings wanted her to sell it. And she was resilient, just like the neighborhood itself.

Moving back, she tried to revitalize her front yard, just like her mom had done. Since the physical work was a challenge for Isabel, the volunteers joined the efforts and planted grass seed in the yard, so the yard can get to a place that Isabel remembers from her childhood. 

 ECM works in Denver communities and would love to collaborate with organizations just like yours. 

- Kenny, Communications Team