Extreme Teams Spotlight : Jesse
Jesse Barlow - Video Team
What is your story about how you got involved in Extreme Community Makeover?
Volunteering was a big part of my life growing up. I’d helped my dad with the international adoption symposium over the years and set up fun activities for kids from around the world. As a Scout I worked on Eagle projects over the years, including my own.
When I moved to Denver, I was eager to get involved in volunteering again after spending four years in Europe. Angela was so receptive to my ideas and always encouraged new ways to share the stories about our work in the community. It was a great way to get to know my new city and make new friends. I got to see other aspects of Denver and meet people in places like Globeville, Westwood, and Elyria-Swansea.
Why are you on the Video Team?
I’m always seeking ways to refine my craft, and each year brings a new creative challenge for new types of videos. Video is my vehicle to engage with people in a really unique way. Over the years I’ve had so many fulfilling collaboration opportunities with other team members and have got to interview residents across Denver. The interviewees often give unique insights about their lives and neighborhoods, and I love sharing those stories.
What are you looking forward to about being the team leader this year?
We have one of the biggest and most cohesive video teams I’ve seen in the last five years. I’m excited for the opportunity for some of the younger team members to learn from some of the more experienced team members who’ve been working in the industry for years. This year has me moving into a leadership role –– a long-term goal of mine –– and the chance to facilitate all the great creativity we have in our group!
What is a memorable experience from an ECM Work Day?
One year we did yard cleanup for an elderly man who was no longer able to stay on top of it due to his age and health. Our volunteers got to speak with him and I could tell he was so thrilled and grateful that his yard was looking beautiful again. He took great pride in his home and it made me feel good to be a part of that work day.
If you had one sentence to describe what ECM is about, what would you say?
Community can happen in the moment!
Anything else would you like to share?
When I first started I was still honing my filmmaking style and one of the photo team members took me under his wing. He let me use his expensive cinema camera on one of the work days, saying “I don’t know what it is about you but I trust you!” I was so grateful for the opportunity, and the gear helped me take my own skills to the next level.