Spark the Change Colorado Ignites Action in Unhoused Communities

A critical issue facing Denver is the rise in homelessness. Recognizing the urgency, the City of Denver launched a citywide initiative to address this crisis with the goal of housing 1,000 unhoused individuals by the end of 2023.

Spark the Change Colorado

, a Points of Light Global Network Affiliate dedicated to igniting change through the power of service and civic engagement, played a crucial role in mobilizing volunteers to support this effort. Volunteers answered the City’s call, contributing their time and energy in various ways. Through their dedicated service, Denver’s goal of housing 1,000 individuals was not only met but surpassed. We spoke with Leanne Mersmann, manager of Volunteer Services at Spark the Change Colorado, to learn more.

Adrian, House1000 Mental Wellness Coordinator, shows a volunteer how to hand out hygiene kits. Caption and Photo Provided by Spark the Change Colorado.

Tell us about a project or initiative you’re working on that’s making a big impact on your community.

According to a 2023 Point in Time survey, 1,400 Denver residents were unsheltered and living outdoors without access to the basic housing and services we all need to thrive. This problem has expanded dramatically since 2019. The City of Denver decided to bring together a coordinated citywide response to the homelessness crisis affecting many Denverites. The goal was to house 1,000 people experiencing homelessness and permanently close encampments by the end 2023. With the help of Spark the Change Colorado volunteers, we reached that goal! Volunteers moved luggage, made beds, cleaned hotel rooms, installed carbon monoxide detectors, made dog toys, put together hygiene kits and so much more throughout December 2023. The results of this remarkable effort are truly inspiring:

1,034 individuals were moved indoors, with 98% remaining housed
270 unique volunteers participated, with 43 volunteering multiple times
708 hours of service were contributed
100% of volunteers felt appreciated and expressed willingness to volunteer again

“At Spark the Change Colorado, volunteerism has no age, no particular look, race, gender or background. All of our volunteers are the heroes that embody what it means to show up for community! This is why we love doing what we do at Spark! It’s so easy to find pride and joy in celebrating every volunteer who is sparking change with us across the state.” —Patrice Hawkins, CEO

Married couple Amanda and Brandon volunteered more than anyone else in the month of December 2023. They are taking residents’ bags off the bus and into their new tiny homes. Caption and photo provided by Spark the Change Colorado.

How are you recognizing and thanking volunteers for their contributions?

We had a volunteer appreciation party in January with a special video from all the housing directors and Mike Johnston, the mayor of Denver, saying thank you to our amazing volunteers. During Global Volunteer Month, we will be running a campaign to highlight our volunteers from across various program areas to thank them for their commitment and love of community. We plan to run a campaign where we take photos of people doing their volunteer service, and will call it, “Caught Caring…” We have many nonprofit partners we plan to ask to help highlight their volunteers as well. This would go along with a photo of volunteers holding a sign saying why they volunteer.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who’s looking to get more involved in their community through civic engagement?

If you’re someone in Colorado, go to the Spark the Change Colorado website! We have a large database of nonprofits throughout the state that lists their needs and volunteer opportunities that anyone can read and sign up for.

Listen and Learn from Our Research on Under-resourced Communities

Knowing that under-resourced communities are often some of the most overlooked, nonprofit organizations around the world are focused on tackling issues that often affect them like poverty, homelessness and food insecurity. These organizations, along with the volunteers and businesses that support them, lend their time, talent and resources to addressing these tough issues through volunteering, donating and using their voice – all elements of the

Points of Light Civic Circle

^®

. The Civic Circle framework is an essential tool that not only opens more pathways to civic engagement, it allows you to make your activism and advocacy work even more impactful. One of the best places to start is by

listening and learning

. With that in mind, let’s look at some lessons learned from our Points of Light

research

on these cause areas.

Questions to Ask When Engaging with Under-resourced Communities

POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS

Poverty and homelessness is a prominent issue, with 4 in 10 people surveyed indicating concern. When we look at the ways that people are getting involved, the “Top Actions Taken” and what people consider to be “Most Influential” are

donating

and

volunteering

. These are certainly critical actions, but it’s important to ensure that they’re not misguided or performative. With the absence of listening and learning, volunteers and donors may not be making the greatest impact they can – or worse, their impact may not be what’s needed most by the people who are most affected. That’s what makes listening and learning such an integral first step. If you’re engaging with activism around poverty and homelessness, start by asking yourself a few questions:

Am I listening to what the community needs?
Could I be more effective with a deeper understanding of the issue?
How do the social organizations I’m partnering with incorporate listening and learning into the opportunities for action they’re already providing?

Read about how Diannah Pennyman launched her nonprofit to aid people who are unhoused in Ohio and beyond.

FOOD BANKS AND HUNGER

Food insecurity is still prominent in communities around the world, even in the most developed nations. Hunger and food insecurity have been pervasive and enduring needs for a long time and, as with many other issue areas, the pandemic revealed the disparity and urgency around these issues. Thirty percent of people are concerned about food banks and hunger when compared to other issues, according to our research. Food banks are a critical service to communities, both in times of disaster and day-to-day. It makes sense that the ways people are taking action around these issues are the traditional ways we respond to this need – by volunteering and donating. However, by incorporating other forms of engagement, like

voice

and

vote

, we may be able to work collectively toward addressing the root causes. In other words, by combining elements of the Civic Circle, you can amplify your efforts and make a bigger impact. When engaging with activism around food insecurity, consider a few questions:

How can I use my voice to campaign for more balanced allocation of resources in underserved communities?
How can I advocate for better legislation that supports food insecure communities?
How are the social organizations I’m partnering with address systemic change that could increase impact on a larger scale?

Check out how Miami teen Julia Krass is working to solve hunger and food insecurity in South Florida.

Want to keep diving? Take a look at these topics to find out how you can leverage our research to take civic action in your own community: