CUC members volunteer with many different organizations, including the following local missions:
HAAT Force
HAAT Force works to provide emergency shelter in extreme weather for homeless people in the South Metro area. Volunteers help interview homeless persons, provide vouchers at local motels as well as emergency snack food and supplies. In addition, they make every effort to suggest local agencies for assistance with job search, housing, and other needs. For referral assistance, please call 303-250-3854.
Family Promise (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network)
One week per quarter, through Family Promise’s network of churches, CUC partners with St. James Presbyterian Church to support the housing of homeless families. Call Linda Chatfield at 303-989-5622 to learn how you can get involved in this wonderful mission! Visit http://www.interfaithhospitality.org/aboutus.htm for more information.
Habitat for Humanity (Loaves & Fishes)
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is one of the oldest affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. Since its inception, it has built 500 homes in the Denver metro area. In 2011, staff and volunteers completed 36 homes, which provide decent, affordable shelter to more than 130 adults and children. Habitat for Humanity provides a “hand up,” not a “hand out.” Families put in up to 500 hours of sweat equity, and have a mortgage on their new home provided through Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver. “Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver works in partnership with people from all walks of life to build decent, affordable homes in which people can live and grow into all that God intends.”
Loaves and Fishes, a coalition of 13 churches affiliated with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, tries to sponsor the building of one house per year. It currently costs $85,000 to sponsor a house and provide volunteers. Columbine United Church was one of the earliest members of this coalition. We currently contribute over $4,000 per year through the Mission Committee and other sources. For more information, contact Jim Rudolf at (303) 979-8766.
Network Coffee House
Network Coffee House is a welcoming, cozy “living room” for the broken, wounded people of Capitol Hill. We try to express the presence and love of Christ to the chronically mentally ill, the homeless and assorted odd folk of the neighborhood. Volunteers do this by building long-term friendships, while offering a safe place to play games, read, have some coffee or tea and visit. CUC has staffed the Thursday evening shift for many years, and adds the loving touch of pastries and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.
Network exists for the growth of volunteers, as much as service to the poor. Network helps us feel more accepting about not being perfect. Jesus loves the poor. Jesus loves us. The coffeehouse is located at 1402 Pearl Street (three blocks east of the Capitol). For more information call Wally Bensman or visit http://www.networkministries.org.
Second Wind Fund
Teen suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens in Colorado, with as many as 1 in 4 teens having more than a passing thought toward suicide in any given year. Further, Colorado ranks number 6 in the nation in teen suicide.
The mission of the Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver (SWFMD) is to decrease the incidence of teen suicide by removing financial and social barriers to treatment for at-risk youth. SWFMD provides quick, frequent, and convenient access to free counseling services with licensed therapists for uninsured and underinsured youth. SWFMD has never turned away an eligible youth at risk for suicide. Your donations will ensure the service continues. You may contact SWFMD at http://www.swfmd.org or call them at 720-962-0706. For referral assistance, please call 303-988-2645.
