Tis’ the Season of Giving!: Join the Movement of Good

November and December mark the impending end to the year and the beginning of the holiday season. Traditionally, this time is known as ‘The Season of Giving.’ To many, this means stocking up on gift cards, presents, and toys for friends and loved ones. It’s becoming much more common in recent years, however, for the Season of Giving to be a time to give back in your communities and around the world. Individuals choose to give for a lot of reasons; people give to causes that they feel passionate about, that have impacted them or loved ones personally, and many other reasons. As we make our way further into the Season of Giving, consider directing your gift to Spark the Change Colorado and making a difference in Colorado communities.

Join the Movement of Good!

The last 2 years have brought the beginnings of pandemic healing and recovery, and for Spark a greater emphasis on reaching more communities throughout the state to address critical issues such as food insecurity, healthy aging and access to mental health care. In addition to our direct programs, we work with hundreds of nonprofits who need your time and skills.  

Through connection, collaboration, and courage, we are sparking a new definition of service. We believe in the power of bringing people together to become changemakers. Not out of duty, but out of a shared passion to unite under a mutual concern for each other. We invite you to Join the Movement of Good this season of giving by connecting, engaging, and feeling empowered to create a stronger, more resilient, equitable, and connected Colorado. 

Give to Our Programs

Spark the Change Colorado provides a variety of volunteer-driven programs across the state that support a variety of causes. Learn a little about each of our programs and, if they align with your personal passions, consider allocating your gift!

• Mental Wellness Program: Did you know The 2021 Colorado Health Access Survey released last year highlighted “historic shifts in health, access to care, and social and economic conditions” with more adults reporting poor mental health than ever before? It revealed that in 2021, 34.9% of Coloradans reported poor mental health as compared to 15.3% in 2019! Nearly 1.4 million Coloradans lost income or jobs because of the pandemic. Younger adults had the hardest time, with more than a third of Coloradans ages 19 to 29 citing challenges. Adolescents ages 11 to 18 saw their rate of poor mental health double since 2017, from 8.8% to 18.5% in 2021.  Spark’s Mental Wellness Program connects VOLUNTEER licensed and insured mental health professionals to low-income Coloradans in need of services. The Mental Wellness Program (MWP) recruits and connects volunteer counselors with over 5,000 clients annually in both community partner and private practice settings. In 2022 alone, MWP volunteers have provided over 5,500 clients with 7,600 hours of free mental health services. Spark belonging, connection, and courage with our Mental Wellness Program: https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/mental-health  

• Empowering Aging – Senior Companion Program: Many of our most vulnerable people are aging at home.  The Senior Companion Program provides a spark of good energy to combat loneliness and ensure our older adults have their needs met. 26 Senior Companions provide service to over 200 older adults. We are so grateful for the perseverance, dedication, and willingness to adapt presented by our Senior Companions and their clients through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.  Learn more here: https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/senior-companion-program 

• Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP):  National Service creates local impact. Since 1971, RSVP has been one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation for people 55 and over. A program of AmeriCorps Seniors, RSVP matches older adults who are willing to help with local organizations on the front lines of meeting community needs. Spark the Change Colorado powers RSVP programs across Colorado with a focus on food insecurity & social isolation. Spark’s RSVP is growing, sparking connections, engaging volunteers, and igniting collaborations across the state. Learn more about how to support and empower RSVP here:  https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/rsvp 
  • RSVP – Meal Packing: In the past year, 8.1% of Coloradans have experienced food insecurity. Spark partners with Harvest Pack to create nutritious meals for families at the lowest price possible. Each meal costs just 25 cents because of the power of volunteers in the packaging process. In 2022, our RSVP program has led 7 Harvest Pack events and packaged and donated a total of 60,000 meals! $1=4 meals to neighbors in need. With your help, anything is possible! Watch our website for food packaging events. Volunteering + YOUR Donation will help families get through these challenging times. https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/rsvp  

• Community Engagement – Training, events, & nonprofit membership: At Spark the Change Colorado, we believe community, collaboration, and courage are driving forces for change. Our Community Engagement Department is dedicated to just that, providing opportunities for connection, education, and engagement across the state of Colorado. Whether it is supporting nonprofit Volunteer Programs with our Volunteer Engagement Training Program (VETP), Membership, and BoardMatch Connection, or supporting community Change Makers with our Opportunity database, Intro to Board Service, Civic Circle Discussion Series, and Volunteer Guide, Community, Collaboration, and Courage are key! Visit our website to learn more about our various programs and services: https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/  

• DEIA Committee: Spark the Change Colorado embraces the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA), and views them as integral to everything we do. The DEIA committee is comprised of staff and board members. As leaders within the agency, we are charged with championing Spark’s efforts to align our programs and internal operations with our ideals of diversity, equity, inclusion and access. Through our individual and organizational efforts, we are action oriented, producing tangible results and evaluating our impact. Through our goals and objectives, we define ‘diverse’ to reflect differences of all kinds including, but not limited to: race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, language, religion, socio-economic status/class, etc.   

• Corporate Giving/Employee Volunteer Program (EVP) – CSR Solutions of Colorado: By empowering Colorado businesses of all sizes with the strategies and tools they need to give back in their communities, Corporate Social Responsibility is more accessible than ever. That’s where we come in! Spark the Change Colorado partners with Community Shares to provide CSR Solutions of Colorado. At CSR Solutions of Colorado, we align business purpose with employee need to build a better tomorrow. CSR Solutions of Colorado is committed to making Colorado a thriving place to live and work. Learn more about our services, The Civic 50 Colorado Initiative, and CSR work across the state: https://www.csrsolutionsco.org/  

Ways to Give

At Spark, we coordinate our Year End Giving Campaign with Colorado Gives Day. In 2022, Colorado Gives Day is on December 6th and Spark the Change Colorado has set a goal to raise $20,000 by the end of 2022! Here are some ways you can get engaged and support Spark on our journey to our $20,000 goal:

1. You can make a donation any time:  https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/sparkthechangecolorado
2. You can volunteer:   www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/search  
3. You can become a nonprofit member: https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/about-membership  
4. You can learn more about us and our programs: www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/services 
5. You can join our Emailing Lists: https://www.sparkthechangecolorado.org/sparknewsletters  
6. You can schedule your gift or participate in real time in Colorado Gives Day:  https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/sparkthechangecolorado
7. You can spread the word: Share Spark’s social posts, blog posts, and updates to your network of friends and family to help spread the word and encourage more giving!