What's buzzing at EarthLinks?
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Spring is here! We have many updates and new event details to share with you.
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In 2021, we celebrate EarthLinks’ 25-year anniversary. In the last two and a half decades, we have honed our methods and nurtured our relationships so that today we now show a proven track-record of securing stable housing for individuals with the experience of extreme poverty and homelessness in Denver. The scope of the Workshop program is long-term and its impact on the lives of participants is enduring.
Through the dignity of meaningful work, the support of healthy community, and the guidance of professional case management, about 75-85% of EarthLinks participants find or maintain stable housing each year. We are a hub of production and creativity, where individuals with the experience of homelessness meet their basic needs and find economic and social empowerment.
We are grateful for the tremendous support we have received from our community over the past 25 years - THANK YOU! |
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Imagine is our signature fundraiser of the year. Every fall, we can come together and celebrate the EarthLinks community. Featuring fine crafted food and drink, a paddle raise, and a performance by Colorado Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre. This year, Imagine will be held on September 9th at Grant-Humphreys Mansion. Stay tuned for more details! |
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On Sunday, June 6th from 10am to 1pm there will be a Pollinator Plant Swap at EarthLinks – organized by the Front Range Chapter of Wild Ones! This event will feature plants that provide food for native insects and birds. Bring plants to swap or just come to learn about habitat gardening. This is a community event and all are welcome! Check out Wild Ones' website for more information: https://frontrangewildones.org/native-plant-swaps/ |
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EarthLinks has a few external sales coming up this summer, and we are looking for volunteers! Here is the current list of the sales that we need assistance with:
- June 19th, July 17th, and August 21st: Shepherd of the Hills Summer Market
- June 26th: Arvada on Tap
- July 24th and 25th: World Holiday Market
- August 21st: Arvada Days
- November 13th and 14th: Alternative Gift Fair
Each event will be broken down into two shifts, and we are looking for 1-2 volunteers per shift. Email aaby@earthlinks-colorado.org if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information! |
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EarthLinks is in the final stages of reopening! This means that our Workshop program is operating at full capacity, and we are ready to accept new participants. We have the ability to host new volunteers and community events. Community means a lot to us, and we are so happy to be able to share this space with everyone once again.
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Workshop program is in full swing!
This month, we have transitioned to our pre-COVID schedule for the Workshop Program. It has been great to see everyone's faces on a regular basis. In July, we hope to add several new participants to the program. This month, we started planting our seedlings in the ground. We are so thankful for the transformative nature of spring, both in our own lives and in our garden!
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Something is brewing at EarthLinks...
The EarthLinks Coffee Shop and Store will also open in July. Staff received a training from Bivouac Coffee this month on how to make the perfect espresso. We are super excited to bring in students from Denver Public Schools to staff the coffee shop. Be on the lookout for further updates over the next few weeks.
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Calling all volunteers!
EarthLinks has several volunteer positions open. We are particularly looking for Sales and Workshop/Production Volunteers. Check out our Volunteer Page for more information on what each position entails. Feel free to email aaby@earthlinks-colorado.org if you are interested in joining the team!
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AMP the Cause Community Day
On Saturday, May 22nd, we hosted a Community Day with folx from MidFirst Bank in Denver. Volunteers gave our buildings a fresh coat of paint, took care of our seedlings, and did some weeding! Their hard work is much appreciated. A special thanks goes to Amp the Cause for organizing the event and for donating several moving planters to EarthLinks. |
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The bees have been extremely busy this month. Staff and participants helped to catch 4 different swarms in May. Bee swarms occur when a new queen takes over the hive and kicks out the old queen - half of the bees go with the old queen to find a new home. Luckily, we were able to capture and relocate all the swarms. It truly was amazing to witness the process - as soon as the queen was caught, the rest of the bees formed a line to get to her!
We now have 8 healthy hives on site. Their names are: Pioneer, Swarm, Flow, Abe's Cabin, New Beginnings, Herb, Colonial, and Yellow. We will let the hives settle into their new homes for a while before we harvest honey again.
In addition to the swarming activity, we were able to process over 400 jars of honey from our hives - on World Bee Day nonetheless! In addition to producing honey, the bees help to pollinate the plants that we grow on site. We are so grateful for the gifts provided by these amazing insects. Purchase our delicious honey by clicking the button below.
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Humans of EarthLinks
by Kathryn Keyes
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This month we celebrate Sean!
Sean (or “Oatmeal” as he is called on occasion) is from the area and can often be seen in a bee suit! He paints rain barrels, makes jams and musical instruments, and does his best to spread the word about EarthLinks wherever he goes.
He grew up in a dysfunctional family “like everybody else!”, then decided to head to Clearfield, Utah where he joined Job Corp, got his GED, and studied Paints & Autobody. “It helped me grow up.” He got sober, found Jesus, and then about ten years ago, he and a friend wanted to get into beekeeping. They researched it, but couldn’t afford classes to study further. Then another friend who worked at O’Toole’s gardening center in Lakewood gave him an orientation slip for EarthLinks - and well - “the rest is history!”
He loves the bees and painting the barrels the most; “If it weren’t for the bees, I probably wouldn’t be here.” He wants more people to be educated about what’s hurting and killing them. Sean serves on the Board of Directors and though he likes that, he's tired of the Zoom meetings! He wants to get in a committee as soon as it’s COVID-safe to do so.
“We should all be thankful and feel blessed” that EarthLinks made it through the pandemic. Many non-profits did not. His goal is to continue seeing EL be a growing community. He tells people EL is a “really cool place” that helps people find stable housing (with a 75-85% success rate), get back in touch with the outdoors, and learn new skills. For him personally, Shawn says that finding EL was answered prayer. He says: “I prayed for this!”
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A huge thank you to Sean, for your vulnerability, kindness, and wise words. And thank you to Kathryn, for facilitating this interview and segment.
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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Stay up to date with the EarthLinks Community. This month we shared community event updates, Participant art work, product restocks, ways you can continue supporting our mission, and more!
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Thank you for helping to cultivate the community here at EarthLinks.
Throughout the past year we've learned that although we may not always be together in person, the strength of this community goes beyond the walls of our garden. Empowerment, resilience, and collectivity grow from our rich soil, and we will learn from nature that we can survive even the harshest of winters.
The EarthLinks Community has faced unprecedented hurdles this past year. Your donation will ensure the well-being and empowerment of folks experiencing homelessness in your community.
Click the donate button below to contribute to our mission.
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