0 2 4
SPARK IMPACT REPORT 2
At Spark the Change Colorado, volunteerism is at the root of all we do. We believe in the power of bringing individuals, nonprofits, and corporations together to ignite positive change. We are a registered, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to listening to community voices, uncovering our communities’ greatest needs, and innovating new ways to spark a positive change. Through our volunteer-driven programs, we empower aging populations, enhance access to mental health support & workforce development, promote social change initiatives, and foster meaningful collaborations with nonprofit partners and companies across the state. Together, we spark solutions that build stronger, more equitable, and connected communities.
Wesparkchangeand inspireamovementof goodthroughthe powerof volunteerism, service,and civic engagement.
MentalWellnessProgram MentalWellnessProgram
STATEWIDEMENTALHEALTHIMPACT
Spark’s Mental Wellness Program provides free, short term counseling & other mental health services to individuals, couples, and families who encounter barriers to accessing treatment. Barriers may include being uninsured, unable to find a clinician through other avenues (lengthy waitlist times, etc), unable to afford treatment, or unable to afford co-pays or deductibles
-DAWN WEITZ, -DAWN WEITZ, MWP VOLUNTEER MWP VOLUNTEER
SUPERVISION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
SUPERVISION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
IINITIATIVE NITIATIVE
Designed to address a critical need in the mental health field: providing accessible clinical supervision to aspiring mental health professionals, especially those facing financial barriers.
SPARK HEALTH CORPS SPARK HEALTH CORPS
A National Service Initiative that engages mental health associates who provide in person mental health supports to K-12 students at public charter schools across Colorado.
SPARKNOWLEDGE: EDUCATION & TRAINING SPARKNOWLEDGE: EDUCATION & TRAINING
Supports the ongoing education and professional development of mental health professionals. Our staff & volunteers to provide accessible, high-quality education opportunities for those dedicated to enhancing mental wellness in our communities.
Our program works as a community connector, bringing together mental health service providers and community members in need of services with barriers to accessing care.
FRIEND OF DOROTHY FRIEND OF DOROTHY
An LGBTQIA+ book discussion group for older adults and allies. This group meets ever Wednesday in Pueblo, Co. The group includes cross-generational LGBTQIA+ book discussion and mentorship for youth (13-21) by older adults (50+) and allies.
BRAVING THE JOURNEY BRAVING THE JOURNEY
An in-person support group for Caregivers of Traumatized Children held at the Pueblo Child Advocacy Center.
An in-person support group for individuals experiencing addiction. SMART RECOVERY SMART RECOVERY
SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EMPOWERMENT GROUP EMPOWERMENT GROUP
A virtual, 8-week group comprised of survivors from several Colorado counties.
YOUTH KICKBACKS YOUTH KICKBACKS SUPPORTGROUPS
In-person art and activity events in Pueblo for youth aged 1524 to get engaged and connected to their community.
Community & Corporate Engagement Department is where the spirit of collaboration and service thrives. Committed to fostering meaningful connections between nonprofits and corporations, our dedicated team plays a pivotal role in building bridges that bring about positive change in our community. In addition to forging partnerships, our department actively seeks out opportunities for community engagement, educating and training, and capacity-building.
885,641 5,641
$$3.1 3.1 mmillion illion 117 7
SERVICEIMPACTAREAS:
110 0
CCommunity&CorporateInitiatives ommunity&CorporateInitiatives
MINORU YASUI COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AWARD
The Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award has honored extraordinary volunteers since 1976. As a result of this award, more than $1 million dollars has been awarded to over 550 nonprofit organizations to help them continue to serve their local communities.
Minoru Yasui was a Japanese American who grew up in Hood River, OR. He was one of thousands of Japanese Americans that endured curfews and internment in the United States during WWII After the war, he moved to Denver
Yasui spent his career helping other Japanese Americans as well as other minorities. He was a political activist and became involved with many community causes. He was a political activist and became involved with many
community causes. He fought for civil rights. He valued inclusivity and integrity. Yasui acted with vision, perseverance and compassion, and most importantly, he volunteered
In 1976, the city of Denver established a monthly Community Volunteer Award in Yasui's honor The award celebrates unsung heroes who make significant contributions to the community yet receive little recognition.
TIATIVES
In July 2023, Mayor Mike Johnston declared a State of Emergency for the Denver Homelessness Crisis to address the health and safety concerns for those who are experiencing homelessness Mayor Johnston’s goal for the city was to bring 1,000 Denverites experiencing unsheltered homelessness safely indoors by the end of the year
Spark the Change Colorado was honored to partner with the City of Denver to provide volunteer engagement and mental health expertise to achieve the goal of housing over 1,000 people by the end of 2023 and continued these efforts well into 2024. Spark's Mental Wellness Program provided trauma-informed training to volunteers working directly with this vulnerable population Spark also provided best practices for volunteer engagement including recruitment, risk management, recognition and data reporting
As the initiative progressed and housing goals were met, the scope of work shifted to focus on the first lady, Courtney Johnston’s, Give5 Mile High initiative, which Spark supported to encourage Denver residents to volunteer a minimum of 5 hours per month.
EEmpoweringAgingPrograms mpoweringAgingPrograms
SENIORCOMPANIONPROGRAM 331 1
The Senior Companion Program engages individuals 55 years and better to elevate the independence of older adults as they continue to be vibrant, contributing members of our communities. Volunteers provide services to clients of the same age range independently or at a designated Volunteer Station location
2210 10
441,993 1,993 1109,000+ 09,000+
MilesDriven MilesDriven
110 0
Mikhail Vigdorov was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), and witnessed state anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union since childhood. However, his desire to emigrate, and live in a democratic country, was hampered by his compulsory service in the Navy, and subsequent work in military shipbuilding. A real opportunity for emigration arose after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Mikhail and his wife found themselves in New York in 1993 Mikhail says, “We found ourselves in a new country with relatives and friends without the English language, and felt absolutely helpless” But, we met wonderful people –volunteers from the New York Association of the New Americans and they provided him and his wife with English classes, with work, and with familiarization with American laws and traditions
Mikhail said, “I will never forget these wonderful people, and when we moved to Denver, I decided that it is my duty to also help those who need it.” Since 1995, Mikahil has volunteered at Jewish Family Service, which was founded 150 years ago, and during this time helped thousands of people in need, regardless of their nationality and religion.
Now we are helping Ukrainians who have experienced all the horrors of the war that Russia started in 2022. Mikhail says, “I love my volunteer work with the Senior Companion Program, as do all my colleagues, and for me, the greatest reward is when my former clients also devote themselves to volunteer work. This means that one good deed gives birth to another good deed. ”
EEmpoweringAgingPrograms mpoweringAgingPrograms
Our Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) connects older adults with opportunities that make a difference in their area, while helping them stay engaged and healthy. Spark’s RSVP program is located in four counties across Southern Colorado: Alamosa, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Montezuma
775 5 11,783 ,783
224 4
"Whyvolunteer?Formetheansweriseasy.AsIsitat thedeskinthelargediningroomoftheAlamosaSenior Center,Iwelcometheguestswithasmile,andIreceive oneinreturn.Acheeryface,a‘hello,howareyou’ accompaniedbyalimp,ashuffleorastoopedshoulder. Eachguestistheretoshareincamaraderie,laughter,andawarmmealanda shortrecountoftheirday,theirweekandtheirhealth.Thereisafamily atmosphere,especiallyforsomethathavenonecloseby.Volunteeringwith thisgroupdoesnotgetanybetterthanthat!Iamamazedathowmuchlittle thingsmatter.Youtoocanvolunteeratthemultitudeofsitesavailable throughtheRetiredandSeniorVolunteerProgram(RSVP).Giveitatry-you willreceiveasmuch(andmore)thanyougive!"
-Charlotte Ledonne, RSVP of Alamosa County volunteer
RSVP of Alamosa County launched the Spark Speaker Series: Empowering Aging in Colorado in April 2024. This monthly series features local experts on topics pertaining to older adults and their health. Presentations have included musical therapy, memory loss, resources at the local library, strategies for self-care, and more! The series has been successful at raising awareness of the RSVP program in Alamosa while providing the community with important information for seniors.
SSparkSuccess parkSuccess SStories
tories
SENIORCOMPANIONPROGRAM
Svetlana came with her husband and 12-year old son, because her family believed the United States had great opportunities.
“The most difficult challenge was to start over everything almost from the beginning – new lifestyle, new language, new people, and new jobs However, from the first hours in the country it was nice that everyone was open-minded and tried to help, starting from the friends we went to and the students at our son’s school We felt welcomed.”
“Talking about this today, it is hard to find the truth in the complicated events. One thing that stays forever valuable to me: a helpful heart and hands for those that need help. I’m so happy to bring my knowledge and skills to make all people around the world, especially to seniors – they deserve it – to be happy and comfortable when their abilities are restricted.”
“If somebody decides to join this great country – go ahead and try. Do not stop studying, continue to learn, to prove your strength, to communicate, and to be open-minded. It’s always to pay back!”
-Svetlana Yanch
ISIONPROGRAM
“At first, meeting with someone weekly felt overwhelming I was unsure if it would add to my stress on my to do list, or if I would benefit from the experience. Overall, I am certain, it has contributed to my success as a student and intern. My Spark MSW Supervisor has been a life line.” She has helped me navigate email options, ethical versus unethical situations, intervention plans, time management skills and effective communication with staff and parents”
“I have been navigating through a lot between my academics, personal, social and professional life. She has helped me navigate through with grace. I look forward to meeting with her weekly. I appreciate her flexibility and ability to remain neutral and encouraging. The day before my internship, I received news that a close friend passed (in California) My emotions were so big, I considered dropping the program I am grateful Kat was someone I could lean on and process with She truly embodies a social worker.”
-Diana Nunez, SHC Intern receiving supervision
Svetlana Yanhenko & Eughenia Macarova
Diana Nunez, SHC Intern
SSparkSuccess parkSuccess SStories tories
I still remember attending the teacher job fair in the winter of 2015, eager to find a school and begin my journey as a special education teacher. Little did I know how brutal and beautiful that journey would be. Looking back now, I wouldn’t change my path, but a year ago, I had no idea how incredible that journey was about to become.
As I taught, I noticed how minimized mental health was in the education setting Students were often labeled as ‘difficult’ when, in reality, they were struggling, and families were labeled as uninvolved when they simply didn’t have access to the resources they needed
I found myself exhausted, balancing meeting students' mental health needs while fulfilling academic and work demands. I was a teacher headed for burnout. Eventually, my lens shifted from trying to do everything to focusing on what I could do For me, that meant prioritizing mental health In moving my focus, I built incredible relationships with colleagues, families, and students. Then the pandemic hit The hardest part wasn’t the immediate shift during the pandemic it was returning to ‘normal’ afterward as if students hadn’t just experienced something traumatic The system didn’t slow down to address mental health. If anything, it sped up to catch up on academic learning, putting even more pressure on students who were already struggling.
In the spring of 2023, I applied to grad school for clinical mental health. I no longer wanted mental health to be just one part of my career; I wanted it to be the focus. In the fall of 2023, I left my teaching career. I could no longer be part of a system that wasn’t addressing the root causes of its failures. Leaving my teaching career behind was incredibly difficult it had become integral to my identity. I had to work toward healing from the trauma I experienced as a teacher and shift away from a career and passion I had once seen as my future
Then, I found Spark. I remember feeling my passions collide during the internship interview I couldn’t contain my excitement at the opportunity to talk about supporting mental health in a school setting. The fantastic thing about Spark is that they wanted to nurture that excitement. Specifically, Barb and Dena embraced every intern warmly as soon as we walked through the doors for training week. From day one, modeling how to show up with vulnerability and openness to new opportunities. The culture at Spark supports new ideas and encourages creativity. I feel safe to take risks and show up as my authentic self.
As I write this, I’m about to meet one-on-one with a student and plan to provide teachers with mental health support in the spring semester To say I am grateful for Spark is an understatement I feel like I’ve found a home, a support system, and a community that shares my values Spark's leaders value mental health within the communities they serve and the team as a whole They have supported understanding and meeting our mental health needs from the beginning while creating supportive boundaries around our work Spark builds its team members up and fosters growth when necessary I don’t know where my journey will lead me next, but I now know that my passion didn’t die; my spark just needed to be reignited.
-FRANKIE DAVID, SHC MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATE
INCREASE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Focus on strategic partnership building with like minded organizations to streamline resources, decrease duplication of services and increase community impact.
INVEST IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
In addition to our current array of mental health services for all people who lack access to mental health services, increase support and resources for youth mental health services.
ENHANCE CORPORATE RELATIONSHIPS
Identify corporate partners whose focus areas closely align with Spark's core programming including supporting mental health, older adult populations, food security and nonprofit capacity building.
REMOVE BARRIERS TO VOLUNTEERING
Ensure that anyone from any community, regardless of age, ability, culture, race, gender, identity, etc. is able to positively impact their community through volunteerism.
MEET MEET KKELLY ELLY
Recently promoted from Mental Wellness Program Director to an interim leadership role, Kelly has been with Spark the Change Colorado for over 9 years. Kelly has 23 years of experience leading and growing successful volunteer engagement programming in the nonprofit sector. During the last 8 years, Kelly's focus has been on building health equity through Spark's Mental Wellness Program, which creates affordable access to quality mental health services. In her current leadership role, Kelly is committed to moving Spark's mission forward through innovation, inclusivity, collaboration and a community-informed lens.
My journey with Spark the Change Colorado began over 20 years ago as a volunteer curriculum developer and trainer for Spark's (then Metro Volunteers') Volunteer Engagement Training Series. As a volunteer, I was able to experience a front row seat to the authentic culture, passion, and genuine belief in the power of volunteerism and care for community that Spark embodies. This was my impetus for seeking employment with Spark, an organization that deeply values volunteerism as a strategy to make lasting, impactful change in Colorado Communities.
Spark is committed to decreasing barriers to volunteerism so that every person, in every Colorado Community, can contribute to positive change. Spark deeply values our volunteers, community partners, financial supporters, and thought partners to enable the impact reflected in this year-end report. You inspire us to do this work now and grow our impact exponentially into the future.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday season! Page 17
CConclusion onclusion
For 30 years, we’ve had the incredible privilege of growing, learning, and sparking change alongside the compassionate changemakers who give their time, resources, and heart to support Colorado’s diverse communities. This dedication to service has helped us address critical needs and create lasting impact.
Now, more than ever, our communities need unity. We have to be stronger, bolder, and more courageous to overcome community obstacles as they arise, bridge the gaps in necessary services, and ensure no one gets left behind.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we’re inspired by the possibilities. With your partnership, we’ll continue listening to community voices, uncovering Colorado’s greatest needs, and innovating new ways to make a difference. Together, we’ll build stronger, more vibrant and connected communities through the power of volunteerism and civic engagement.
In 2023 & 2024, Spark assisted coordinating volunteers for the annual Home Depot Foundation Employee Volunteer Event. More than 500 volunteers transformed parts of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Center Campus in Colorado Springs for the second year in a row. A freshly built outdoor space at the facility is pictured here.