Get Out of Bed and Fall into the Bed Races!

Ever wanted to participate in an event where you race with a very cool object like a bed? Please join Denver's Road Home and the Center for Urban Connections, as we host our second annual Bed Races Event on February 9th,2011 from 1-3:30 pm!

The Bed Races requires a team ( of 5 people, 4 who push the bed and 1 who rides as a passenger) and a 50 dollar registration fee that supports Denver's Road Home and the Denver homeless community.

The rules for the bed race are as follows: The bed must be pushed down the driveway, where the passenger must dismount the bed, don pajamas ( and button them fully), get back on the bed, which is then pushed back to the original start line.

To learn more information about this event or PJ Day which is on February 10th, please visithttp://pjday.org/ or come into our office, The Center for Urban Connections at Tivoli 243 or call (303) 352-7129.

Thanks for reading and have a great winter break!

Rachelle

Media/Events Assistant

Center for Urban Connections

A New Take on Service: Homeless Women Plans Spa Day

Have you ever taken anything for granted? One may say that such a simple question seems easy to answer, but some may not understand what it is like to not have the opportunity to be educated, live in a house or even be able to eat at one's leisure. Many do not have it all, but it is what you have made of your present situation that keeps you going throughout your life.

Paula Smith, a Colorado resident has created an event for Homeless individuals in Boulder to help her peers, feel empowered,love themselves, and be pampered for a day. Smith, went to an event at the Gathering Place in Denver that was similar to the one she is planning, where she experienced a high end salon day at the 16th Street Mall. Now Smith and Two CU Students want to re-create this experience by treating the whole person, both mind & body to a day of relaxation.

Smith wanted to give to others, a concept that may seem rare when it is coming from one who may seem like she cannot help. This new take on service, establishes a cycle of the-give back to a person, and then the give-to another philosophy, where the community in need gives to another community and/or reciprocates that need,since help has been received. This is a wonderful ethic pattern to live by, and is understood to improve the connection between non-profit organization who help people and people in need that help others like them.

Here is the link to read the whole article:http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_16841865

Thanks for reading!

Rachelle

Media/Events Assistant

Center for Urban Connections

Holiday Gifts That Support Local and Global Communities!

Looking for a gift that re-generates and gives back to others? Look no further than some great finds that give a percentage or a donation to a non-profit organization. These are practical and fun ways to support local and global communities, and give unique gifts to friends and family.

1) Camel Back Waterbottle- This gift was created by Water.org and actor Matt Damon. This cost is just $18.99 for this carafe and 100 percent of the profits will help provide clean water to the 1 billion people in the world who currently are without it .

2) Pottery Barn Candles- When you give friends or family this gift, Pottery Barn,will give 50 percent of the proceeds collected from sales of its lidded candle pots, priced at $29, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This percentage of funding will support research for pediatric cancer and other childhood diseases.

3) Community Supported Agriculture Membership- Support local farmers and spread the sustainability word by purchasing a Community-Supported Agriculture membership for friends and family. Visit Local Harvest (http://www.localharvest.org/ ) to find a local farmer to deliver seasonal produce to your door weekly.

4) Ugandan Organic Wax Cloth Yoga Bag- Give your yogi friends a women-made, eco-friendly yoga bag from Global Girlfriend, a nonprofit that sells apparel to finance grants for women in rural Africa. The $36 zen-inducing purchase will help extend the power of women’s rights around the globe.

5) Dancing Deer Sweet Home Pick- Proceeds for this gift go to helping homeless mothers and children find jobs and homes. Dancing Deer Baking Co.’s Sweet Home Pick for $35.95 includes cookies and a dark gingerbread cake, and 35 percent of the price will help people who need a sweet lift.

6) Tom's Shoes- For every pair of shoes that is purchased from Tom's Shoes, another pair will be matched to give to a child in need!

7) Humane Society- Donate 20 dollars in honor of a family member or friend to your local Humane Society, and name a pet & support animal rights!

8) Donate to Heifer Internation and purchase a Basket of Hope for 50 dollars, which helps to give a family farm, chickens and rabbits.

9) Multi-Languge Cards- Support UNICEF and cultural awareness by helping children internationally. These lovely cards are offered in six different languages, offered at a resonable price of $7.99.

For more information on these gifts and links to the Give Back Gifts, please go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/02/christmas-gifts-2010-9-gi_n_791413.html#s197866

More Organizations and Businesses that Give Profits to Local/ Global Causes: Womens Bean Project, The Gathering Place, Bead for Life, BMOCA ( Boulder Musuem of Contemporary Art) The Other Side Arts, 10,000 Villages and Momentum.

Thanks for reading!

Rachelle

Media/Events Assistant

Center for Urban Connections

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunity!

Interested in volunteering over the holidays? National Sports Center for the Disabled is looking for volunteers to help them with their gift wrapping fundraiser for the pre-holiday season until Christmas Eve. They are looking for festive and fun volunteers who love to gift wrap for a cause! Volunteers who sign up for two or more shifts that receive a 10 dollar gift card to participating stores at the Colorado Mills Outlet Mall.

The times that are still needed for volunteers are:

Friday December 10

12pm-4pm

4pm-8pm

Saturday December 11

3pm-8pm

Friday December 17

12pm-4pm

4pm-8pm

Sunday December 19

4pm-8pm

Monday December 20

10am-2pm

2pm-6pm

6pm-10pm

Tuesday December 20

10am-2pm

2pm-6pm

6pm-10pm

Wednesday December 20

10am-2pm

2pm-6pm

6pm-10pm

Thursday December 20

10am-2pm

2pm-6pm

6pm-10pm

Friday December 24 (Christmas Eve)

8am-1pm

1pm-5pm

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity please contact Ashley Hinkle at ahinkle@nscd.org or 303-293-5315.

Thanks for reading!

Rachelle Lansky

Media/Events Assistant

Center for Urban Connections

Apply to the Denver Foundation's Non-Profit Summer Internship Program!

Hello All!

I just wanted to let you know of a great opportunity happening this summer through the Denver Foundation. The Denver Foundation is Colorado's largest community foundation and its mission is to inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen our community.

This summer, the Denver Foundation is offering their Non-Profit Summer Internship for all undergraduate Metro students. The Internship started in 2007 and is one of few that is paid and provides an opportunity to learn about yourself and non-profit organizations in the Denver community. There have been six Metro State students who received this internship out of 43 interns since 2007. This program works to provide opportunities to individuals who come from subordinate or under-represented communities. Individuals come out of this program acquiring more knowledge about: leadership skills , real work experience and skills, and a vast understanding of non-profit community issues.

In conjunction with the Summer Internship Program, Non-Profit Organizations that received funding from the Denver Foundation, have a chance to apply to receive an intern for their non-profit, and get another grant for their organization.

This internship is for all majors and a variety of unique non-profits such as: Platte Forum, Growing Home, Doctors Care and the African Community Center.

This year, the Denver Foundation is offering 12 spots for non-profit organization interns, two spots for the Denver Foundation interns, and 1 intern for the Womens Foundation.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, and program logistics, please go to: http://www.denverfoundation.org/community/page/nonprofit-internship-program

Organizations that will participate in the 2011 Summer Internship Program will be posted on December 17th,2010!

The deadline for the opportunity is Monday January 14th,2011 at 5pm Mountain Time.

This looks wonderful on a resume and is a great expierence to have as a Metro Student!

Thanks for reading!

Rachelle

Media/Events Assistant

Center for Urban Connections

Support The Root Sellers & Come to Their Artisan Holiday Market!

Are you interested in local food and crafts?

Come to The Root Sellers Holiday Fair! The Root Sellers, is a club that was inspired by people wanting homemade jams and local products from neighbors and individuals who are passionate about all things local. Each season, The Root Sellers has a artisan fair. The next local food and craft fair is on Saturday, December 11th, from 10:00 am - 2:00pm at the Left Hand Grange in Niwot, Colorado, a mere 15 minutes away from Boulder. There will be a variety of homemade foods, holiday crafts and an array of local goodies that are wonderful holiday presents for all!

The Root Sellers is also looking for vendors to be at this event! If you have homemade foods or crafts go to their website for more information. This event is free and open to everyone! For more information about this event go to The Root Sellers Website, http://www.therootsellers.com/.

Thanks for reading!

Rachelle

Media/Events Assistant

Center for Urban Connections