A place for kids to be creative in the summer can influence the outcome of their life and faith. It was the unique combination of creativity and compassion that Jazmin Lopez Geminiano experienced as a child that she would extend decades later for children through Art & Jesus Camp.

Providing food for those in need is a universal practice of those who follow the way of Jesus. From the very first expressions of the Church in the first century to every expression of the Church across continents and cultures today, providing food is a tangible practice of loving your neighbor. “The one thing I think it's impossible to get away from is Jesus' command to care for the person who is not like you and who is close to you. I think that is the best definition of neighbor, right?” says Alex Walton, Lead Pastor of South Fellowship, with a grin and an engaging English accent.  

There is a high probability that on your commute to work, taking children to school, or going to the grocery, you pass a place dedicated to the safety of your neighborhood. It is the local fire station. Their very existence, tall doors rolled open and trucks parked neatly inside, offers a sense of stability in a community. A way to love your neighbors and neighborhood is to know not only the location, but the names of the men and women whose work is providing that sense of safety every day.

Few practices connect us to our neighborhoods more than volunteering at our local school. Local schools are where diverse families from the neighborhood daily converge in car lines and classrooms. Volunteering at your local school provides a front row seat to your neighborhood’s needs and dreams.

Tina Lin volunteered and worked at Denver’s Isabella Bird Community School for 9 years. “Education is uniquely challenging work,” Tina says. “Volunteers don’t fix everything, but they ease the load.”

Tutoring is a tangible way to invest in your neighborhood's future. Whiz Kids was founded as a tutoring nonprofit organization in 1990 when business leaders, church leaders, and school officials came together to address a growing academic gap among elementary age students in Denver. Their longevity and intentionality have made an impact in the lives of thousands of students in our city.

In the chill of the winter months, it is instinctive to retreat into the warmth of our homes. But winter also presents unique opportunities to love our neighbors in tangible and practical ways. Checking in on neighbors is a practice that can foster meaningful connection and offer important physical, emotional, and relational care.

The ECM model is “adopt-a-block.” Volunteers knock on doors ahead of work days to connect with neighbors. They ask about any external home improvement projects that could be done by volunteers.

Our schools are often the conduit for the confluence of our neighbors and their needs. The Holiday Store is a beautiful way to begin to build relationships by engaging with your local school.

Asking a neighbor for help is being aware of our needs and one of our greatest needs is to live in community. Asking for help is a practice that cultivates humility in us.

Fallen leaves are an annual reminder of who is your neighbor. They are an invitation to care for both the people and place around you.

Clearing a neighbor’s sidewalk this winter is remembered throughout the year. It provides a foundation when the seasons change. A summer backyard BBQ invitation arrives with gratitude when it comes with the gift of a clear sidewalk that winter.