By Debbie Jackson
Adventist Community Services (ACS) Community LIFT, known colloquially as “The Lift,” has been an important Seventh-day Adventist community service in Denver for more than 50 years. Its mission is, “To help people reach their fullest God-given potential.” The facility, which opened nearly 40 years ago at its current location (5045 West First Avenue), is celebrating a new look thanks to Lowe’s Home Improvement and Rebuilding Together Metro Denver.
The facelift is an obvious blessing to the center, which offers food security, family services, and limited medical services to individuals and families from the Barnum neighborhood and all across the Denver metro area.
“Wow, I hardly recognized the place,” said Sharon, a regular client. “This feels really good . . . like you want it to be nice just for us.” Nearly 100 volunteers descended on ACS Community Lift over several days in April and transformed the food bank and common areas with new carpet, fresh paint, and industrial hardwood floors. In addition, they created a spacious new classroom area and a beautiful volunteer lounge. Finally, they assembled professional new shelving in the pharmacy area to provide better access to medications.
The Lift is the third largest food bank serving the entire metropolitan area of Denver. It feeds more than 30 families every day. Clients are encouraged to select healthy food and given instructions on how to cook balanced meals for their families. Collaboration with Food Bank of the Rockies and The Action Center (Jefferson County) allows The Lift to provide a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with milk, eggs and meat—items that many clients cannot afford on their limited budgets.
With the number of homeless families growing, the center offers comfort and a respite for many. Men and women come, some daily, for a warm shower, hygiene supplies, clean socks, and a sack lunch. Many of them live in their cars or in shelters. The Lift provides resources to help poor people achieve greater independence. On Wednesdays, for example, individuals can take a financial management class. Those who complete the class are eligible for help with their energy bills through a special project The Lift conducts with Energy Outreach Colorado.
The Lift also offers limited medical services, such as massage therapy, and some medications to those who are uninsured or underinsured. It also provides counseling.
Jennie, a frequent client, was happy to see the renovation. “This is so nice! I love how new and open it is now. This is beautiful!” she enthused.
The Lift operates with a small team of dedicated employees and a “workforce” of amazing volunteers. Both staff and volunteers bring a passion for service and a love for others to their work, exemplifying the character of Jesus in their interactions with clients.
“So many clients share with us how special we make them feel when they come to the Lift,” Debbie Jackson, executive director, explained. “They know we are not going to judge them, but that we just love them, pray with them and give them the help they need to eat a healthy meal, keep their electricity on, get much-needed medications. We are here to show them who Jesus is and that He loves them no matter what their circumstances.”
Your contributions help ensure that ACS Community Lift can continue serving those in need. For more information, please visit the website at www.acslift.org, “like” us on Facebook (ACS Community LIFT), follow us on Twitter (@thelift1) or stop by (Monday-Thursday) to experience firsthand the amazing work God is doing.
–Debbie Jackson is executive director for ACS Community Lift.
–Stephanie Denning is chair of the board of trustees.