Cultivate

Cultivate and our entire community has seen a lot over the past 50 years. Boulder County looks significantly different today than it did in 1972, and Broomfield is a relatively new and vibrant County! Through the changing times, we have evolved our programs to fit the needs of our seniors through support made possible by our volunteers and donors. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we're looking back to see where it all began.  In 1972, we were established through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) grant, now called AmeriCorps Seniors, which we still hold. This program continues as the nations largest network for volunteers ages 55 and better. In the years that followed, we added direct service programs, adjusted our name, and tried out a few different office locations.Our programs allow for community involvement through our Carry-Out Caravan, VetsGo, Fix-it, SnowBusters and YardBusters services. These programs are made possible by the volunteers who have dedicated their time, allowing us to serve the ever-changing needs of our seniors. We have always relied on the hard work and dedication of volunteers and have had the honor of being a part of thousands of volunteers lives throughout the years. We have even watched some of our volunteers become clients, both receiving and contributing to our service.In 2017, we moved into a new office and, a year later, we updated our name from Boulder County CareConnect to, simply, Cultivate.  While our brand and address look a bit different than they did in 1972, the core of our work remains the same. Our mission continues to be to provide clients with access to safety, nutrition, health and friendship. The connections we form are at the heart of our service and have been since day one.In 2022, we have reached this monumental Anniversary, and we are more thankful than ever for our volunteers, donors, and participants. We are so excited to see what the next 50 years will bring to our community and to Cultivate. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Carly Marquis with contributions by Pure Strategic. Carly is the Director of Volunteers with Cultivate and may be reached at 303-443-1933 x406 or by email at:  cmarquis@cultivate.ngo

Isolation and loneliness are not new concepts to those who work in the field of aging. And, as a result of the COVID pandemic, almost everyone, regardless of age, experienced some form of isolation and loneliness. Many of us were separated from family, friends, and coworkers for so long that the isolation left a nearly permanent mark. As a senior service provider, Cultivate has seen, firsthand, the negative effects isolation has had on our senior clients. We have also seen the power of healing that the volunteers provide when they take time to build connections with our clients. According to the CDC, loneliness and social isolation in adults can lead to serious health conditions beyond the effect it has on mental health. The senior population has been disproportionately affected by isolation for years, and it is only in the aftermath of the pandemic that much of the population can begin to understand. Society saw a surge in volunteerism during the beginning of the pandemic because many people were struggling with the loneliness of quarantine while becoming very aware of the fact their neighbors needed help. However, that surge ended, and non-profits are finding a significant reduction in the number of new volunteers. Many forget that just because most of the population is no longer quarantined, this does not mean that the issues of isolation have disappeared. There are different ways that the community can get involved to help reduce isolation and loneliness in seniors. This work can start by reaching out to family, friends, and neighbors. You never know how much of an impact your time and words can have on someone. Volunteerism is also a good way to reach people who need the most help. Often the volunteers get as much out of their experience as those they are helping do. Whatever you choose, remember that we all know what it feels like to be lonely, and we all have the power to relieve the loneliness of others. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Carly Marquis. Carly is the Director of Volunteers with Cultivate and may be reached at 303-443-1933 or by email at cmarquis@cultivate.ngo.