2021 Wrap-up

Anyone else having trouble remembering what year it is? It’s 2020 right? Wait, no, that’s not right.

As Omincron heats up and we all look for rapid over-the-counter tests without much luck, I want to look back over the last year and pay special attention to the bright spots.

Christmas in the Park 2021

We were back downtown for Christmas in the Park in ‘21. AfterHours and our partners, volunteers, strangers, and friends came together to distribute over 300 sleeping bags, and hundreds of backpacks, luggage, duct tape, hand warmers, coats, pieces of clothing, shoes, boots, socks, and MORE. A huge “Thank You” to all our table captains for pulling together an amazing event. Check out the story on 9News.

Annual Christmas Shindig

We came together on December 6 to celebrate Christmas, AfterHours, our supporters, leadership, and each other. At the event, we welcomed back our founder Rev. Jerry Herships. Personally it was meaningful for me to hear Jerry’s perspective on where AfterHours has been while we look forward to where we’re going together. There’s clear continuity between the founding days of AfterHours and what we’re up to now. That’s something to celebrate!

Thankful for Long Johns

Only a month ago AfterHours celebrated Thanksgiving Day with Thankful for Long Johns. We collected over 250 sets of thermal underwear, met dozens of people in need, and ended the day at the Regis Safe Outdoor Space site where we were told our donation would make a great Christmas present for their residents.

Where We’re Serving

In October AfterHours began providing lunches, water, and socks to Denver Central Library. We’ve made great connections with library customers, caseworkers, and even library security guards. The library is a wonderful resource and restful spot for our friends living on the streets. The shutdown of Civic Center Park also meant we began delivering lunches directly to unsanctioned encampments and other areas downtown. We’ve continued this every Sunday with lunches made at St. Andrew UMC.

Before the Civic Center shutdown, AfterHours and our partners were in the park nearly every day of the week as we sought to ramp back up to our pre-COVID presence in the park. During that time we met old friends and new, found new challenges, and felt the renewed conviction to be present with folks living outside in Denver.

The New Guy

Our new Pastor/Director, Logan Robertson (that’s me!), came on in July, and June marked our first meetings back in bars and at the park. At the same time AfterHours said goodbye to Rev. Tyler Kaufmann, Nicole, and Theo. Tyler and his family not only guided AfterHours through a pandemic but also through a transition from our founding pastor into a new season for AfterHours. We’re so grateful for his steady hand and service to this community.

Love

2021 has been a year of Zoom meetings, in-person reunions, shifting sands, expected and unexpected challenges, transitions, and new friends. Through it all AfterHours has continued to put more love into the world where it’s needed most. It’s who we are and what we do.

Thanks for being with us on the journey.