Dear Friends,

I’d like to update you on our Joshua Station renovation and invite you to help us reach new donors to fund it!

Right now we’re in the thick of Phase 2… the center section of our building. As you drive north through downtown Denver on I-25 past 8th Avenue and look to your right, you’ll catch a glimpse of all three phases:

  • Phase 1, north side – spiffy walkways shine bright, safe for our residents and ready for the next decades
  • NOW Phase 2, middle including community room – heavy machines hoist beams for our patios, welder’s torches blaze, cement pumps churn
  • Phase 3, south side – rusting staircases and infrastructure wait to be replaced

Our disrupted and displaced residents are hanging in with remarkably good spirits. They’re taking their turns in motels off site, with continued robust program support from our staff and volunteers. This year I can’t help thinking that not only are our families healing from homelessness, our motel building itself is healing from 60+ years of hard use (24 years as Joshua Station, with a period of decay before that).

What’s needed for the home stretch? Primarily, new donors. Generous supporters have given over $910,000 so far toward this very necessary and exciting $1.75 million project.

That’s why we created an eye-catching and fun campaign we call “Not A Motel.” As a staff this fall, we’re “giving up to give back” to support the renovation monthly. For just a few examples:

  • The Streamer – pause a streaming service to give $10/month
  • The Guac – pack lunches instead of burrito orders to give $50/month
  • The Red Rocks – dial back entertainment to give $100/month
  • You get the idea…

Will you join the spirit and spread the word by sending people to notamotel.com? Share our social media posts and make your own! Forward this email with a personal note. Let people know It’s Not A Motel—it’s Housing That Heals.

With anticipation,

Jeff Johnsen

Executive Director

P.S. Here are some tips from my teammates who are social media savvy in all the ways I’m not (!)…

#GiveUp2GiveBack Social Media Challenge

— a fun, social way to help fund Joshua Station’s renovation and to invite younger donors to join our mission.

Here’s how the challenge works:

  • Give up one small thing this week or month (coffee, takeout, screen time, etc.)
  • Give back instead — and post about it on your preferred social media platforms (Instragram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tik Tok….)!
  • Tag @milehighmin and use #GiveUp2GiveBack + #NotAMotel + #JoshuaStation. Feel free to be creative and add other tags like #CoffeeForACause if you’re giving up lattes, #GiveUpTheGuac if you’re giving up eating out – have fun with it!
  • Challenge a friend to visit notamotel.com

 Need inspo? Here are a couple of post ideas:

I’m joining the #GiveUp2GiveBack challenge to support families rebuilding from homelessness at Joshua Station.

I’m giving up [coffee runs / screen time / the guac] this month and giving back instead.
Join me and check out notamotel.com to see how you can make a difference.

#JoshuaStation #NotAMotel #DoGoodDenver

Or go more playful…

I’m giving up my daily iced latte (wish me luck!) for a cause that matters.
Families at Joshua Station are rebuilding their lives—and I’m helping by taking the #GiveUp2GiveBack challenge.
Think you can top me? Go to notamotel.com and prove it.

#JoshuaStation #NotAMotel #CoffeeForACause

BEFORE                                                                                                                             AFTER