ONE Gathering Skate for Life is special to us for many reasons. You can read more about why in a blog post from two years ago when Stella and I first attended the event.

Beyond our personal reasons for being drawn to ONE Gathering Skate for Life, we also take a different kind of enjoyment in attending—it’s a chance to watch one of JVA’s clients shine. JVA has had the privilege of working with Stronghold Society on strategic and fund development planning, and their executive director, Walt Pourier also attended JVA’s Executive Director Academy . I stress the word “privilege” because each time we work with Walt and Stronghold Society, our team leaves completely inspired and energized by their passion and commitment to encouraging youth to live healthy lives in body, mind and spirit.

For us, to see Walt and his organization putting on such an incredible event would have been enough. But as we walked around the event at the Denver Skate Park, we noticed a van, beautifully decorated with graffiti-style art. Upon closer inspection, it was clear this was the 180 Street Outreach Program van from Mile High Behavioral Health Care/Comitis Crisis Center (MHBHC). The 180 Street Outreach Program provides supplies to meet the basic needs of homeless youth, and it links them with MHBHC’s evidence-based programs dedicated to positive youth development and harm-reduction.

As with Walt and the Stronghold Society, we were given yet another opportunity to see one of our clients shine as it works in the community. Last year, I had the privilege to work with MHBHC on a grant application that would go on to receive funding for the 180 Street Outreach Program. I remember sitting at a table with MHBHC’s talented, passionate team as they shared ideas for their next steps in helping homeless youth find safety and stability. One of those ideas was to have a highly-visible, 180 Street Outreach-branded van to connect with homeless youth at community events. I remember imagining what it would look like. Last Saturday, I didn’t have to imagine anymore because the van was right in front of me.

We, at JVA, really are privileged to partner with amazing organizations like Stronghold Society and MHBHC. They invite us in, and we get to be a part of something special. To see these organizations in community, changing lives—it rarely gets better for us than that. To see them working together in community, changing lives—it just got better.