Help me help the homeless in Denver and surrounding areas!

gofundme.com/denverhomeless

Or you can reach me through my website: ColoROCKdo.com

As many of you know I have recently taken to making rock climbing rope rugs, dog leashes and other fun items. In the last week I started to sell outside in farmers markets and urban street fares. I have noticed a trend (it is not new but more prevalent as I have spent time in more local parks) of all the homeless that call these places home. At my first show a young man in his 20's walked by with a belt made of climbing rope. This belt was tied in a knot and fraying at both ends. I told him if he could come back in the morning when we were all set up I could cut both ends with my hot knife and fix his belt. The next morning not only did I find he watched my booth all that night to make sure nothing was stolen but he was waiting for me with a smile and said, "Hello ma’am. If it is still ok I would really like it if you could help me fix my belt." I said of course and simply cut the ends. When I handed it to him he asked if it would be possible to get and extra if I had rope to spare that he could keep for later when he would need another. He didn't know when the next time he would meet someone like me was he didn't want to go without a belt in the future. I gladly gave in and extra 3' of rope. I didn't really think much after this until this last show. At the end of the show I was taking down my display and was slightly struggling with the top of my booth and two homeless men ran over and helped me dismantle it. I thanked them and asked if there was anything I could do for them. They said no and just chatted with me for a bit. They both told me about how they live in this park and thought that my dog leases were so cool! Both said if they had dogs they would LOVE to buy one. I asked them if they know people in the community that needed them and they said everyone they know with a pet needed a new leash. I contemplated this and here is my new plan and goal for this go fund me page....

I would like to raise $700 to make belts, dog leashes and do general repairs to people’s items! This would be done over a few weeks. We would set up a booth outside the homeless shelters where people can come and get the items and repairs done.

The $700 would cover the costs for:
100 Belts
100 Dog Leashes
100 Shoe Laces
Miscellaneous glues and ropes for repairs.

I will also be gathering donations from local charities for the event to hand out. Homeless info, job search info, mental health info and so forth.

If all goes well I would hope to train people and make this a monthly event and possibly in multiple cities!

This is really awesome. I couldn't get your website to load, but I found you on Instagram.

Funding on its way!

Need any rope? I live in boulder and I have a 30 Meter rope in good shape but it's past it's life for keeping me off the ground.. would make a great leash or belt though. I was going to toss it but I'd be much happier knowing it was being repurposed instead of adding tot he trash pile

Great story and great idea. Good luck!

Kassia Thormählen wrote:http://www.gofundme.com/denverhomeless Or you can reach me through my website: ColoROCKdo.com ...I will also be gathering donations from local charities for the event to hand out. Homeless info, job search info, mental health info and so forth...

Thank you!

What a kind gesture. I have about 80m of retired rope I could donate if you need it. I'm in Denver so can deliver. I'll check out your gofundme page too.

Kassia Thormählen wrote: I contemplated this and here is my new plan and goal for this go fund me page.... I would like to raise $700 to make belts, dog leashes and do general repairs to people’s items! This would be done over a few weeks. We would set up a booth outside the homeless shelters where people can come and get the items and repairs done. The $700 would cover the costs for: 100 Belts 100 Dog Leashes 100 Shoe Laces Miscellaneous glues and ropes for repairs.

Help me get a better grip on this, please. How much of that goes into materials, do you figure?
I'm not trying to judge, I am trying to ask so as not to do so without better understanding, but from one angle, this can give the appearance of asking a community to subsidize the sale (gift) of such stuff. (paying you for labor) From another angle it may be pure charity. I reserve any judgement on that, but I am curious.

It is a generous offer for sure.

The legalization of marijuana has definitely let to an increase in homeless population in Colorado according to several studies. It is crazy the amount of people that just gather in many city parks across the front range.

Eric Carlos wrote: The legalization of marijuana has definitely let to an increase in homeless population in Colorado according to several studies. It is crazy the amount of people that just gather in many city parks across the front range.

The legalization of marijuana and same-sex marriages are (apparently) the main reasons the population has jumped in the last few years. I saw one study which said an additional 1000 people per month. Another said 3000 people/month.

So there's a shit-load more people in CO of all kinds, not just homeless ones.

The traffic here in the Fort has become almost intolerable.

John Byrnes wrote: The legalization of marijuana and same-sex marriages are (apparently) the main reasons the population has jumped in the last few years. I saw one study which said an additional 1000 people per month. Another said 3000 people/month. So there's a shit-load more people in CO of all kinds, not just homeless ones. The traffic here in the Fort has become almost intolerable.

I'd say it is the economy, over all.
The population is growing ~8k per month recently, but that's been going on since Y2K, which is before weed was legal, and it has continues since you could wed (same-sex) in any state.

No doubt it does bring in more of certain demographic groups, but weed isn't so hard to get for so many people that a hundred thousand of them a year just up and move to a new state without other driving forces.

Great way to help out. I love dogs and feel sorry for them when I see them living on the street with their owner.

Just donated. Let me know if I can send you some retired rope still in good condition.