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Karis Community: Gracefully Supporting Adults with Mental Illness

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Conscious Real Estate was founded on the principle of giving. 10% of every home sale or purchase is donated to a charity of our clients’ choice.

Karis Community starts with grace.

In fact, the word karis means grace in Greek. As a verb, it means to honor to give honor or credit to one’s presence. And, that is just what Karis Community does, since 1976, they have honored adults with mental illness who are choosing to show up and receive help for their struggles through their programming.

Life on its own isn’t easy. When you have a chronic illness, whether physical or mental, life can be nearly impossible. It takes a community to help us get out of situations we’ve fallen into. And, it can be really easy to get from one place to another in small slips. Many times when our loved ones get to a place where they need help, we wonder, how did they get there?

When one thing goes wrong, the spiral downward is fast.

How does it happen? Two metaphors we can relate to are weight and money. To gain weight, it can be pretty easy, we eat our favorite sugary or buttery foods. And, with money, we can spend very, very quickly. How is it that making money and losing weight are so difficult, yet spending money and gaining weight are sooooo easy?

Any time you’ve wondered how this person got “here,” just remember the times that you’ve gotten “somewhere” and how easy it was to fall there. It happens quickly. Student loans can engulf us, health problems, Karis Community is there to help people get back up with the support and resources that they need without judgment.

If you read the stories of community members at Karis, you’ll find that many of them have suffered with mental illness nearly their entire lives. The message that comes through story after story is fear from past trauma (“I have a very difficult time with conflict. I am still learning that conflict does not have to mean someone is going to get hurt.”) and goals toward self worth (“One thing I have to do is learn to love me, and that will take some time. Here at Karis is the best place to work on it.”)

A story from Heather, a Karis resident:

I have been suffering from mental illness since adolescence. I have attempted suicide three times and have been hospitalized five times. I have never been able to deal with my childhood abuse and work through it. My mental illness has affected every area of my life and has kept me from having a life. I want to be able to enjoy simple things, like taking a bath, or falling asleep without being afraid, or having someone hug me. I want to be able to have good friendships with people without being scared that they are going to leave me. There is so much to learn, and the process of growing is so slow. I try to give myself as much patience as I give to others. It is a daily struggle.

At Karis I found hope. I found a place where people accept me as I am, care about me, and are glad to see me. It has been a home like I have never known. It took me a long time to adjust, and sometimes I feel like I am still getting adjusted. It is so foreign to live with people who are kind and respectful.

I think what I enjoy the most is the time we sit around and visit, enjoying each other’s company. It seems there is always laughter and lively discussion. And when I can’t sleep there is almost always someone else up, too.

For now, I try to focus on each day, doing the things I need to do to grow and get better, making good decisions and making the most of my time at Karis. – Heather

When all you need is encouragement.

Another awesome Karis resident story…. And this one is really, really awesome… Fred!! Fred was a Karis resident who prior to his stay was “warehoused” as he says, in a Capitol Hill boarding house for 13 years. There, he has no motivation for life because everything was done for him: cooking, cleaning, laundry, and medicating.

When he was accepted into Karis Community, he was finally able to take ownership of his life. It was everything he needed. It propelled him to even write his own book, which he now receives royalty checks for. He transitioned out of Karis and has his own studio apartment and part-time job and even a sweet romantic relationship that he describes as like “two glowing coals.” They go to church together every Sunday.

You can help people like Heather and Fred when you buy or sell a home with Conscious Real Estate.

Okay, how does a home purchase change the world?

Simple! We create large donations that help nonprofits get a big boost in their programming. With every home buy or sell, Conscious Real Estate agents take 10% of their OWN commission (yes, you spend our money), and pick a nonprofit to which that money goes.

So far, we have helped dozens of nonprofits get closer to or exceed their fundraising goals. They are always surprised and grateful for the huge check (it’s literally huge, see below!).

Conscious Real Estate Agent, Andy Robertson, presents the donation check to Karis Community, a nonprofit in Denver.

Are you looking to move? Know someone who is? Contact us to interview one of our agents to see if we might be a good fit for your needs. We are professional real estate experts with big hearts too. Get to know us!

Conscious Real Estate Helps Coloradoans Pay for University Tuitions

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Conscious Real Estate is a socially conscious real estate agency in the Denver area that donates 10% from each home sale or purchase to a nonprofit of their clients’ choice. Penn State Board Member, Darcy Barr, chose to donate to a cause near and dear to her… the Penn State Scholarship Fund! Huge thanks! Here’s more about the alumni organization….

Even though the Penn State “Nittany” Lion isn’t naturally found in our Colorado wildlife, you CAN find many human alumni living here in our wonderful state! Ba-da-cha…

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Penn State Mascot, the Nittany Lion

All jokes aside, college pride is strong with Penn State Alumni, so they have set up a special affiliate group for Coloradoans with a fundraising arm to provide scholarships to potential Penn State students.

And guess who’s super proud of Penn State and wanted to give back? Our amazing client Darcy Barr, who chose them as her Give 10% recipient from her recent home purchase with Conscious Real Estate. Awesome!

Did you know? There are over 7,000 Penn State Alumni living in Colorado.

The CO chapter helps organize group events to promote alumni comradery, offers professional development resources, provides discounts on travel and other services for alumni-only, manages a mentorship program, and holds awards ceremonies to honor alumni achievements, and of course funds the incredible scholarship program (among many other benefits they offer!).

Want to connect with the chapter??? Reach out to Darcy!!

Our super rad client Darcy is a Penn State board member who also is the creativity behind the scenes of the Penn State Colorado Chapter social media accounts. Following their accounts will help you connect with other alumni, prospective students, and stay in touch on their many events and offerings each year.

Ready? Here is everything you need to get started:

Instagram: @PSUColorado

Facebook: Follow along here.

LinkedIn: Check out interesting alumni facts.

Twitter: @PSUColorado

CO Event Listings: See what’s coming up!

Website: Click here to join/learn more.

Thank you Darcy for choosing Conscious Real Estate for your real estate needs and Penn State Colorado for your incredible donation!

Conscious Real Estate Owner and Agent, Allison Parks, with Client (and Penn State Board Member) Darcy Barr, at the PSU Colorado Annual Picnic

Did this inspire you? Let’s get started! Click here to connect with our of our agents and look forward to making YOUR impact (and finding a home that’s perfect for you!).

Conscious Real Estate Donations, Denver Nonprofits

Conservation Colorado: A Diverse Voice Makes a Seat at the Table

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Conscious Real Estate donates 10% of all home sales and purchases to a local nonprofit of their clients’ choice. Thank you to Sean and Marissa Laven for choosing Conservation Colorado and Conscious Real Estate.

“Welcome to Colorful Colorado,” the sign reads.

Colorado is a beautiful state full of natural beauty and color. Conservation Colorado is one local organization striving to keep our state colorful in another sense too – by including our residents of all colors in natural conservation efforts and supporting legislation to ensure environmental protection equally in all areas.

In Denver, some groups of people and entire neighborhoods have been unjustly slighted over decades. In particular, the Globeville area and neighborhoods affected by the initial construction of I-70 which cuts off local transportation in some areas and consistently produces more pollution. People who live in these areas now face increased health concerns and lower standards of air quality, among other health issues. Here is a report on the latest efforts from CDOT.

In Colorado, Latino residents comprise over 20% of everyone who lives in our state. Yet, according to statistics from our state government itself, they suffer more health problems and have lower incomes when compared to the entire population of Colorado. Just check out this fact sheet on the health disparities from the Colorado Office of Health Equity. Yes, there is an entire office devoted to this, but is it actually helping?

Local nonprofit organization Conservation Colorado seeks to positively influence legislation on conservation, clean water, curbing air pollution, and supporting fair development initiatives that do not unjustly isolate or harm one community over another:

“Unfortunately, our amazing state faces grave threats. Powerful interests are constantly pushing to put pollution and profit over public health. We are at the front lines of every fight working to protect the air, land, water, and people across our state.

We have a long and successful history in Colorado of collaborating on key environmental issues, working collectively at the State Capitol, and establishing strategic partnerships to find success on a variety of levels, including:

Ensuring that more than three million acres of wilderness will stay forever wild.
Setting a statewide renewable energy standard, then increasing it to 30% and making it one of the strongest in the nation.
Working to minimize impacts from oil and gas drilling by updating public health, drinking water and wildlife protections in 2008 and continuing to push for further reforms.
Passing more than 130 different conservation bills at the state legislature in the past six years on a host of environmental issues ranging from water efficiency to air quality to energy efficiency to transit.
Electing pro-conservation candidates and holding our elected officials accountable in the State Legislature, Governor’s Office, and local government councils and commissions.” – Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is doing an amazing job, but as a nonprofit, donations are needed to stay afloat and support their programming.

They have several initiatives that we find, well, awesome! In addition to working around the clock to support legislation, they are focused on diversity and are: “committed to building a more diverse and inclusive organization and being a leader in the broader conservation community to ensure diversity, equity and inclusivity are integral parts of our work.” Further, they believe that: “all Coloradans should be fully represented and engaged as we work to build as powerful a conservation movement as we can.”

The youth and adult Promotores and Protégete Programs through Conservation Colorado are specifically for Latino youths and adults to get a say. Side note… while researching for this article, we have to give kudos to the University of Colorado for creating a Certificate in Latino Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Thank you for also being a leader in recognizing the unique health impact issues facing a huge segment of our population. More info here.

Conscious Real Estate Agent, Andy Robertson, recently donated $700 to Conservation Colorado as part of our Give 10% programming. We donate 10% from every home purchase or sale to a nonprofit of our clients’ choice.

conscious real estate, real estate donations, socially conscious businesses, denver real estate

“Sean and Marissa Laven knew immediately that they wanted to support clean water initiatives in Colorado, and Conservation Colorado seemed the natural partner for their donation.”

“Though the staff was busy planning their Rebel with a Cause gala, they loved the interruption to gather for a photograph so they could show the Laven’s how grateful they are for the support!” said Robertson.

At Conscious Real Estate, we love to support local changemakers.

We are grateful to donate to Conservation Colorado because, “they’ve had the wherewithal to be inclusive with diverse communities across the state – a lot of low income and Spanish-speaking communities and youth who often have not had a seat at the table when it comes to conservation,” says Allison Parks, owner and founder of Conscious Real Estate. Sign the petition to have your voice heard.

You can help too!!

How? Of course, when you buy or sell a home with us, 10% of our own commission is donated to your favorite nonprofit. This means a large lump sum that doesn’t come from your pockets whatsoever, but comes directly from your heart. Referrals for socially conscious friends and family who are looking to move to Colorado or to a new location in the Denver area are greatly appreciated and help local organizations make our hometown even greater and more inclusive. Contact us anytime for more information or to set up a chat with one of our agents. Thank you for reading!

Conscious Real Estate Donations, Denver Nonprofits

We Need Leadership: Denver Youth Take Up the Challenge

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Youth have a lot of serious stuff to face every day. Maybe more than any have ever had to. With school shootings happening often, mental wellness generally not prioritized, a lack of positive leadership, economic hardship, and failing school systems, young humans who thrive are like a flower growing out a rock. How do they do that? How can they grow despite the circumstances? How can teens thrive in a tough world to become positive leaders?

Truly passionate youth are nurtured at places like the Colorado Young Leaders organization, a local 501(c)(3) that matches ambitious youth with the opportunities making their dreams and impact possible.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. It’s like water. Water, over time, will create spaces and valleys and paths exactly where it wants to flow. Our human willpower is exactly the same. While we don’t know what the road will entail on the journey, if we want something badly enough, we’ll find a way how.

Colorado Young Leaders believes in this same kind of “magic.” Specifically, they believe in the “Power of Yes.” It’s right on their website, but we like quotes like these, straight from the kids involved in the program:

“Saying yes is the start of something bigger than you could have imagined. You’ll know you love it when you do it.” – Max A.

What does the power of yes mean to CYL? They define it as: “the willingness to jump into an adventure even if you don’t have it all figured out just yet. It means you want to learn more about the world around you, discover your own gifts, and make a real impact.”

How does Colorado Youth Leaders empower youth and help them find opportunities? They have a unique structured program named after four of Colorado’s most well-known 14-ers. In the first phase, students work with the organization to discover and easily identify their trust and core passions. Next, the student commits to a cause. What follows is a perfectly matched internship to help the youth meet leaders and mentors who share their passion and learn valuable skills related to the individual impact they hope to make within their cause.

The program concludes with a legacy project, which can span a wide range of student-led initiatives for lasting impact, i.e. meaningful volunteering, creating programs to get more youth involved in service-based careers, or any number of awesome projects they come up with along with the help of CYL.

For example, one student was having a difficult time with reading, but had a passion for working with trucks. They took him out to meet a truck mechanic who provided the student with all of the manuals for working on trucks. Sure enough, he took to those manuals and this greatly improved his overall reading skills.

Another student felt passionate to do something about the fact that her school district had experienced several suicides of students. She took the initiative to start a program called “Offline October,” which encouraged students to take a pledge to stay offline for the month of October and encourage more interaction among one another. Thousands of people took the pledge nationwide.

We can get behind it 1000% (or actually 10%, which we donate from every real estate sale or purchase from our agents’ own commission). Recently, Owner and Founder, Real Estate Agent extraordinaire, Allison Parks, was able to donate $1221 to Colorado Young Leaders. Investing in youth leadership is one of the most direct ways to help our future.

“I think it’s not just fantastic, but also crucial to empower our young people in this manner,” says Parks. “All too often, young people are told that they can’t do something because they’re too young, or the project will be too big or too difficult… but how will we know what these young people are capable of until we let them try?

I think many times, they will surprise us… and sometimes the projects will be too big or too difficult, but that’s exactly what learning leadership is about. Leadership isn’t about success at every avenue, nor is life. Learning how to adapt to obstacles is a key part of success in which I wish I would had more supported learning experiences when I was younger.” – Allison Parks, Owner & Founder Conscious Real Estate, Do-Gooder, Mindful Broker

Does this sound like a cause you could support? There are many ways to help! You can consider donating your time. Get more info here. And, of course, another crucial way to help is to invest and support the organization financially. This way, they can distribute the funds to their particular needs or invest in a current project that needs support. Large, lump sums can go a long way, which is why we encourage you to work with a conscious real estate agency that donates to local positive nonprofits (Hint hint!! It’s us!!).

Conscious Real Estate Donations, Nonprofits

In Defense of the Environment: The Environmental Defense Fund

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Let’s Face It, The Numbers Matter!

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Kimberly McAleenan (left) presents the donation to the Environmental Defense Fund with her clients

The Environmental Defense Fund has been making economically sound environmental advanced and recommendations since its inception. Focusing on environmental issues in a financial angle has helped this nonprofit advance science in a way that also appeals to the fiscally-minded politicians who help shape the laws in our country.

And, at Conscious Real Estate, we know it’s about the numbers too when it comes to actionable change. That’s why we ask our clients to pick a nonprofit for us real estate agents to donate 10% of our own commission to. Yes, we get feel-good gold stars from it, but the nonprofits that we donate to get to further their education and outreach programs so that the world is a better place. That’s our goal too! Once donation at a time..

And huge thanks to Andrea and Jonathan for choosing the Environmental Defense Fund ($1600 went in a lump sum from their home sale, boom!). PS, they split between Vet Ranch and Environmental Defense Fund and yes, we love splitting between two favorite orgs!

How Does the Environmental Defense Fund Advocate for Change?

As US-based group, the Environmental Defense Fund (or “EDF”) funds projects taking on issues such as global warming, ecosystem restoration, oceans, sustainable fishing, human health, climate issues and more. Current and past projects have included encouraging the clean energy industry, lowering pollution domestically and abroad,

As a nonpartisan organization, the EDF is not swayed by politics, rather they reference sound science and legal precedent in their policy making.

In fact, their wоrk оftеn reflects market-based ѕоlutіоnѕ tо еnvіrоnmеntаl problems such as energy efficient corporate investments to reduce negative impact while also reducing long-term operations overhead. The EDF is solutions-oriented, so they are always trying to balance both business and societal goods in order to least impact while putting the greatest effort toward improving the environment.

The EDF is Guided By Science (Thankfully!)

These times are interesting ones where science and research are being discarded more than ever. Supporting science is a plus in our book. And, the EDF has been called “Amеrіса’ѕ mоѕt economically lіtеrаtе grееn саmраіgnеrѕ” by The Economist. Thе оrgаnіzаtіоn wаѕ rаnkеd fіrѕt аmоng еnvіrоnmеntаl grоuрѕ іn a 2007 Fіnаnсіаl Tіmеѕ global study оf 850 buѕіnеѕѕ-nоnрrоfіt раrtnеrѕhірѕ аnd rесеіvеd a fоur-ѕtаr rаtіng frоm Charity Navigator, the іndереndеnt сhаrіtу еvаluаtоr.

Their mission is: “Guіdеd bу science аnd есоnоmісѕ, wе tackle urgеnt thrеаtѕ wіth practical ѕоlutіоnѕ.” As оnе оf the wоrld’ѕ largest еnvіrоnmеntаl organizations, the EDF has more thаn two mіllіоn mеmbеrѕ. Their global staff includes оf 700 scientists, есоnоmіѕtѕ, роlісу experts, аnd оthеr professionals. To support these worldwide efforts, over half of the EDF’s necessary operating funds from donations.

“Wе wоrk to ѕоlvе thе most critical еnvіrоnmеntаl problems facing thе planet. This hаѕ drawn uѕ tо аrеаѕ that ѕраn the bіоѕрhеrе: climate, oceans, есоѕуѕtеmѕ, аnd hеаlth. Since thеѕе tорісѕ are іntеrtwіnеd, оur solutions tаkе a multіdіѕсірlіnаrу approach. Wе work in соnсеrt with оthеr organizations — аѕ wеll as with buѕіnеѕѕ, gоvеrnmеnt, and communities — and аvоіd duрlісаtіng wоrk аlrеаdу being done еffесtіvеlу bу оthеrѕ.” – The Environmental Defense Fund

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Are You Into Science Too?

Do you feel the same way that science and the Earth should be supported? Join us in the mission of giving back by buying or selling a house with us. And, you get to pick the cause. To get started, meet one of our many talented and experienced agents.

Conscious Real Estate Donations

Direct Relief: Emergency Help in Crises

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Life Saving Medical Aid: Without Regard to Politics, Religion or Ability to Pay

When a tragedy strikes that is so great it dominates the daily news around the world, it is impossible to ignore the needs of those affected. Natural disasters and war have so often been the cause of that suffering, forcing families to either leave their homes or rebuild them after the storms recede.

However, when the purchase of a home in Colorado can directly lead to helping rebuild the homes in Houston, Puerto Rico, Southern California, Yemen or any of the other 80 countries in which the humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief operates the decision to help is easy.

That is exactly why Kevin and Allysse Paquette chose to donate nearly $900 dollars to Direct Relief – one of Charity Navigator’s “10 Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of. They turned to a relief organization that surpassed $1 billion in donations in 2017 and climbed to the 7th largest charitable organization in the United States.

The governance of Direct Relief is what drew the Paquettes to make their donation; specifically, that 100% of earmarked donations go exactly to the emergency response designated by the donor.

And, after spending time in the Caribbean, they wanted to make sure that all of those affected would receive the fullest measure of assistance possible. Dіrесt Rеlіеf (fоrmеrlу knоwn аѕ Dіrесt Rеlіеf Intеrnаtіоnаl) іѕ a nоnрrоfіt, nоnраrtіѕаn оrgаnіzаtіоn wіth a ѕtаtеd mіѕѕіоn tо “іmрrоvе thе hеаlth аnd lives of реорlе affected by роvеrtу or emergency ѕіtuаtіоnѕ bу mоbіlіzіng and providing еѕѕеntіаl medical rеѕоurсеѕ needed for their саrе.”

Direct Relief Always Was a Direct Connection Between People Delivering Needed Aid

It all began in 1945, when Estonian immigrant William Zimdin, who had amassed significant wealth pre-war, began sending relief parcels with food, medicine, clothes, and other necessities for friends, family and past employees who were trying to rebuild their lives after the devastation of war. Direct Relief was officially founded in 1948 and has continued to help populations of people affected by severe natural disasters and the struggles the aftermath causes.

Thе Wіllіаm Zіmdіn Foundation was established on Auguѕt 23, 1948 аѕ a California-based nоn-рrоfіt соrроrаtіоn. Hаvіng witnessed thе impacts оf unсhесkеd power, Zіmdіn dеdісаtеd hіѕ life’s fortune tо thе oppressed, ѕhunnіng thе fаѕсіѕm thаt hаd caused hіѕ hіm tо flee Hіtlеr’ѕ Europe for hіѕ life.

Direct Rеlіеf has always рrоvіdеd assistance in rеѕроnѕе tо catastrophic еmеrgеnсіеѕ and to refugeeѕ. Tоdау, Dіrесt Rеlіеf рrоvіdеѕ requested medical services in over 70 countries including domestically here in the United States.

Direct Rеlіеf hоnоrѕ thе gеnеrоѕіtу of іtѕ dоnоrѕ bу fоllоwіng a firm policy of full trаnѕраrеnсу іn all of its ореrаtіоnѕ. Thе оrgаnіzаtіоn routinely reports оn hоw dоnаtіоnѕ аrе used and make іtѕ fіnаnсіаl dосumеntѕ (e.g., tаx returns, annual rероrtѕ, audits), fundraising рrасtісеѕ, аnd compensation policies ореn tо thе рublіс. This is probably reason for their inclusion in the Charity Navigator’s “10 Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of” which is a good indicator that your donations won’t be filtered as much as they are in some organizations.

Conscious Real Estate Agent Andy Robertson snapped this pic of the donation check to Direct Relief

Conscious Real Estate Partners With Their Clients to Donate to Good Causes

At every home sale, Conscious Real Estate donates 10% of their own commission to a nonprofit of their clients’ choice. Through this programming, we have been introduced to so many nonprofits that are superbly top quality in their programming and honest with their funding initiatives. Supporting organizations the truly focus on the objectives of the founders and especially where 100% of the donations go to the cause are the types of nonprofits that we specifically look for in our giving. This way, we know that we are spending money on things we believe in and that it’s getting to the people (and animals and trees!) who need it.

Like our style? Contact one of our agents today.

Denver Nonprofits

Judi’s House: Door’s Open!

A truly Colorado organization, former Broncos quarterback Brian Griese was inspired to found Judi’s House, named after his mother Judi who passed away from breast cancer when Brian was only 12 years old. Most of us remember our first loss. But most of us were a bit older the first time we experienced it. As a child, grief is incredibly more overwhelming.

Judi’s House Provides Support for Grieving Children & Their Families

When you are a child, getting older can seem like the hardest thing you’ll ever have to go through. And, for most of us, that is about the toughest challenge you’d be expected to face, overcoming the trials of maturity, and that’s with the support and guidance of your family.

But what if the unthinkable happens and in the midst of growing up, a child loses a loved one? How does a child overcome that loss and cope with the grieving process?

Judi’s House was founded on the principle of providing answers to those questions and to ensure that no child be left alone in their grief. And since 2002, they have supported more than 9,000 youth and their caregivers in these most difficult times. Judi’s House is the only free-standing group devoted solely for the purpose of providing research based support for children who suffered the loss of a loved one.

Judi’s House exists because the unimaginable sadness of losing a parent or sibling that affects 1 in 18 children in this country annually. However, Conscious Real Estate stands ready to help raise funds though the joy of buying or selling a home in the greater Denver area to build a community for these families.

Their Free Services Have Helped Over 9,000 Families

Judi’s House has one mission. To help grieving children and their families. And, it is provided free of charge. This is incredible and relies on the support of partners like us here at Conscious Real Estate, and of course all of their supporters in Denver and nationwide (hopefully globally too). Behavioral health specialists help through the grief process and encourage coping skills through their tremendous loss.

They believe that by investing in children and their families, they will assure that no child is alone in grief and that they can learn skills to heal and become happy adults despite their heartbreaking loss.

And, providing their services at a cost that supports the financial cost of loss (free services), their services are accessible to all. Though, programming is dependent on generous donations. At Conscious Real Estate, we know that large, lump sum donations go farther than small ones. So, we’ve instituted a program of regular giving into our conscious real estate agency. Read on..

Meet Judi’s House Supporters Amanda & Matt (Conscious Real Estate Clients)

Judi’s House is the only organization in Denver to support this cause and we’re happy to be supporters too, thanks to the kind recommendation of our clients who chose the organization as their nonprofit of choice for our 10% donation program. Their choice came from a very personal experience.

Amanda Vanek is the type of teacher every parent wishes their child to learn from. She is equal parts charismatic and compassionate, both the instructor of and role model for her classes. When one of her students needed the help that only Judi’s House can provide, she learned of the vital mission provided to bereaved youth. When she and her husband Adam chose to make their home in Centennial, the purchase offered them the opportunity to utilize the Conscious Real Estate donation initiative to support an organization that had been so important to one of her students. Thank you Amanda and Adam for your kindness, generosity and support!

Denver Nonprofits, Green Ideas, Homeowner Tips

Ways You Can Protect Your Local Birds At Home

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Want to make your home a little greener and support conservation? Us too! Always. One part of the world that sometimes we don’t always consider are our feathered friends, birds. They are in need of protection like so many other species and are occasionally or sometimes often threatened with survival of their kind.

Each and every one of us can do a little bit to protect them, and the rewards are a magical space full of beautiful colors of life and lightness. Birds! Here’s how you can create a space they love.

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We Can All Take Care Of Birds At Home, Here’s How

There are a lot of ways that we can take care of birds in our landscaping and homes, but the main thing is to make it a peaceful and plentiful space for them. By the way, there are also great ways to protect bees and butterflies such as sticking to planting native grasses and flowers in your yard and away from areas that pets can get to.

Back to the birds, here are some ways that everyone can make sure to keep birds in mind who need our protection when it comes to simple ideas for the home:

Add fresh, clean water to your yard in various different places
Keep food in quiet areas in various feeders where birds will feel safe (as they are vulnerable when eating)
Add shrubs, hedges or bushes to your yard (these add privacy and safety zones for birds)
Place birdhouses in strategic locations to allow for nesting (ps, check out this amazing collection)

Bird Conservation Helps the Local Ecosystem

Birds are essential to the local ecosystem and as with all species of the planet, their natural habitat is continuously diminishing and lowering in quality. Conservation is therefore essential. Have you seen this video from Google Earth showing development globally? It’s affecting the bird population everywhere. If you can implement the steps in your own home to provide a haven for them, you will actually be adding to the natural spaces they have available. If we all did it together… whoa!

Plus, They Are A Stress-Reliever And Wonderful Addition to Your Home

Hummingbirds and birds of all species stopping to get a drink outside your window, or hanging out as you lounge on the patio, it’s a great feeling of peacefulness. Birds add wonder and appeal to your outdoor spaces if you have created a calm enough zen where they like to hang out. And, if they have enough supplies to make it a watering hole and snack spot, you can help provide them a safe haven.

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Our awesome client with broker Kimberly McAleenan (left) presenting the donation

Inspired by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (A Note From Us)

Through rigorous scientific monitoring of birds throughout the annual cycle, the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is able to help protect native bird species across the Rockies, Great Plains, Mexico and beyond. They achieve this through partnership and education. As a partner, Conscious Real Estate was able to see how impactful this organization is on the environment and bird species in our area.

As a conscious real estate agency, we donate 10% from each home purchase to a nonprofit of our clients’ choice. As a result, we get introduced to so many unique and important causes like this one. It was awesome getting to learn about bird conservation and being about to integrate some practices at home is such a great takeaway. Thank you guys! – Conscious Real Estate

Nonprofits

Conscious Real Estate Supports Vet Ranch (And Kittens!!!)

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Vet Ranch Started When A Call Came In About An Animal Who Had Been Hit By A Car

It started one day when Dr. Matt Carriker, a Texan veterinarian (just like his Dad, Dr. Lee Carriker) got a call to euthanize a stray dog that had been hit by a car. However, for this injured pup, her story would turn out quite differently. You see, Dr. Mаtt mаdе thе decision tо trу to ѕаvе hеr rather than put her to sleep. He saw a glimmer of hope and life in her eyes, and he decided to film the amazing experience. Let’s just say this sweet lab fell into the right hands that day. And from that day on, Dr. Matt has continued to film animal miracles on his channel, Vet Ranch.

Started in 2014, Dr. Matt’s gоаl іѕ to ѕрrеаd аwаrеnеѕѕ оf thе mаnу homeless аnіmаlѕ in nееd оf medical аttеntіоn (hint: there’s a lot!). Sіnсе ѕtаrtіng thе channel, Vеt Rаnсh hаѕ grоwn trеmеndоuѕlу and features all sorts of rescue stories on their site. One of the most interesting ones is this one below where Dr. Matt cares for a kitty cat that is completely flea ridden and unable to use its back legs.

Watch this incredible video and you’ll see an entire transformation before your eyes. Plus, you’ll see our amazing clients who chose Vet Ranch to donate to.

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And She Lived! Dr. Matt Decided to Go Against the Euthanasia Request and Her Story Went Viral.

So, as with all “pet projects” (see what we did there?), they run out of steam and finances and need support to continue. Generous donations make Vet Ranch possible. At Conscious Real Estate, we donate 10% of every sale to a local nonprofit (and our clients get to choose with ones). In this very special case, broker Kimberly McAleenan got to help her clients support Vet Ranch in a large lump sum donation (which will help the programming and allow for more homeless and injured animals to get life saving medical treatment.).

In most of Vet Ranch’s саѕеѕ, аn animal is рullеd from a euthanasia lіѕt bу a rеѕсuе аnd then brоught over for medical help. Onсе the animal іѕ hеаlthу, thе various rеѕсuеs ѕtер bасk in аnd help tо find a fоѕtеr or a forever hоmе (giving them a second chance at life). Additionally, all furr patients аrе spayed оr nеutеrеd, caught uр on vассіnаtіоnѕ and ѕtаrtеd оn раrаѕіtе аnd hеаrtwоrm рrеvеntаtіvеѕ before bеіng rеlеаѕеd.

Sharing is Caring. Donations Help Keep Vet Ranch Going

Vet Rаnсh іѕ dеdісаtеd tо рrоvіdіng mеdісаl treatment tо hоmеlеѕѕ animals thаt would оthеrwіѕе hаvе nо advocate. They would simply die or be put down. By ѕhаrіng thеіr іnѕріrаtіоnаl ѕtоrіеѕ, Vet Ranch brings awareness that with kindness and the donations of veterinary experts with their time and equipment, these аbuѕеd, аbаndоnеd and hоmеlеѕѕ animals can be adopted іntо lоvіng fоrеvеr hоmеѕ. Vet Ranch works сlоѕеlу wіth mаnу animal rescues and ѕhеltеrѕ tо dесrеаѕе the numbеr of аnіmаlѕ that are euthanized duе tо trеаtаblе аnd/оr curable соndіtіоnѕ.

Dr. Matt has a big heart and through his work and videos, we are able to get an inside view of what happens to injured and sick homeless animals. And, in so many of the cases on the Vet Ranch YouTube channel, they are able to walk again, see again, regrow their hair or skin, correct an ailment and otherwise live happy, healthy lives again.

At Conscious Real Estate, We Donate to a Different Nonprofit at Every Home Sale.

We are so proud to support Vet Ranch in everything they do. Seeing the realness of this cause is something that sets this nonprofit apart. You can literally see the work that they do. Definitely subscribe to their channel here, and if you love our style and are looking for a home in the Denver area, contact one of us to get the conversation started. We look forward to hearing from you.

Conscious Real Estate Donations, Denver Nonprofits

Conscious Real Estate Supports Project Healing Waters

Project Healing Waters is a nonprofit organization that helps disabled active military personnel and disabled veterans with coping mechanisms through fly fishing. As a form of outdoor therapeutic recreation, fly fishing is the rehabilitation method. It’s been an incredible success and started with the founder Ed Nicholson’s desire to bring veterans with him on some of his fly fishing trips. The program involves providing an enhanced quality of life through fly fishing, along with a mentorship relationship that helps ease the transition back into civilian life.

Conscious Real Estate Agent Elizabeth P. Lord Presents Her Donation To Project Healing Waters

What Once Was, Has Changed

Serving in the military and witnessing traumatic incidents clearly is an issue in this modern age with our various initiatives overseas and domestically. There’s no way that a civilian can ever understand the sensory experience, grief, and physical pain that a veteran knows so well. Sometimes, talking about it isn’t the answer. That’s where fishing, the quiet, mindful and strategic outdoor sport comes in.

Returning to the rat race, noisy, congested, privileged lifestyle from witnessing human tragedy can be unbearable for veterans. They may also be dealing with returning to their old life, in a new body. Understandably, they may be trying to make sense of it all. Being in nature and seeing the natural world in a state of peace can do more therapy than years of counseling for many, especially for people who have always been physically-oriented as many people who serve in the military tend to be. Fly fishing is the perfect solitary activity, which also is great when in a group, spending time outdoors in open space, creating a safe place to focus, while simultaneously disengaging.

Fly Fishing…

Is mainly used to catch trout, grayling and salmon
Is a technique also used to catch pike, bass, panfish, carp, redfish, and bonefish
Has been called “The Contemplative Man’s Recreation,” by author Izaak Walton
Began in second century Rome by Claudius Aelianus
Uses colorful natural and artificial flies to lure the fish

Colorful Flies, Meditative and Artistic Sport

A look at fly fishing must include a collection of some of the amazing and intricate flies out there. Part of the sport is choosing or creating your fly with the hopes of luring your fish easily by looking like a small fish or bug. Many times feathers are used to imitate fins. From a search of the finest flies, here are some of the “fly”-est:

About Conscious Real Estate

When Conscious Real Estate was founded, we wanted to contribute to the good in humanity while providing knowledgeable and genuine real estate services. The Denver real estate market continues to fluctuate, yet our donations to the community have been continuous, the sign of a trusted relationship with our firm. We thank our clients deeply for choosing to work with us and for connecting us with some of the most incredible charitable organizations, such as Project Healing Waters.

We have a team of brokers and for this donation, our own Elizabeth “Ellie” Lord was the proud provider. Her client chose Project Healing Waters after volunteering with this organization and seeing the positive impact that it has on the people who they serve. Military personnel and veterans’ causes are important to us and are often chosen as the recipient of our donations. We are so honored to be able to give these charitable organizations the boost they need to keep doing what they’re doing. Project Healing Waters, thank you!

Know someone who is considering moving in the Denver area? Do they also love donating/volunteering/a good cause? Consider referring them to us or browsing our listings yourself. You can contact us at 303-908-9873 or send us a note here. We look forward to hearing from you!