Pictured: Judy and Earl holding NLP graduation gifts alongside Sara Fieldson, Northern Colorado Clinical Director
Judy & Earl Smith
Judy and Earl have been donors and volunteers for over eight years, including serving breakfast at FCRM and making gifts for New Life Program (NLP) graduates.
What is one of your favorite memories from your involvement with us?
Earl: There was a young man, Graham, who sat at our table at an event at Harvest Farm, and he gave a speech. There wasn’t a dry eye in the whole place. He said he lived out of a cardboard box for two years. This was a young man, and the last we heard of him, he had a job for a long time as a product manager at Gullies.
Judy: I went to Gullies and I asked, “Is Graham still there?” And they said he was there for a while, but he got a better job. And I thought, “God bless him.”
What inspires you to make gifts for NLP graduates?
Judy: I just think about these guys and what they have gone through. I’m a quilter; I have a lot of fabric, so I thought, “I’m going to use my fabric and make a canvas with it.” Each one has a different verse that I love on it. I also like to know their first name so that I can put that on the front and I have a note for each one, so it is personal from me. All I need is for them to see that somebody cares. And I know that they are going to have their own apartment or something, so I include a nail with it so they can put it up in their apartment.
How has your involvement impacted you personally?
Earl: When I look at these men, I think, “I’ve never had to pull through a struggle like they have had to.” Every day of the week we pray for a different charity or organization that we love.
Judy: On Mondays we pray for Harvest Farm and Fort Collins Rescue Mission. I see homelessness everywhere, and I just think of the blessings God has given me. I just need to help those who want the help, and if they want it, I’ll be there.
This post is part of October’s Changing Lives Newsletter. This month, we’re sharing Joe’s story of discovering a door to a brighter future in: The Track to Stability.
