Programs we're building.
Every program starts with the same idea: two people sharing everyday life as friends. Here's what we plan to offer as we launch our first matches in Fort Collins, and the support we hope to give every friendship.
Friendship with structure.
Our model pairs a volunteer with a person who has a spinal cord injury to share everyday life: cooking, errands, outings, and time at home. It isn't a care service and it isn't a job. It's a friendship with training, support, and a clear plan behind it. None of these programs is running yet. We're raising funds and building partnerships now, and we'll start small, because we'd rather grow deeply than quickly.
Cooking together, eating well.
Cooking together is at the center of every friendship we plan to support. After a spinal cord injury, everyday food affects energy, digestion, skin health, and long-term heart health, and making meals is one of the daily activities people most often lose. Volunteers and their friends will cook together using recipe and ingredient kits from around the world, sharing dishes from the volunteer's home and discovering new ones. As we grow, we hope to bring friends together for community meals.
Making college possible.
For a student with a spinal cord injury, getting up, getting to class, and making meals can take more support than a campus can offer. We hope to match CSU students with spinal cord injuries with volunteers who share a home and everyday life, so school becomes possible. We plan to work with rehabilitation professionals and partners like Craig Hospital to reach students who could benefit.
Ways to volunteer
-
![An older man using a wheelchair and a young woman folding dumplings together at a kitchen table]()
From Around the World
Volunteers from many countries, often from cultures with deep traditions of community support, who come to Fort Collins to share a home, meals, and everyday life with a friend.
-
![Four people planning together around a dining table covered with notes, one using a wheelchair]()
Student Fellows
Students in public health, occupational therapy, and nursing who want real community experience. Some will share everyday life with a friend; others will help us learn what works, from meals to quality of life.
-
![Four friends sharing drinks at an outdoor patio table with mountains behind them, one using a wheelchair]()
Colorado Neighbors
Not every volunteer needs to travel far. Neighbors here in Northern Colorado can share meals, outings, and projects with someone in their own community.
-
![A man and a woman using a wheelchair looking over a trail map together at a picnic table near the mountains]()
Short First Visits
A shorter first stay lets a volunteer and their new friend get to know each other before planning a longer match together.
Support we plan to provide
-
![Three women laughing and kneading dough together at a wooden table, one using a wheelchair]()
Cooking Kits and Shared Meals
Recipe and ingredient kits from around the world for every pair of friends, plus supplies for community meals that bring everyone to the same table.
-
![A man in a power wheelchair and a young woman working together on a laptop at a table]()
Support for Students
Help with the costs that make school possible, for CSU students with spinal cord injuries and for the student volunteers who share their days.
-
![A man using a wheelchair walking a park path with two friends and a golden retriever, aspen trees and mountains behind them]()
Preparation and Check-ins
Training for every volunteer before a match begins, regular check-ins with both friends, and someone to call whenever questions come up.
-
![Four friends painting together at a table, one using a brush holder on a hand cuff]()
Sponsor a Friendship
Each volunteer will share their story, in their own words, on a page of their own. Many people giving what they can will cover the cost of one friendship. Let us know if you'd like to hear when the first one goes live.
