We are celebrating the Month of Gratitude and have so much for which to be thankful! See more here!
Our Front Porch: Looking Back
Guest Blogger: Erin Stotts, OFP Board President
Heather, Erin, and Maggie at Our Front Porch
I remember going to the first Our Front Porch meeting in January 2014, a setting that many future meetings would include: Heather’s condo, guacamole, exciting ideas, a senior citizen pug, and a hundred different directions it could and should go. At that time, I would have never guessed the journey the next nearly six years would bring, and now that the first house is bought, it seems like an appropriate time to reflect on those years.
The first few years were filled with overwhelming amounts of excitement and energy. Evenings and weekends were spent thinking, dreaming and planning. Maggie and Heather’s knowledge and dedication were infectious, and they made it easy to want to spend my time with them and on this concept, something our community desperately needed.
The following few years I became less involved due to starting a new job, but I never once stopped believing in and giving as much time as I could to OFP. During this time, I realized that I could have never anticipated the copious amounts of grit and time it takes to get a start up off the ground. I was constantly impressed with Heather and Maggie for never once giving up, not even a little. In fact, they seemed to only push harder where anyone else would’ve thrown in the towel.
They are completely selfless in every sense of the word and that is why Our Front Porch is what it is today, an actual property that will serve hundreds of clients over the years. It has been truly inspiring to watch two people give everything to something that they don’t need and get essentially nothing in return for it. I know that in the years to come Denver will owe these two ladies a huge thank you for the amazing service they have brought to our community, and I feel very lucky to have been along for the ride all of these years.
The Complete Fire Safety Guide
In honor of Fire Prevention Week, we want to share this great resource that will help you to both prevent and prepare for a house fire. Stay safe!
Guest Blogger: Robert Dekanski, The Dekanski Home Selling Team
In 2017, one home fire occurred every 88 seconds in the United States, and about half of the insurance claims relating to fire were made by homeowners. That same year, 77% of all fire-related deaths occurred in the home. In Canada, 19,062 structural fires were reported in 2014. Around 75% of those fires were residential.
The power of fire should not be underestimated. When a fire occurs, occupants may have as little as 2 to 3 minutes to get out of the house before it’s too late. Home fires can reach temperatures of 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit (760 degrees Celsius). When a flashover fire occurs, windows shatter, oxygen is sucked from the room, and thick, toxic smoke fills the air. Given this, it’s obvious why fires are so deadly.
Understanding how to prevent house fires, and knowing how to stay safe in the event of a fire is something every property owner, head of household or parent should consider. Here’s what you need to know – Read The Complete Fire Safety Guide Here.
Last Call for Volunteers!
Check out our latest Newsletter for info on volunteering at the OFP house and an upcoming Undie Drive!
Want to give some Labor Day love? Click here for our latest newsletter and info on how you can sign up to help!
Beyond the Lights and Sirens – An Emergency Manager’s Perspective
Guest Blogger: Dr. Enessa Janes, Community Resilience Coordinator
When people hear the words “disaster” or “emergency management,” they typically think about first responders (police, EMTs, or firefighters) or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Although these groups are crucial to response efforts, when it comes time for families and communities to begin recovery, it takes a diverse group of partners and expertise to be successful.
