Testimonials - Urban Education Evaluation Quotes 2009

Group Leaders:

“The joy and gratitude received from those we help is memorable, but also the camaraderie between the participants and the realization that the experience of giving back is a feeling that can't adequately be described is cool, too. We not only give, but we receive, usually more than we give.”

“You folks are one of the most well organized groups I have worked with. I really enjoy that education is a large component of what you do; you don't see your volunteers simply as free labor, but an opportunity to "spread the word". It's well worth a person/group's time to participate. We'll be back!”
-Rod Stevens (West Des Moines, IA)

“It was a great week in so many ways. We connected with our students, building relationships that will continue, our students formed lasting bonds, we saw God at work in organizations, passions and people all over the place. We laughed hard and played hard and we are energized to bring what we learned home…It is exciting to think about the impact this trip will have in all of our lives, in ways we cannot even begin to imagine. That you again for an amazing week and such a broad view of the needs, challenges, and places of hope in Denver.
-Karla and Jeff (Cedar Falls, IA)

“I found hope at every turn and even within myself. This experience has been an eye opening, soul opening experience”
-Beth (Marshfield, MA)

Youth and Young Adults:

At DenUM I learned that “there are many reasons for homelessness and everyone is always a person first, everyone deserves to be loved. I can serve like I did in Denver in my own community.”
Brynn (Cedar Falls, IA)

In Denver, “I found hope in every smile, meal, and every conversation.”
Sam (Treynor, IA)

At DenUM, “I learned that we all have our own struggles and at the end of the day, all that matters is what we make of the things/blessings we have.”
Kristen (Mt. Vernon, IA)

“Care. Love. Serve. In places that need it. The need is there. I just need to find it.”
Derek (Jessup, IA)

At DenUM, “I learned that I love helping other people. Though they might look, act, live differently than I do, they are still people.”
Reanna (Eagle, CO)

At DenUM, “I learned to widen my eyes and take a chance with what may seem weird at first. The people I served were just amazing, and I have a totally different outlook.”
Sarah, 15 (Columbus, TX)

“I can make a difference!”
Bonnie, 18 (Columbus, TX)

“I relearned that I am truly blessed and gained a new perspective of homelessness and low-income people. I realized that there are many simple things that I can do to serve in my community and that many of the problems here are also present in my community.”
“The strength and joy that I witnessed in the different individuals at the King Adult Day Enrichment Program filled me with hope!”
Jessica, 18 (Townsend, MT)

“DenUM has awesome people who support the homeless and give them food. Going through this program you can learn some very important life lessons.”
Bailee, 13 (Townsend, MT)

“It was amazing to see how openly kind everyone was and just how far a smile can go!”
Will, 18 (Olathe, KS)

“I can make an impact on people’s lives. There are so many less fortunate that I am. We all can make a huge difference in someone’s life!”
Jerry, 14 (Kearney, NE)

“I learned that some people have really hard lives and mine is a blessing”
Kalie, 13 (Kearney, NE)

“I learned that strength is not physical or material but hope and a will to do good.”
“I learned that the people we helped live in my neighborhood and that I only ever needed to step out of my box to help them.”
Olivia, 15 (Marshfield, MA)

“I can really make a difference in the community and in the lives of others!”
Madi, 13 (Longmont, CO)

“I found hope in every single person I worked with this week! Every one of them had hope and proved to me that I need and can have hope also!”
-Megan, 17 (McPherson, KS)