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Vision for 2025

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Thank you for your support! Whether you’ve supported a teacher affirmation event, been a tutor, helped with “Love Lakewood Day” or supported this work financially or prayerfully you are a BIG DEAL! Thanks!

What is Lakewood Connects (LWC) focused on in 2025?

1) Enhance the philosophy and plan of Faith/Church as a community-healer. For 19 years Reg has supported, designed and lead faith-heals-community programs such as;

a. After school tutoring programs

b. Neighborhood community parties/connection events

c. Faith support for Community Resource Centers at underserved schools

d. Faith sponsored teacher appreciation events at underserved schools

e. Faith support for underserved school events, PTA’s and educator needs

f. Faith partnership with city health programs/teams

g. Faith partnership with nonprofit organizations who serve the city well

h. (see Collective Impact notes below)

We believe that a church exists to bring healing to their local community by developing partnerships with residents and organizations in order to build goodwill and health. We think this is key to advancing the Gospel. For examples check out: https://lakewoodconnects.org/blog/

In 2025 Reg will expand 2 pastor cohorts to 4 for prayer, community impact success and friendship.

2) Building the philosophy and application of Collective Impact . Collective Impact “brings people together in a structured way to achieve social change.” https://collectiveimpactforum.org/ How does this work? https://ssir.org/articles/entry/collective_impact

Collective Impact unites Business, Education, Government and Faith to recognize and find solutions to city needs. We believe society’s challenges are solvable when we work together! Examples:

a. Help Business/government/education leaders build leader resilience through mentoring

b. Build and connect pastor cohorts to local service, diminish competition and expand impact

c. Support the city of Lakewood’s “All American City” presentation plan and presentation.

d. Co-lead a community leader Bible Study designed to strengthen leaders.

e. Recognized as the “go-to-guy” for collaborative program design serving needs in the city

For examples peruse the https://lakewoodconnects.org/blog/ for stories about business partners!

In 2025 Reg will support Leadership Mentoring programs, Pastor Cohorts and citywide collaboration.

3) Support “community center” vision . As school districts close schools a great opportunity opens! East Community Center https://littletonpublicschools.net/ecc is an example how this is a positive change!

Developing a community center in a closed school building involves seeking community input and linking nonprofit partners to offer services to increase thriving and flourishing for physical, mental and social needs. This could include senior adult services, child care, tutoring, health assessments, counseling, food services support and dozens of other programs. We are excited to support this vision in our city that has worked well in other places! Stay tuned in 2025 for more info!

Snapshots of Summer with Lakewood Connects

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A Season of Rhythms-They say, our habits form us! The things we do day after day, year after year are what we become. Lakewood Connects is making the habit of showing up, supporting others, gathering, connecting, appreciating, dreaming about what is possible, partnering, giving credit away and building relationships. Here are some snapshots of what we are becoming!

May 2 – Jeffco Schools Foundation Gala-Lakewood Connects and Benefits in Action purchased a table to support the Foundation. City Council woman, CCU education professor and a pastor joined us. You advance good by supporting others!

May 15 – Power of Partnership-Reg presenting to over 60 faith, nonprofit and government leaders on using “Care Portal” a tool linking community needs to those who want to financially meet verified opportunities. The Power of Partnership builds collaboration across all of Jefferson County so that the faith community and government can serve side by side.

May 24 – Appreciating Teachers at FHE-Lakewood Connects and Thrivent Financial set up teachers and staff at Foothills Elementary with an Old Chicago end-of-the-year party complete with finger food and treats. Their appreciation was electric! We are inspired when others believe in the work we do.

May 29 – Building CRC’s with Serve Spot Lakewood-Lakewood Connects is partnering with Serve Spot Lakewood on a program to support the Community Resource Center at Westgate Elementary this year. When we make it easy for families to connect with resources everyone wins! Stay tuned for more info!

June 6 – Jeffco Prosperity Partners Graduation-Yearly 30+ families who start at a place of desperation “graduate” from needing government support and start to thrive and flourish. When we celebrate the small wins we have courage to dream big! Lakewood Connects is a vibrant supporter of Jeffco Prosperity Partners!

June 7-9 Lakewood’s All American City Award presentation-Reg served on the City of Lakewood’s All American City presentation team for the second time. Lakewood received a “runner up” recognition as one of 20 cities across America that is leading the way in collaboration.

June 25 – Envision Lakewood – Housing and Economy study group-The City of Lakewood asks city leaders to serve on groups to study and recommend plans for future development. Reg served on the Housing and Economic study group. Showing up matters!

July 7 – Southwest Community Church Ministry Fair-Southwest Community is a solid partner church serving the Westgate Elementary neighborhood in dozens of ways. Their “ministry fair” features over 30 different “community service” options to members. When churches partner with their local schools communities change!

July 26 – Hosting a table at the Longer Tables 528 dinner event-Longer Tables hosts groups of 100 neighbors to a night of dinner and connection. Reg and Amy hosted a table during a summer event where 528 strangers met for a dinner downtown. It was amazing! We are better together!

July 31 – August 8, Cox’s trip to Hawaii!-The Cox family got to spend a week in Kauai together enjoying connection, love and some amazing Hawaii beach activities! Relationships are our anchor!

August 10 – Supporting “Love Lakewood Day” at the “Jeffco Back to school Bash”-Reg represented Love Lakewood Day at the huge Back to School Bash as Jeffco stadium where over 50 groups met with over 1000 families and students!

August 14 – Abundant Ground event at Revive Church Arvada-Reg brought several Lakewood church leaders to an event examining how a church transformed into a mulit-use facility serving 1000’s of families and affordable housing on their campus. This is the way of the future.

September 4 – Foothills PTA-For 15 years Reg and Amy have supported the Foothills Elementary PTA from a size of “2” to now 35 members! Lakewood Connects now has non-parent PTA members at 3 schools! Seeds that are watered grow!

September: Sheridan Shepherd’s prayer-Reg is now grouping pastors in areas of the city for times of prayer. The “Sheridan Shepherd’s” are pastors of churches along the Sheridan corridor who now enjoy rich connection, hope and partnership! We are better together!

September 12 – School Board commendation-Lakewood Connects was recognized for over 15 years of partnership building and program development at over 20 schools reaching and serving something like 40,000 students and families over these years.

September 19 – Recovery Works/Supporting programs for the Unhoused-Reg serves on the Healthy Alliance linking Government and private health organizations. A program success is a Navigation Center (day only) serving the homeless in Lakewood on Colfax. Collaboration moves our community forward in compassion!