A Stronger Cord
ANGELO ROYBAL, 39, was a homeless drug
addict. He was following a “bad way of life,”
as he calls it. Then, six months ago, sober and
living at The Crossing, a transitional residential program of the Denver Rescue Mission, he
discovered A Stronger Cord ( seekvictory.com).
This Denver-based organization strives to
get the down-and-out, the isolated and the
addicted back on track to healthy, productive,
connected lives with strong connections,
through group exercise. Roybal now works out
SERVE 6. 8 ( serve68.org), a nonprofit organization in Fort Collins, Colorado, consisting of a
small paid staff, interns and volunteers, has
logged in over 70,000 hours since its inception
in 2012. Whether it’s doing yardwork for the
elderly, giving food to families in need or providing support to those experiencing financial
challenges, Serve 6. 8 is there devoting the time
and energy to help.
SERVE 6. 8 (the name is inspired by two
Bible passages: Micah 6: 8 and Isaiah 6: 8)
began as an outreach ministry of a local church.
Its mission statement is “People serving our
community to demonstrate God’s love in tan-
gible ways to people in Northern Colorado
with no strings attached.” Costco member,
communications director and co-founder Kari
Stewart says, “SERVE 6. 8 wants to show they
care through actions, not by proselytizing.”
The SERVE 6. 8 Resource Center is a col-
laborative effort with other local churches.
They assist those facing financial hardship and
crisis by providing food, clothing and resources,
all in one location.
One example is “Jane,” who worked at a
low-paying job and was about to lose her
regularly with like-minded men (and a few
women) with varied histories, ranging from
impoverished childhoods to white-collar pro-
fessionals who made poor choices.
Their mentor is Costco member Mark
McIntosh, a motivational speaker and active
volunteer at the Denver Rescue Mission. Most
of the 250-plus homeless participants come
from the mission, which enforces sobriety in
exchange for its residential program.
McIntosh calls participants (including
himself) “knuckleheads.” “We’re all knuckle-
heads,” he says, chuckling. “Just come as you
are and don’t leave as you were.” McIntosh
founded A Stronger Cord in June 2014 with
partner and Costco member Jerry Brown, a
photojournalist who makes videos for the
organization.
“I was volunteering at the
mission,” recalls McIntosh,
“and wanted to give society’s
isolated groups ‘a stronger
cord’ through group exercise,
to get reconnected to their
families, their communities
and to their purpose in life.”
Led by volunteers and
funded by donations, the orga-
nization holds group exercise
sessions four times weekly at
Phoenix Multisport and the
Denver Union Baptist Church,
which donate their gyms.
They also work on community
service projects together after
the workouts.
home. She went to the Resource Center seeking help. They were able to provide the
remainder of the rent so she
could keep her home and they
found her a better-paying job.
“I could not even imagine
where I would be now if the
Resource Center was not able
to help me and point me in
the right direction,” she says.
SERVE 6. 8 volunteers
have also gone into the community to focus on the needs
of single moms, the elderly,
the disabled, widows and
disaster survivors. Over the
years they have helped with
a variety of tasks, including
moving, roof repairs, flooring, handyman work and
yardwork. John Lochard, a
volunteer, says, “It is such
a great feeling to be able to
help others in need. My experience with SERVE 6. 8 has been nothing short of
amazing.”—Kerrie Flanagan
“We are helping these guys get stronger
—mentally, spiritually and physically,”
McIntosh says. “This is a wellness move-
ment. We invite all to join us to work out, hang
out and help out. The workout is just the
warm-up to better fitness, relationships and
communities.”
Roybal agrees. “A Stronger Cord is an
inspiration, a brand-new way of life for me. I
had never exercised before. It’s been a bless-
ing to me: the camaraderie, the bonding and
working out together.”
—Irene Middleman Thomas
No strings attached
Mark McIntosh (center) with a
group of A Stronger Cord
“knuckleheads.”
Volunteers clean up the remnants of a
house after a 2012 wildfire in Colorado.
remainder of the rent so she
could keep her home and they
“I could not even imagine
where I would be now if the
to help me and point me in
help others in need. My experience with SERVE 6. 8 has been nothing short of
In our digital editions
Click here for a short video about
SERVE 6. 8. (See page 14 for
details.)
IRENE MIDDLEMAN THOMAS
SERVE 6. 8
