This soundbite from Fr. Woody, the founder of Catholic Charities Samaritan House Homeless Shelter, has stuck with me ever since I heard it a few months ago:

“No human being wants to go down and live under a bridge the rest of his life and drink his life away. Something happened. And when that something happens we lose something in us and we believe that we’re not going to pull ourselves back up. That’s why we need one another.” -Fr. Woody, founder, Samaritan House

The downtown Denver Samaritan House homeless shelter and the other Sam House shelters in Colorado (including the brand new women’s shelter in North Denver which opened, in part, because of money raised by Team Samaritan House Cycling) are beyond compare when it comes to helping our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness regain their self worth, get stable work, and get into their own housing.

Samaritan House does AMAZING work and asks only two questions when people arrive: 1) Hi, how are you? and 2) How can we help?

Individuals or families who move into the residential program at Sam House are given help with job skills training, counseling, and optional spiritual guidance. The success rates for getting those who are experiencing homelessness back out on their own are truly remarkable. If you’d ever like to come down and see Sam House and help prepare and serve dinner or otherwise help out or get a tour, please let me know!

My unlce Tom Dea taught me that sometimes just calling a person by their first name or extending a hand or a hug might be the first time in a very, very long time someone experiencing homelessness has heard their name aloud or has even been touched at all. Literally reaching out goes a long way!

For the eighth consecutive year, Team Samaritan House Cycling will bike 450 miles across the Rocky Mountains in June to raise funds to help those in our city who are experiencing homelessness. This will be my fourth year with the team and third time riding the epic Ride the Rockies tour across the Colorado Mountains.

My uncles Tom Dea and Tim Dea got me started with cycling and riding for Team Samaritan House Cycling. Spending time with them and my unlce Dan Dea has been a great blessing for me.

I love everything about cycling. The challenge, the solitude, and the travel on two wheels is a spiritual motion that helps me stay in the present moment and live deliberately and fully. The riders who ride for Team Samaritan House are great role models and examples of men and women with and for others. I teach at Regis Jesuit High School and our mission for our community is to be committed to doing justice, loving, religious, and open to growth. My fellow Sam House Cycling teammates embody that mission daily and it brings brings me great joy to be with them and learn from them. The team started with six riders eight years ago. This year we are close to 80 members with around 50 cycling Ride the Rockies. The number continues to grow daily. If you’re interested in joining our team let me know! Our goal is to keep riding and raise one million dollars for Samaritan House Homeless Shelters.

I’m honored to help out such a beautiful organization. The top five reasons for homelessness in Denver are 1) drug and alcohol addiction, 2) domestic violence and abuse, 3) mental health issues, 4) loss of job, and 5) rising cost of rent.

Sometimes in our lives, we can all be just a step or two away from being in a very bad spot. Let’s help our brothers and sisters currently experiencing homelessness regain their self worth and get back into a stable situation!

I would be so grateful and truly honored if you would donate any amount all all to Samaritan House in my name. Your donation will go directly to Samaritan House Homeless Shelters.  

Thank you so much! Sending love to you and your families. - Adam