A Stronger Cord

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A Stronger Cord

Encouraging displaced men to build a stronger cord to their families, purpose and communities. ASC’s trying to change that by saying, “Hey, let’s come together.

ASC’s philosophy is real simple, We make the statement that we’re too divided, need to come together and build a stronger cord to one another. We have to rise up and come up with creative solutions to the challenges we face. In America today, we have a big problem with too many isolated, vulnerable and displaced brethren. Get a little exercise, get to know one another better and then look around a

nd say, ‘Let’s go help those folks.’” Simple, not easy. We try and encourage anybody who will listen to the seriousness of the times. We need to encourage one another to become more fit, connected and giving. Healthier in mind, body and spirit. Individually and collectively. We all win when that happens.

11/07/2025

At first it was just a perception. After a bit of consistency it became a pattern. After long time study, it’s become a problem. My faith says “Do not judge” but it’s tough.

What the hell are you talking about? Let me explain.

More than 17 months post-transplant and a new lease expertly provided by excellent medical treatments and one incredible woman/soul mate sharing a spare and saving this dude’s life?

Americans need to be friendlier to one another.

After 17 months of daily early-morning neighborhood walks alongside others out and about walking dogs, drinking coffee and visiting? When passing others? I always say hello. I dunno, it’s just me but it seems weird to walk past another human and not say hello.

Rarely does anyone return the welcoming gesture. I don’t know if it’s fear of the crazy-looking and fast walking dude who stops occasionally. Why? To stop and drop, stretched the back, work the upper body with push ups and lower with squats. Darling wifey calls it, “Mark’s Workout Walk.” It’s a good description.

A vast majority stare straight ahead. Don’t even make eye contact. Often, staring down at their phones. Like ships passing in the night. Don’t know if that’s good for us. Our nation is divided. Government shut down. State and federal vital services disrupted. Stressful times. It’s reflected everywhere.

And then here comes the good news. Victory’s A Stronger Cord program absolutely feels blessed to work closely with the Denver Rescue Mission. For more than decade, ASC’s “Comeback Coaches” have walked beside men in the mission’s New Life Program.

We like to joke, “Hey, we all got our story. It doesn’t matter if we’re Black, White, Brown; live in a mission, mansion, on Main Street or behind it. We need each other. We can’t go it alone.”

King Solomon long ago said something still vibrating your scribe’s “Iron string within.” It’s become the spiritual foundation to an 11-year effort alongside DRM to lessen the impact of homelessness. “One will be overpowered, two can defend themselves but a cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

Walking past person after person who stare straight ahead unable to engage in civil manners. We wonder why things are a mess. We can do better. A good place to start is building a stronger cord to one another and showing others a little grace. Have a good weekend. SWOCE!™

09/26/2025

It’s impossible when the calendar hits Friday not to think of departed friend and mentor Bill McCartney. The Hall of Fame football coach passed in January. Two “Mac’s” used to spend Fridays together in his final years.

We had much in common besides our nicknames: A love of God, family, football and juicy cheeseburgers. So many of the phrases that roll off the tongue these days originate from the only coach to ever lead the Colorado Buffaloes to a national title back in 1990: “Charge from the foxhole.” Or, “Take it to the bank and hang your hat on it.” When seeing someone nattily dressed, “It’s hard to hide money” and my favorite, “Good, better and best, never let it rest.”

I miss him a lot.

Another favorite of a guy from Detroit who attended the University of Missouri-Columbia on a football scholarship - another common trait - was this: “When strung together, do you know the four most important words in the English language?” Your scribe would feign ignorance before Billy Mac from Hackensack would bellow with eyes wide and nostrils flaring, “I BELIEVE IN YOU!”

Which takes this musing to A Stronger Cord's work with the Denver Rescue Mission and fellas in its New Life Program. We had a blast Wednesday evening enjoying the food and fellowship at the first "Littleton Long Table" event.

Organizers shut down the city’s idyllic Main Street and had a big ol’ party. A 5,000-foot table meant to foster belonging and connection to every human in the city. Mission accomplished.

ASC believes in these men working hard in the year-long NLP program. We love to walk beside them, build a relationship and earn their trust. All the while encouraging dudes of all ages and backgrounds to build a stronger cord to their families, purpose and communities.

We all win when that happens. America has too many displaced men. Women and families too but especially men. It’s a visible problem and quite complex to lessen its impact. ASC's Comeback Coaches believe in keeping it simple: Walk beside the men and help them build new social networks littered with "Positrons" who have their best interests at heart.

We're always looking for additional mentors. Interested? Let me know.

Be like William Paul McCartney and “Coach ‘em up a bit.” It starts with four simple but powerful words, “I believe in you.” Don’t be afraid to use that phrase often today. It might be the catalyst that changes the direction of another’s life. SWOCE!™

05/25/2025

What a fun time celebrating, the one and only, "Everywhere Abe's" birthday last night at a fun spot, Helgas. Tasty German food. Abe's 46 years old, third from right, and doing great. The Lamar native's been hanging around A Stronger Cord activities for a long time.

In fact, the knucklehead has a business card that reads he's the Chief Knucklehead's - me - "Right-hand man."

So much fun celebrating friendships and relationships. It was a night good for the soul. Happy B-day Abe. Keep being you buddy!

05/23/2025

Eight men sat around a conference table for their usual Friday morning of encouraging one another to grow spiritually. Ya know, the ol’ “Iron sharpens iron” philosophy. The facilitator asked a simple question: “If you’re not taking risks do you have faith?”

A few days later, one proud father watched with ample admiration as his daughter inspired men in the Denver Rescue Mission’s New Life Program to believe the future, despite a rough past, holds endless promise.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fridays-mac-rachel-risked-mark-mcintosh-48fbc

05/06/2025

The Denver Rescue Mission has an excellent program for displaced men called the "New Life Program." A Stronger Cord's been working with the mission for more than a decade in walking beside these men, earning their trust, building them new social networks and getting the fellas involved in community service.

ASC believes those criteria are critical to helping these men build a stronger cord to their families, purpose and communities. A real highlight this past Saturday as we joined the Denver Dream Center in serving others? Jordan, far right with wife Lauren and dog Bailey, a Bernedoodle, joined us for Service Saturday.

Men who have walked in the shoes of the current Mission guys ASC's trying to help? The most powerful testimony available to inspire men to embrace our "More giving, connected and fit" philosophy that are the roots of the ASC program.

Jordan, thanks for joining us. You're a wonderful example to these men that, "If this guy can do it? I can too!"

03/16/2025

A Stronger Cord loves serving those the Denver Dream Center
serves on Saturdays. Throw in the great fellas from Ascent Church in Evergreen? It was an amazing day hanging out with families living in a public-housing community on Denver's near-west side.

The men in the Denver Rescue Mission's New Life Program benefit when helping others and building solid social networks with character-driven men like Ascent's. Many of the men on the comeback trail have children too. It's cool to see them engage in such a healthy and productive way.

They receive much. A chance to give sure puts smiles on their faces and warmth in their hearts.

03/09/2025

It's heartwarming to see men do what men need to do more often: Gather.

We dudes tend to slink off into our caves when things aren't going as planned. It's not good. Our minds play tricks on us. That's true of everyone.

Since day one more than a decade ago, A Stronger Cord's fundamental philosophy is, "One will be overpowered, two can defend themselves but a cord of three strands (or seven in this case) is not easily broken.

Grateful the Denver Rescue Mission welcomes ASC to work with men in its New Life Program. Here's a bunch of fellas gathering yesterday. Our mission is to build relationships, earn trust and encourage the dudes to build a stronger cord to their families, purpose and communities.

We lessen the impact of homelessness in Denver. We all win when that happens!

02/26/2025

Your scribe has known this dude about 20 years. We passionately share much in common: Faith, golf, sports, humor and a tender heart for others to name just a handful.

My buddy Jim Escobedo spoke yesterday to guys in the Denver Rescue Mission's New Life Program who hang around A Stronger Cord activities.

This good man spoke about forgiveness and how it released him from the shackles of bitterness. Letting go.

Challenging task for some, including many of these guys who when you hear their stories? Holy smokes. ASC's real passionate about encouraging these men to learn from past trauma, often at the hands of a family member, and turn the pain into purpose. Jimmy did it well growing up with nine siblings, mom and dad a poor kid in LA.

ASC believes these guys can as well. Yesterday, as we closed as a team, we shouted to the rooftops, "Forgiveness." Jimmy, thanks for sharing your story. It was awesome!

02/23/2025

One of the highlights each week is A Stronger Cord's Service Saturdays. Fellas on the comeback trail in the Denver Rescue Mission's New Life Program and ASC Comeback Coaches wander around the metro area helping others.

These two guys, Tony and Mark, are constant participants. Love these guys. Yesterday an elderly man living alone had fallen behind on basic chores around the house. The ASC Knuckleheads swooped in and helped out a bit.

Never grow weary of good works for others. It's good for the recipient and even better for the giver. If your group ever needs help on a Saturday? Let me know!

Address

Box 6106
Denver, CO
80206

Website

http://www.astrongercord.org/

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