A Stronger Cord

Home
United States
Denver, CO
A Stronger Cord

Directions Website Contact the organization

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 and 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!

Address

Box 6106
Denver, CO
80206

Website

http://www.astrongercord.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when A Stronger Cord posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.