When I moved to Denver several years ago, I’d often walk from my Lower Highlands neighborhood to my job downtown. Many days I’d spot homeless people sleeping by the banks of the Platte River or over steam grates in LoDo. Having lived most of my life in small Florida cities, I’d seen the occasional panhandler, but nothing like the chronically homeless that dotted the downtown Denver landscape.

Shortly thereafter, I learned about Denver’s Road Home. A signature initiative of Mayor John Hickenlooper, Denver’s Road Home (DRH) established a 10-year plan for ending homelessness in the community. Noble and ambitious, I thought – but virtually impossible, right? Wrong.

With my doubts soundly intact, I decided to get involved. After facilitating a meeting with DRH’s executive director, I volunteered my marketing communications experience to help drive awareness and fundraise for the effort. My assignment: the Denver’s Road Home annual fundraiser, a PJ Party hosted by Mayor Hickenlooper.  I was beyond thrilled. In addition to helping men, women and children who desperately need our support, I’d get to work with a cross section of movers and shakers from Denver’s public, private and government sectors.

In the three years that I’ve been involved with the PJ Party, we’ve not only raised more than $1.5 million and significantly reduced chronic homelessness – we’ve also raised public awareness of a critical issue and garnered unprecedented support from Denver’s civic and business communities. Personally, I’ve gained an invaluable network that continues to deliver opportunity, from generating business and sharpening my skills to creating long-lasting friendships. It’s an investment of time and talents from which I’ll continue to reap rewards for a long, long time.

So why share this story? It’s an illustration of what dovetail solutions and our focus on strategic community investment is all about. When you leverage your strengths for the betterment of the community, it’s not only personally rewarding, it can bring business to your doorstep. So get out there and get involved!