Join Us for Summer Fun and Community Events This July!
July 2025
Together, We Thrive
Hello Friends,
I know it’s hard to believe, but we have officially crossed the halfway mark for 2025!
Perhaps it is because we celebrate Independence Day this month, but I think for
most of us, July truly screams “Summer Is Finally Here”! And, if that’s not enough, did you know that July is recognized for many observances that also scream summer, including:
National Family Reunion Month
National Grilling Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Ice Cream Month
National Make a Difference to Children Month
National Parks and Recreation Month
National Picnic Month
National Vacation Rental Month
National Watermelon Month
Whew! I’m guessing there is at least one thing each of us loves to do in the summer included in that list. And there’s tons to do in and around Denver as well! Check out this list at Visit Denverand I hope you will all make time to engage in many safe summer fun activities this month.
At Southwest Improvement Council, we are preparing for our first summer BBQ event for our older adult program participants on July 11 th ! We are truly excited about this and if you or your business would like to be a sponsor, that would be wonderful, and we will definitely give you a Shout Out everywhere we can!
We are also planning our first annual fundraising event! Please Save-The-Date for Thursday, August 21st and join us for Aprons & Appetizers! More information, including sponsorship opportunities, will be delivered to your in-boxes soon!
Please reach out to me any time about either of these events and ways you can support our mission and those we serve in Southwest Denver.
Until next month, I hope you enjoy lots of fun July hours grilling hot dogs with your children at your family reunion picnic in your favorite national park, while you stay and play at a wonderful vacation rental and enjoy lots and lots of ice cream and watermelon!
July 16: Oyate (All the People) Native American Elder Event
July 19: Homebuyer Education
July 24: Asian Older Adult Event
July 25: Councilwoman Torres Visits SWIC
July 26: Homebuyer Education Class
July 29: Food Pantry Distribution
SWIC Services and Resources
OLDER ADULT SERVICES
PROGRAMS &
ACTIVITIES
SWIC partners with Volunteers of America (VOA) and Denver Regional Counsel on Governments (DRCOG) to provide opportunities for social engagement, physical activity, and healthy nutritional support. From arts and crafts to woodworking, chair yoga, music, and more, there's something for everyone. All activities are free, please reach out via telephone at 303.934.2181 for more info. Check out the link below to see what we have going on in May:
SWIC is also a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved housing counseling agency offering free counseling services. SWIC has been providing Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) sponsored homebuyer education classes since 2017. The class is held once a month at the SWIC Dining & Activity Center. There's no charge to attend. Upcoming classes are (Saturdays) July 26, August 16, and September 20. Here's more info:
The Denver Metro Area can be prone to severe weather, especially in the summer months of July and August. Homeowners should be financially prepared for incidents such as hail and windstorms which have the potential to inflict substantial damage to your roofs, gutters, siding, and windows. While insurance providers are available to assist in such circumstances, the increasing frequency of severe storms in the Denver Metro area has prompted insurers to incorporate new strategies into their homeowner policies.
Severe weather statistics provided by Stormersite.com show that the Denver Metro area reported over forty hailstorms in 2023, which resulted in a significant increase in replacement and repairs of roofs, gutters, siding, and windows.
Insurance providers are expecting more severe storms may be on the horizon over the next couple of years by adding hail and wind deductibles to their customer policies. These deductibles can range from 1 to 2% of the homes insured value to help with the increase cost of building materials, and labor that has occurred the past couple of years. If the home’s insured value were $350,000 that would mean you would need to pay $3,500 for a 1% insured value deductible. If your deductible is 2% of $350,000, you would have to pay $7,000 for your policy to kick in to cover the remaining costs of the repairs or replacement.
This is why having savings in place for your home is so important, in addition to sticking to a budget so that you can live comfortably within your means while being prepared financially for unexpected expenses.
For further guidance, I offer housing counseling services for both pre-purchase and post-purchase situations, as well as support for those facing challenges with delinquent mortgages or unaffordable payments.
6 Common Houseplant Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Bringing greenery indoors is a great way to brighten your space and boost your mood, but
keeping houseplants healthy can be trickier than it seems. Even well-meaning plant parents often make simple mistakes that lead to drooping leaves or worse. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, avoiding these common pitfalls will help your plants thrive and your indoor jungle flourish.
1. Overwatering
Problem: Most people give plants “too much love” via excess water.
Fix: Check the soil moisture first - use your finger or a moisture meter. If the top inch is dry, it’s time to water. Stick to a watering schedule.
2. Wrong Light
Problem: Mismatching plant needs with available light.
Fix: Know your window orientation (South = bright, North = low light). Choose plants suited to your space, not the other way around.
3. Too Much Fertilizer
Problem: Overfeeding, especially in winter, can burn roots.
Fix: Fertilize lightly - monthly during the growing season (spring–summer). Skip it when plants are dormant.
4. Letting Plants Get Rootbound
Problem: Rootbound = less soil, water, and nutrients.
Fix: Repot when you see ~75% roots and 25% soil. Use a slightly larger pot.
5. Incorrect Potting Mix
Problem: The wrong soil dries out too fast or lacks nutrients.
Fix: Use a general-purpose mix unless your plant needs a specialty blend (e.g., cactus, orchid). Consider repotting after purchase.
6. Not Matching Plant to Personality
Problem: Choosing high-maintenance plants without the time or interest.
Fix: Be honest about your lifestyle. Low-maintenance options: snake plant, pothos. High maintenance: ferns, calatheas.
Pro tip: Pick plants to complement your home and your habits!
In our May newsletter, we shared tips for perfect white rice. Today, we're featuring a
delicious Thai Chicken Satay. This Asian-style skewer dish is made moist and flavorful by
marinating the chicken in coconut milk and spices. For this version, we've skipped the
skewers for safety, making it perfect for seniors. This recipe serves 6-8 people.
Ingredients
For Chicken Satay:
2.5 – 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
1 can coconut milk
2 1⁄2 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 1⁄2 tablespoons turmeric powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
For Peanut Sauce:
1⁄2 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon roasted chili paste
3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
For Cucumber Relish:
2 cucumbers, cut into thin quarters
2⁄3 cup shallots, sliced thinly
2⁄3 cup shredded carrots
1⁄2 small red chili pepper, sliced thinly
1⁄2 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup sugar
1⁄4 cup white vinegar
Instructions
For Chicken Satay:
1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 20-30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes (about 1 inch each). Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine coconut milk, curry powder, salt, and sugar. Add chicken and mix until thoroughly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or up to a few days.
4. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers (4-5 pieces per skewer), ensuring they are bunched up to prevent drying out on the grill.
5. Grill skewers over low heat for 5-6 minutes per side, until chicken is cooked through.
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Add water to achieve desired consistency. Adjust acidity and spiciness to taste.
For Cucumber Relish:
In a small pot, mix salt, sugar, and vinegar. Bring it to a boil, stirring regularly, then simmer until it reaches a light syrup consistency. Remove from heat and let cool.
In case you missed the May article about one of our awesome SWIC Participants, It's quite a Memoir
SENAIDA'S STORY
Facing Adversity with Courage and Hope!
What happens when the very systems that are in place to help are broken? For someone like Senaida, falling through the cracks becomes a way of life.
THE JOURNEY
Senaida was born in Fort Collins in 1946. At the age of eight, she and her five siblings were taken from their mother and sent in different directions. For Senaida, the burden of growing up long before her time began at a state home and training center in Grand Junction.
Even though she attended school during her time there, she was also responsible for ten other children, most of whom were babies. Food was provided, but Senaida shouldered the burden of caring for these children, including changing diapers, feeding, bathing and bedtime rituals. She took great care in her duties, assuming an adult role in their lives. But the child within Senaida still found small ways to exist through friendship with a young girl named Alice, who gave her candy through the fence when they were outside. They were the same age and soon became best friends, until one day, Alice didn’t come to the fence anymore.
“I was responsible for ten kids and cared for them like they were my own.”
Follow this link to hear how she ended up at SWIC enjoying her life today: Senaida's Story
THANK YOU!
Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on funds from individuals, foundations and businesses in our community that enable us to continue providing our dedicated programs and services.
Did you know that SWIC is eligible to receive Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)? In most cases, you can make a grant directly from your DAF account to SWIC via electronic funds transfer. Please contact Donna Zimmerman for more information @ donnaz@swic-denver.org
THANK YOU to all of those who have supported SWIC in the past, who currently do, and who would like to! If you, your business or organization would like to support SWIC through volunteering, product donation, or financial contribution, please reach out to us, we truly appreciate you and consider you part of our SWIC family!
THANK YOU TO OUR
SWIC PARTNERS!
SWIC-Denver | 5045 W 1st Avenue | Denver, CO 80219 US
