Danicka Thomas’ car was on its last leg.
For weeks, the Denver resident asked her neighbors for rides or spent hundreds of dollars on ride-shares. With six children who all needed to be in different places at varying times, Thomas said public transportation wasn’t a viable option.
She needed a car — a real, working car.
Finally, last month, she caught a ride to a concert at Clement Park, and then drove home in a new car.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Thomas said. “ … I’m beyond words.”
On June 28, Golden-based nonprofit organization Hands of the Carpenter hosted a benefit concert to help Thomas and other single moms throughout the Denver area.
The faith-based nonprofit offers low-cost automotive services, including maintenance and placement, for working single moms. It serves clients in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties.
Hands of the Carpenter started in 2003 and has garages in Golden and Aurora. It plans to open a third in the Federal Heights area this fall, Founder Dan Georgopulos said.
In 2022, it served 355 families. Last year, after opening the Aurora garage, it served 609.
Georgopulos added that Hands of the Carpenter had helped more than 400 families so far in 2024, and believed the third garage would enable it to serve even more clients than 2023.
“We know there’s a lot of need in the northern Denver area,” he said, adding that the Federal Heights garage will be the largest of the three, with eight bays total.
As its operations expand, Georgopulos hoped the nonprofit’s clients, volunteers and other supporters would continue to spread the word about Hands of the Carpenter’s mission and services.
“Everybody knows somebody who needs help,” he continued.
‘It’s life-changing’
Thomas, who heard about Hands of the Carpenter from a coworker, reached out to the nonprofit in October. With her new car, she’ll be participating in the three-year Lift UP Program, which includes low-cost repairs and maintenance. The car itself was 35% of the retail cost under the Lift UP Program.
With her new 2010 Ford Edge Sport, Thomas said that she’s looking forward to driving herself to and from work, getting her children to all their commitments, and making a road-trip to visit her out-of-state relatives without issue.
“It’s life-changing,” she continued.
She thanked all the Hands of the Carpenter leaders and volunteers, and everyone who helped with the June 28 benefit concert, including musicians Hazel Miller & the Collective.
“I hope they’re able to bless many more families,” Thomas said of the nonprofit.
On July 9, Lakewood’s Jasmine Coronado-Lopez took her car to the Golden garage for maintenance. After being referred through Hope House, she’s been in the Lift UP Program since March.
Coronado-Lopez said her car’s been having transmission problems, and Hands of the Carpenter referred her to an outside shop for additional evaluation. She hoped to get it fixed soon, saying the nonprofit has been helping her navigate the stressful situation.
“They’ve been so helpful and encouraging on my journey to figure out cars and get my kids around safely,” she continued.
As a delivery driver and a relative’s primary care worker, Coronado-Lopez said having a car is crucial for picking up medication, grocery-shopping, and other tasks. She was thankful Hands of the Carpenter has kept her car running “when I thought it was going to break down for good,” she said.
She’s referred other moms, saying she’s learned a lot about cars as the Hands of the Carpenter mechanics walk her through everything her car needs and why. While she believed other shops might talk down to their clients or take advantage of them, Coronado-Lopez felt informed on the process at Hands of the Carpenter.
“It feels home-like,” she said of bringing her car into the Golden garage. “… I’m so thankful for all the work they’ve already done in the last few months.”
Aurora’s Antoinette Ogunwo is starting her third year with the Lift UP Program this August, as Hands of the Carpenter placed her with a 2011 Chevy Malibu a few years ago.
Ogunwo recalled trying to apply for help several years ago, but Hands of the Carpenter wasn’t serving her area yet. After it expanded, though, she received a flyer in the mail and applied that night.
She described how, before getting her current car, Ogunwo “kept driving lemons.” She became trapped in a vicious cycle of needing to fix or replace her car on a regular basis. So, after she received her new car at a benefit concert like Thomas did, Ogunwo said it was “truly a blessing.”
Not only has it helped her family get around town, but Ogunwo said, “I’ve learned to manage my finances and appreciate what I have.”
Overall, she said her experiences with Hands of the Carpenter were reassuring, adding, “You’re in good hands.”
‘They do it with heart’
Along with individual donors, Hands of the Carpenter receives grants and donations from businesses, civic and philanthropic organizations, and faith-based groups.
Credit: Courtesy of Hands of the Carpenter
Nancy Smith of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood said her group has been supporting Hands of the Carpenter’s work for years. She also volunteers at the Golden garage, helping families when they bring their cars in for service.
She said people don’t need to be mechanics to volunteer. Just welcoming the clients and spreading the word is key, Smith continued, adding, “There’s something for everyone (to help with).”
In addition to monetary donations, Hands of the Carpenter also accepts vehicles. Georgopulos said that, depending on its condition, it might be placed with a family or sold to fund additional services.
From her experiences as a volunteer, Smith described just how important having a working and reliable car is for every family the nonprofit helps. She and Georgopulos hoped people would continue to support Hands of the Carpenter as it opens the third garage later this year.
“They’re making a difference in people’s lives,” Smith said, “ … and they do it with heart.”
Click through additional photos from the June 28 benefit concert:
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