Lincoln Tech's Denver Campus Lends a Hand and Delivers Hope
A Denver resident in need of a helping hand got one in September 2019 thanks to a cooperative effort between the Denver Police Department and Lincoln Tech. A police officer and an instructor at the historic career training school worked together to help a man experiencing homelessness and losing the use of his car which needed major repairs.
Denver Officer Jared Feher saw a chance to help a fellow Denver citizen who had run into a troubled spot in his life. He decided he would help this man move forward, not just move along, and set out finding a way to help him have his car repaired. Officer Feher’s search led him to Lincoln Tech’s Denver campus. For decades Lincoln Tech has been committed to the Denver community and the campus team was eager to assist. If the Denver Police Department could get the vehicle to campus, the school’s Automotive Technology instructors could help rebuild the engine, restore the brake and fuel systems, and return the car in good working order.
“[Lincoln Tech instructor] Darryl Morris volunteered to inspect and repair the vehicle,” explains Brian Wenk, the school’s Supervisor of Education for Automotive and Diesel programs. “He found and replaced many missing bolts from the starter motor and the transmission belt housing. He also diagnosed and repaired broken wires in the starting system and ignition Systems. Darryl was very happy to help DPD with this Project.”
When Officer Feher arranged to have the car delivered back to the gentleman, he was delivering more than just a vehicle. He delivered hope, a bit of dignity, and a much-needed moment of humanity to a resident who had fallen on hard times. The man was able to get back on the road, and, perhaps, on his way to rebuilding his life – just as Lincoln Tech helped rebuild his car.
In a later post on their Facebook page, the Denver Police Department thanked Lincoln Tech for fixing the vehicle free of charge, and noted that the man now had a running vehicle and a friend on the police force. Lincoln Tech was proud to have the opportunity to lend a hand to a situation that called for outside-the-box thinking and simple compassion.
Since its founding in 1963 as Denver Auto & Diesel College, the Denver campus has played a key role in a number of community service activities benefitting organizations from food banks to Toys for Tots and more. Through 2019 (paused due to the COVID-19 crisis), the campus hosted an annual car show to support local charities; attendance at the last show topped 10,000 guests.
In addition to Automotive Technology career training, the campus also offers hands-on programs for Diesel and Truck Technology, including an Alternate Fuels option for environmentally-focused diesel careers; Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology; Welding Technology; and Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology (HVAC). Those fields are projected to add more than 40,000 jobs in Colorado alone, and more than 1.7 million across the country, over the next 10 years.1 Last year, more than 450 graduates launched new careers thanks to the training and professional development provided by Lincoln Tech’s Denver campus.2
1 Available on the Internet at the National Center for O*NET Development. State-specific employment projections reflect the years 2018-2028; national projections include 2019-2029. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- Colorado & National Employment summarized from:
- HVAC: 49-9021.00 - Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/49-9021.00?st=CO&g=Go.
- WELDING: 51-4121.00 - Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/51-4121.00?st=CO&g=Go
- AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY: 49-3023.00 - Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/49-3023.00?st=CO&g=Go
- DIESEL TECHNOLOGY: 49-3031.00 - Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/49-3031.00?st=CO&g=Go
- COLLISION REPAIR: 49-3021.00 - Automotive Body and Related Repairers, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/49-3021.00?st=CO&g=Go
2 As Reported to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) on the 2020 Annual Report