For Brian Sump, owner of Urban Autocare in Denver, giving back to his community is like a “feeding of the human soul.”
“I think there’s something that it does for you emotionally,” Sump says when asked about the importance of giving back. “I think we have a moral obligation.”
Sump was first introduced to Hope House Colorado, an organization that provides a support system for young mothers, a few years ago.
The organization pairs young moms with employment opportunities. Urban Autocare partnered with Hope House Colorado and brought on a young woman named Ariel for roughly 8 months. Afterward, the shop helped set Ariel up with a job at a medical company.
After that experience, Sump was asked to be on its Development Board. During this time, he found more opportunities to help Hope House Colorado out.
“One of their [the mothers in the program] most essential needs is having a reliable vehicle,” Sump says.
Urban Autocare donates roughly $10,000 per year to the organization in the form of vehicle inspection and maintenance repairs.
Recently, Urban Autocare was honored with Hope House Colorado’s first-ever Outstanding Partner Award for its contributions to the organization.
For shop owners who are looking to give back, Sump suggests reaching out to fellow shop owner Charlie Marcotte and his organization, Transportation Matters, which helps auto repair shops give back to their local communities.
