
Stout Street Foundation’s events always feel like the nicest of family reunions—we’re talking lots of hugs—and the 2018 “Cooking Up Hope” Fall Luncheon was no exception. What is amazing is that even as SSF gatherings continue to grow, newcomers are always embraced into the camaraderie with ease. This year, with 1993 French Open doubles champion Murphy Jensen on hand as keynote speaker, Denver’s tennis community attended with gusto and all new guests, tennis players or not, were warmly welcomed into the SSF fam.

Nate Hamilton and Whitney Mielke at the silent auction
On Friday, Nov. 9, supporters kicked off the weekend at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel with a reception and silent auction, and music by Michael Hornbuckle. This year’s auction netted $16,000, doubling last year’s total. During a fast-paced lunch program, every person who took the podium had a personal story of recovery to tell. Speakers included: Christopher Conway, president and CEO; resident Christina Anderson; tennis player Art Turnbill; and VP of Development Teri Smith. Guests also had the opportunity to watch a video detailing Stout Street’s Cooking Up Hope Capital Campaign that focuses on the need for kitchen and dining renovations at the facility. Not only is the kitchen used for vocational training and for providing nutritious meals for residents, but speakers also brought home the concept that the kitchen/dining area is a gathering place…the heart of the house.
Murphy Jensen took the stage after a video presentation of his story from tennis champ and celebrity to addiction and recovery. Going off script, addressing audience members by name, he had high praise for the success of Stout Street Foundation. Jensen also talked candidly about his own journey of addiction recovery that has been augmented by co-founding WEconnect, a web app that helps provide accountability, structure and support for those in recovery.

Stout Street residents
Stout Street Foundation helps people help themselves. Its mission: to provide the necessary services and support in a totally structured therapeutic community environment to assist addicts and alcoholics to help themselves in rehabilitation, recovery and transition in returning to society as productive and responsible citizens. SSF operates as a not-for-profit, self-sufficient organization without primary economic dependence on municipal, state or federal funding. Within the structured environment, Stout Street Foundation will provide for food, lodging, and specific programs and treatment for residents.
For more than 40 years, Stout Street Foundation has been a service leader in and around the Denver community. From humble beginnings at a house on Stout Street in Denver to completely refurbishing a 168-room hotel in Commerce City, the organization has grown by leaps and bounds, and continues to be one of the most successful therapeutic communities in Colorado. Stout Street Foundation has helped thousands of individuals over the years and continues to treat more than 300 individuals annually.
For more information, call 866-722-7040, or go to: www.StoutStreet.org. To donate to the kitchen/dining room renovation project, please click the “Cooking Up Hope” icon.
- Richard Daskam (left) and Ryan Burke
- Entering to win a weekend with a Porsche
- Nate Hamilton and Whitney Mielke at the silent auction
- Elaine Yang (left) and Janine Melberg
- Sam Truemper and Robyn Lollar
- Dawn Sieh and Christopher Conway, SSF president and CEO
- Former Denver Bronco Mike Harden and Jenna Williams
- Tables are set for lunch at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel.
- Reps from sponsor Weifield Group
- Megan Jackson and Marcus Gallegos
- Stout Street residents
- Jessica Williams and Walker Williams
- Crystal Elliott, Commerce City Council member and CC City Manager Brian McBroom
- Niki Worthan, Christopher Conway (center) and Steve Sanders
- Niki Worthan and Christopher Conway
- (l to r): Tate Whitlinger, keynote speaker Murphy Jensen, Gabriella, Art Turnbill and Michael Olds
- Daughter-dad Sophia and Nicholas Petrucelli
- (l to r): Dawn Sieh, David Selman and Sharon Sieh
- Daughter-mom Savannah and Mim
- Reps from sponsor The Foundry Treatment Center
- Kathleen Finley and Greg Atkinson
- (l to r): Catherine Okulski, Art Turnbill and Julie Okulski
- Natalie Aragonez (left) and Ruby Molinar
- Tamea Sisco and Fred Jauch
- Reps from sponsor Lifetime Windows & Siding
- VP of Development Teri Smith, keynote speaker Murphy Jensen and Nancy Alterman, of sponsor TriCuzz Productions
- Taking a selfie destined for a happy emoji.
- (l to r): Maureen Kechriotis, Mitzi Townshend, Murphy Jensen, Teri Smith and Nancy Alterman
- Tate Whitlinger, Murphy Jensen and Scott Gorman
- Murphy Jensen (second from right) and friends
- Jordan McVicker, with Caden and Kendall
- (l to r): Jeff Zinn, Zoe Tessier, Mitzi Townshend, Nancy Alterman and Darrell Anderson
- (l to r): Darrell Anderson, Maureen Kechriotis, Vincent Bowden and Ericka Robinson
- Michael Hornbuckle entertains.
- Settling in for lunch
- Mike Harden and friends
- Emcee Joe Bevilacqua
- VP of Development Teri Smith
- Keynote speaker and 1993 French Open doubles champ Murphy Jensen
- The crowd listens intently.
- Sheri and baby Duke
- Jon Trout was honored for his unselfish assistance to Stout Street.
- Playing Heads or Tails
- She just beat French Open champ Murphy Jensen in Heads or Tails.
- Shelley Wood shows off a check from a house sale that results in a $500 donation to Stout Street.
- Shelley Wood and Roy Wood
- (l to r): Thomas Fernandez, Daniel Singer and Larry Wall
- Art Turnbill
- Baby Duke has a short timeout from the lunch program.
- The Lucero family: Jenna and Brad, with little ones (l to r): Ethan, Bradley and Vaughn