Blog Archives

05 May

12th Annual Aurora Mental Health Center Spring Luncheon

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Movers and shakers from throughout the Aurora community gathered at the Crown Plaza Airport Convention Center for the 12th Annual“Living Life to the Fullest” Spring Benefit Luncheon held Thursday, May 5, 2016, to benefit the Aurora Mental Health Center.

Welcome & Introductions were made by AUMHC board member and Event Committee Chair Rachel Nuñez with emcee Charles Packard, Executive Producer of the Aurora Fox Theater, thanking sponsors for their support of the AUMHC PATH program for the homeless.

AUMHC CEO & Executive Director Randy Stith, Ph.D. described the importance of the of AUMHC’s PATH program that helps homeless adults and families with Drop-In emergency need items and services and the Street Outreach Team that seeks to identify the homeless walking the streets who may need help.

In addition to serving as Presenting Sponsor, Citywide Banks this year matched each dollar raised at the luncheon to boost donations at the spring event. This year’s Gold Sponsors were Metro Community Provider Networks, EON, WAVE Audio Visual and the Silver Sponsor was the Asian Pacific Development Center.

The Capitol Steps performers entertained the crowd with a satirical and comical view of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Elections and the various candidates and politicians including President Obama, and VP Joe Biden, past President George W. Bush, and, of course, the current and past list of presidential contenders including over-the-top impressions of front-runners Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and visits from Sarah Palin and past Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

The AUMHC continues to grow and expand to serve Aurora’s burgeoning population. In March, Mayor Steve Hogan joined with the Aurora Vistas Foundation to present more than $22,000 in grant money to support AUMHC children’s mental health programs. These funds support some 20 programs such as summer camp, a ski program, new playroom, grandparents groups, refugee children and a camping trip.

The Aurora Vistas Foundation raise most of their funding through its annual Mayor’s Cup Classic Golf Tournament attended by Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan and usually by the other mayors throughout the Denver metro region. This year the Golf Classic will be held on Monday, August 22, at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora. For more information, volunteer, donate or to register for this fun-filled event on the links, please contact Debbie Stafford at 303-617-2300 or email her directly at debbiestafford@aumhc.org

For more information or to make a donation to the Aurora Mental Health Center (AUMHC) please call 303-617-2300 or visit: www.aumhc.org

 

 

 

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05 May

Aurora Mental Health Center's 11th Annual Spring Luncheon

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The Aurora Mental Health Center’s 11th Annual Spring Benefit Luncheon, Living Life to the Fullest, was held at Friday, May 1 at the Radisson Hotel in Aurora. For some 40 years AUMHC’s team of psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and peer advisors have worked to provide individual, group, and family counseling, as well as consultation and educational support.

More than 350 packed the ballroom to celebrate the organization and to raise funds for Aurora Youth Options (AYO), AUMH’s youth service and mentoring program that was singled out by Esquire Magazine as one of the Denver metro region’s 7 most successful mentoring programs and among the top 50 in the nation.

Board Member and Event Chair Rachel Nuñez took to the podium to describe how AYO works with middle and high school-aged at-risk youth and their families to navigate, connect and provide positive, individualized resources to help them succeed. The key to the program, she said, was recovery, prevention and wellness.

Emcee Charles Packard, Executive Producer for Aurora Fox Theatre, thanked donors, guests and acknowledged local city and county leadership before introducing Dr. Randy Stith, CEO & Executive Director. Stith reviewed the founding of the organization by a group of committed volunteers in the late 1960s who officially launched AUMHC in 1975.

Among those attending this year’s luncheon were: From the office of Congressman Mike Coffman Aurora Ogg, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, Aurora City Council Members: Barbara Cleland, Brad Pierce, Molly Markert, Marsha Berzins, Debi Hunter Holen, Sally Mounier, Aurora Municipal Court Chief Judge Richard Weinburg, Aurora Municipal Court Adminstrator Zelda DeBoyes, Aurora City Manager Skip Noe, Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz, Aurora Fire Chief Michael Garcia, Arapahoe County Commissioners: Nancy Sharpe, Bill Holen, Nancy Jackson, Nancy Doty, and Arapahoe County Sheriff Dave Walcher

Founded in 2009, Aurora Youth Options Mentor Program brings caring adults together with a young person in need of mentoring and coaching, Homework Help and Tutoring creates a safe and open environment where youth interact with adult and peer tutors to get the assistance they need.

The AUMHC’s programs serve more than 17,000 people annually through 12 counseling centers, 8 residential facilities, in public schools, county human services departments and other locations. The Aurora Mental Health Center’s next fundraiser will be the Mayor’s Cup Golf Classic hosted by the Aurora Vistas Foundation on August 17. To donate or learn more visit: aumhc.org

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30 Oct

16th Annual Women United Luncheon

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Women do lunch best. The 16th Annual Women United Luncheon was a sold-out event. Over 1,000 women and a few men made sure that the ballroom at the downtown Marriott was alive with chatter and greetings for friends and colleagues.

Christine Benero, president & CEO of Mile High United Way, was (and always is) full of energy as she maneuvered through the crowd greeting and acknowledging the many women who support Mile High United Way and, always, she is first to recognize those who make this event successful.

Thursday afternoon’s program was all about connections and, how connections are the threads to transform lives in our community. For 127 years, Mile High United Way has served as a catalyst for social change. Benero proudly exclaimed, “We are women united.”

Kathy Ambrose, a long time Denver volunteer, advocate and philanthropist was awarded the 2014 Frances Wisebart Jacobs award. She was recognized for her leadership spirit and for transforming lives of countless girls, women and families.

Keynote speaker Will Schwalbe, author of “The End of Your Life Book Club,” was engaging and endearing as he spoke to the huge crowd. He introduced the audience to his mother through his book and his memories, and, enlightened listeners to the journey they embarked upon together. The hours they spent sharing books and opinions in endless hospital waiting rooms and chemo chairs gave the author invaluable time with his mother. They spoke of her life and her gift of sharing and ‘doing’ for those less fortunate. Mary Anne Schwalbe wasn’t just a mother, wife, reader. She set out to build libraries in third world countries and she accomplished that before she died.  The connection between she and her son gave them precious time to read books, all kinds of books, and discuss them. Though there were no potluck dinners or snacks, their time together built a lifetime of memories. Schwalbe shares them in his book.

The 16th Annual Women United luncheon was a success in every way. Sold out tables, sold out books signed by Will Schwalbe, and strong women who arrived there through leadership, compassion and giving.

Women United of the Mile High United Way, is a community of women giving financial support that ensures the community’s impact on improving school readiness, youth success and adult self-sufficiency. If you’re interested in taking on a leadership role please contact the Mile High United Way, 711 Park Avenue West, Denver, 80205. www.UnitedWayDenver.org

 

 

 

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