HOPE Center Celebrates 50 Years with Vintage Vegas Night

Where were you 50 years ago? In Denver, a wonderful organization was in its first days helping special-needs children with educational and vocational opportunities. At an event that was truly golden, HOPE Center celebrated its 50 years of service in metro Denver with a Vintage Vegas-themed gala where everyone was a winner.

President/CEO Gerie Grimes celebrates HOPE Center’s 50 years of service to metro Denver.

On Saturday, March 7, supporters gathered at the Sherman Street Event Center where they were greeted with enticements that included casino-style games, an array of silent auction items and tasty tidbits that were a perfect match for the glittering, glamourous guest attire.

The program was presented in segments to allow guests ample time for mixing, mingling, enjoying tasty tidbits—and to play casino games, too, of course. CBS4 personality and emcee Gloria Neal presided over the presentations, beginning with a welcome message from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. HOPE Center President/CEO Gerie Grimes talked about the organization’s accomplishments, and co-chair and HOPE Center former parent Rev. Dr. Regina Groff talked in detail about the successful educational journey of her son and daughter—that began with a solid foundation from HOPE Center teachers and staff.

The organization honored individually a contingent of people for their help over the years: The Butler family, Dr. John Fischer and Charles Bloom; and posthumously: Farmer Reini and former chief justice of the Colorado Supreme Court Luis Rovira. After a spirited live auction led by Debbie Stafford, the crowd kicked up its heels to the soulful sounds of the Mary Louise Lee Band.

HOPE Center provides educational and vocational opportunities for special-needs and at-risk children and adults from 2-1/2 years to adulthood. It is a community-based agency dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, developmental delays and persons in need of specialized educational or vocational services. These services are provided in order to develop, maintain and enhance the functioning of each enrollee.

The philosophy of service is to admit individuals to programs within the agency which meet their needs and requirements as specifically as possible. Length of service within a given program is dependent upon assessed individual needs, program goals and objectives. Enrollees are served in a normal environment with services assessed periodically to evaluate the program.

All enrollees of HOPE Center are treated with dignity and respect and are accorded the civil and human rights to which they are entitled. For more information, please visit: HopeCenterInc.org.