A beautiful day for an annual event at the Denver Botanic Gardens for the “Gala at the Gardens,” the annual signature fundraiser benefiting the Saint Francis Center (SFC). The non-profit provides a refuge for men and women who are homeless in the metro Denver area, providing services to help transition out of homelessness.
Emcee Chris Parente thanked sponsors and guests for their support. Volunteer recognition this year went to Phil Tompkins with a Story of Connection featuring Tamika Chapman of SFC Employment Services.The St. Francis Center (SFC) strives to create a more just, diverse, equitable, and inclusive society for community members who experience homelessness. In their core values SFC aspires to: A Community of Peace and Hope, Quality and Professionalism, Safety and Wellness, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and recognizing and addressing the emerging needs of our community through their services.
Emcee Chris Parente thanked guests for supporting the St. Francis Center mission
The history of the organization includes several growth periods in the Denver metro region. The St. Francis Center, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, was established in June 1983 and operated from a leased building on 22nd & Lawrence streets in downtown Denver. This building quickly proved to be inadequate for the growing homeless population, and, in 1986, through a generous donation, SFC was able to purchase and renovate the 2323 Curtis Street site where the non-profit calls home today.
In 1992, SFC incorporated as a non-profit organization. Tom Luehrs became Executive Director in 1993. The Housing Program was initiated in 2001 with construction on the Cornerstone Residences beginning in October 2008. Fifty residents are now living in the apartments, including some housed for the first time in many years.
St. Francis Center Executive Director Tom Luehrs and Laura
In 2012, SFC took over the Turnabout program, and the Employment Program helps ex-offenders, a vulnerable part of the population who are homeless, and connects those it serves with full-time, permanent employment.
Another permanent supportive housing program, Saint Francis Apartments at Cathedral Square, was built and opened in 2018, through collaboration with other community partners. St. Francis Apartments at Cathedral Square offers 50 units of permanent supportive, affordable housing for individuals who were previously experiencing homelessness.
Michelle and Juan participated in the ring toss
To donate, volunteer or to get more information please visit the SFC web site at www.sfcdenver.org
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- FOX31 TV Anchor Chris Parente served as emcee
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- Emcee Chris Parente thanked guests for supporting the St. Francis Center mission
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- Stephanie Gruidel, Emily Lewis, Kathy Letson
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- Volunteer Recognition for Phil Tompkins
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- Gathered together for a great cause
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- Volunteer Director Ellie Benjamin with Amanda Pennington, Development Associate
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- Courtney Holmes and Lexxus Brown
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- More than 300 attended the annual event
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- Victoria Gonzalez, Emi Clark
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- Tom Long and Stuart Jones (center) with family
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- Katie and Joel Cassady
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- The buffet was the perfect meal for the outdoor event
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- Sarah Mayer, Abby Lane, Matt McCormick
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- A pinpoint toss may ensure a win!
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- Guests enjoyed the food and camaraderie for a good cause
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- SimpleNexus Sales Director Stuart Jones (center) with colleagues
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- Olivia Keitz, Julia Pope, Michelle Kraeger Pope
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- Olivia Keitz, Julia Pope
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- Fundraising Volunteers kept the event engaging
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- Tina and Mario Cartaya
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- Saint Francis Center was established in 1983
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- The food station buffets featured, stir fry, bbq, and mac and cheese
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- Perfect September weather for the Gala at the Gardens
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- The Denver Botanic Gardens was the perfect venue for the outdoor tent event
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- The ring toss provided a fun and competitive challenge for wine lovers
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- A successful ring toss capture meant a fine bottle of wine
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- Volunteer Director Ellie Benjamin, Margaret Wallace
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- Dakoda Martinez, Shauna Arriola
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- Housing and Employment are just two key goals of the St. Francis Center
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- Dr. Stephen Vogler, Meg and Patricia Toncho
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- Cathy Harris, Tina and Mario Cartaga
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- Bridgette and Pete Bracker
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- Anna Peterson, Gina Severin, Carli Trice
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- Sarah Mayer, Carli Trice
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- St. Francis provides employment services for clients
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- The outdoor tent event was filled with sunshine
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- Gala at the Gardens was a huge success
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- Carrie Ferdani, Lisa Hug
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- Anne Robinson, Jeff Sterkel, Chris Sterkel, Jean Tallman
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- Guests competed to fine wine in the ring toss
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- Everyone’s a winner!
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- The ring toss technique is unique for each individual
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- So many fine wines to choose from
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- Michelle Massey, Neal Massey, Development Director Andrew Spinks, Michelle Kraeger Pope
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- Michelle Massey, Neal Massey, Development Director Andrew Spinks, Michelle Kraeger Pope
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- Julie Trujillo, Development Associate Amanda Pennington
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- Gala at the Gardens is the St. Francis Center annual signature fundraiser
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- Simon Caddick, Jim Wolfe
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- It was a great opportunity to socialize in the first days of Fall
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- Admissions staff were busy registering 300 guests
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- Wendy and Joan Wallach, Arthur Rosenblum
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- Tyler and Kennedy Copeland with Beth Klein and Laura Conry
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- Anne and Rusty Pickard
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- Janet and Ron Fulmer
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- Robin, Executive Director Tom Luehrs, Phil Aston, Joan Maybury
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- Guests enjoyed plenty of hors douevres
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- Flowers for the start of Fall
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- Marie and Greg Schriefer
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- Chuck Lomis, Wendy and Tom Brodski, Debbie Long
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- This year’s Gala at the Gardens was a tremendous success
