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Sometimes (all too often) there are children out there alone with no one to advocate for them and no one to speak up for the truth. There have been times when a child tries to speak out about being abused and no one believes them, or, even worse, there is a room full of people supporting the abuser and no one to help the child. This is why Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) was born.

In honor of 25 years and assisting more than 10,000 children, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region hosted a donor appreciation reception on Tuesday at the El Pomar Center.

Dignitaries such as Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright, several other district judges, Attorney General John Suthers, past and present board members of CASA, politicians, fundraisers, case managers and some of the clients themselves were present for the heartfelt presentation. National CASA Association CEO Michael Piraino and his wife Carin were on hand from Seattle and it was the evident the level of admiration for the commitment and passion exuding from the Pikes Peak Chapter.

Executive Director Trudy Strewler Hodges had tears in her eyes as she recounted past experiences and thanked supporters and staff, as well as her family, who also had tears in their eyes listening to her.

Board Chair Heather Kelly did an excellent job in welcoming everyone and navigating the program. Earlier in the evening, special recognition awards were given to Mary Stark (fundraising), Ann Nichols (individual investor), Motif (small business partner), US Bank (corporate partner), the Helen K and Arthur E Johnson Foundation (foundation partner) and Michael Piraino (25th anniversary honoree).

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region was founded to train volunteers as advocates for victimized children and to educate the community about abuse and neglect. Through comprehensive training programs, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region educates a carefully screened and selected group of volunteers about child abuse, neglect, and domestic relations conflicts. They learn about the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, child development, advocating within the court system, the roles of the Department of Human Services, the judicial system, and many of the community resources available to children and families involved in these cases. 

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region educates the community about factors contributing to child abuse, neglect, and domestic conflicts, and how involved individuals can positively impact efforts to end this cycle.

As Trudy Strewler Hodges put it, we wonder who will be the advocates of the future, but there is a “vision to serve every child in need every day, every year, by the year 2020.” That no doubt will happen if the current effort is any indication. She quoted Henry Ward Beechen: “Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.”

FACES held the 6th Annual Grapes Against Wrath at the University of Denver’s Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management on Friday evening. The event occurred in the beautiful Tuscan Wine cellar at the Hospitality school, which is one of the few hospitality schools in the world housed within a business school.

It was an evening of wine testing, food, and music and a silent auction. The guests enjoyed fine wines, appetizers and cooking, and dessert by Denver’s top chefs from Nova Catering, Lola, City Bakery, Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar of Glendale, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Linger, Knoebel Events, Mile High Spirits, Root Dawn and The Vineyard Wine Shop. Dave Devine on guitar and Jean-Luc Davis on upright bass provided acoustic jazz music.

FACES’ mission is to prevent child abuse, neglect and family violence.  Nearly 11,000 children are victims of child abuse or neglect each year in Colorado. For 39 years, FACES has been providing services to protect children and families.

FACES has accomplished their mission through their home visitation program, community-based parenting classes and professional family counseling. FACES has served over 6,000 families.

All proceeds benefit FACES.

FACES is a 501c3 non-profit organization that believes prevention programs are effective, that programs must focus on the family, that positive parenting skills promote safe and healthy families, and that each member of the community shares responsibility for strengthing families and protecting children.

For information about FACES: www.facesonline.org 1325 So. Colorado Blvd. Suite B-509, Denver, Colorado 80222-3320, 720-570-9333.