Blog Archives

27 Sep

Earthlinks Celebrates Its Annual Fundraiser With Imagine! A Place To Bloom

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Just shy of its 30th Anniversary Earthlinks celebrated its annual fundraiser: “Imagine! A Place to Bloom” on September 24, the first week of Fall.

Honoree Diana Flahive introduces and recognizes volunteer Sloane Sussman, 13, who has gathered lunches for the unhoused with her classmates since 2nd grade. She hopes to start her own non-profit.

Founded in 1996, EarthLinks is a social-enterprise nonprofit located in the Sun Valley neighborhood of Denver that creates Earth-centered programming for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.

One of the themes or beliefs of the organization is that “Community Ends Isolation”.

Program participants are involved in a wide variety of activities including gardening, Earth-friendly crafts, art and or products while benefiting from skills development and other guidance provided by a case manager for support.

Folks down on their luck take part in activities which boost self-esteem and motivation. Moreover, they are given a safe, peaceful space to foster empowerment, resilience, and collectivity while also sustaining the planet.

Earthlinks Program Director Jay Rezka, Carol Rezka, and Board member Kristen Dean

As part of the event some of Denver’s most passionate advocates supporting Earthlinks’ mission are recognized. This year’s honorees included: Gilla Lachnitt, The Next50 Foundation, and Diana Flahive. Also recognized was Sloane Sussman, a young teen who with her classmates collects free lunches for the unhoused.

Gilla Lachnitt is among the leaders of the Jefferson Unitarian Church’s Food & Nourishment Task Force. The Next50 Foundation fights ageism and provides economic opportunities for older adults. Diana Flahive is the Executive Director of Capitol Hill United Ministries and the Women’s Homelessness Initiative.

For more information please visit www.earthlinks-colorado.org

 

 

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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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03 Sep

Bridge House's First Annual Farm to Table Dinner

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Lone Hawk Farm hosted the 1st Annual Farm to Table Dinner benefitting the Bridge House, a Boulder non-profit seeking pro-active solutions with other organizations to provide solutions and support for the city’s homeless population.

The September 3rd fundraiser was hosted on beautiful farm land located just north of Boulder and accessible via a narrow country road with fantastic Front Range panoramic views.
Admissions P1050765

The Bridge House operates a day shelter and provides case management services for the homeless. The organization’s mission includes creating a culture of opportunity for Boulder’s homeless and working poor that also encompasses food to bus fare to prescription medications.

Emcee and Volunteer Coordinator Scott Medina welcomed the crowd of some 200 people and thanked the dozen or so sponsors including presenting sponsor Clean Tech and Audi of Boulder for sponsoring a car raffle. Guests enjoyed a large buffet featuring grilled chicken, string beans, potatoes and several fresh salads.

Executive Director Isabel McDevitt thanked guests and explained that homelessness “is a circumstance, not an affliction.”

Dave Mason a member of the Ready-to-Work job training initiative described his personal victory over homelessness and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to turn his life around.

The event was organized by the Bridge House’s Community Table Kitchen culinary arts program and social enterprise with partnerships with local farmers. Staff, volunteers, board members, and members of the Ready-to-Work job training program, were all on hand to host the very successful inaugural event, surely to be held again next year.

The organization serves a wide variety of clients from varied circumstances. More than 25% of clients are veterans who have served our country and about 30% of walk-ins are women.

Boulder’s Bridge House is always looking for dedicated volunteers particularly from the late Fall in October through April of each year. To learn more about volunteer opportunities contact Scott Medina at scott@boulderbridgehouse.org or to make a donation contact Emily Messina at emily@boulderbridgehouse.org

For more information call 303- 442-8300 or visit http://boulderbridgehouse.org

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06 Feb

9th Annual PJ Day

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Denver’s sub-zero night-time temperatures did not hinder the celebration at the Mayor’s Pajama Day in downtown Denver. In fact, nearly 400 guests attended the 9th annual PJ Day benefiting Denver’s Road Home held Thursday, February 6 at the Residence Inn Denver City Center, 1725 Champa St.

Denver’s Road Home Executive Director Bennie Milner described the goals and successes of the program before introducing Governor Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The Mayor’s PJ party was launched about 10 years ago by Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Sage Hospitality and Evan Makovsky, co-founder of NAI Shames Realty.

“The city cannot do this important work alone,” the Mayor said. “The more we stand together, the more powerful of an impact we can make on the community.”

The Mayor’s PJ Day continued a long tradition of guests wearing a wide variety of distinctive, colorful pajama outfits, fuzzy slippers, nightgowns and t-shirts featuring the PJ Day logo or representing supporting non-profits, businesses and organizations. This year, about 80 schools and 70 organizations supported the event by wearing pajamas to school and work.

Among guests on hand were Melanie Lewis Dickerson, Jon Luper and Deb Gray of DRH; Alexxa Gagner of the Denver Rescue Mission; Jim Guttau and Jolinda Cohavi from the Four Seasons; Lenee Koch of LEI Companies; Ramonna Robinson, Jim Licko and Jon Woods from GroundFloor Media; staff from Mile High Behavioral Healthcare; Denver metro area politicos including Arapahoe Commissioner Bill Holen, Aurora City Councilmembers Molly Markert and Debi Hunter Holen, Englewood Mayor Randy Penn and others.

Established in 2005, Denver’s Road Home (DRH) was launched by the Denver Commission to End Homelessness and Denver Human Services with the mission to end homelessness through a variety of programs and partnerships with churches, foundations, non-profits, businesses, government agencies, individuals, and other institutions.

The PJ Party featured a martini luge sponsored by Jim Beam with hors doeuvres, appetizers, cupcakes, and other treats provided by Snooze, the Rialto Café, Second Home Kitchen + Bar and The Corner Office.

Jazz musician Nelson Rangell and his band entertained guests well into the evening as patrons waited for photos at the Black Diamond photo booth or tailor-made gifts produced by the 3D Printing Store.

According to figures from Denver’s Road Home:
An estimated 64% of Denver’s homeless are people in families with children;
One-third of the homeless are working;
The most reported reasons for homelessness in Denver are loss of a job, housing costs and a breakup of a family.

For more information regarding this annual event visit www.pjday.org. To volunteer, donate or support homeless programs and initiatives contact Denver’s Road Home at 720-944-2508 or visit www.denversroadhome.org

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29 Jul

Go Rapids! RMC Families and Friends Enjoy 2013 Day at the Game

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With an invitation to chow on great barbecue and attend a professional soccer match, Rocky Mountain Communities’ 2013 Day at the Game had everything a family could wish for on a mid-summer evening. It was just as much fun for single adults attending, too, as around 200 RMC residents, along with generous sponsors and friends all met up at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, July 27, for the annual event. The weather was Colorado-comfortable and showers held off till the evening’s end with the good guys coming out on top as the Colorado Rapids beat the LA Galaxy 2-0. Even if the game had gone the other way, the smiles conveyed by guests couldn’t have been any larger or more genuine.

Jumping for joy over seeing a Colorado Rapids game

Jumping for joy over seeing a Colorado Rapids game

The afternoon began with a sumptuous spread created by Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que—picnic tables were situated in between the players’ locker room and the field with up-close views. Kids were happily surprised when one of the Rapids’ four mascots, Edson The Eagle, flew in for hugs and high-fives. Remarks by President and CEO Dick Taft were very brief as he welcomed everyone to the event alongside board President Todd Crowley and board member Patrick Wieland. A group of lucky RMC kids were able to stand alongside a walkway to high-five every Colorado Rapids player and coach as they made their way back to the field for the second half wearing t-shirts provided by the Colorado Rapids organization.

The High Five Squad readies for the last players to take the field. The Rapids beat the Galaxy 2-0.

The High Five Squad readies for the last players to take the field. The Rapids beat the Galaxy 2-0.

Although this was the fourth annual Day at the Game event, it was the first year that big-hearted sponsors treated residents to a Rapids picnic-and-game experience. Board member Patrick Wieland said RMC residential communities can have an international flair—there are 27 languages spoken at one Denver property. He spoke with pride about programs and services available to residents that include classes in English as a Second Language, nutrition and cooking, and health and fitness. The organization also offers a summer sack-lunch program, after-school tutoring, computer labs and community gardens. Communities are found in Denver, as well as Greeley, Fort Morgan and Grand Junction.

Founded in 1992, Rocky Mountain Communities has been providing affordable housing to Colorado families for over 20 years. RMC’s mission is to develop, own and manage affordable housing and provide support services to help individuals succeed in life. Across Colorado, from the Eastern plains to the high passes of mountain resorts, to the Front Range and the Western Slope, affordable housing is an issue. Though the nature of the problem varies from region to region, the over-arching challenge of affordable housing remains the same: to offer a stable foundation for school success and family self-sufficiency; provide protection and support for the most vulnerable; enable all generations of a family to reside in the community they’ve always called home; and create a healthy balance that connects the workforce with employers. To learn more about RMC, please visit: www.RockyMountainCommunities.org.

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