2015 Good News Breakfast Program

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Smiley, Chair, Good News Coalition

Invocation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dr. Michelle Medrano, Mile Hi Church

Pledge of Allegiance. . . . . . . . . .Casey Tighe, Jefferson County Commissioner

National Anthem . .Don Tallman, Executive Director, Colorado Railroad Museum

Presentation . . . .Marla J. Williams, President and CEO, Community First Foundation

Colorado Mormon Chorale . . . . . . . . . . . .Christina Bishop, Associate Director

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celebrating A Quarter Century of Community Building

Speaker Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neal Browne, Master of Ceremonies

Keynote Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Dr. Alan Landes

2015 Honorees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neal Browne, Master of Ceremonies

2015 Hall of Fame Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Applewood Kiwanis

Benediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dr. Jack Van Ens

Thanks to:

• The Applewood Kiwanis Foundation for helping with parking.

• Jefferson County Sheriff’s offi ce and the City of Golden for traffi c control.

• Rory Peachey and the entire Jefferson County Fairgrounds management

and staff.

• Paul Rodriguez for the production of the Good News Celebration Breakfast

Supplement/program.

• Jefferson County Public Library for donating space and resources.

• Jefferson County Education Association for the use of its meeting room.

• Good News Steering Committee.

Feel free to take or share the centerpieces.

Special thanks to Jefferson County Commissioners:

District 1: Libby Szabo; District 2: Casey Tighe;

District 3: Donald Rosier

Our mission: The Good News Coalition brings Jefferson County

citizens to geth er to celebrate the pos i tive hap pen ings and spiritual values that link

our di verse com mu ni ties.

2015 Steering Committee

2015 Sponsors

Page 1 Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Neal Browne, Neal Browne & Assoc./Touchpoint Video

Felix Cook, Community First Foundation

Roubhie Fairchild, Duncan YMCA

Joe Haines, MiCasa Resource Center

Jill Hartmann, Jefferson Center for Mental Health

Mallory Hyatt, (Secretary)Jefferson County Human Services

Anne Jefferies, Community Volunteer

John Ford, Jefferson County Education Association

Leslie Levine, Community Volunteer

Natalie Martinez, Community Volunteer

Jill McGranahan, Arvada Police Department PIO

Tori Merritts, Youth Leadership Jefferson County

Gary Messick, Community Volunteer

Dexter Meyer, Community Volunteer

Bob O’Connell, Applewood Kiwanis

Sidnie O’Connell, (Treasurer)Wespective, Inc.

Get your tickets while they last! See page 2 for details.

Jeanne Oliver, Jefferson Center for Mental Health

Sally Reed, The Action Center

Kay Pride, Kay Pride Communications

Betty Proctor, Senior Lobby

Lisa Pinto, Jeffco Public Schools

Susan Riach, American Assn. of University Women, Lakewood

Pam Russell, (Co-Chair)Jeffco District Attorney’s Offi ce

Leslie Moser, Seniors’ Resource Center

Marilyn Saltzman, PR Consultant

Elizabeth Shinn, Community Volunteer

Mark Smiley, (Chair)Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle

Rev. Jack Van Ens, Creative Growth Ministries

Brernda Geist, CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin Counties

Mary Wagner, Jefferson County Administrators Assn.

Rebecca Winning, Jefferson County Public Library

Title SponsorCommunity First FoundationPremier SponsorWesterra Credit UnionGold SponsorsColorado Community MediaJeffco FairgroundsSilver SponsorsAmerican Job CenterCity of ArvadaCity of LakewoodFirstBank

Jefferson Center for Mental HealthJefferson County Education AssociationThe Action CenterTriad Early Childhood CouncilWells Fargo BankBronze SponsorsColorado School of MinesDevelopmental Disabilities Resource CenterJefferson County Library FoundationSooper Credit UnionVillage Roaster LTD.

CelebrationBreakfastJefferson County Fairgrounds 6:59 a.m.,Tuesday, April 28, 2015

2015 Good News Breakfast Honorees The Action Center

The Action Center, founded in 1968, now serves more

than 28,000 individuals a year by providing prevention,

intervention and counseling services. The Action Center

offers numerous special programs throughout the year to

ensure that struggling residents of Jefferson County can

have fi nancial stability. These programs include school

supply distribution, which in 2014 provided nearly 4,000

Jeffco students with a bag of essential school supplies

and a brand-new backpack, thanks to Cardel Homes,

who sponsored the event. Other special programs include

Thanksgiving food boxes and the Santa Shop.

Family Tree

Started in 1976, Family Tree was founded as a cooperative

effort between local governments and concerned citizens

to fi ll service gaps in Jefferson County. Over the course of

four decades, Family Tree has evolved to provide services

throughout the Denver metro area. It is the only organization

in the area working to address the interconnectedness of

child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. Family

Tree has helped more than 100,000 people become safe,

strong and economically self-reliant.

Max Haug

Max Haug joined the Kiwanis Club of Arvada/Wheat Ridge

in 1958 and has continuously worked on numerous service

projects. His efforts include advising the Arvada High School

Key Club, delivering holiday food baskets and ringing the bell

for the Salvation Army. In 1968, Max founded the Arvada

Community Resources Association, which has provided food

and clothing to thousands. He has chaired the Scholarship

Committee for many years, awarding numerous scholarships

to high school seniors. His dedication and leadership have

inspired many others to service.

Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Harriet Hall

Both the Jefferson Center and its director of 31 years, Harriet

Hall, are being honored. Harriet is a passionate advocate for

individuals and families struggling with mental illness, and

oversees an annual caseload of 23,000. The Jefferson Center

for Mental Health has been the community mental health

center for Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties for 56

years. In 1999, the center helped lead the crisis response for

the Columbine High School tragedy and continues to provide

crisis support for the community after natural disasters and

tragedies. The center has provided mental health fi rst aid

training to more than 700 community members.

Jefferson County Mediation Services

In 1988, Jefferson County Human Services initiated

confl ict resolution services and by 1994, Jefferson County

Mediation Services was established to help individuals

and agencies wih a comprehensive, no-cost alternative to

expensive litigation. Neighbors, businesses and estranged

parents meet on equal footing to mediate such diverse

issues as personal damage settlements, parenting time and

employer-employee disputes. Four staff members work with

400 volunteers dedicated to rigorous mediation of almost

2,000 cases each year. Professional mediators donate

5,000 hours annually, saving over $500,000.

Kiwanis Club of Columbine and Riggs Smith

The Kiwanis Club of Columbine performs 63 service projects

each year. One of the most signifi cant is Meals on Wheels.

The club has assumed four routes with the exceptional

leadership and vision of team leader Riggs Smith. Club

members donate over 25 hours every week to help those

who depend on this service for their nutrition. The Kiwanis

Club of Columbine is proud to serve the homebound and

disabled of Jefferson County.

Tori Merritts

Tori has served her community for more than 25 years,

working tirelessly to support numerous community

organizations. Her work with Jeffco Schools has ranged from

PTA president to member of the Board of Education to chair of

the Jeffco Schools Foundation. Tori helped start and continues

to work with Youth Leadership Jefferson County. Through

her membership in the Kiwanis Club of Alameda West, Tori

supports the Bear Creek High School Key Club that has

more than 60 members, many of whom attend regional and

international conferences and leadership training.

Mountain Resource Center

Celebrating 25 years of service in 2015, the Mountain

Resource Center’s vision is “neighbors helping neighbors

achieve their potential.” The center offers emergency

services such as food, rent and utility assistance; mental

health services; family and early childhood education;

health insurance enrollment assistance; support for job

seekers and veterans; and a resale store. These programs

help people move to stability and self-suffi ciency. In 2014,

Mountain Resource Center served over 7,000 individuals,

and 290 volunteers worked 9,806 hours. Together

volunteers, donors and staff help create a stronger, healthier

place to live.

Ralston House Child Advocacy Center

Ralston House was founded 25 years ago by the Arvada

Children’s Advocacy Center in conjunction with the Arvada

Police Department to provide a comfortable, family-

friendly place to interview children in the investigation of

child abuse. Its mission is to stop the abuse and start the

healing. Working with law enforcement, human services

and the district attorney’s offi ce, Ralston House offers

interviews, victim’s advocacy and medical exams in Jeffco’s

coordinated response to child abuse. The program has

grown from 82 investigative interviews at one facility in

1995 to 1,002 interviews of children and teens at three

locations in 2014.

Jack Seman

Jack Seman, a World War II Army veteran, joined the

Lakeside/Wheat Ridge Kiwanis Club in 1960. He has

provided ongoing support for the needs of kids and currently

is the club’s representative to Arvada/Wheat Ridge Serving

Area Youth. As a Jeffco teacher, dean and principal, he has

served as an educator and mentor to countless students

and as an inspiration to the members of his Kiwanis club.

Seniors’ Resource Center and John Zabawa

Both the Seniors’ Resource Center and John Zabawa,

president and CEO, are being honored. John has worked

with the center for 32 years, helping older adults and family

caregivers during the aging process. Through the center’s

multi-program approach, over 17,800 individuals each

year are able to continue living in their homes. By assisting

older adults in their time of need, the Resource Center

delivers compassionate care and comprehensive services

while providing sound fi scal solutions to the rapidly growing

population of seniors in our county.

Serving Kids Volunteers

The Serving Kids clothing program, an all-volunteer project

of the Jeffco Schools Foundation and Jefferson County

Administrators Association, began in 1996 after a survey

indicated that one factor challenging students’ success was

the simple need for warm, appropriate clothing. Since its

inception, the program has helped thousands of families.

Despite Colorado’s improving economy, Serving Kids

continues to break records for helping students in need,

one-third of whom are homeless. Retired school district

employees spend countless hours collecting, laundering and

delivering clothes for Jeffco kids.

Wheat Ridge Rotary

Wheat Ridge Rotary, established in 1978, has 37 members,

and its local community projects are designed to embody

the motto “service over self.” Programs include Youth

Leadership Camps – a one-week leadership training

program; Flower Power, where fl owers and plants from the

garden show are distributed to residents of nursing homes

and assisted living facilities; and food boxes for needy

residents. The club has awarded over $300,000 in two-and

four-year scholarships to high school seniors from Wheat

Ridge, Jefferson and Warren Tech high schools.

Special Recognition

Mike Bestor

Mike Bestor has an outstanding legacy as Golden’s city

manager. Under his leadership, downtown Golden was

transformed from a ghost town to an attractive tourist

attraction. Community members and visitors may now enjoy

miles of trails, parks, bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly bridges,

a water park and a golf course. Mike has fostered the

growth of citizen-based groups and empowered residents

to be a part of the governmental process. He is a 15-year

veteran of Golden Rotary and a member of the Foothills

Running and Cycling Club.

Lynn A. Johnson

Lynn A. Johnson serves the community as director of

Jefferson County Human Services. Her background and

wisdom in the fi eld of human services have been tapped

through her work with three governors of Colorado as

well as through her leadership on national task forces and

associations. Lynn’s ability to strategize and solve problems

has made a signifi cant impact on programs and issues

involving people in need. Her work in the areas of human

traffi cking and eradicating poverty in Jefferson County

through the Jeffco Prosperity Project demonstrates her

passion and unwavering dedication to our community.

Agent Lee Thomas

Agent Lee Thomas has been a Lakewood police agent for

25 years. She has been instrumental in creating a program

that works with senior living facilities and their residents

to develop safety and emergency response plans. She

helped develop the elder abuse training curriculum and has

provided training to agencies around the state. Recently

when Agent Thomas received information about a senior

resident who was being taken advantage of fi nancially by a

family member, she investigated the case herself and fi led

criminal charges.

Nominees Provide Service to Thousands

The nominees for 2015 represent outstanding individuals

and organizations who contribute countless hours, incredible

talent and ongoing commitment to our community. In

addition to those chosen as honorees, nominees are:

• Barb Ludwig

• Red Rocks Community College Foundation

• Martin Speech and Associates

• Lutheran Medical Center Cancer Center of Colorado

• CASA of Jefferson, Gilpin counties

• Infi nitus Pie

• Jefferson County Education Association

• Jefferson County Open School

• Kevin Davenport

• Severe Weather Collaboration

• Responsible Fatherhood Program

• Power of Partnership

• Aging Well in Jefferson County

• Lutheran Church of the Resurrection

Page 2 Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org Tuesday, April 28, 2015

GNC Hall of Fame

Recipients2004: Dexter Meyer

2005: Tami Shrader, Roberta Bhasin

2006: Elizabeth Shinn

2007: Barb Ohms, Casey Mahon

2008: Kim Christiansen

2009: Marilyn Saltzman, Jeanne Oliver, Peggy Hallahan

2010: Tori Merritts, Sharon Morneau, Nancy Morgan

2011: Brenda Geist

2012: Neal Browne

2013: Paul Rodriguez

2014: Dr. Cynthia Stevenson

2015: Applewood Kiwanis

Good News Themes:

Since 20022002: Inspiring Creativity Through the Arts in Jefferson County

2003: Celebrating Our Environment: Promoting, Preserving, Protecting Our Natural Heritage

2004: Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Communities

2005: Building Bridges

2006: Turning Vision into Action

2007: Business Building Better Communities

2008: Great Kids Building Great Communities

2009: Seniors on the Move

2010: Literacy: Creating Lifelong Learning

2011: Growing Legacy of Good Works

2012: Jefferson County, A Home for Everyone…Meeting the Basic Needs of Our Community

2013: Spiritual Values: Inspiring Stories That Enrich Our Communities

2014: Service Projects Strengthen our Community

2015: Jefferson County – Here for Good

2015 Honorary Board

Alan LandesRev. Dr. Alan Landes was born in Albuquerque, New

Mexico, and grew up in Colorado Springs. His education

includes degrees from the University of Colorado, Princeton

Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Alan began his career in 1979 at the Central Presbyterian

Church in Longmont and served as Senior Pastor at the

Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Lakewood

from 1988 to 1999. He also served churches in Santa Ana,

California, and West Chester, Ohio. Recently retired after

35 years of service, Alan and his wife, Connie, now live in

Salina, Kansas, where he in an active volunteer and enjoys

special family time.

In each place of service, Alan was involved in community

affairs. He was one of the founders of ecumenical social

service agencies in Longmont, Jefferson County and West

Chester; helped create and develop Jefferson County’s

Good News Breakfast; and chaired the Metro Mayors and

Commissioners Youth Award for several years. As a result

of his outstanding community service, Alan has been

recognized as Clergy or Volunteer of the Year for a variety of

organizations in several communities.

Neal BrowneFor more than 21 years, Neal Browne served as a

reporter and anchor for 9News, the NBC affi liate in

Denver. In addition to general assignment, he also

covered politics, the State Legislature, and several

national political conventions. He was nominated for

several Emmys and was awarded two, both for reporting.

He broke the story nationally of the exit of Gary Hart

from the 1988 presidential race.

Neal formed his own company in 1999 called Media

3, Inc. and a subsidiary, TouchPoint Video, that

help businesses and non-profi t organizations tell

their story more effectively, more memorably, and

more compellingly. He also authors the blog: www.

expertmediacoach.com

Neal lives in south Jefferson County with his wife,

and is the stepfather of four adult children and three

grandchildren.

Hall of Fame:

Applewood Kiwanis

The members of the Applewood Kiwanis have helped faithfully with parking for the Good News Breakfast for decades –

through rain, snow, sleet and wind. With their cheerful smiles, the Kiwanians are in the parking lot before the break of

dawn to make sure all goes smoothly

for breakfast attendees. When they

are not assisting with parking, the 30

members of the Applewood Kiwanis are

serving meals to the homeless through

Family Promise; supporting the Stober

Fun Run; helping The Action Center;

reading to Jeffco elementary students;

and working at the Ronald McDonald

House. The Applewood Kiwanis support

the Eliminate Project to vaccinate

moms around the world and eliminate

neonatal tetanus.

Mayor Marc Williams, Arvada

Mayor Bonnie McNulty, Edgewater

Mayor Marjorie Sloan, Golden

Mayor Robert Gordanier, Lakeside

Mayor Bob Murphy, Lakewood

Mayor Sean Forey, Morrison

Mayor John McAlister, Mountain View

Mayor Herb Atchison, Westminister

Mayor Joyce Jay, Wheat Ridge

Jeff Shrader, Jefferson County Sheriff

Peter Weir, Jefferson County District Attorney

Dan McMinimee, Jeffco Schools Superintendent

Ken Witt, Jeffco Schools Board President

Dr. Michele Haney, President, Red Rocks Community College

Dr. Bill Scoggins, President Colorado School of Mines

Wendy Woodland, President, Jefferson County Administrator Association

John Ford, President, Jefferson County Education Association

Michele Patterson, President, Jefferson County PTA

Dr. Harriet Hall, President/CEO, Jefferson Center for Mental Health

Dr. Mark Johnson, Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Health

Ray Elliott, Chair, Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees

Lynn Johnson, Executive Director, Jefferson County Dept. of Human Services

Marla Williams, President/CEO, Community First Foundation

Dr. Art Hogling, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Resource Center

Thomas Currigan, Chair, Duncan Family YMCA Board

John Zabawa, President/CEO, Seniors' Resource Center

Pam Nissler, Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Library

Tami Bandimere Shrader, President, Jefferson County Public Library Foundation

Patricia Mesec, President, Jefferson County League of Women Voters

Jeff Whipple, Vice President & Cmty Banking District Mgr., Wells Fargo Bank

Scott Shields, CEO, Family Tree

Mag Strittmatter, Executive Director, Jeffco Action Center

Jerry Marks, Chair, Arvada Chamber Board

Kevin Ruble, Lisa Austin, Co-chairs, Evergreen Chamber Board

Kelley Jackson-Condon, Chair, Golden Chamber Board

Darrin Hammerschmidt, Chair, West Chamber Board

Dan Rodriguez, President, CEO, West Chamber

Kevin McCasky, President, CEO, Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation

Rob Osborn, Chair, Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation

Tim Zeman, Publisher, Evergreen Newspapers

Doug Bell, Editor, Evergreen Newspapers

Jerry Healey, Publisher, Colorado Community Media

Mikkel Kelly, Editor, Colorado Community News

William Dean Singleton, Publisher, The Denver Post

Vikki Migoya, Editor, Denver Post Your Hub

Libby Szabo, Jefferson County Commissioner

Donald Rosier, Jefferson County Commissioner

Casey Tighe, Jefferson County Commissioner

Randy and Sheila Rooney, Jefferson County’s longest continuous family living residents

Page 3 Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org Tuesday, April 28, 2015

22 local community newspapers and websitesreaching over 400,000 readers

Commitmentto our

communities

Printed locallyon recycled

paper

Commitmentto quality

journalism

Locallyowned and operated

ColoradoCommunityMedia.com303-566-4100

PARTNERING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

Proud sponsor of the 25th Annual Good News Breakfast!

SERVING JEFFERSON, CLEAR CREEK AND GILPIN COUNTIES

http://jeffco.us/american-job-center3500 Illinois StreetGolden, Colorado 80401

The American Job Center (AJC) promotes economic vitality by identifying, developing and matching a talented workforce to business.

Last year, AJC assisted 7,300 qualified job seekers with employment opportunities.

For more information call 303.271.4700.

Congratulationsto the

2015 Honorees!

WE ARE PROUD TO JOIN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COALITION TO POWER COMMUNITY AND SHARE GOOD NEWS.Forty years ago, we began our mission right here in Jefferson County. Our roots are here and we are incredibly proud to celebrate the good news and good people who make up this community. Congratulations on 25 inspiring years.

FirstBank is Proud to Support the Jefferson County Good News Breakfast

efirstbank.comMember FDIC

TransparencyAccountability,Respect

ALL. StandUpForAllStudents.org #standup4kids

jcea.coloradoea.org

JCEA Jefferson County Education Association

Lakewood LinkedTHANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD NEWS

LakewoodFull of Possibilities. Lakewood.org/Neighbors

© 2014 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. (1176743_11312)

Seeing the possibilitiesWells Fargo is proud to recognize Good News Jefferson County Coalition.

303-237-7704www.theactioncenterco.org

8755 W. 14th Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215

The Good News Coalition thanks our major sponsors!

GET A FLAG T-SHIRT WITH FREE CHECKING

EVERYONE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY CAN JOIN. 303-321-4209 | WESTERRACU.COM

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government

Page 4 Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org Tuesday, April 28, 2015