Mi Casa Resource Center for Women – which didn’t even have a name when its doors opened in 1976 – celebrated its 30th anniversary by hosting a gala that filled the Colorado Convention Center ballroom. The turnout, it was noted, far exceeded the clients Mi Casa served its first year.
It also was pointed out that while it may have taken a while – two years, to be exact – for a name to be decided upon, the eight Head Start mothers who started Mi Casa were ready to roll with all they wished to accomplish: Their fledgling agency would be a place where women who wanted more for themselves and their families could complete their education, acquire employment skills, and get help and encouragement for their school-aged children.
Today, Mi Casa is considered a national model for welfare reform, having served thousands of low-income and primarily Latina women who have crossed Mi Casa’s threshold. They entered, says executive director Carmen Carillo, “With little more than hopes and dreams for a brighter tomorrow” and left with skills that would help them find a good job and homes of their own.
And in addition to its Denver headquarters, Mi Casa has locations in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
“It takes hard work and individual efforts to turn dreams into self-sufficiency,” Carillo adds, “but without the comprehensive educational and employment programs that Mi Casa offers, many dreams would not be realized.”
Programs that Mi Casa offers include starting a business, business networking, hospitality training, GED and English as a second language classes, after-school activities for children and leadership for community change.
Zee Ferrufino, president and owner of KBNO Radio, chaired the anniversary celebration with American Family Insurance executive Perla Gheiler. U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar was the honorary chairman, and 7News anchor Anne Trujillo, a former member of the Mi Casa board, emceed.
Gheiler is vice president of the Mi Casa board; Faustina Carrasco, of 1st Bank of Cherry Creek, is the president. Other members are Mary McClatchey, Toti Cadavid, Jeffrey Ederer, Mike Ferrufino, Gregory Kading, Maria Monclova, Selene Moreno-Gochman, Martha Rubi and
Theresa Solano.
After a VIP reception, where board members, sponsors and donors past and present were thanked, guests enjoyed the music of Mariachi Internacional de Pedro Olivas while bidding in a silent auction. Dinner and a performance by celebrated guitarist Manuel Molina rounded out the evening.
Names in the news
Landmark Communications’ president and CEO, Decker Anstrom, is to be inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame during a dinner Oct. 11 at the Cable Center in Denver … DenverWorks celebrated its 11th anniversary by hosting an awards reception at the Washington Park Boathouse. Renee Duke was recognized as volunteer of the year; Thomas Roca received client of the year honors, and the Adam’s Mark Hotel was named employer of the year. Other honorees were Volunteers in Action, Cindy Verity, Mike Roque, the Community College of Denver’s Workplace Learning Project and the Lutheran Medical Center Community Foundation … Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s new chief executive officer, Cecile Richards, will be here Sept. 26 to help Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains celebrate its 90th anniversary. She’s the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards and will speak to an anticipated 600 guests who’ll gather in the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom for a reception (cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Occasions by Sandy) chaired by Jennifer Evans, Susie Mostow and Dr. Dean Prina … Also on Sept. 26, and also in the Seawell Ballroom, Rain Pryor, daughter of the late comedian Richard Pryor, will be speaking at the Women Against MS Luncheon. She’ll talk about how her father’s multiple sclerosis affected both his life and hers, including how
she has dedicated her life to finding a cure for the disease. Women Against MS is a benefit for the Colorado chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its goal is to raise $205,000. Lori Leidholm, 303-813-6687, has details.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
