Annual Report 2008/2009 When The Gathering Place (TGP) was founded in 1986, women made up 10% of the homeless population in Denver. Now, women and children are estimated to be 50% of all homeless persons in the city and are the fastest-growing demographic within the homeless population. “The Gathering Place is a Healing Place for me.” Photo courtesy of Samantha Horoschak, TGP -Melinda, TGP Basic Services Client “When you are homeless there aren't many places where you can go… You don’t go to places-Berda, where TGP you Client are not wanted, but here you feel welcomed and the staff wants to help you.” Photo courtesy of Samantha Horoschak, TGP “When I had the baby I was so afraid but The Gathering Place helped me with diapers, wipes, and baby food. Things that I was struggling to get on my own, so that kept me from feeling like I couldn’t do it... I don’t really trust my daughter with a lot of people, she’s my only one and I don’t have any family here, but I trust them. -Leonora, TGP Family Area Client From the President/CEO “For The Gathering Place, diversity is life. Each day the types of people who come to receive our services vacillate on the most basic level between those who are unaccompanied and those who come with children and families. Within and across each group the differences are remarkable – an array of people from all walks of life, with different educational levels, from different countries, with varying family backgrounds, educations, and life experiences. The defining characteristics that bring everyone together are a need for services and a willingness to ask for help. With this in mind, The Gathering Place community strives to offer choice and an opportunity for decision-making about one’s own needs, desires, and plans for the future. This adds to the complexity of the organization and it enhances our learning and our value to each other. We challenge ourselves to learn about cultures and lifestyles with which we are not familiar. We strive to recruit and retain volunteers and staff that reflect the diversity of the people we serve. We learn new skills, struggle and forgive our mistakes, and continue to move forward with a focus on offering each person something familiar, something needed, and a unique experience that will support the individual and the family. We are grateful to the many partnerships we have in the public and private sector that make our goals possible, to the donors who support us in being uniquely harmonious, and to the people we serve who have the courage to ask for help and who touch our lives in ways we only imagined.” Leslie Foster, President & CEO, The Gathering Place The Gathering Place President & CEO Debra MacKillop, Housing Stabilization Development Operations Leslie Foster Advocate Brenda Roush, Vice President Rhonda Morroni, Vice President Nancy Harris Joann Calabrese Basic Services Department Women’s Services Samantha Horoschak Rose Castle Berlinda Olivas, Vice President Ashley Biekarck, Director Laura Meixell Barb Edwards Sara Avant, Metro State College Intern Patricia Rule Olga Mezentseva Family Services Billie Jean Crawford Denny Thompson Dawnisha Penny Kathy Poirier, Director Amy Erickson, Urban Servant Corps Lisa Zavoda Betsy Fulnecky Volunteer Volunteer Department Linda Gonzales Margie Fuentes Personal Growth and Learning Justine Zollo, Vice President Sarah Pierce Kat Gorrie Sunne Meyer, Vice President Anna Inazu Angela Welker, Colorado Vincentian Geri Marquez Mary Ellen Arthur Lucia Ishikawa Volunteer Sohmer Mascia Ruth Dantzer, Iliff School of Theology Pauletta Mosley Intern Food Services Erika Rodriguez Rachel Hosmer, DWELL Volunteer *Mental Health Center of Denver employee Brook Engebretson-Horton, Director Lydia Rodriquez Jean Iadevito, Adult Education Libby Payne Care Toennis, University of Denver Coordinator*** ** Denver Dept. of Human Josette Sandoval Intern Bridget Johnson Services employee Erin Walrath, University of Denver Intern Pam Leder Housing and Benefits Leon Oliver, Clinical Specialist* ***Community College of Stacey Soom, Program Case Coordinator, Human Resources Denver employee DDHS** Allyson Therien, Vice President The Gathering Place 2008-2009 Annual Report Page 2 From the Governing Board Chair “Diversity in today’s world is perhaps an overworked word. Not at The Gathering Place where the women and children that we serve are both single and married. Some have their children or grandchildren with them. Others are by themselves. The people we serve come from all races, religions, and economic and educational backgrounds with a variety of issues, circumstances and needs. Some require something as simple as RTD bus tokens for transportation to a job interview or medical appointment. Others may require medical treatment, computer training, decent clothing, a hot meal or even counseling. Sadly, some of these women are veterans of the homeless or near-homeless experience. Also, we are seeing many new homeless women and their children. Some are victims of physical abuse and domestic violence. Some have recently become unemployed and are unable to afford their rent and have no place to go. Leslie and her senior management team have done a wonderful job of recruiting, training and deploying a versatile and flexible staff who must adapt to a variety of clients’ needs that change daily. In addition to being totally dedicated, our staff are smart, agile, and can move quickly when opportunities become available to enhance our ability to provide more resources for the women and children we serve. I am astounded in this time of greater need and fewer financial resources to watch a devoted and committed staff provide exceptional service to such a diverse client base.” Dave Herlinger, 2008-2009 Chair, Governing Board of Directors 2008-2009 Endowment Board of Trustees Legacy Society Governing Board of Directors David Herlinger, Chair Susan Boothby, Chair Hilary Bloom The Legacy Society recognizes those individuals who have Elizabeth Gundlach Neufeld, Chair-Elect Kathy Coors Debra Duke included The Gathering Place in their estate plans. By doing so, Liz Sloan, Treasurer Giles Fox, Treasurer Mary Pearce they ensure that The Gathering Place will care for women and Andrew Peterson, Secretary Ed Smith children for many years to come. For further information about Emily Bustos, Immediate Past Chair The Gathering Place Legacy Society or to inform us of planned gifts, please contact Brenda Roush, Vice-President of Development (303) 996-9027 or [email protected] Directors Rachel Basye Ann Frost Bailey Mark Colvin Leslie Foster Karen DuWaldt Susan Gregory Teresa Garcia Estate of Carol Hacker Beverly Granger Dave and Margie Hunter Ana Kemp, TGPA Co-President Kaye Hurtt Ramona Lampley Opal Krantwashl Dee Dee Parker Estate of Shirlie Krebs Stephanie Scherpenseel, CPA Estate of Mary Murchison Billy Lee Seiber Tony Prado-Gutierrez Alan Terry, CPA, MBA Estate of Max Thaete Photo courtesy of Annie Stevenson Sandy Vanderwater Theresa Williams The Gathering Place 2008-2009 Annual Report Page 3 The Gathering Place Association The mission of The Gathering Place Association is to support the purpose and programs of The Gathering Place. Founded in 1990, The Association has grown to over 400 members and has raised over $1,000,000 for The Gathering Place. The Gathering Place Association 2009-2010 Board of Directors Co-Presidents Co-Vice Presidents of Fundraising Ana Kemp Lauren Naylor Cheryl Hall Barb Wilson Co- Presidents Elect Vice President of Finance Cheryl Hall Barb Wilson Martha Kallestad Vice President of Membership Vice President of Communications Hillary Adams Beverly Karns Vice President of Membership Elect Vice President of Direct Services Mary Kirkpatrick Leslie Budman The Gathering Place Association Holiday Fair Photo courtesy of Steve Moore, TGP The Gathering Place Association Lifetime Members Jean S. Addy Liz Clarke Betty Granicher Susan Jacobsen Sally A. Lowe Carol Roddy Sandy Autrey Geneva Clymor Bridget Grier Holly Johnson Jill A. Lucas Jan Sandhouse Hurst Ann Frost Bailey Sally Daniel Elizabeth Gundlach Katie Johnson Vicki J. Machanic Estrey Schabacker Ann Baldwin Jami Daniel Neufeld Joanne Justus-Justice Jan Mayer Kathy Schmidt Sherrye Berger Marny Danneberg Anne Hackstock Mary Kelley Viv McCullough Anne Schmitt Ruth Beriault Jackie Davis Heidi Hammell Heidi Keogh Sheryl McDonald- Ruth Silver Nancy Bernstein Cy DeBoer Linda Hanson Kareen Kimsey Galbreath Carol Slifer Judy Billings Mrs. Edward J. Dempsey Cathy Hollis Melly Kinnard Bonnie McMillin Elizabeth Sloan Carolynn Bond Gail Doby Beth Hooper Lucy Kissinger Julie M. Mork Ryta Sondergard Victoria Bourret Sharon Donnelly Margie Hunter Jackie Kruszek Diane L. Nolen Mary Ann Steadman Annabel Bowlen Karen DuWaldt Kaye Hurtt Jamie Ladd-Jones Jane D. North Donna Stefanek Lois Bradbury Andrea Ellsworth Janie Hutchison Lori Lawrence Mary Otten Diane Sweat James Brownlie Margot Frank Pam Ignat Karen Leaffer Dee Dee Parker Donna Tonahill Jane Buckley Marjorie Garard Georgia Imhoff Pam Leder Pam Powell Jill Traina Janet Burmeister Suzanne Goderstad Barbara Ingalls Sarah Leffen Kristen Provost Jean A. Tutolo Krystie Bush Nancy Gooding Kaye Isaacs Val Liechty Helen Rizer Judith Wagner Celeste Chapman Pamela Grange Cheri Issel Stephanie Linafelter Linda Roberts The Gathering Place 2008-2009 Annual Report Page 4 The Gathering Place Mission and Philosophy Mission Statement Founded in 1986, The Gathering Place supports women and their children experiencing homelessness and poverty by providing a safe daytime refuge and resources for self-sufficiency. The Gathering Place Philosophy Community of Acceptance Shelter from Harm Opportunities for Hope At The Gathering Place, we believe that each The Gathering Place is a safe haven for women The welcoming and open environment of The woman who comes through our doors is a and children during times of homelessness or Gathering Place promotes rest, rejuvenation, valuable human being with a unique set of poverty. A woman cannot concentrate on a and consideration of future choices. Our circumstances. We also believe when a woman search for housing if she is hungry.