• Member Spotlight
• Office of Economic Development's Community & Economic Development Toolbox
• Help CREW Denver be a Founding Chapter
• 2010 Board of Directors
• Update your information for the Resource Directory
• Sponsor an Event
• Join Today
• Click Here for Information on CREW Denver's Press Contact

 Community Outreach

  Future Projects for 2010 

• October 16, 2010 Habitat for Humanity Women Build.  Click Here for more information and to volunteer
• Women’s Bean Project (2010 Holiday fundraiser).

Completed 2010 Projects
Q3 2010 Project
 

Click Here to read about the success of COLORADO CARES DAY/PROJECT ANGEL HEART - July 31, 2010 

Q2 2010 Project

CREW Denver Participates in the Tastiest Fund-Raising Event of the Year

  
When it comes to volunteering in the community, Denver’s Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Community Outreach Committee is willing to roll up their sleeves and sweat for a good cause. These women are not afraid of hard-hat construction, a 5K race, or even waiting tables and cleaning up dirty dishes in the name of a good cause.
 
Eighteen CREW Denver members came together to assist in the WomenCook! event benefiting Work Options for Women (WOW). Operating as a Denver non-profit organization, WOW is dedicated to helping low-income women gain skills necessary for employment in the food services industry. While donations are still being received, the event is expected to raise at least $95,000 for this local non-profit.
 
WomenCook!, a popular walk-around dinner, features some of Denver’s most well-respected and creative women chefs preparing their favorite delicacies: Aniedra Nichols, Elway’s Cherry Creek; Elise Wiggins, Panzano; Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja and Bistro Vendome; Kate Horton, Black Pearl; Kathleen Kenny Davia, Gateaux; Lisa Bailey, D Bar Desserts; Mary Nguyen, Parallel Seventeen; Sheila Lucero, Jax Fish House; Sandra Adams, Grand Hyatt Hotel Denver; Yasmin Lozada Hissom, Duo and Olivea; Francesca Ruiz, Los Cabos; Michael Benson, WOW Café; and Craig Dixon, Café Options.
 
The event, held on May 3rd at Temple Emanuel in Denver, attracted over 450 hungry patrons who arrived ready to take part in a silent auction and enjoy the great food provided from local Denver restaurants. The WomeCook! program, celebrating its 6th year, depends heavily on volunteers – many of which have full-time careers.
 
“When I tell others about CREW Denver I will always say you are an incredible group of professional women who know how to seize opportunities and are not afraid of hard work,” said Dan Mondragon, Work Options for Women’s Development Director. “I’ll also say your hearts are huge and your commitment to lift up other women is unending,” he said.
 

CREW Denver’s team, co-chaired by Tonya Schloemer and Robin Cupka, jumped right into the night’s activities providing services needed to run the event. As CREW Denver’s liaison for WomenCook! event volunteers and promotions coordinator, Schloemer is pleased with the team’s efforts. She explained, “I am very proud of our CREW Denver volunteers and their dedication to the WomenCook! event. It took many months of planning and coordination on various event details from space layout, promotions, signage, hospitality, silent auction items and training. All of our volunteers put in countless hours of hard work in supporting Work Options for Women, which in my experience, is a very impressive non-profit organization.” Other groups volunteering that night (in addition to the thirteen professional chefs) included the Junior League of Denver and many other individuals who -- on their own -- donated their time and skills to participate in the fundraiser’s success. CBS4 Reporter Gloria Neal was emcee for the program. 

 
The goal of the Committee Outreach Committee is to make a difference in the community and to build long lasting relationships. According to CREW Denver Community Outreach Member, Marie Kline, the relationship between WOW and CREW Denver is in its fourth year. Other non-profits served by the Community Outreach Committee include the Women’s Bean Project, Habitat for Humanity, Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure, and Betsy’s Cupboard.
 
Led by President Karen Samuels Jones, the CREW Denver organization is comprised of nearly 200 of the most influential, affluent, energetic and enterprising professionals in the commercial real estate arena. CREW Denver’s program, which is part of the national CREW Network, provides opportunities for personal and professional growth through educational sessions, monthly programs and national learning opportunities. Those interested in learning more about CREW Denver’s program should contact CREW Denver’s Administrator, Jayma File at 303-782-0166 or visit CREW Denver’s website at CrewDenver.org.
 
WOW started in 1997 as a realistic way for women to gain job skills and find employment to support their families by training them to be permanently employed in the food services industry. The program has grown from operating out of a donated kitchen to now operating two training centers in downtown Denver: The WOW Café in the Richard T. Castro Denver Human Services building and Café Options, a fast-casual restaurant, located at 1650 Curtis Street in downtown Denver.
 
             

Q1 2010 Project
 
Toiletries Drive Benefitting The Gathering Place’s Betsy’s Cupboard 
 
 
Thank you to all who participated in January – March 2010 toiletries drive for The Gathering Place. The CREW Denver community was able to gather two full trunckloads of unused toiletries and socks, and underwear for The Gathering Place’s emergency supply bank called Betsy’s Cupboard benefitting women and children experiencing homelessness or poverty in Denver. The Outreach Committee made drop offs on February 24th and April 2nd. The Gathering Place wrote this kind thank you note to all who participated in the drive:
 
On behalf of the women and children we serve, we gratefully acknowledge your kind gift of toiletries received 2/24/2010.
 
Your donation is deeply appreciated by those in our community experiencing poverty and homelessness.
 
Sincerely,
 
The women, children, staff and volunteers of The Gathering Place, Denver’s only daytime drop-in center for women and children experiencing poverty and homelessness.
 

For more information on Betsy’s Cupboard and The Gathering Place, please visit www.the-gatheringplace.org.
 

Meaghan Turner, Nicole Gorham, Terri Rithner and Melanie Davis sorting donations on 4/2/10
 
 
 
 
 
Nicole Gorham, Andrea Ackerman and Keely Downs sorting donations on 2/24/10.