Letter from Laurie

It’s hard to believe our annual Investing in Success luncheon event is just around the corner on May 1st.  This year we are holding it in a new exciting venue called EXDO Event Center (at 35th and Walnut north of downtown).  We chose to hold our annual alumni awards event in a contemporary new setting as yet another way to kick off the next 25 years of our history.  As you may know, in 2007 CWEE celebrated 25 years of excellence in assisting low-income single parents to leave poverty by helping them prepare for, find and keep sustainable employment.

I’m very excited about the next 25 years.  Yet at the same time, I know the challenge ahead of organizations like CWEE and others is substantial.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state’s child poverty rate has increased to 15.3%...up from 13.8% in 2005 and 12.2% in 2001.  On average, a CWEE participant has three children.  We must position ourselves to continue to reach out to these families.

Plus, homelessness among families in Denver remains a concern in our community.  According to the 2007 study conducted by the Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative, six in 10 homeless persons were part of a family with children.  One-third of those counted has been homeless less than a year, the majority of whom were families with children (72.7%).  More than one-third of all homeless children and teens are infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

We see this daily at CWEE.  Many of the single parents we serve are without a place to call home when they first start at CWEE.  However, thanks to our wholistic approach that includes case managers working with each CWEE participant, as well as computer and job-readiness instruction, CWEE helps individuals overcome the housing barrier if needed.

In FY2007, we served more than 350 people and our average job placement wage was $9.13 per hour.  This year’s Silver Flame Alumni Award recipients (Cristal Anderson and Rebecca Towne) and special honorary Silver Flame Karen Thurman each represent the rewards that come with economic self-sufficiency and the importance of career-oriented jobs that pay $9.00 an hour or more.

Fifteen years after being laid off and fighting a Civil Rights Case, Karen Thurman is a highly valued employee with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.  When she graduated from CWEE in 1993, Karen was prepared by her CWEE experience for the journey of her dreams, working in Washington D.C., being hired by former Governor Bill Owens and meeting our nation’s elected leaders.

We hope to see you on May 1st when Cristal, Rebecca and Karen will each tell you their success stories themselves.  Taking the time to listen to how these women are breaking or have broken the cycle of poverty is important.

Thank you,

Laurie A. Harvey

Executive Director