Speed Racers and Football Fans!

This month, some of our clients with disabilities attended special sporting events through the generosity of some of our donors and volunteers! Below are some highlights from a trip to Bandimere Speedway and a Broncos game.

The Guys Enjoying Their Night at Bandimere Speedway

On August 11th, SHALOM Denver director, Arnie Kover and delivery driver, Anthony Montoya, took several clients with disabilities, who are “real car guys” to the drag races at Bandimere. Thanks to the generosity of Paul Lombardi, food and beverage manager at Bandimere raceway, they were able to have a “guys night at the races."  Admission, hot dogs and burgers were provided by Paul and the guys got souvenier T-shirts to take home. In addition, Tim Hall, former Laradon Hall Director, turned race car driver let the guys sit in a real Corvette race car. Thanks to Paul and Tim for a great night!

Laurie, Denise, and Lee at the Broncos Game

On August 21st, Duke Kaminsky, a long-time donor, gave the JFS Group Home four tickets to a Broncos exhibition game. Laurie and Lee were the lucky residents who got to go to the game. Denise, a member of the Group Home staff, and Phil Rose, a volunteer, were the chaperones for the evening.

Phil has been volunteering at the Group Home for a couple of months, hanging out with the guys and watching sports at the house. He had expressed an interest in taking them on an outing and when this opportunity arose, he jumped on it! Everyone had a great time and upon Laurie's insistence, stayed until the end of the game.

Thanks to everyone who made these fun events happen for all the guys!

SHALOM Denver Hosts Colorado and U.S. Policy Makers

(L to R) Senator Linda Newell, Arnie Kover, Senator Joyce Foster, and Sara Leeper

This post was written by Arnie Kover, director of Disability and Employment Services.

On Tuesday, August 17th, SHALOM Denver provided guided tours to important U.S. and Colorado state dignitaries. The event was planned in conjunction with 30 other similar agencies around the country through our membership in IAJVS, the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services. On hand were Bennie Milliner and Eva Serenil, both community liaisons from Senator Michael Bennet’s office, Colorado Senator Linda Newell, and our longtime friend and champion, Senator Joyce Foster.

Bennie Milliner and Eva Serenil, community liaisons from Senator Michael Bennet’s office, tour the workshop with Arnie Kover to meet clients

Sara Leeper, SHALOM Denver coordinator of client services, and I discussed the rich history of SHALOM Denver, the various populations served, and the numerous services and supports offered. The Senators and Senate staffers spent almost 2 hours learning about SHALOM and its many benefits to those with employment challenges, all the while mingling with SHALOM clients, shaking hands, and offering words of encouragement.

Sara and I shared information about all the great employment outcomes that SHALOM clients receive and also discussed important funding challenges that these difficult economic times have created. “This is a great passion of mine and I will do all I can to support the work done at SHALOM,” stated Senator Newell. Bennie Milliner and Eva Serenil both appreciated learning about SHALOM Denver and said that “they see SHALOM as a great resource for the Denver metro area.”

It was a great day of sharing and collaborating with very important people who now know the importance of the services we deliver and who are committed to helping us continue our work far into the future. For this, we are truly appreciative.

Our Volunteers Go Above and Beyond!

Renee Singer, Rae Negreann, and Sandy Weiner
(Not pictured: Diana Sher and Diane Rubinstein)

Earlier this week, JFS Senior Solutions and JFS at Home honored some of their exemplary volunteers at a breakfast hosted at our office. While the senior department has many wonderful volunteers, these five go above and beyond. The staff members who work closely with these volunteers presented each of them with a certificate of appreciation and a gift card for their hard work and commitment to the agency.

Three of the volunteers, Diana Sher, Diane Rubinstein, and Rae Negreann, are Friendly Visitors who provide companionship to elderly adults on a regular basis. These volunteers have been dedicated to the senior clients they visit for several years and have helped them through many of life's transitions including moving and losing friends and family. All three women have forged strong bonds with the seniors and get as much out of the relationships as they put in!

The other two volunteers that were honored, Renee Singer and Sandy Weiner, help Doreen Osborne, JFS at Home staffing coordinator. These ladies volunteer a total of nine hours per week doing a variety of administrative tasks such as billing, timesheets, reference checks, and putting introduction packets together.

Thank you to all these volunteers for all that they do! They all felt very appreicated as well, and Sandy and Renee both commented that they've "never witnessed an organization that is so appreciative of their volunteers."

If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services, at (303) 597.5000 x369.