Press Releases


Press Releases

 

Golden, Colorado. – September 14, 2023 –CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) announced today the hiring of Monica Groh, CAE as its new Executive Director. “Monica’s background as an executive director, combined with a deep passion for nonprofit management and youth empowerment, and proven record of program design will help take CBR YouthConnect forward into its 65th year of service.   We are thrilled to welcome Monica to our team”, says Cheri Jahn,  Board Chair.

Monica is the owner and founder of Groh Solutions LLC, a nonprofit consulting firm specializing in part-time executive director work.  Monica has over 17 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations in Colorado and nationwide and brings a wealth of experience in helping organizations and Boards thrive and work strategically.

Monica started with CBR YouthConnect in June of this year. Her responsibilities will include helping the Board carry out its new strategic initiatives as well as the management of day-to-day operations of the organization. We look forward to you meeting her on October 20th at our Anniversary Kick Off or a future event.

Monica is a New Mexico native but has lived in the Golden area for over 12 years. Monica is passionate about helping youth grow and thrive via sports and leadership. She serves on the Board of the Golden Softball Association and coaches many teams throughout the area including soccer, softball, baseball, and basketball.  She is currently providing executive director services to several nonprofits in the Colorado area, including a network for women in mergers and acquisitions and a membership organization focusing on strengthening the field of science-based invasive species management.

Monica and her husband Bill have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of two kiddos, Varenna(age 12) and William (age 9), both attending local Jeffco schools.

Lakewood, Colorado. – May 22, 2021 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) announced today that Mike Sanders and Mo Tinsley were awared the Everette O. Marshall Distinguished Service Award for their dedication and service to CBRYC as Board Members over the years.

Mike Sanders joined the board in 2015. During his time on the board, he served as the Internal Affairs Committee Vice Chair and Board Chairman. Mike also served as the interim-CEO in 2019 while the organization was working to hire someone for the position.

Mo Tinsley joined the board in the early 2000s when the Boys Ranch was still up and operating. Mo was a longtime donor prior to joining the board and had actually grown up around the Boys Ranch in the La Junta area. During his time on the board, Mo served as the Treasurer.

The Everette O. Marshall Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by CBRYC. Named after founding board member, Everette O. Marshall, this recognizes the amazing service and dedication the awardee has provided to the organization. Everette O. Marshall, also known as “The Blond Bear of the Rockies” was a world heavyweight wrestling champion and a champion farmer and rancher in the La Junta area. Marshall experienced some hardships in his youth, and that later accounted for his passion and generosity in giving back to organizations like Colorado Boys Ranch that supported troubled youth. Marshall used his fame and success to garner support for the opening of the Boys Ranch and often volunteered to spend time with boys on the ranch. You can read more about Everette O. Marshall in the book that includes stories from the ranch, The Hero Within.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – Jan 17, 2020 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) announced today that Donna Hume has been named the recipient of the 2019 Chuck Thompson Person of the Year Award.

Mike Sanders, Board Chairmen of CBRYC announced the recipient of the 2019 Chuck Thompson Person of the Year Award during the 2nd Annual Hats & Boots Extravaganza held at the Grizzly Rose in Denver, CO. The Chuck Thompson Person of the Year Award is given annually to the person(s) the Board of Directors recognizes as having a similar impact on Colorado children and families as Chuck Thompson did over a stellar 37-year career leading CBR YouthConnect.

This award, granted posthumously to Donna Hume, is in recognition of her standing as long-time donor and supporter of CBRYC. Her generosity has and will continue to impact the youth and families of Colorado for many years to come.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – Jan 17, 2020 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) held their 2nd Annual Hats & Boots Extravaganza today at the Grizzly Rose in Denver, CO.

The Hats and Boots Extravaganza was a huge fundraiser for CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC). There was mechanical bull riding, live music and country dancing, as well as the opportunity to meet 3-time Super Bowl champion and Denver sports legend, Ed McCaffrey. CBRYC also held a silent and live auction to raise funds to support our programs that serve the at-risk and troubled youth of Colorado.

The event highlighted CBRYC’s Specialized Mentoring program and featured two video presentations from youth currently participating in this program. McCaffrey also spoke on mentoring stating “we cannot go through life alone and be happy. We were put here to connect and love and care about others and serve others. […] They [mentees] will go on to make you proud, they will go on and give back what they have received and continue to make this world a better place.”

Specialized Mentoring is a highly skilled, trauma-informed process for inspiring and helping youth to build resilience and positive character. Through conversations, purposeful community experiences and creative projects, youth are encouraged to creatively express their own personal STORY and think through the values and beliefs they want to live by. They are helped to discover their own power to live their best personal story and guild their own lives no matter their personal circumstances.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – December 16, 2019 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) announced today that Terry Scofidio has been named Chief Executive Officer, only the 3rd CEO in the last 25 years of the organization.

Mike Sanders, Board Chairmen of CBRYC comments, “We had an extensive search, both in and out of Colorado to find our new leader.  Finding Terry at this time was meant to be.  She has a tremendous background in helping children and families in crisis.  Her experience, empathy and leadership skills makes her an excellent choice to lead the organization forward.   The Board looks forward to working with Terry as CBRYC continues to grow and provide needed services to the youth and families of Colorado.”

Scofidio was most recently with the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health as the Division Director.   Before that, she was the CEO at Baker Victory Services in Buffalo, NY.  New CEO Terry Scofidio says, “I am excited to join an organization with such a rich history of helping children and families with innovative programs and services.  It is an honor to lead an organization with such a rich and long legacy, but I am confident that with the support of the CBRYC staff and Board we will continue to make a substantial difference for children, youth, and their families in Colorado.”

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – November 4, 2019 2nd Annual Hats & Boots Extravaganza

Come and dance the night away on January 17, 2020, at the best rodeo after-party in Denver from 6p.m. to Midnight at the Grizzly Rose. The Hats and Boots Extravaganza is a huge fundraiser for CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) and will consist of dancing, food and drinks.

In addition to delicious food and a cash bar, there will be mechanical bull riding, live music and country dancing, as well as the opportunity to meet 3-time Super Bowl champion and Denver sports legend, Ed McCaffrey.

The event will take place at the Grizzly Rose, Denver’s country bar and nightclub, where there will be live music and dancing throughout the night. CBRYC will also be holding a silent and live auction to raise funds to support our programs that serve the at-risk and troubled youth of Colorado.

Would you like to attend this event or want to become a sponsor? To learn more about the Hats and Boots Extravaganza, visit www.cbryouthconnect.org/hats-boots-extravaganza/.

A downloadable flyer is available by clicking here.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – August 28, 2019 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC), a 60-year-old Colorado non-profit dedicated to helping special needs children, youths at risk and their families, announced today three new Board Members joining the organization.   Ms. Therese Kerr (an associate at Michael Best Strategies), Mr. Reggie Garcia (CEO of Latcon Corp.), and Mr. Ron Rex (an Associate Professor of Management and Marketing at Colorado Christian University) joined the Board at the July 24th Board Meeting with a unanimous vote.

CBRYC Board Chairman Mike Sanders welcomed these three new additions at the Board Meeting saying, “We are lucky to have such great people wanting to join our leadership team.   These three executives bring unique skills to the Board that will help our organization move into the future as we face new challenges and extend our reach”.  Ms. Kerr has experience working with executives and government agencies in the nonprofit world, including those working with populations that are plagued with poverty, addiction, and violence.   Mr. Rex, in addition to being an expert in the field of organizational management, has previous experience as a police officer in the protective services unit.  Mr. Garcia, a long time friend and donor to CBRYC, has a strong drive for the mission of CBRYC as well as those in the Autism community.

CBRYC provides troubled youth growing up in unsafe and traumatic environments with the means and inspiration to become hopeful and productive citizens.  In CBRYC’s 60-year history, it has helped over 77,000 lives with mobile statewide in-home and community based programs.  CBRYC is the recipient of the prestigious Samaritan Institute Award for Non-Profit Ethics, and twice winner of the El Pomar Youth Organization of the Year Award.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – August 27, 2019 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) is excited to announce the re-branding of Family Voices Colorado (FVCo) to Community Voices (CV). We are making this transition to expand the resources we can provide to the communities, youth, and families of Colorado. CV will continue to provide resources to and advocacy for families with children with disabilities, as well as continue to be active in the CYSHCN community and expand to helping families and children with other special needs, including: mental health, trauma, and children in the child welfare and foster care systems.

In keeping with our mission as an organization, CV aims to educate, connect, and empower youth and families to form unbreakable connections and create their own paths. The Community Voices’ Special Needs Navigator is dedicated to promoting self-advocacy in the families this program supports. By providing education and operating as the Family to Family Health Information Center for the state of Colorado, Community Voices equips families with the resources and community connections they need  through phone, email, or in person support to charge their own paths and advocate for their unique needs.

“I am passionate about providing resources and assistance to families and individuals. Navigating through the systems can be an intimidating task but I’m here to alleviate some of that anxiety. Families can contact me directly, no referral needed and we can work together in finding the right resources the meet their needs.”

– Javi Dolif, Special Needs Resource Navigator

CBR YouthConnect has impacted the lives of over 77,000 youth and their families over the course of our 60 year history. Our programs and services have helped to provide stability, support, and hope to families and youth in need. With the introduction of Community Voices into our array of programs, CBRYC’s mission, “to connect children, youth and families with the resources and inspiration to become hopeful and productive citizens,” will continue to impact the lives of families and youth (including those at-risk and with special needs) in Colorado for many years to come. CBRYC is the recipient of the prestigious Samaritan Institute Award for Non-Profit Ethics, and twice winner of the El Pomar Youth Organization of the Year Award.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – January 16, 2019 – Did you know if you shop Amazon at smile.amazon.com (AmazonSmile) you can help support CBR YouthConnect at no additional cost? Now through January 31, 2019, Amazon is donating 30 times the usual rate on all new print magazine subscriptions which is a whopping 15 percent of your new magazine subscription purchase price!

Also, AmazoneSmile offers all the same items, prices and benefits of shopping on Amazon.com, but they donate .5 percent of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice. Before you start your shopping on AmazonSmile, make sure to select Colorado Boys Ranch Foundation as your charity of choice to ensure the donation amount goes free of charge to CBR YouthConnect. All proceeds go to helping Colorado kids and families through CBR’s community programs and resources.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – December 3, 2018 – Come and dance the night away on January 18, 2019, at the best rodeo after-party during the National Western Stock Show from 7 p.m. to Midnight at the Forney Museum of Transportation. The Hats and Boots Extravaganza is a huge fundraiser for the Colorado Boys Ranch (CBR) YouthConnect and will consist of dancing, food and drinks.

In addition to delicious BBQ and a cash bar on site, there will be mechanical bull riding; country dancing, which includes two-step lessons; ‘cowboy contests’ which are quick draw, roll-a-roper and stick horse barrel racing; rodeo clowns and more!

The event follows the Pro Rodeo and is right across the road, so instead of going home, bring the whole family out! Tickets are $15 for single, $10 for senior and $30 for couples and families. Tickets will available to purchase online starting in mid-December.

Attending the event? Make sure to let us know by saying you are going on the Hats and Boots Extravaganza Facebook Event Page.

Interested in sponsoring the event? Learn how you can help make a difference at www.cbryouthconnect.org/sponsorship-opportunities/. We also need volunteers! All volunteers will gain free admission into the event and there are a variety of opportunities. You can view all of the opportunities at www.cbryouthconnect.org/volunteer-opportunities/.

To learn more about the Hats and Boots Extravaganza, visit www.cbryouthconnect.org/hats-boots-extravaganza/. A downloadable flyer is available by clicking here.

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – October 22, 2018 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC), a 59-year-old Colorado non-profit dedicated to helping at risk youth and their families, announced today two new Board Members joining the organization, bringing the total Board Membership to twelve.  Both Mr. David Walcher (Sheriff of Arapahoe County) and Mr. Felipe Bohnet-Gomez (an Attorney at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC) joined the Board at the October 10th Board Meeting with a unanimous vote.

Says CEO Tom Rose, “These two new Board Members will help increase our reach into the communities we serve.  We already have contractual relationships with Arapahoe County where Sheriff Walcher works.  In addition, we deal with troubled youths and families and his council to us on working with law enforcement will be invaluable.  Mr. Bohnet-Gomez often works with the same populations that we serve and his legal advice will be sought after in certain situations.”

CBRYC provides troubled youth growing up in unsafe and traumatic environments with the means and inspiration to become hopeful and productive citizens.  To date CBRYC has helped over 75,000 lives with mobile statewide in-home and community based programs.   CBRYC is the recipient of the prestigious Samaritan Institute Award for Non-Profit Ethics, and twice winner of the El Pomar Youth Organization of the Year Award.

Mike Sanders, Board Chairmen of CBRYC comments, “Both of these new Board additions have great character and are well respected in the community.   They believe in our mission of helping troubled youth and have experience doing just that.  The Board looks forward to their addition and the breadth of skills they bring with them in supporting the youth of Colorado.”

 

Lakewood, Colorado. – June 15, 2018 – CBR YouthConnect (CBRYC) announced today that Tom Rose has been named the successor to retiring Chief Executive Officer Chuck Thompson after his 37 years of service to the CBRYC and the Colorado Boys Ranch.  Mr. Rose starts June 25th as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the 59-year-old non-profit organization that has impacted over 75,000 youth and families through the years.

New CEO Tom Rose commented, “I am excited to join an organization with such a rich history of helping children and families with supportive and innovative programs and services. Chuck Thompson leaves such a positive legacy and large shoes for me to fill, but I am confident that with the support of the CBRYC staff and Board we will continue to make a substantial difference for children, youth, and their families.”

CBRYC’s provides troubled youth growing up in unsafe and traumatic environments with the means and inspiration to become hopeful and productive citizens. The organization also partners with over 25 organizations at 18 locations across the state.

Chuck Thompson helped to transform CBRYC from the nationally known Colorado Boys Ranch that was a licensed therapeutic residential treatment center in La Junta, CO to a more agile and innovative organization that is now distributed across Colorado.  The services are community-based and provided in the home, school, and community.  Thompson says “It has been my honor to work with such a dedicated staff and Board to deliver our services to the underserved children and families of Colorado.  In my short time with Tom, I know he will do great things to lead CBRYC into a strong future.”

Mike Sanders, Board Chairmen of CBRYC comments, “We are lucky to have found Tom.  After 35 years of leading and transforming CBRYC, Chuck has earned his retirement and deserves to have his legacy continue with a strong leader like Tom.  The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Rose as CBRYC continues to grow and provide needed services to the youth of Colorado.”