INVEST IN KIDS

Denver

News: The 12 chefs participating in the Bright Futures Gala, a celebration marking the 25th anniversary of Invest In Kids, were asked to select their favorite childhood food and then prepare it with a modern twist.

The result was a delicious array that included shrimp corn dogs from chef Jose Avila’s Michelin Bib-rated La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal; Sen~or Bear’s take on Lunchables – with caviar among the treats contained in the partitioned serving trays; and “don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it” Spam sandwiches from Bodega Denver, a “Rowdy lil sandwich shop” on W. 38th Avenue.

Five hundred friends of Invest In Kids took part in the celebration held Sept. 23 at The Brighton, an event space in Denver’s River North neighborhood. Between ticket sales, sponsorships and an auction and paddle raise called by Libby Pollack, $440,000 was raised.

During the program that followed the food samplings, Lisa Hill, the executive director of Invest In Kids, introduced the event chairs: attorney and former IIK executive director Jennifer Atler; IIK board member and managing director at Piper Sandler Shelby Noble; Lindsey Schwartz, an IIK board member and producer/storyteller for ABC News; and John Walsh, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado and a co-founder, with Jennifer Atler, of Invest In Kids.

Hill also thanked the Platinum Sponsors, the Staenberg Group and the Younggren family, as well as restaurant industry strategist Jensen Cummings, Eric Dale, pastry chef at Rioja and Darrel Truett, executive chef at Barolo Grill, for coordinating the dinner portion of the evening.

In addition, Hill announced the start of an endowment fund that will ensure IIK’s ability to give every Colorado child a strong start in life.

“As we think about our next 25 years, and how committed we are to building systems that address the disparities so many children and new parents face, we take a deep breath and announce the creation of an endowment fund, sparked by a gift from board member Sean Waters. You’ll hear more about it in the coming weeks, but for now just know how grateful we are to Sean and our ability to continue building bright and strong futures for the children of Colorado.”

Michelle Kardokus, a graduate of IIK’s Nurse-Family Partnership program, introduced the special appeal by describing how it helped her become a better mom. “I knew I wanted to do everything within my power to give my children the emotional stability as a mother that I wasn’t able to have growing up,” she said, adding that by enrolling in the Nurse-Family Partnership “I was blessed with an amazing nurse that helped me in so many ways.”

Today, Kardokus works as a fitness coach and is the mother of two thriving daughters.

About the organization: Since its founding, Invest In Kids and its three evidence-based programs – the Nurse-Family Partnership, The Incredible Years and Child First – has enabled some 131,000 children and over 44,000 parents and caregivers the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive. Investing in young children and families, says executive director Lisa Hill, is “the best way to strengthen our community today and for future generations.”

Website: iik.org

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