MILE HIGH UNITED WAY

Denver

News: It was apparent that no one wanted to play hooky on March 22 when 900 civic leaders gathered not in a kindergarten classroom but in the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel’s Plaza Ballroom for some modern-day ABCs imparted by Sheryl Lee Ralph, who stars in ABC’s smash hit, “Abbott Elementary.”

Ralph, who received an Emmy for her portrayal of no-nonsense kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard, was the special guest at the 25th Women United Luncheon, a fundraiser for Mile High United Way.

Her presentation – a fireside chat-style interview with United Way president/chief executive officer Christine Benero – was a lesson in believing in oneself, daring to dream big and the importance of teaching, be it professionally or personally.

“I am an immigrant’s child … very fortunate to have had two amazing parents who loved me unconditionally and taught me to believe in myself,” Ralph said, adding that from the very beginning she wasn’t afraid to “Let people know who I am.”

She encouraged the largely female audience to follow her lead in “Taking up space as authentically as the great woman you were meant to be. Don’t play down. Don’t play small. Don’t dim your light. Let people know. Wrap yourself up in your dreams, put on your lipstick, tell yourself ‘This is who I am. Hello, and who are you?’ “

“Abbott Elementary,” set in a fictional, predominantly Black, Philadelphia neighborhood, has received four Primetime Emmy awards and three Golden Globe awards. Its teachers navigate various student/parent challenges, cope with a beloved yet tone-deaf principal and ever-shrinking budgets.

Teachers, Ralph reminded her audience, “Are a group that has chosen – yes, chosen – to put your children first. Teachers deserve more and we need to act like education matters.”

Coincidentally, the Women United Luncheon also was the occasion for Benero to announce that Paul and Sue Sparks have donated $1 million to Mile High United Way. The gift enables Mile High United Way to open the Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center at Mile High United Way headquarters in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. It will be run by Mile High Early Learning and serve 60 infants and toddlers.

“This early childhood center represents what is possible when we stand united to meet our community’s needs,” Benero said, noting that “Half of Colorado’s kids still live in a childcare desert.” The center’s grand opening event is to take place on May 18.

Other luncheon highlights were presentation of the 2024 Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award to Lindsay Filsinger and remarks by Anahi Loera Garcia, a supervisor at the Mile High United Way’s 211 Help Center.

Filsinger received the award named for Mile High United Way’s founder, as a tribute to her decades-long support of women and girls, and passion for expanding access to early childhood care. In addition to her work on behalf of Mile High United Way, Filsinger serves on the boards of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and Escuela De Guadalupe.

Garcia’s first contact with Mile High United Way came when she was a 16-year-old mom in financial distress and found help through the organization’s Bridging the Gap program. In addition to her work in the 211 Help Center, Garcia works to raise awareness and change practices relating to self-care and mental health.

HealthONE was the luncheon’s presenting sponsor; BOK Financial was the speaker sponsor. Tatiana Arguello, president and general manager of NBCUniversal Local, was mistress of ceremonies.

Net proceeds are still being determined, but the count so far is $420,000.

About the organization: For 136 years Mile High United Way has been a “listening organization” that takes on critical human services issues facing residents in the seven-county metro Denver area. Its united approach changes the odds, giving children, families and individuals the opportunity to succeed.

Website: unitedwaydenver.org

Have news or announcements for the Nonprofit Register? Email nonprofits@coloradopolitics.com and include a contact name and number if more information is needed.