NONPROFITS AROUND TOWN: Peak Education's magic; Komen country; CP award

Hey world — and Bill Gates (yes, that Bill Gates) —  here they come.

Peak Education is no secret in Harrison School District 2, where 90 formerly at-risk students, all from low-income families, are on a path toward  graduation and college, fully equipped with new life skills. The program’s success rate: 100 percent.

At the annual “Magic of Two” fundraiser March 12, 262 supporters, sponsors and volunteers heard speaker Gail Romero explain how this educational model, in which parents are also a vital element, is “the key component in our lagging education system.” And she’s doing something about it.

Romero, president of MacKenzie-Romero Consulting in Seattle and friend from grad school of Peak Education CEO Dee Beaudette, made Peak Education information available to Global Philanthropy Group, which works with the Jolie-Pitt Foundation among others,  and on Friday met with former Microsoft-head-turned-education- philanthropist Bill Gates.

In addition, founders Dalton Conner and Steve Mullens have been nominated for the $100,000 International Purpose Prize.

It all stems from a simple plan by Conner and Mullens to find motivated youth, disadvantaged by their circumstances, and to mentor and support them from seventh grade through college. Then the men’s friends stepped in to help.

Explaining how and why the program works were two success stories, brothers Jose and Juan Alvarez.
Sons of migrant workers who had worked the fields picking cucumbers and tomatoes, they and their siblings had parents Margarita and Juan as their education cheerleaders. Add to that the helping hands of Peak Education mentors. Jose is an engineering major and a photographer at UCCS. Juan will study landscape architecture at Texas A&M. Some of their siblings are in the engineering and electrical engineering fields.

In a special presentation the Alvarez parents were acknowledged by the crowd and their family. A proud and tearful Margarita, it was disclosed, has cancer, which is in remission.

Two Peak Education mentors, also board members, were also honored: Mary Lou Murphy and Buz Rieger. Murphy quoted from “Mister Rogers Neighborhood”: “In every neighborhood, all across the country, there are good people insisting on a good start for the young and doing something about it.”

Among other things, Rieger takes the students and their parents hiking in the spring and fall. Then it’s off to Howard’s Pit BBQ where Howard Smith, “my partner in this,” is there to meet them — 30 to 40 strong — for lunch. The life lesson: Howard insists the young people shake his hand hello “like you really mean it. And look me in the eye. Be proud of who you are.”

Wife/mother/student Vanessa Alvarez told attendees she has gained that pride as she sets out to earn a doctorate in neuroscience research and technology.

 “Never underestimate the power of your investment,” she told supporters and sponsors who raised $77,000 that night.

Earlier that day program partner UCCS, site of the fundraiser,  sponsored a Family Science Day for Peak Education students, their siblings and parents, giving everyone an opportunity to have a little fun with some science experiments and possibly spurring an interest in the sciences, before sitting down to dinner.

CP Hope Award

Dr. Edward C. Maynard of Iron Horse Pediatrics was honored by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Colorado Springs with its 2010 Hope Award. He is chair of the Pediatric Section of Memorial Hospital for Children.

The association held its annual awards dinner, “Hope Around the Clock,” on a snowy evening Feb. 19 at Patty Jewett Clubhouse.

Next up, a Jean’s Day fundraiser. Companies designate one Friday each month for employees to wear jeans and employees will donate $1 each to the local association. For more information: cpappr.org or call 638-0808.

Komen turns country
Komen Race for the Cure each September — Sept. 12 this year —  has become a tradition for thousands of area residents who put their walking and running shoes to help eradicate breast cancer.

On Feb. 25 the area affiliate added a Western touch to the group’s fundraising. A “Country for the Cure” benefit and concert at ProRodeo Hall of Fame brought out 250 urban cowboys and cowgirls who raised $74,000.

Tri-Lakes Women's Club

The Tri-Lakes Women’s Club, which provides grants for organizations supporting residents in the geographic boundaries of Lewis-Palmer School District 38, said thank you to sponsors at two recent luncheons. 

 Honorees included: Tri-Lakes Printing, First National Bank, Moeller Custom Properties, Watson Recruiting Services, Peoples National Bank and American National Bank. 

  Other honorees: Schmallen Home Organization & Windows Coverings, Ent Federal Credit Union, Monument Copy, State Farm, TLC Computer Repair and The Gazette.
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Updated list of 2010 nonprofit fundraisers: tinyurl.com/yc93aew or coloradosprings.com, search “save the date.” Enter nonprofit events into the On the GO! calendar on both Web sites. E-mail a copy to linda.navarro@gazette.com.