Sloan's Lake Citizen's Group

Volunteers of America Brandon Center needs toy donations

Brandon Center Serving Denver since the late 1800s

Volunteers of America Brandon Center has been operating in various forms and locations in the Denver community since the late 1800’s, but has always served families in crisis. In the 1970’s, when domestic violence was becoming recognized as a growing issue in our communities, the Columbine Center for women and children was established in the Capitol Hill area of Denver. In 1980, the agency had the opportunity to buy a new building in west Denver that was larger and would provide a more secure setting. Today, Volunteers of America Brandon Center provides emergency shelter, meals, and support services for women and women with children who are homeless, victims of domestic violence or victims of other violent crime. Services are provided for approximately 1000 women and children annually in a 90-bed facility.

During their stay at Brandon Center, the women are able to attend a variety of classes and groups including Employment Lab, Domestic Violence, Support Group, GED and Parenting Classes. The Brandon Center Growing Hope Children’s Program provides childcare for these on-site classes and groups as well as a variety of children’s activities. Some of the activities offered for the children, ages infant through 13, include support groups, story times, movie night, homework club, birthday parties, respite care and special events. Tavie Maroncelli, the Children’s Case Manager at Brandon Center, also collaborates with the Homeless Liaisons from various school districts in order to support each child’s education.

“Two important goals that I’ve established since filling the position of Children’s Case Manager,” says Maroncelli, “is to help each child learn a healthy coping skill and for each mom to utilize positive discipline with their children.” One way the Growing Hope Children’s Program assists moms in utilizing positive discipline is through the Behavior Modification / Sticker Incentive Program. When a new family moves in to the Brandon Center, they receive a packet of information about the Growing Hope Children’s Program along with a calendar for each child with their name on it. The mothers are encouraged to give their child a sticker for any positive behaviors they witness and to let their child know why he / she is receiving the sticker. Every Friday the children are able to “cash in” their earned stickers for a new toy or game from the Treasure Chest. The kids really look forward to getting a new toy or game and the mothers have expressed tremendous gratitude that they have an effective tool to use with their children to insure positive behavior.

One mother recently said of the Growing Hope Children’s Program, “I’ve noticed my kids enjoy participating in more activities than they used to. It gives them hope that there is a good life out there for them and there’s other things to do than video games, movies and unhealthy hobbies.”

In order to continue the Behavior Modification / Sticker Incentive Program we are in need of new toys and games. We see approximately 500 – 600 children every year at the Brandon Center and hope to offer each of them with the opportunity to earn toys and games. If you are interested in donating a toy or two, please contact Tavie Maroncelli, Children’s Case Manager, or Louis Montoya, Support Services Manager, at (303) 620-9190. Your generosity is appreciated and is also tax deductible.