$100 Worth of Mashed Potatoes? see page 2
live local Wheat Ridge
Arts and Culture Highlights
Thursday, oct. 11, 5-8 p.m. RsVP at
hosted by
Holly West Restaurant 3490 youngfield st. 303-274-8433
Neighborhood
see page 5
Gazette
WHEAT RIDGE
EDGEWATER
Celebrate Ridge at 38: The City’s Future Main street? By J. PATRICK o’leARy
W
hen Wheat Ridge 2020 and the City of Wheat Ridge throw their Saturday-long “Celebrate The Ridge at 38” fete on Sept. 22, it will mark more than the end of a summer of re-striping, rearrangement and re-branding of West 38th Avenue between Wadsworth and Sheridan. It is the start of the community’s “test drive” of the new arrangement, giving residents and businesses an idea of what Wheat Ridge’s “Main Street” could be, not just in the next year or two, but decades down the road. “It is a pilot project, and certainly not temporary,” says Sarah Showalter, Wheat Ridge Planner II. The city will be gathering traffic and business health data in the next 18 to 24 months, and taking the public’s pulse. “Maybe people will like it, maybe we will find money to maintain it or to make it permanent. We will see what the community thinks. There are just so many moving pieces.” It is all part of the 38th Avenue Corridor Plan, developed by a ‘Mayoral appointed Stakeholder Committee, and adopted by the City Council on Oct. 10, 2011. Showalter said the city spent around $250,000 on road re-striping, three “pop-up” café’s, eight planters and a handful of “access enhancements”physical improvements
in the roadway and right of way, up to the curb. Marketing and activity beyond the curb is spearheaded by Wheat Ridge 2020, a nonprofit development corporation “advancing Wheat Ridge as a vibrant and sustainable community.” In February 2012, Wheat Ridge 2020 requested and received from City Council $92,800 to implement the 38th Avenue Revitalization plan. That sum included approximately $20,000 for marketing, rebranding (“Ridge at 38”) and, yes, the big celebration. Festivities kick off with a 1:00 p.m. ribbon-cutting on the Wheat Ridge School Green on West. 38th Avenue and High Court. From then until 6:00 p.m., the Green will be home to an Artisans Market hawking locally produced goods, and children’s activities. Across the street, visitors can sample adult beverages at the Microbrew and Local Wine Garden and enjoy a Vintage Auto/ Cycle Show. A parking lot near Reed Street will host an Urban Farming Showcase and Food Swap. “Do-It-Yourself ” workshops will be offered as well. From Wadsworth to Reed Street, businesses will host sidewalk sales and promotions. Visit the website or information tent on The Green for details. Starting at 6:00 p.m., guests can set up
spotlight on Jefferson Center’s summit Center By JoAN WAllACH
T
he Jefferson Center for Mental Health ( Jefferson Center) is a private, notfor-profit organization that has served people in Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties for over 50 years.The Center provides an array of services to people with mental health challenges and their families, and ongoing education to cut through the layers of stereotypes and stigma that surround people with mental illnesses. This article focuses on Jefferson Center’s Summit Center, located in Wheat Ridge, and the continuum of services provided for people with mental health problems who are seeking employment. We’ve seen shuttered post offices… typically not a pretty sight, with plywood covered windows and weeds poking through cracked asphalt. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, the Summit Center took over the old Wheat Ridge Post Office sixteen years ago, and continues to transform the outdated facility into a welcoming clubhouse and job center. A tour led by Paul Barnett, Vocational Services Manager for Summit Center, and Stephanie Schiemann, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations for Jefferson Center, revealed a remodeled interior with new kitchen amenities to complement their expanded Café and Catering programs, comfortable furniture, computers and more. Barnett came to the Center 18 months ago,
after over two decades experience as a mental health clinician. His enthusiasm, dedication, wisdom and entrepreneurial streak helped over 100 people “celebrate the power of a job” in 2011. He continues to advance creative partnerships, growth and success for the Center. The mission of Summit Center is, “To empower adults with mental illness in their recovery by supporting resilience, independence, and community integration through social and vocational support.” Ms.Schiemann reminds us, “Mental illness doesn’t define the person. Life goes on.” Summit Center is a clubhouse where Barnett likes to see “the doors open as wide as possible.” Here people have an opportunity to move away from stigma and isolation. There are classes in cooking and computers, a range of employment opportunities for those interested and a number of opportunities within the clubhouse to practice and cultivate work skills. There are community outings and social connections invaluable in the process of recovery. There are no client fees. Following are brief descriptions of the three employment programs offered through Summit Center.
Transitional employment Businesses participating in the Transitional Employment program utilize
COLORADO YOUTH PIPE BAND entertained festival attendees at the Celtic Harvest Festival Edgewater, held Sept. 15 & 16 in Citizen’s Park. Organizers said the third annual event was very successful and enjoyed perfect weather. PHOTO: PATRICK MCELHANY blankets and bag chairs on The Green for the Retro/Modern Double-Feature Movie on the Green featuring Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, the 1971 original and the 2005 remake. Vendors will peddle food and beverages, including microbrews and wine, prizes will be awarded in a Wonka Costume Contest and trivia competitions. The films begin at dusk. After the credits roll, Wheat Ridge 2020 and its Leadership Committee of community stakeholders will continue to market the rearranged and re-branded roadway, drawing in people and business.
“We will do events, giving people reasons to re-engage, and positioning the corridor for ‘what is old is new’,” said Wheat Ridge 2020 Executive Director, Britta Fisher. She went on to say, “We want people to see people eating [and] biking … to see it is a place where people want to be, and not just drive through.” Visit ridgeat38.com for event information, the 38th Avenue link at www.ci.wheatridge. co.us for information on the 38th Avenue Corridor Plan and Wheat Ridge 2020, www. wheatridge2020.org or 720-259-1030, to learn how to participate in the Leadership Committee.
Summit Center members as employees for a six to nine-month period. Members first receive a tour of the job facility and Summit staff select candidates based on desire, ability and match with the employer. The candidate receives on-the job-training provided by Summit staff. If an employee is sick the employer can call Summit to staff the position. The program allows members to build their skills and confidence with parttime temporary work. Dairy Queen, Barnes and Noble and the Jefferson Center itself are examples of employers who participate in this program. Summit staff find a person to replace an employee at the end of the transition period. The staff at Summit are committed to good relationships with participating employers and mutual satisfaction.
employment program. Barnett reminds us that most of us have and need support at work. Supported employment builds in opportunities for both employers and employees to check in with employment specialists to stay on track.
evidence-Based supported employment Paul Barnett doffs his cap to Dr. Harriet Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson Center for Mental Health, and other visionary executives at the Jefferson Center. They took a courageous leap in implementing an evidence-based supported employment program for people with severe mental illnesses that was developed at Dartmouth College. The program focuses on the strengths of the clients and provides individualized services to employers in order to make matches that will be long lasting and mutually rewarding. Nine employment specialists work with members, clinicians, and to date with over 95 local employers, who have participated in the supported
Individual employment For Summit members who want to find their own jobs, Summit assists with building resumes and mock interviews. If you are an employer interested in participating in Summit Center’s employment programs please call Paul Barnett at 303-4325810.
entrepreneurial Ventures With a twinkle in her eye, Tabbitha Cardinal, Summit Center’s Head Cook, states, “I’m the best cook in Metro Denver.” Where other clubhouses typically have one entrée a day, Ms. Cardinal offers dozens of low cost items on a menu. Members volunteering in the kitchen broaden their cooking skills and build food services skills. All members are invited to dine at the Center Café four days a week, enjoying the diversity and deliciousness of affordable meals based on both healthier choices and comfort foods. With Ms. Cardinal at the helm of the kitchen, The Center Café and Catering venture was born. In 2012 the catering program has provided dinners for over 3,000 guests in the Jefferson Center’s various locations and other venues. Continued on page 7