Colorado Springs, CO – Three nonprofit organizations including Mt Carmel Wellness and Community Center and three individuals from Colorado were honored by El Pomar Foundation during the Foundation’s 2024 Night of Excellence at The Broadmoor on Wednesday, October 23.
For thirty-five years, El Pomar has recognized extraordinary nonprofits and community leaders in this awards ceremony, which includes Awards for Excellence and the Julie Penrose Award.
The organizations honored were Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community
Center in Trinidad, Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver, and CASA of the 7th Judicial District in Montrose.
The individuals honored for their lifetime achievements and outstanding contributions to the nonprofit sector were Kathleen Merritt, Paul Major, and Lucille A. Echohawk.
Awards for Excellence were accompanied by $30,000 grants for each of the three organizations while each individual honoree received $10,000, which was directed to the nonprofit of their choice.
“El Pomar is fortunate to support the great work of nonprofits across the state throughout the year,” said El Pomar President & CEO, Kyle H. Hybl. “These awards are a meaningful way for us to highlight remarkable organizations and individuals for their exceptional service and commitment to the people of Colorado. Their stories are inspiring and the ways they innovate, collaborate, and overcome challenge is noteworthy.”
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE HONOREES
Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center received the Spotlight Award for Excellence (Health). Mt. Carmel serves as a gathering space for meetings and community building in Trinidad. Jay Cimino and his wife, Emily Cimino, founded Mt. Carmel with goals to offer healthcare in the form of behavioral health, primary care, and wellness education while also offering wellness services,
prevention, education, and youth programming to their community in Southern Colorado. Some of their programs include yoga, youth choirs, orchestras, cooking classes, exercise & health classes, and leadership programs. With these initiatives at their core, Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center is a place for mind, body, and spirit.
Food Bank of the Rockies received the Metro Award for Excellence. Founded in 1984, Food Bank of the Rockies works to address hunger across portions of Colorado and Wyoming through their Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope program. In 2023, Food Bank of the Rockies sourced and distributed nearly 66 million meals, ensuring over 367,000 individuals across the two states were fed daily. Through the power of food, they have given hope for a brighter future to many rural communities. Looking forward, Food Bank of the Rockies is hopeful that one day everyone will have the food and resources needed to nourish themselves and their communities.
CASA of the 7th District received the Rural Award for Excellence. Created to advocate for a child’s best interests in court as they navigate legal issues due to abuse or neglect, staff and volunteers work to support and amplify the needs of these children. CASA of the 7th District recognized that although the advocacy services they provide are valuable, there were needs in the community that weren’t being met. Programs such as Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time and Youth Services program have helped bridge that gap. Additionally, their new housing project, Village of the San Juans, is wrapping up construction. This village will provide affordable housing and build a community for youth who have aged out of the foster care system as
well as senior citizens.
Kathleen Merritt received the Russell T. Tutt Leadership and Service Award which, named for a former El
Pomar Trustee, honors a Colorado Nonprofit Executive Director or Board Chair who has exemplified
leadership and service.
Paul Major received the Ben S. Wendelken Trustee Award which, named for a former El Pomar Trustee, honors an individual or individuals who embody the spirit of service and giving by going above and beyond to make an unprecedented impact through philanthropy.
JULIE PENROSE AWARD HONOREE
Lucille A. Echohawk received the Julie Penrose Award, which the Trustees of El Pomar established in 2020 in honor of what would have been Mrs. Penrose’s 150th birthday to connect her legacy of philanthropy and service to other women throughout Colorado committed to the betterment of their communities. Lucille A. Echohawk is a citizen of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and a resident of Colorado.
