Press Release Archive
July 23, 2006: School Supply Drive
Parker, CO - The Center of Awakening's Compassion Team is hosting the "Annual School Supply Drive" on July 30 and August 6 to benefit Parent Pathways. A collection table will be available in the Gathering Room after church service on these two Sundays for your new, donated school supplies and Arlene Tomczuk will be on-hand to answer any questions you may have about the project.
Parent Pathways (formerly Human Services Inc.) is a local not-for-profit agency with roots dating back over 100 years in the Denver community. Its mission is to help teenage parents raise healthy families. For most students, the start of a new school year is an exciting time filled with great anticipation and hope. But for students whose families are unable to afford new school supplies, the start of school can cause feelings of embarrassment. Your donation of new school supplies can make a great difference in a young student’s confidence. Simply purchase an item or items from the list below and your donation will reach a needy student in time for the start of the new school year. Cash donations are also welcome. Please note that the organization is unable to accept used items at this time.
Requested items include:
- Backpacks
- Spiral notebooks, 100 page/wide ruled
- Composition notebooks
- Art journal or sketch book (hardback)
- Package of loose leaf paper, wide-rule
- Two-pocket folders
- 3-ring binders, 1- or 2-inch
- 1-hole punch
- Package of 5-subject dividers with color tabs
- Package of clear plastic page protectors
- Package of #2 pencils
- Package of black or blue pens
- Package of color pencils
- Highlighters
- Colored markers (such as Crayola™)
- Calculator
- Scissors
- Protractor
- Compass
- Pencil pouches
- Tissues
Center of Awakening is an independent Religious Science church located in Parker, Colorado. Positive and inspiring services are held each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. at Northeast Elementary School (corner of Parker and North Pinery Roads). For more information about the church and its community outreach efforts, visit their website at www.CenterOfAwakening.org or call Dr. Vern Martin, Senior Minister at (303) 805-9890.
June 1, 2006: Concert is "Gift from the Stars"
A community concert will be presented and hosted by Center of Awakening (COA) on Friday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Parker Mainstreet Center (19650 E. Mainstreet). It will be an eclectic evening of musical theater selections, as well as classical piano and other upbeat and inspiring music.
May 10, 2006: Disabilities No Deterrant for Horse Enthusiast
Prior to August 14, 1993, Leslie Terry enjoyed her life as a computer data analyst and amateur equestrian. Both came to an end on a beautiful, sunny day after coming home from a vacation visiting her daughter. A motor vehicle accident left Leslie paralyzed from the chest down as a result of a spinal cord injury. After six months in the hospital and rehabilitation, she came home to a very different life. She had to sell her small farm and her horses, but her passion never quite went away. She knew she didn't want to be in a therapeutic riding program; for many reasons it just wasn't right for her. Then one day her dear companion and friend, Ken James, saw an article about Pam Dale at the reins of a horse-drawn carriage. Even though Pam was a paraplegic (rather than a quadriplegic), Leslie felt hopeful that she might be able to figure out (with Ken's help) how to pursue this sport, which was to date unknown to her.
Ken contacted Praying Hands Ranch where they had a small carriage-driving program for people with disabilities. Leslie felt such joy from the experience that she was encouraged. However, after two years of sporadic participation, Leslie had to withdraw from the program. The equipment used at that time caused her great pain. Unbeknownst to Leslie, her driving instructor, Joe Johnson, began designing a cart that could accommodate a power wheelchair and reduce the "bounce" of the cart such that it was a comfortable ride. A couple of years ago Joe surprised Leslie with a ride in his prototype. It was fantastic and gave Leslie renewed hope! Since then Leslie has purchased a cart from Joe that meets her special needs. She also was blessed with a lovely mare she got from Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue that is already trained to drive. Now she is excited to start the next phase of her life - as a carriage-driving enthusiast and participant.
But the story doesn't end here. Leslie is so grateful to everyone who has helped and supported her in this dream that she wants to begin a program so that others, especially people with disabilities, may experience the freedom of carriage driving. Her new farm in Larkspur provides a perfect place to house such a program. After spending hours brainstorming, she, Ken and Joe (among others) created Chariots Aspire. Their mission is to provide an opportunity for children and adults with disabilities to benefit physically, mentally and emotionally through participation in an interactive equine carriage-driving program. Their vision is to:
- offer a program to all who qualify, regardless of ability to pay, to learn to drive a horse, either independently or with assistance, while in a specially-designed carriage and experience the freedom of carriage driving in a safe environment;
- offer support to those in the program who wish to compete at the local through national levels in carriage-driving sports;
- offer support to those in the program who wish to become certified carriage-driving instructors for people with disabilities; and
- provide a safe place for people with disabilities to participate in "day clinics" where they can learn and enjoy a variety of activities, including carriage driving.
Leslie's group has created a multi-dimensional vision for Chariots Aspire and is looking for compassionate individuals to assist in making this dream come true.
There is still a lot of work to be done. A major cleanup day is scheduled with help from the Center of Awakening church in Parker on June 17th. (For more information on the church, go to www.CenterOfAwakening.org). There's also zoning that has to be approved by Douglas County. However, most importantly, Chariots Aspire needs a powerful, well-connected Board of Directors. But even with these challenges ahead, Leslie feels certain that this is her new job as well as her passion. She believes that God has led her to this point and this program so that she can give back to others for all of the blessings in her life.
If you would like more information about Chariots Aspire, Joe Johnson's custom carts or Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue, or if you feel moved to help out in any way, you can contact Chariots Aspire and Leslie 303.688.4147 or via the website http://www.psecequine.com/
There will be additional information provided shortly, regarding what to bring, location/map, etc. Visit our website for updates or stop by the Guest Services table in the upcoming weeks.
March 30, 2006: Rabbits and Well Wishes for Local Shut Ins
Center of Awakening in Parker, CO has teamed up with Parker's new Sunset Hospice to present "Project Warm Fuzzy." This springtime community compassion project was created to send donated rabbits, wearing ribbons of love, prayers and well wishes, to hospice patients, elder and ill residents residing at local assisted living and nursing homes.
Sunset Hospice is the only facility of its kind in Douglas County and focuses exclusively on hospice and palliative care needs for patients and their families within Douglas, Elbert and Arapahoe Counties.
Jami Martin, Compassion Team Coordinator at the Center of Awakening, states, "It seems that everyone has wanted to get involved, and we can use hundreds of stuffed rabbits! We wanted to do something to send cheerful messages, and loving wishes and prayers, to our elderly and ill folks in our local counties. When we found out that we had a new hospice in Parker specifically helping residents in our communities, we knew that they would help us find many homes for our well wishes and rabbits. Local businesses also heard about our outreach project and wanted to help. We are having a ball watching the rabbits multiply! There is nothing more important than showing fellow residents in our communities that we care."
Donated stuffed bunnies are being accepted immediately through April 10 and will be delivered the week prior to Easter. If you would like to participate in "Project Warm Fuzzy," bring any size, new stuffed bunnies (with tags on, please) to Center of Awakening on Sundays between 10:00 and 11:45 a.m. at NE Elementary School in the Pinery (6598 N. State Hwy. 83 - N. Pinery Parkway & Parker Road), or Monday through Saturday at three supporting Parker business locations - Eclipse Hair Styles, Ascensions Massage and Wellness Center, and Life Health Nutrition (all located in the Stage Coach Building across from the Parker post office on Pony Express Drive). Stuffed rabbits can also be delivered to a Sunset Hospice location (near Jordan Road and E-470) by calling 303-693-2105 for directions.
Center of Awakening compassion team members and Sunset Hospice staff will deliver the stuffed rabbits and well wishes the week prior to Easter.
For more information, contact Jami Martin at 303-805-3687 or visit www.CenterOfAwakening.org.
March 24, 2006: New Performers Launch Local Talent Show
A musical talent show was presented at the 20-Mile Coffee House at 19559 E. Mainstreet in Parker. Participants were primarily from Center of Awakening, a local church that also coordinated this free event.
Several performers, ranging in age from 5 to over 55, sang songs, played instruments and performed their favorite renditions of new and classic pieces. Mireya Velazquez Richardson, Music Director at Center of Awakening, arranged the evening's production. She also organized the Center's band to provide backup instruments and music to the volunteer performers for the evening. The staff of 20-Mile Coffee House was on hand to serve refreshments for this first-time ever event.
Attendees crowded the coffee shop with family and friends, cameras and cheers. It was standing room only! As one performer returned to her seat, her daughter whispered, "Let's start planning what we can sing together NEXT year!" The enthusiasm and excitement over this initial talent show was so positive, there's no doubt that next year's production will be even bigger - both in the number of performers as well as their following.
To keep up with these and other events, return to this page often or call (303) 805-9890.
February 23, 2006: Spiritual Center Expands Presence in Community
In the Parker Chronicle Special Edition "Salute to Local Businesses" and
in Newspress' Special Edition "Salute to Douglas County Businesses"
How far down the "rabbit hole" are you willing to go? If you're familiar with the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know…," you may already have the answer. If not, it refers to exploring life's mysteries on a deeper level, delving into our relationship with a Higher Power...a Spiritual Presence...God. At Parker's Center of Awakening (COA) this open exploration can be a fun and exciting journey!
Center of Awakening teaches that the God-presence is in everyone, in all life, and offers an inclusive spiritual path, teaching principles that are an integration of the many great teachers of religion, philosophy, psychology and science. Led by Dr. Vern Martin, Senior Minister, individuals learn to create their ideal life and to embody the highest spiritual relationship sought, using spiritual beliefs and quantum principles. This is done each Sunday (10:00 a.m.) as Dr. Martin teams up with Colorado's hottest inspirational musicians to deliver uplifting, fun and powerful talks.
Recently, the educational arm, The Institute at Center of Awakening was formed. It offers a series of classes and workshops that further delves into the mysteries of our God-connection. Students are supported in their spiritual evolution toward Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degrees, as well as ministerial certification.
An adjunct to COA, the Pegasus Project, teaches success principles to individuals who are in career and lifestyle transition. Many other workshops continue to be offered in the Parker and Castle Rock communities. To learn more about COA, its classes, workshops and special projects, call 303-805-9890 or visit www.CenterOfAwakening.org.