Marian Lawrence Marian Lawrence moved from Oklahoma City to Denver at a young age and quickly became immersed in her new community. After obtaining her G.E.D. from Emily Griffith Opportunity School, she began her nursing career at Saint Anthony s Hospital. Later, Marian attended Metro State for Social Work and Criminal Justice, after which she served as a probation officer for 20 years. Marian has volunteered as a charter member with the Five Points Rotary, with the Cleo Parker Robinson s School of Dance, and she served as the president of the Thomas Bean Towers Local Resident Council in 2008. After serving as president, Marian was appointed to be resident commissioner for DHA. During her time as Resident Commissioner, Ms. Lawrence engaged in training and educational classes to enhance her knowledge and awareness of what being a commissioner entails and how to best serve residents within Denver Housing. Marian has three children, is a grandmother of nine children, and is a great-grandmother to two children. Her fire and spirit is enhanced by a passion for helping and serving others. Marian Lawrence is added to the Wall of Fame for her significant contributions to DHA, active and positive involvement in its resident advocacy programming, and support and representation on DHA s Board of Commissioners as a Resident Commissioner. The Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver Presents 2012 Wall of Fame Ceremony October 24, 2012 4:00 p.m. 333 W. Ellsworth Denver, CO 80223 Welcome Ismael Guerrero, Executive Director Presentation of Awards Veronica Barela, NEWSED Wall of Fame Recipients Marian Stumpf Dan Villanueva Maria Guerrero Jesse Franklin Katrina Aguirre Marian Lawrence
The Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver welcomes you to the 2012 Wall of Fame Ceremony. Beginning in 2005, this annual event honors persons who have made outstanding contributions to the Denver Housing Authority or who have accomplished outstanding economic self-sufficiency goals as a DHA resident. All persons honored tonight have been recommended by Denver Housing Authority staff or community members, and their nomination was selected by the Board of Commissioner s Housing Opportunities and Community Impact Committee. Being added to the Wall of Fame is one of the highest honors an individual can receive from Denver Housing Authority. Thank you for helping Denver Housing Authority recognize these individuals and their exceptional achievements. Katrina Aguirre Katrina Aguirre is a mother of three and an active member of the South Lincoln Community. Her potential to be a community leader was quickly realized by DHA. She was brought on staff at DHA to serve as a Community Health Worker, trained through HUD s program, With Every Heartbeat is Life. In addition to teaching her fellow residents classes that cover a range of topics from heart health, to eating right on a budget, Katrina is serving her second term as the President of South Lincoln s Local Resident Council. Here, Katrina helps to develop programming that facilitates education and growth in areas of safety, leadership, and self-sufficiency. Her passion for helping her fellow community members is felt by all who are blessed to know Katrina. Katrina is the daughter of Manuel and Laura Aguirre, and the mother of three wonderful children: Eternity, Carlos, and Eve. When Katrina is not serving as an activist around South Lincoln, she can be found volunteering at the Conflict Center or for West s football team. Katrina Aguirre is added to the Wall of Fame for her commitment and participation as a resident leader on the South Lincoln Local Resident Council, participation in the Mariposa Redevelopment effort, and progress towards self sufficiency goals including completing training to provide health classes to residents of South Lincoln Homes.
Jesse Franklin began working with DHA s ASSET (Achieving Self-Sufficiency through Employment and Training) Program in April of 2010. Jesse worked in many positions including as a glazier for DHA s Central Office window replacement project, as well as a laborer for the Mulroy Opportunity Center Revitalization project. Through the ASSET Program, Mr. Franklin was hired by the Denver Housing Authority to perform work as a Painter s Assistant. Jesse Franklin Mr. Franklin s work as an ASSET Painter s Assistant gave him the idea to incubate his own painting firm. Currently that painting firm, Bristle Brothers, is serving as the first ASSET Protégé participant at the Mountain View Revitalization for Denver Housing Authority. Jesse is a graduate of the Emily Griffith Opportunity High School, and the father of three beautiful girls, Jessicka, Arissa, and Lauryn. His daughters and his wife, Ericka, are his reasons for striving to accomplish a high-level of selfsufficiency. He says, I only wish to provide them with the life and advantages they deserve so very much. Jesse Franklin is added to the Wall of Fame for his career accomplishments and for attaining economic self sufficiency through the Denver Housing Authority s ASSET Program, including starting his own ASSET painting business Bristle Brothers, Inc. Marian Stumpf Marian Stumpf serves as the Nurse Case Manager for HealthSET, in Denver, Colorado. She received her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Education from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin; her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Wisconsin; and her Nursing Doctorate (ND) from the University of Colorado s Health Sciences Center. Ms. Stumpf has researched, planned, designed, and implemented community-based parish nursing programs, satellite offices for hospice programs, and childbirth education programs. Her research has been published in the American Journal of Nursing and she has delivered many presentations throughout the United States, including serving as a keynote speaker at the Health and Hope Conference in Springfield, Missouri. Additionally, she established an ecumenical care-givers group, expedited the formation of parish health cabinets, and facilitated a fourteen-member hospice board of directors as its president. Marian is married, with three grown children; two in the Pacific Northwest and one in Boulder. She also enjoys being a grandmother to her 14-month-old granddaughter. Marian Stumpf is added to the Wall of Fame for her commitment to preserving independence and enhancing quality of life for Denver Housing Authority s senior and disabled populations by providing necessary resources and services.
Dan Villanueva Dan Danny V Villanueva is a Denver Native and a licensed Colorado realtor. He graduated from Adams City High School and received his Bachelor of Arts in Business and Finance from the University of Colorado at Denver. Dan has ten years experience in the real estate market. Mr. Villanueva has worked with Denver Housing Authority s Home Buyers Club since 2002. It is here, through direct interaction with DHA s residents, that Dan is able to make a notable difference in the lives of DHA s low-income families. Dan humbly and patiently works potential home buyers, answering questions and making residents fluent in real estate language and terminology. He notes, I believe everyone should have a chance at the American Dream if that is what they desire. His area of focus within real estate has been affordable housing and he works daily to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to own a home. In addition to his ten years with DHA s Home Buyer Club, Dan works at the Community Resources Housing Development Corporation, and enjoys volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Dan Villanueva is added to the Wall of Fame for his dedication to providing services, education, and ongoing support to participants of Denver Housing Authority s Home Ownership Program. Maria Guerrero Maria Guerrero is simply a joy to be around. This single mother of two originally from El Salto Fresnillo Zacatecas, Mexico is a resident of the North Lincoln community, where it is not uncommon to see her visiting with staff, participating in classes, or making kind comments or gestures. Ms. Guerrero moved to Denver with her children in 1995. For two years she struggled with homelessness and limited English. In 1998, Maria moved into South Lincoln Homes and began to focus on improving her English language skills by taking E.S.L. and G.E.D. classes. In 2004, Maria earned her G.E.D. and officially became a citizen of the United States. In 2004 Maria moved to North Lincoln Homes and started her post-secondary education at the Community College of Denver. She earned her two year degree in General Studies from CCD, and is currently working parttime with PSA Interviewing. Maria continues to strive for full-time, stable and sustainable employment. Maria Guerrero is added to the Wall of Fame for her considerable success as a single mother in Denver Housing Authority s Family Self Sufficiency Program, including overcoming barriers to self sufficiency and accomplishing significant goals of English proficiency and educational achievement.