Champions for Change 2021

A 20th birthday party to celebrate.

On March 3, 2021, The Center held a Virtual Celebration of our 20TH Anniversary.

Bringing our community together under the theme Many Stars - One Universe, we heard from our 2021 Champions, received bids on a fun and exciting auction, and celebrated our commitment to fostering change in the lives of victims of domestic and sexual violence.

This celebration was the highlight in a 2020/2021 year of events that commemorated our founders, and shone a light on the profound impact that the Center has made in ending interpersonal violence, and build strong new partnerships for the future of anti-violence work.

There's still time to participate and celebrate Many Stars - One Universe. Please Donate.

Reasons to Celebrate and Be a Star!

The Center on Domestic Violence has trained more than 6,250 advocates, researchers, and service providers in Colorado.
In 2019, the staff of the CDV responded to 2,448 requests for training and technical assistance from campus and rural serving gender violence programs across the country.
In just six of Denver’s 207 public schools, 131 children and youth were identified as experiencing domestic or sexual violence in 2019. Each of these students and 109 of their parents/caretakers received support and counseling from CDV staff.
The Center’s academic programs are unique in the nation. More than 200 alumni work across the U.S. and around the globe building effective systems of response to gender violence.

Everyone had a great time at the virtual Champions for Change event, and saw amazing heartfelt interviews with the honorees, V, and Michael Bolton.

I'm a Star in the Universe. I want to Donate.

Two Stars and Happy Auction Winners.

These bidders won a wonderful item from our auction. They'll have a portrait created from this photo of their travels. Congratulations to these two happy winners and all the bid-winners that contributed so generously to our auction!

Honoring 2021 Champions

ABOUT THE CHAMPION FOR CHANGE AWARD

The Champions for Change Award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions toward effective intervention and prevention of gender-based violence and who exemplify the vision and values of the Center on Domestic Violence:

A critical component of the Center’s mission is to change those aspects of our culture that condone or advance violence against women and girls. This award honors individuals who use their voice to set new social norms and cultural expectations regarding women and violence
The Center’s academic and training programs create strong leaders for the future of the domestic and sexual violence movements. This award honors individuals who courageously lead, set direction, engage others, and build inspiring visions of peace and safety for our communities.
The Center works with PreK – 12^th grade public schools to build their capacity to respond to children and youth who have experience domestic and sexual violence and establish learning environments that promote healthy respectful relationships. An important aspect to prevention of gender violence is providing young people examples of individuals they admire who have taken a stand against violence. This award honors individuals who are positive role models to children and youth and who take a stand in preventing gender-based violence.

About V and Michael Bolton.

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About the Chris Bradford Awesomeness Award

Chris Bradford was a student in the Center on Domestic Violence’s Program on Gender-Based Violence. A member of the program’s eleventh cohort, Chris completed his studies in July of 2012.

Chris died suddenly and tragically on July 13, 2017. In the wake of his death, alumni from his cohort created the Chris Bradford Awesomeness Award to honor students and alumni who embody Chris's passionate spirit.

Successful nominees for this award include students and alumni who:

Use their privilege as allies to support others and advocate for justice;
Work for change using creative innovation and humor;
Increase awareness within faith communities; and/or
Are inspiring and supportive to others, especially to fellow students and colleagues

The 2021 award recipient will receive formal recognition at the Center’s Champions for Change virtual gala 6:30-7:30pm MT, March 3, 2021.

About Brooke Ely-Milen

Co-Hosts

The pre-show will include music by Sreeja - a local R & B singer songwriter. Sreeja will be accompanied by guitarist Brandon Craven.

Leopold Brothers Distillery, a locally owned and operated small batch distillery located in north Denver, has created a specialty drink to help us celebrate this auspicious occasion. The Blackberry Bramble is purple in color in honor of the domestic violence awareness ribbon. Leopold mixologist, Alex, will demonstrate how the Bramble is made.

Make a little something special to toast the Center on our 20th anniversary!

The Blackberry Bramble.