Fall 2024 Newsletter

As we enter the holiday season, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who stand beside Tennyson Center in our mission to uplift children and families. The holidays can be a joyful time for many, but they can also be particularly difficult for families facing significant challenges. For those we serve, this season brings a unique set of emotional and financial hurdles. Your support during this time not only helps meet immediate needs but also brings hope and resilience to those working hard to overcome adversity.

This year has been especially meaningful as we celebrated Tennyson’s 120th anniversary—a remarkable milestone that underscores more than a century of dedication to healing, growth, and community. From our first day to today, we’ve relied on our incredible community to sustain this work, and as we look to the future, your partnership remains vital to creating even greater impact. Our journey ahead is full of promise, but to reach our goals, we need your continued support now more than ever. 

Thanks to many of you, our recent Q & Groove event was a resounding success, raising over $225,000! This generous support is already at work, providing essential resources and programs for children and families who depend on us. Together, we’re building a foundation for brighter futures and setting the stage for another incredible chapter in Tennyson’s history.

In this season of giving, we invite you to join us in celebrating the close of our 120th year. Your contributions have the power to transform lives, and with your support, we can continue to meet our community’s needs, expanding and deepening our impact in the years to come.

Thank you for your unwavering generosity and belief in Tennyson’s mission. May your holidays be filled with peace, joy, and the knowledge that you are making a difference.

With gratitude,

Mindy Watrous
President & CEO

BUILDING GROWTH & CONNECTION IN OUR SCHOOL

The energy at Tennyson Center is electric as we embrace a new school year filled with new faces, innovative learning, and tailored support for each child. Our specialized education program aligns with state standards while also addressing the unique needs of every student. With a blend of academic, therapeutic, and behavioral support, our school equips students with the tools they need to excel both socially and academically.

Leading this mission is Principal Djuana Osby, a true pillar of Tennyson for over 33 years. From teaching to administration, Djuana has poured her dedication into every role, inspiring our educators to deliver the same level of commitment. Her leadership is evident in our Special Education Coordinator and Assistant Principal, who strive to mirror her example of loyalty and integrity. This year, Djuana has reshaped the school schedule to incorporate more professional development, empowering our teachers to grow their expertise. This fall, our teachers will participate in a virtual training day, diving into new, diverse math and literacy curricula, ready to bring fresh insights to their classrooms.

We’re also thrilled to welcome several new Youth Treatment Counselors (YTCs) to our team this semester, filling a vital role in our classrooms. YTCs offer crucial support, helping students manage behaviors, celebrate successes, and assist with academics. Our Milieu Manager and her team have excelled in hiring these enthusiastic individuals, who play a key role in our students’ daily lives. Recently, our team enjoyed a collaborative learning experience at the Kaleidoscope education conference, where our occupational therapist, Alyssa Fasoli, delivered an outstanding presentation.

Our education and clinical teams, led by Leah Sprague, are working together more closely than ever to create safe, effective plans for each student. Leah, who began as a classroom clinician and now serves as Day Treatment Clinical Director, exemplifies servant leadership, fostering a culture of collaboration. Under her guidance, teachers and clinicians regularly align their approaches to provide the best possible support for our students.

Looking forward, our school and residential YTCs are set to deepen their collaboration, strengthening ties between programs and fostering a united community. Together, our clinical, YTC, and educational teams continue to make Tennyson Center a place of growth, learning, and support. Here’s to a school year of progress and success—go team Tennyson!

COLORADO GIVES DAY

If you set up a new monthly donation, Colorado Gives Foundation will match your first monthly donation up to $100 and up to $250,000 across all organizations! This is a fantastic opportunity to double your impact and support our efforts to provide healing to kids and families across Colorado.

How to Get Started:

1. Visit our donation page at Tennyson Center | ColoradoGives.org
2. Select the “Donate” option and then choose the option for monthly giving.
3. Your donation will be matched automatically.

With your involvement last year, 330 supporters raised over $275,000 to further our vision that everyone has the opportunity and support needed to learn, grow, and thrive.

Thank you for your making this Colorado Gives Day the most successful yet.

CELEBRATING OUR 2024 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

A few words from our honorees:

“Receiving the Employee of the Year award is a true honor that reflects my dedication to providing trauma-informed care for children with IDD. Many of these remarkable kids have faced significant challenges, and I am committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment where they can heal and thrive. Each day, I’m inspired by their strength and resilience, and I believe that with compassion and understanding, we can empower them to reach their fullest potential.” – Herbie Martinez

“Working at Tennyson Center means a lot to me. Over the past 5 years, I have put in a significant amount of my time to working with the clients as well as the staff. To be recognized for my hard work means the world to me. Everyone knows the work we do is tough, and I feel very lucky to be able to do it alongside some of the most dedicated people I know!” – Sawyer Croft

These honorees represent the heart and soul of Tennyson, driving our mission forward with every interaction and showing us all what it truly means to make a difference. Please join us in celebrating their achievements and the profound impact they continue to make on our community!

EVENTS & HAPPENINGS