Our Government/Nuestro Gobierno

White House

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden announced the five winners and “The People’s Choice Winner” of the Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of citizens and organizations across the country that are working to improve the lives of military families. Project Sanctuary, from Parker, Colo., brings military families together in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado after deployments to help them reconnect through recreational activities and therapy. Follow-up support beyond the retreat is also provided and includes support to families with housing, job placement and veterans’ assistance.

Casa Blanca

La primera dama Michelle Obama y la Dra. Jill Biden anunciaron los cinco ganadores y el “The People’s Choice Winner” de la Joining Forces Community Challenge, un esfuerzo para reconocer y celebrar los extraordinarios esfuerzos de los ciudadanos y organizaciones de todo el país que están trabajando para mejorar la vida de las familias militares. Project Sanctuary, de Parker, Colorado, reúne a las familias militares en conjunto en las Montañas Rocosas de Colorado después de las despliegues militares para ayudarles a volver a conectar a través de actividades recreativas y de terapia. Seguimiento de apoyo más allá de la retirada también se proporciona e incluye el apoyo a las familias con la colocación de vivienda, y la asistencia de los veteranos.

Colorado’s Governor

The governor designated April as Healthy Schools Month and in its honor the Colorado Legacy Foundation and the Colorado Department of Education awarded 32 “Healthy School Champions,” which received a total of $42,000 for their demonstrated commitment to promoting and implementing health and wellness in their schools and communities. For a full list of award winners, visit www.healthyschoolchampions.org.

Gobernador de Colorado

El gobernador designó abril como el Mes de Escuelas Saludables y en su honor el Colorado Legacy Foundation y el Departamento de Educación de Colorado otorgaron 32 “Campeones de la Escuela Saludable”, que recibieron un total de 42 mil dólares por su compromiso demostrado con la promoción y aplicación de la salud y el bienestar en sus escuelas y las comunidades. Para obtener una lista completa de ganadores de los premios, visite www.healthyschoolchampions.org.

Denver’s Mayor

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg celebrated the start of construction for a new school and community center at Far Northeast Denver’s Evie Garrett Dennis Campus, which currently houses four schools. The project is the result of a partnership between DPS, the City and County of Denver and funding from private foundations and donors.

Alcalde de Denver

Michael B. Hancock, alcalde de Denver, y Tom Boasberg, Superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas de Denver, celebran el inicio de la construcción de una nueva escuela y un nuevo centro comunitario en el campus de Evie Garrett Dennis, ubicado en el Extremo Noreste de Denver, y que es actualmente sede de cuatro escuelas. El proyecto es resultado de la asociación entre DPS, la Ciudad y el Condado de Denver y fondos de fundaciones y contribuyentes privados.

Remembering Wallace

Longtime journalist Mike Wallace has died at the age of 93. Wallace worked in the field of journalism for more than 60 years, 40 of which were with CBS 60 Minutes. As a journalist, he is remembered in particular for his interview with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979 after 52 Americans were taken hostage in Iran. Wallace spoke candidly about his bouts with depression and an attempted suicide. In his later years of life, Wallace was diagnosed with dementia. He officially retired in 2006.

Apply for LEAP

Colorado residents behind on home heating bills still have time to apply for help. The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) encourages Coloradans in need of financial assistance with home heating bills to take advantage of the program and apply for LEAP benefits before the April 30 deadline.

Completed LEAP applications can be faxed, mailed or delivered to the appropriate county office. Potential program applicants may obtain an application through the following: Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to have an application mailed. Visit any county department of social/human services across the state. To locate your county’s office, visit the program’s website at www.colorado.gov/cdhs/leap.

“Shop to Stop Domestic Violence”

Gateway Battered Women’s Services is seeking the support of community members to help with their “Shop To Stop Domestic Violence” campaign. Simply contact Gateway at
303-343-1856 or email jkworden@gatewayshelter.com and request your reloadable card. Use it every time you shop at almost any Kroger affiliated store or gas station and Gateway receives 5 percent of your sale. Everyone can participate. Contact Gateway today for more details and to get your card today!

Military veterans’ stories

The Mile High Region of the American Red Cross is seeking military veterans to share their personal accounts to be recorded for posterity as part of the national Veterans History Project.

The Red Cross is assisting with the Library of Congress with the Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center. The Project’s mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

As directed by the U.S. Congress in 2000, veterans from all eras are encouraged to record their military experiences through the Veterans History Project. In order to have your story recorded, contact the American Red Cross at 303-607-4785.

Trade mission to Chile

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the U.S. Commercial Service announced that a trade delegation from Colorado will travel to the largest mining exhibition in Latin America, Expomin 2012, in Santiago, Chile from April 7-14, 2012. Martha Butwin, Senior International Trade Specialist from the U.S. Commercial Service, will lead the mission.

The trade mission will focus on helping four Colorado-based companies launch or increase their export business in the Chilean market. The companies participating in the mission are DFC Ceramics, Geotech Environmental Equipment, TEI Rock Drills and Western Sling and Supply.

“Education Nation”

History Colorado announced that NBC News has selected the History Colorado Center as the site to host its national “Education Nation On-The-Road” program—an initiative that brings Colorado educators, business leaders, elected officials, parents and students together to discuss education issues facing the region. All events take place April 12-16 at the History Colorado Center in Denver.

Visit www.EducationNation.com for a complete list of events taking place with NBC News and programming schedule.

Race to the Top

Gov. John Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia welcomed the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that Colorado is among five finalist states invited to apply for $133 million from the 2012 Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge fund. Colorado will be eligible for up to $30 million in a non-competitive application process.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, eligibility for 2012 Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge funding was based on the strength of applications among States that participated but did not receive awards in the 2011 competition. New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Illinois and Wisconsin each earned approximately 75 percent or more of total points possible on a 300-point scale in the 2011 competition.

The Plaza

Five branches of the Denver Public library offer free programs for adults to help them develop their life skills. One of these programs is called The Plaza, where a person can use our computer lab to search for work online, practice English skills or computer skills, do homework, study for the citizenship test or the GED test, and much more. Visit www.denverlibrary.org.

La Plaza

Cinco sucursales de la Biblioteca Pública de Denver ofrecen programas gratuitos para adultos para ayudarlos en sus destrezas. Uno de los programas que ofrecemos es llamado La Plaza, donde una persona puede usar nuestros laboratorios de computadoras portátiles para buscar empleo, practicar inglés, aprender computación, hacer deberes escolares y mucho más. Visite www.denverlibrary.org.