Zengo's Restaurant was filled to capacity on March 1 with supporters of the HOPE Center for a fund-raising event.

HOPE Center is a community-based agency dedicated to meeting the needs of gifted children, individuals with developmental disabilities and developmental delays, and persons in need of specialized vocational or educational services.  These services are provided in order to develop, maintain and enhance the functioning of each enrolled.  The philosophy of service is to admit individual to programs within its agency that meet their needs and requirements as specifically as possible.

Tamara Banks of WB2 and Channel 7's Mike Nelson were the emcees for the evening, and both Mayor Hickenlooper and First Lady Frances Owens were there to show their support.  And auctioneer Gary Corbett got the crowd in a spending mood.  

Board Member Dr. John Fischer spoke about the rewards of the organization and the wonderful achievements of his son, Gerard, a participant in the program.

At HOPE Center, they believe that childhood represents the most precious time of life, when humans shape most of their other fundamental traits that immeasurably affect the remainder of their life.  Consequently, the Early Childhood Education Center professional staff is committed to providing the highest, most personalized level of education and training possible to children with special need from 2-1/2 to age 8.

Unfortunately, this most formative time of life can be particularly challenging to children of the inner city.  Frequently, social and economic conditions combine with special needs to negatively inflict tender lives.

The organization works hard to counter such childhood impediments, endeavoring to provide each child with the skills and education needed for a long, fulfilling life.  Their conviction is that each child must be treated and nurtured as an individual with individual needs.  Therefore, their mission is to match every child to programs and services specific to his or her needs and requirements.