FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 August 13, 2025

Fountain Valley Senior Center to Host Drive-Thru Monetary Donation Event

Supporting the “Help Us Thrive in a Time of Uncertainty” Campaign

Fountain, Colo. — The Fountain Valley Senior Center (FVSC) will host a Drive-Thru Monetary Donation Event on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at 5745 Southmoor Drive, Fountain, CO 80817. Community members are invited to drop off cash, check, or card donations to support FVSC’s “Help Us Thrive in a Time of Uncertainty” campaign.

The campaign aims to protect essential programs—transportation, meal delivery, and wellness services—that benefit hundreds of older adults throughout Fountain Valley and eastern El Paso County.

“Our seniors are facing more than just aging—they’re facing isolation, hunger, and disconnection,” said Mark Bowers, Executive Director of the Fountain Valley Senior Center. “This center has been their safe haven for over four decades. Now, we are the ones who need help.”

Why It Matters

• Transportation rides cut by 20% in 2025 due to funding shortfalls
   
• Meal programs and wellness services at risk of scaling back
   
• 60% of FVSC clients live alone or below the federal poverty line
   

Without additional support, further reductions could jeopardize seniors’ access to meals, mobility, and connection to their community.

For people like Frances Gagliano, age 84, FVSC is more than a center—it’s a lifeline.

“I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have this place,” she shared. “There’s always something going on, and the staff is so sweet—they care about my welfare.”

How to Help

• Drive-Thru Drop-Off: Saturday, September 13, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
   Location: 5745 Southmoor Drive, Fountain, CO 80817
   Enter through the South Drive, follow the arrows, and exit via the North Drive.
   
• Donate Online: www.fvscenter.org
• Mail Donations: Fountain Valley Senior Center, 5745 Southmoor Dr, Fountain, CO 80817
   
• Contact: 719-600-2644 | info@fvscenter.org
   

Since 1981, FVSC has delivered more than 43,000 rides and 27,000 meals annually, while also offering fitness classes, enrichment programs, and opportunities for social connection.

“This isn’t about saving a building,” Bowers said. “It’s about protecting people’s dignity. If we act now, we can preserve what truly matters for the people who built this community.”

###
 Media inquiries: Contact Mark Bowers at 719-600-2644 or info@fvscenter.org

PRESS RELEASE

August 13, 2025

Breakfast of Champions® Event to Feature Olympian Carl Lewis and Recognize Dr. Patrick Faricy

Colorado Springs, Colo.  –  The Breakfast of Champions®, Peak Vista Community Health Center Foundation’s (Peak Vista) long-running fundraising event, will feature Olympic legend, Carl Lewis, as its keynote speaker and recognize long-time Peak Vista advocate, Dr. Patrick Faricy, as its 2025 Champion of Community Health. The event will be held at 7 am, Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Broadmoor’s International Center.

Proceeds from the event will support Peak Vista’s Uncompensated Care Fund, which provides medical, dental and behavioral health care to those who cannot afford it otherwise. Peak Vista is the health care home for more than 74,000 patients across 14 counties in Colorado, with more than half living at or below the Federal Poverty Level. In 2024 alone, Peak Vista provided $15 million in uncompensated care, an increase of 47% over the previous year.

Peak Vista is honored to recognize two remarkable individuals in 2025:

Keynote Speaker: Carl Lewis

Sportsman of the Century. World Athlete of the Century. Olympian of the Century. Lewis is one of the most decorated American Olympians in history, with ten total medals across four Olympic Games. In 1984, Lewis entered the Olympic scene, dominating the 100-meter, 200-meter, 4x100 relay and long jump races. He continued to set records and win medals for the next decade, winning Olympic Gold in each of the four Olympics in which he competed: Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta.  An activist for family, youth, education, wellness and fitness, Lewis brings his international celebrity to attract awareness for the challenges and opportunities surrounding these issues around the world. Today, Lewis serves as the head track and field coach at the University of Houston.

Champion of Community Health: Patrick O. Faricy, MD

Peak Vista will present Faricy with its 2025 Champion of Community Health Award at the October event. The Champion of Community Health Award is bestowed to advocates for and changemakers in community health. It was first presented to Bishop Richard Hanifen, one of the key founders of Peak Vista, during the original Breakfast of Champions® event in 2005.

Faricy has a long history of influence and care in Colorado Springs. As President and Managing Partner of Urological Associates PC, he grew the practice as he innovated how the community’s urologists collaborated for the good of all patients. While successfully leading the medical team at Memorial Hospital during the transition from a city-operated facility to being part of the UCHealth system might not be recognized as an Olympic achievement, it is certainly a Herculean task. And it is one that Faricy managed with quiet grace and deep integrity as Memorial’s Chief Medical Officer. Faricy builds community wherever he is, whether through development of a collegial approach to cover weekend calls for competing practices or in driving his colleagues to volunteer at Peak Vista. His commitment to quality of care extends from his days in medical school to his current role as Quality Committee Chair for the UCHealth Memorial Hospital Board of Directors.

Sponsorships, Donations and Tickets

The Breakfast of Champions® celebrates individuals who overcome physical and mental challenges to achieve extraordinary feats that expand our understanding of human capacities. Sponsorships, donation opportunities and tickets at PeakVista.org/BOC.

###

About Peak Vista Community Health Centers

Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization providing exceptional health care to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. Celebrating over 50 years of community health service, Peak Vista offers primary medical, integrated behavioral health and dental care services. We proudly serve over 74,000 patients annually through 20 outpatient centers in Colorado’s Pikes Peak and East Central regions. To learn more about Peak Vista, visit PeakVista.org.

Major Renovations Wrap as Jenkins Middle School Opens for 2025-26 School Year

The Colorado Springs School District 11 celebrates completion of the initial phase of work with Bryan Construction, CRP Architects and local and state jurisdictions

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Colorado Springs School District 11 is proud to welcome students back to Jenkins Middle School following major renovations that prioritize student safety, enhanced learning environments and long-term investment in educational infrastructure.

The work, completed in collaboration with Bryan Construction, CRP Architects and with oversight from the Colorado State Fire Inspectors, Colorado Springs Fire Department and Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, fulfills the vision to create a safe, functional and inspiring place to learn.

“The transformation of Jenkins Middle School reflects our unwavering commitment to providing safe, inspiring spaces where students can thrive,” said Michael Gaal, superintendent of The Colorado Springs School District 11. “This project is more than bricks and mortar — it’s an investment in our students’ futures, our educators’ success and the community we serve. We’re grateful to our partners, our staff and our families for helping bring this vision to life, and we’re excited to see students learning and growing in these next-generation spaces.”

"We are honored to contribute to a project that positively impacts the students, staff and community of Jenkins Middle School,” said Doug Woody, vice president of Bryan Construction. “We take pride in our ability to respond effectively during emergencies and to reopen the school before the 2025-26 academic year. The successful coordination, communication and relationships with District 11 and all relevant governmental jurisdictions were crucial to this expedited timeline. This experience demonstrates what can be achieved when the community unites around a mission focused on the education of our next generation."

The project included addressing structural needs as well as improving the campus layout and instructional spaces. Key components of the project include:

●       Installation of new modular classrooms, known as “Class Cubes,” fully equipped with furniture and technology for immediate use.

●       Upgrades to the main corridor and other high-traffic areas.

●       A refreshed and re-equipped sixth grade wing, ready for the incoming class.

●       Progress on the Media Center, including new structural foundations (micropiles).

●    Demolition of the seventh and eighth grade wings, preparing the site for future next generation learning spaces.

To maintain safety during construction, the district implemented new traffic and parking patterns, ensuring no vehicles cross in front of the Class Cubes. The Colorado Springs Fire Department was instrumental in working with District 11 and Jenkins Middle School staff to ensure safety for all students, staff and visitors.

“As fire marshal, my team and I are responsible for protecting students from fire hazards,” said Fire Marshal Kris Cooper. “Due to identified impairments to structural and fire protection features, CSFD, in cooperation with Pikes Peak Regional Building Department and the state of Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, made the decision to evacuate the school in January of this year. I'm pleased to announce that, as of Friday, August 9, Jenkins Middle School is approved for reoccupation. The necessary improvements have been made, ensuring the occupiable portions of the building are now safe for students and staff.”

The bulk of the renovation is complete and ready for students, with some areas, such as final plumbing installation and structural slab work in the Media Center, to continue behind secure construction zones. Portable classrooms are in place temporarily and will be phased out as permanent facilities are completed.

“This project is about more than repairs — it’s about giving Jenkins students a fresh start,” said Brian Risley, principal architect of CRP Architects. “From vibrant new finishes in the classroom wing to a safer, more functional layout, every detail was designed to welcome students back after a year away. Even as demolition and preparation for the new addition continue, careful separation of construction areas ensures learning can happen safely in an environment full of new energy and possibility.” 

About Colorado Springs District 11

The Colorado Springs School District 11 is reshaping public education by focusing on excellence, choice, and engagement to drive student achievement. With a PreK-14 model, including the county’s largest number of preschool sites and the D11 Promise scholarship, the district ensures access to high-quality education for all students. D11 values parents’ right to choose the best educational path, offering a range of options from traditional schools to innovation zones and online platforms. Through strong community partnerships, the district provides students with expanded opportunities and a commitment to finding excellence through experience.

About Bryan Construction

Bryan Construction is a 100% employee-owned general contractor specializing in the education sector, alongside our extensive experience in commercial, federal and multifamily markets. With offices across Colorado, we operate nationally and internationally, delivering expertise in a variety of construction projects, including educational facilities, affordable housing, health care, mission-critical facilities and renovations of all sizes. Quality and innovation drive our success in meeting the diverse needs of our clients. 

About CRP Architects

Founded in 1979 and based in Colorado Springs, CRP Architects designs innovative facilities that reflect the values of the communities they serve. With expertise in education, health and wellness, municipal and faith-based projects, the firm has completed more than 450 projects across Colorado. Guided by its mission of “Building Community,” CRP delivers thoughtful design and lasting client partnerships.

The Doherty High School Athletic Department will host the 14th annual Doherty Never Alone Foundation 5K Benefit Run in conjunction with a high school cross country scrimmage on Saturday, August 16, at Monument Valley Park North, located at Culebra and Fontanero.

The event kicks off with a high school cross country scrimmage featuring several local teams at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Never Alone Foundation 5K benefit run at 8:05 a.m. The event is sponsored by Doherty Athletics and the Doherty Cross Country team.

Fourteen years ago, in July 2011, the Colorado Springs and Doherty communities experienced a profound tragedy. Dr. Alex Constantinides, a local family physician and Doherty’s athletic team doctor, lost his wife and three children in a flash flood in Wyoming. The heartbreak rippled through the community, and the Doherty family came together to heal.

Dr. Alex and his wife had adopted their three children and were deeply committed to their community and to supporting orphaned children. To honor the memory and legacy of the Constantinides family, the Never Alone Foundation was established in 2012. The foundation supports international adoption by providing grants to bridge financial gaps for adoptive families.

The Doherty 5K benefit run was created as a tribute to this legacy. Over the past 11 benefit runs, more than $45,000 has been raised in the Constantinides family’s name. With this year marking the 14th benefit run, organizers hope to surpass $55,000 in total funds raised.

Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to join this family- and stroller-friendly event. Both pre-registration and race-day registration cost $40, and all registered participants will receive a race t-shirt. Registration is available online or in person at the Doherty High School Business Office, open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Event Website:
https://co.milesplit.com/meets/691389-doherty-high-school-scrimmage-and-never-alone-foundation-5k-at-mvp-2025

Public Fundraiser Race Registration:
https://www.active.com/colorado-springs-co/running/distance-running-races/doherty-high-school-never-alone-foundation-5k-2025

The Doherty athletic department continues to embrace this event, both through donations to the Never Alone Foundation and enthusiastic participation. Each Doherty athletic team and many student 

clubs compete in the 5K for the coveted Doherty Spirit Stick—and the bragging rights that come with it.

Event Details:

Location: Monument Valley Park North, Colorado Springs
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 8:05 a.m. (Benefit Run Start)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Silver Key to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Tri-Lakes Activity Center and Café Location

MONUMENT, CO — Silver Key Senior Services is pleased to invite the community to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the grand opening of its new Tri-Lakes Activity Center and Connections Café location. The event will be held on Tuesday, August 20, from 3:30 to 5:00 PM at Monument Community Presbyterian Church, located at 238 3rd Street, Monument, CO 80132.

This milestone represents an exciting new chapter in Silver Key’s 55-year tradition of supporting older adults and elders throughout the Pikes Peak Region. The new Tri-Lakes location is designed to provide a welcoming, age-friendly space where older adults can gather for social activities, access essential services, and enjoy nutritious meals through the Connections Café program.

“We are thrilled to open this new space in partnership with Monument Community Presbyterian Church,” said Jason DeaBueno, President & CEO of Silver Key. “This move reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of older adults in the Tri-Lakes area by offering greater access to meals, connection, and vital aging services close to home.”

The celebration will include remarks from community leaders, a ribbon cutting, light refreshments, and opportunities to tour the new center. All are welcome to attend and show their support for the growing population of elders in our region.

Silver Key encourages local residents, partners, and supporters to join in marking this important expansion of services for older adults in northern El Paso County.

For more information, contact Silver Key at 719-884-2300 or info@silverkey.org.

About Silver Key Senior Services:
Silver Key serves older adults in the Pikes Peak region, helping them age safely with dignity and independence. Services include transportation, nutrition, behavioral health, companionship, case management, and support for veterans and their families, and more.

THE Colorado Springs School District 11 invites members of the media to get an inside look at the ongoing renovations at Jenkins Middle School on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

Learning spaces—including the 6th-grade wing, gymnasium, and class cubes—are complete and ready to welcome students. Major work continues, with an entirely new wing of next-generation learning spaces set to take shape during the school year. This behind-the-scenes tour will highlight the progress so far, showcase finished areas, and offer a preview of what’s still to come.

District leaders and project partners will be on hand to walk media through the upgrades, discuss the vision behind the improvements, and share how construction is being managed while school is in session.

WHO:

• District 11 leadership

• Jenkins Middle School Principal

• Members of the D11 Board of Education

• Project architects and contractors

WHAT:

Media tour of Jenkins Middle School — progress update and ongoing renovations

WHEN:

Monday, August 11, 2025
7:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Jenkins Middle School
6410 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80923

WHY:
To provide the community with an update on the Jenkins Middle School renovation project, celebrate milestones achieved, and share the vision for spaces still under construction.

Peak Vista Community Health Centers Appoints New CEO
 

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The Board of Directors of Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Peak Vista) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jaeson Fournier, D.C., MPH as its new Chief Executive Officer. New to Colorado Springs, Fournier will join the team in mid-September. With over 20 years of experience leading Community Health Centers, the Board is enthusiastic about his appointment and confident that his deep experience and strategic vision comes at the right moment for the organization.

Fournier’s appointment is the result of a thoughtful and rigorous search process led by Peak Vista’s Board of Directors in partnership with an executive search firm, and with input from internal Peak Vista stakeholders and valued community leaders. “Interest in the position – which began in January 2025 – was very strong, and we were humbled to have such a strong group of candidates,” said Stella Hodgkins, chair of the board of directors.

Fournier brings not only a passion for the mission of Community Health Centers, but also a track record of leading strategic transformation and delivering measurable results across clinical quality, financial growth and organizational culture. With a deep commitment to patient-centered care, he has been recognized for building high-performing teams and implementing innovative, value-based care models that improve outcomes and expand access. Fournier has successfully navigated complex operational landscapes while fostering a transparent, inclusive workplace culture. Known for his collaborative leadership style and strong community engagement, Fournier is deeply invested in advancing systems that prioritize both the patient experience and the people who deliver care.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to have Jaeson take the helm of Peak Vista as we continue to provide exceptional health care to those in our community facing access barriers,” said Hodgkins. “As a Board, we were dedicated to finding a leader who can guide Peak Vista into its next phase of growth and success as well as further strengthen our commitment to patient care, financial sustainability, workforce development, community engagement and operational excellence – and we are confident we have found that in Jaeson.”

“From the very first conversation, I could feel the heart of this organization,” remarked Fournier. “It has long been my passion to advance health equity for all – and especially for those patients who need and deserve access to care. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to join such a dynamic team, united by a shared commitment to the community we are so privileged to serve. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, listen, learn and lead alongside this extraordinary group as we shape a healthier, more equitable future across the region.”

Fournier succeeds Richard Eitel, J.D., who has served as interim CEO since February 2025. “We are so grateful for Dick’s decision to step in and lead Peak Vista during this transition. Though his title was interim, his leadership was anything but temporary. Dick made such an impact over these last six months. He implemented projects to raise employee morale, improved patient care, and helped teams across the organization meet business goals. The entire team wishes him the best as he returns to retirement,” said Hodgkins.

Eitel will work hand-in-hand with Fournier to help ensure a seamless transition as he takes over as CEO.

About Peak Vista Community Health Centers

Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization providing exceptional health care to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. Celebrating over 50 years of community health service, Peak Vista offers primary medical, integrated behavioral health and dental care services. We proudly serve over 74,000 patients annually through 20 outpatient centers in Colorado’s Pikes Peak and East Central regions. To learn more about Peak Vista, visit peakvista.org.

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Col. Kenneth F. L. Klock, Commander of Space Base Delta 1, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, and Col. Eric D. Bogue, Commander of Space Base Delta 41, headquartered at Schriever Space Force Base, invite media to attend their joint state of the bases address August 13 from 10 a.m. - noon.

This year's address will focus on the current state and future of SBD 1 and SBD 41 installations, including Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, Schriever Space Force Base, Ka’ena Point Space Force Station, Hawaii, Maui Space Surveillance Complex, Hawaii, and New Boston Space Force Station, New Hampshire.

In their first state of the bases address, Klock and Bogue will highlight the essential missions of SBD 1 and SBD 41, emphasizing their pivotal role in enabling Delta operations and securing space access for the nation and allied partners. The address will cover key unit developments, quantify the installations economic influence on the region, and articulate why space operations are fundamental to Colorado Springs. The goal is to educate local leaders about the installations’ mission, current affairs, and promote a mutual understanding between military leadership and the Pikes Peak community.

SBD 1 and SBD 41 play pivotal roles in the Colorado economy, with an economic impact of nearly $4.2 billon. More than $1.3 billion of this impact comes from approximately 16,200 employees. The remainder is paid out through contracts, services, materials, and construction. The bases also provide services for more than 23,000 area retirees.

Both commanders will be available for a short Q&A session with the media following the conclusion of their address.

In order to register for access to the installation, media representatives interested in attending must RSVP to Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs at SBD1.PA@spaceforce.mil Please identify specific names and contact numbers for media professionals who plan to attend no later than noon MST on August 12.

Media who have RSVP’d should meet at the Peterson SFB West Gate Visitor Center located at 1334 Stewart Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80914, no later than 9 a.m. on the date of the event. From there media will be escorted via government vehicles on base. Due to current base security measures, media who have not RSVP’d will not be granted access.

-30-