Rocky Mountain Communities to honor housing leaders

DENVER — Rocky Mountain Communities will honor four individuals and organizations for their contributions to affordable housing and community building at its Annual Celebration Dinner on Oct. 22 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Seawell Ballroom.

The nonprofit, which has provided affordable housing and on-site programs for more than three decades, will present its largest fundraiser of the year under the theme “Foundation for Upward Mobility.” The event will highlight efforts that go beyond housing to offer a secure base for individuals and families to build brighter futures.

Rocky Mountain Communities offers holistic, people-centered programs that address urgent needs such as food insecurity and access to behavioral health resources. The organization also operates initiatives like Building the Future of Development, which creates career pathways for young people in the affordable housing industry.

Cris White, former executive director and CEO of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, will receive the Affordable Housing Innovator Award for individuals. During his 33-year career at CHFA, White oversaw investments of more than $37 billion in affordable housing and community development, helping 155,000 Coloradans become homeowners, developing or preserving more than 80,000 affordable rental units, and supporting over 9,500 small businesses.

Project Destined will receive the Affordable Housing Innovator Award for organizations. The national social impact platform trains students to become owners and stakeholders in their communities, providing free, hands-on training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate. Since 2016, Project Destined has trained more than 15,000 students across 2,000 academic institutions with support from more than 250 real estate firms.

The Denver Metro Building Owners and Managers Association will be named Partner of the Year for its leadership in delivering job readiness and career development resources through its annual Community Enrichment Day. Over the past three years, BOMA has served more than 1,500 Rocky Mountain Communities residents with services including professional clothing, resume assistance, headshots, and interview coaching.

Paula Gold will receive the Community Champion Award for her volunteer service across multiple Rocky Mountain Communities locations over the past four years. She has organized community garden restorations, coordinated gift drives, mobilized volunteer groups, and donated essential items to residents.

Event information and tickets are available at rockymountaincommunities.org/celebration.