Recognizing CWEE Champions: 2023 Silver Flame Award Winners

As the new year begins, CWEE is recognizing the outstanding contributions of our 2023 Silver Flame Award winners for their exceptional support of CWEE career seekers. The Silver Flame Awards are a long-time CWEE tradition, honoring the individuals and companies that go above and beyond to create opportunities and provide support for our participants and their families. Read on to meet our 2023 Silver Flame Award winners!

UCHealth – 2023 Employer Partner of the Year

In addition to being a financial supporter of CWEE and a member of our Employer Advisory Council, UCHealth has adopted skills-based hiring practices that help reduce barriers to employment for CWEE participants and so many others. UCHealth is committed to creating a streamlined process for job seekers to learn in-demand skills and open the doors to great health care careers. UCHealth hires CWEE graduates, advises CWEE’s program, and provides vital funding to sustain CWEE’s programs.

WeeCycle – 2023 Program Partner of the Year

When it comes to outstanding contributions to CWEE’s program and participants, WeeCycle is an incredible partner. With a mission to recycle essential baby gear and match it to Colorado families in need, WeeCycle connects CWEE career seekers to diapers and essential baby gear, like strollers, car seats and cribs. Donations from WeeCycle help CWEE provide greater support to our career seekers and reduce their financial burdens so that they can stay focused on their career goals.

Checkr – 2023 Corporate Partner of the Year

Checkr, Inc. is a champion of CWEE’s work and has long had active representation on our Employer Advisory Council, which helps CWEE adapt our programming in response to labor market and industry trends. As our 2023 Corporate Partner of the Year, Checkr has provided resources, support and volunteers to advance CWEE’s mission. In addition to supporting our employment training programs, Checkr hosted an in-person career exploration event for CWEE career seekers in 2023, which included a generous donation of household goods for CWEE families.

Keith & Michelle Peterson – 2023 Volunteers of the Year

Keith and Michelle Peterson are long-time CWEE volunteers and committed champions of CWEE’s work and our career seekers. As a member of CWEE’s Board of Directors, Keith supports the organization in a variety of roles, including overseeing the recruitment and hiring of CWEE’s Executive Director last year. A leader at UCHealth, Keith has also helped advance CWEE’s partnership with the health care system to support career opportunities for our participants. Keith and his wife Michelle are also frequent volunteers at our Winter Wonderland, Turkey Giveaway, and Back to School events each year.

Gloria Barajas – 2023 Alumni of the Year

Gloria came to CWEE in 2020 when she was struggling to find employment and care for her young children. Without a high school diploma or work experience, Gloria was running into dead ends in her search for a job to support her family. At CWEE Gloria started to believe in herself and that her hard work would pay off. Though there were ups and downs, Gloria persisted, working to achieve small goals that added up to much bigger ones! Gloria earned her GED and then got a CNA certificate. Today, she works as a Patient Care Technician at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center and is excited to continue growing her career.