CRC MAIN: 303.623.1540 or 800.516.6284

CRC Board of Directors

Pat Greer (she, her, hers)

Board Chair

Retired Assistant Professor, University of Denver

Leslie Baldwin (she, her, hers)

Board Vice Chair

Grants Manager, Boettcher Foundation

Jaclyn Lensen (she, her, hers)

Board Secretary

Senior Communications Officer, The Colorado Health Foundation

John Owsley (he, him, his)

Board Treasurer

Grants Accountant, Clayton Early Learning

Lee Wheeler-Berliner (he, him, his)

Managing Director, Colorado Workforce Development Council

Aaron Miltenberger (he, him, his/they, them)

Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley

Jodi Walker  (she, her, hers)

Executive Director, Kids At Their Best

CRC Team

Kirsten Atkins (she/her/hers)

Outreach Organizer

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Kirsten grew up in New England and moved to Colorado to attend the University of Denver. Her love of skiing and the mountains led her to her new home in Crested Butte, CO where she lived for 30+ years. Kirsten worked the full gamut of “resort” jobs but found a real passion in her work at the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC), an organization that provides recreation for people with disabilities and their families. As a sibling of a brother with disabilities, it was a perfect combination of her life experience and her love of skiing. Kirsten wore many hats at the ASC as the program grew over the years, including being responsible for developing curriculum and implementing training courses for instructors and volunteers. She also achieved a number of certifications necessary to be a part of the education team at PSIA-RM where she also spent several years on the committee and as committee chair. Through this work she was also able to travel to places such as Alaska, Idaho,  Scotland, Austria, and Argentina, where she helped facilitate the growth of adaptive sports programs and develop curriculum for instructor education and certification courses. Kirsten was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame for Disabled Sports USA.

Kirsten is also known in her community for her extensive activism. In the early 90’s she worked with Colorado’s Ancient Forest Rescue (AFR) which aimed to protect old growth forests and roadless areas, through education, litigation, and non-violent civil disobedience. Her forest activism also took her to the coast of BC where she participated in a two-month kayak expedition on behalf of the Native Forest Network , documenting forest destruction and photographing vast areas of untouched forests slated for the chopping block to raise awareness through education. Her environmental activism also led her to working in the San Luis Valley in the town of San Luis. In the mountains there , known as La Sierra, she helped create a years long campaign to stop a massive logging project on private land, then known as the Taylor Ranch. What they discovered there was a long history of culture and land rights struggles. Kirsten along with fellow activists formed long lasting alliances with farmers, ranchers, and Chicano activists in this struggle for environmental justice. She continues her alliances in San Luis through her work with Move Mountains Youth Leaders. She has since been involved in a multitude of campaigns working towards environmental and social justice in alliance with BIPOC organizations. For example, during the pandemic she helped to form the Colorado Navajo Resiliency Project, securing and delivering much needed supplies for short term needs and water vessels to aid in long term food sovereignty.

Kirsten recently moved down from 9,000 feet to warmer climes with her husband Heath and their small herd of horses. She is enjoying living in Montrose, in a climate where they can grow fruit and vegetables and there’s a lot less shoveling! She’s excited to be in her new role of Lead Community Organizer the Western Slope, for the Civic Outreach Team.

Madeline Cohen (she/her/hers)

Events Coordinator

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Madeline is an Event Coordinator focused on enhancing the education program and the Community Resource Center’s impact through events, trainings, and community engagement opportunities. Madeline has been involved in the nonprofit sector since 2016, first serving as Program Director for Teens In Public Service to connect local organizations with sponsored teen interns and leadership development resources. She is passionate about equity work and harm reduction, with an emphasis on advocating for mutual aid in the areas of progressive social policy, LGBTQIA+ issues and trans rights, and food justice. She launched a Harm Reduction project in 2022 aimed at facilitating safe, inclusive, and accessible dancefloor spaces in Denver’s underground music community . Madeline loves road biking around Denver and making jewelry and clothing from upcycled materials. She is currently a student at MSU Denver earning her BA in metalsmithing.

Alexandra Cruz (she/her/ella)

Outreach Organizer

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Alexandra Cruz (she/her/ella) works as a lead community outreach organizer for the Civic Engagement team at CRC. She graduated from MSU Denver with a major in business administration and minor in Italian and has been involved with non-profit organizations since she was in high school. Due to this, she was able to experience the positive impact non-profits had in her family, future and community. In 2009, she migrated with her family to the US from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and feels lucky she ended up in beautiful Colorado.

Alexandra enjoys sharing resources with the community and talking to community members. She’s excited to continue to work at CRC and with partner organizations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time being active, either taking a gym class (dance or yoga) or taking a walk with her husband and their dog. She also loves hot springs, watching T.V. series, and traveling.

Lisa Duran (she/her/ella)

Assistant Director of Statewide Education

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Lisa has worked for over 30 years in the nonprofit sector doing community organizing and social justice work.  She helped to build Colorado’s immigrant rights movement, directing Colorado’s first immigrant-led immigrant rights organization and serving as a co-founder of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. She also served as Executive Director of Grassroots Grantmakers, a national membership organization of foundations and community funders working to lift up grassroots voices and leadership in philanthropy. Lisa’s graduate studies included a focus on philanthropy, foundations, race, and social movements. In her organizing work she developed popular education practices that stress the co-creation of knowledge, the importance of participant stories in building relationship, and the necessity to productively address imbalances of power and privilege. Lisa brings to CRC a deep belief that directly impacted individuals must determine solutions and policies that affect them and a passionate commitment to building equity, inclusion and access among diverse communities. 

Maria Fabula (she, her, hers)

President & CEO

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Since 2013, Maria has served as President & CEO of the Community Resource Center (CRC). Maria believes in the power of the nonprofit sector to drive meaningful change and promote health and justice in our communities.

With over two decades of experience leading the social sector to become more transparent, community-driven and collaborative, Maria has spent her career connecting government, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to improve the community. Maria works closely with individuals, their teams, and organizations to build trust, create a space for open dialogue, and harness the power of change.

Maria’s visionary leadership has led to milestone improvements at CRC including the transformation of the Rural Philanthropy Days program, addition of AmeriCorps VISTA and State/National programs, acquisition of the Colorado Participation Project and the Nonprofit Social Enterprise Exchange.  Since 2013, CRC’s budget has grown from under $500K to over $8 million, CRC’s staff has grown from 5 to 33 team members and CRC’s impact across the state of Colorado has been felt at every corner.

Appointed in 2014 to the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, Maria served as the Commission Chair from 2018 to 2020.  Maria was recognized as “Who’s Who in Impact Investing” by the Impact Finance Center and Denver Business Journal in 2017 and 2018 and is an Everything DiSC® Certified Facilitator.

Maxwell Flanigan (they/them/theirs)

Civic Engagement Project Coordinator

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Maxwell is the Civic Engagement Project Coordinator. Right out of high school, Maxwell went into civic engagement and voter outreach. They found a love of people, and the work people can do when working together for a common cause. From here, Maxwell began working as an organizer and civil engagement specialist in multiple states, for many political campaigns and issue-based programs.

Josh Gaydos (he, him, his)

Marketing Coordinator

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Josh Gaydos (he/him/his), Marketing Coordinator, works to connect the targeted programs of Community Resource Center into a cohesive and appealing brand. Josh started with CRC in October 2022. Prior to his current position, Josh worked as an Account Executive at a communications firm and as a Corporate Relations Manager at a nonprofit focused on underserved Latinx populations in Denver. He began his career in South Carolina politics, working on a congressional campaign, managing a South Carolina Statehouse campaign and becoming Director of Principal Operations for a U.S. Senate campaign that holds the record for most funds raised within a month. Josh currently lives in Denver and appreciates the music and poetry scene throughout the city. 

Margaret Graham (she, her, hers)

Civic Engagement Program Manager

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Margaret Graham is the Civic Engagement Program Manager. She graduated in 2018 with a master’s in Human Rights, from the London School of Economics and is excited to be back in her home state empowering Coloradans to be active members of their communities. Margaret has been active in Colorado politics since 2008 and is passionate about the ability of grass roots organizing to create positive, lasting, systemic change to the community. In her free time, Margaret loves to spend time outside with her dog, ride horses and garden. She is also part of a community choir and enjoys watercolor painting and crochet.

Natalie Georgalas (she, her, hers)

Rural Action Network™ Program Manager

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Natalie joined Community Resource Center as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2021, and has been with the organization since and is now the Rural Action Network™ Program Manager . Natalie is originally from Ohio where she graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Economic, Education, Development, and Sustainability with a focus on international and community development. She is excited to bring her experience with community development and rural communities to the CRC team. When not at work, Natalie can be found cooking, spending time at the park, or going to concerts.

Azucena Holland (Estrada) (she, her, hers)

Director of Finance and Compliance

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Azucena was born in Mexico and migrated to the United States with her family at the age of four. Her father wanted to give her and her sibling the educational opportunities that they might not have had otherwise. She grew up in a small town called Swink in Southeast Colorado. There she attended Swink School from kindergarten to her senior year. Azucena is a first-generation college student. She received an Associate of Science and an Associate of Arts from Otero College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration through Adams State University. Her career background is in healthcare administration, human resources, and finance.

She is a VERY proud mother of an 18-year-old son. She recently got married and has three other bonus young adult children. She loves chocolate, red wine, food, and dogs (especially labs)! She enjoys camping, fishing, CrossFit, cooking, and spending time with her family! She comes from a large family and really enjoy their many family gatherings.

Azucena is excited to continue to grow in her career in the nonprofit sector and is extremely excited for this opportunity and to represent CRC in the Southeast Region of Colorado!

Rhea Johnson (she, her, hers)

Assistant Director of AmeriCorps VISTA

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Rhea Johnson she/hers/hers is the Assistant Director of AmeriCorps VISTA. Originally from upstate New York (the Adirondack Mountains), Rhea studied Outdoor Recreation and Management prior to moving to Boulder, Co to study Psychology, Environmental Studies, and Religious Studies. After university, Rhea had the opportunity to participate in two VISTA positions in Denver, Co and Fairbanks, Ak and returned to Colorado in 2019.  Rhea is passionate about Diversity Equity and Inclusion work, being a resource and facilitating space of growth. In her spare time, Rhea enjoys many outdoor activities in all seasons, baking/cooking and learning to play the ukelele.

Justice Lord (He, Him, His)

Outreach Organizer

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Justice Lord is a highly motivated entrepreneur and community leader. He is super excited to be working with Community Resource Center this year to educate and register voters and looks forward to making aa lasting impact in his community for years to come.

Reyna Martinez (she, her, hers)

Outreach Organizer

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Reyna Martinez has been a resident of Colorado for 27 years living both in the northern and southern side of the state. Reyna is an advocate for all first responders across the San Luis Valley and throughout the state of Colorado. The passion and dedication she has towards serving the first responders that serve the community comes from her 20 plus years of working in the medical field, in EMS and right next to them through multiple 911 calls. “Living a life of service and sacrifice is not just what first responders do, it is who they are.” Through the collaboration and coordination with multiple agencies and organizations, Reyna is able to bring additional resources and services CRC has to offer to the rural area of Southern Colorado.

TC McCracken (she, her, they)

Employment Practices Advisor

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TC McCracken is the Human Resource Manager for the Community Resource Center.  She has leadership experience working in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.  All her roles focus on supporting others.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Master of Education. She brings CRC decades of experience in the fields of Marketing, Education, and Human Resources.  She doesn’t count the years, instead she focuses on doing what she loves, providing support and enthusiasm to the communities she serves.  She is honored to serve those at CRC creating opportunities, tools, and strategies to develop nonprofits and community groups to strengthen Colorado.  Outside of work, she enjoys jogging at a slow pace, performing with sketch and improv teams, writing heartfelt stories, and telling hopefully funny jokes.

Alex McHenry (she, her, hers)

Director of Civic Engagement

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Alex brings over ten years of experience in the fields of education, leadership, and community engagement. As the Director of Civic Engagement, Alex oversees CRC’s civic engagement programs including the Participation Project and The Root Causes Network helping nonprofits to build and strengthen their advocacy efforts. While born and raised in Denver, Alex has spent the majority of her adult life moving around the US and abroad, including living in Kenya and Malaysia, and she is happy to once more be settled in the sunny state of Colorado. Alex has a masters’ degree in conservation social science and is passionate about working at a systems level to tackle complex social issues. In her free time, Alex can be found hiking, playing volleyball, or exploring one of Denver’s many thrift stores.

Sandy Ortega (she, her, ella)

Outreach Organizer

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Sandy is a 10th generation native of Sand Luis, Colorado. Sandy brings over 55 years of work experience in social work, teaching, research, office administration, and small business management. Sandy has dedicated her life to her community and currently volunteers in many capacities including at the local hospital, Adams State University, the Alamosa City Planning Commission, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and as a victim’s advocate for the Alamosa county Sheriff’s Office.

Katy Pepinsky (she, her, ella)

Director of Grant Services (Spanish Speaker)

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Katy Pepinsky (she/her/ella), Director of GrantCorps, works to build the capacity of Colorado nonprofits to access and manage public and private grant funds. Katy started with CRC in June 2022. Prior to her current position, Katy worked as the Executive Director of a youth services organization in La Plata County. For over twenty years, she has worked with a diverse array of non-profit and service organizations to help build more resilient communities including La Plata Youth Services, Cooking Matters Colorado, Growing Partners of SW Colorado, Mercy Hospital, Peace Corps, and Colorado State University Extension. A native of Bloomington, Indiana, Katy holds a master’s degree in Extension Education from Colorado State University and a Professional Non-Profit Management Certificate, from Fort Lewis College. Katy lives in Durango and enjoys reading, gardening, practicing yoga, and exploring the rural rivers and trails of the Southwest with her two kids, husband, and dog. Ella habla español.

Katy Sawyer (she, her, hers)

Director of Capacity Building

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Katy Sawyer brings the perspective of having working in grassroots nonprofits in development countries as well as national nonprofits in the US to her role as the Associate Director of AmeriCorps Programs. Katy’s passion for national service began during her own AmeriCorps service. After graduating from Tufts University, Katy spent over 10 years working with Jumpstart, a national early childhood education organization, gaining experience in program management and development, AmeriCorps programs and funding, nonprofit fundraising and board management, and national campaigns. Deciding to combine her professional skills and experiences with her love of (and degrees in) international relations and Spanish, Katy moved to Nicaragua to work with organizations providing supplementary educational opportunities to children in Granada. Katy was excited to discover CRC and move to Colorado. In her free time, Katy can be found hiking and delighting in seeing snow again after five years in the tropics.

Lani Silva (she, her, hers)

RAN Program Coordinator

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Lani joined Community Resource Center as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader in 2022, and has been with the organization since and is now the Rural Action Network™ Program Coordinator. As a native to the South, she graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. With a strong passion for serving the community, Lani is excited to bring her skills and expertise to the team. In her free time, she enjoys being out in nature whether that be hiking, water sports, skating, or chasing sunsets.

Kristi Smith (she, her, hers)

Grants Guide Manager

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Kristi Smith has worked with nonprofit organizations since 2006. She moved to Colorado from Nebraska, where she served as a Project Coordinator for the National Collegiate Honors Council at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Before her role as the Colorado Grants Guide Manager, she previously held the title of EventCoordinator at CRC for its 2014 Southwest Rural Philanthropy Days in Pagosa Springs, the 2015-2016 Colorado Health Foundation Statewide Listening Tour, the 2018 Southwest Rural Philanthropy Days in Cortez, and the 2023 Southwest Rural Philanthropy Days in Durango.  Kristi lives in Pagosa Springs with her husband. She enjoys seeking out new restaurants, visiting museums, reading recommended books, and playing with her three (soon to be four) spirited grandchildren

Tayah Wheeland (she, her, hers)

Executive Assistant

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Tayah Wheeland is the Executive Assistant at Community Resource Center. She is originally from Berkeley, California and received a master’s degree in International Affairs with a focus in environmental policy from UC San Diego. She has studied four foreign languages and worked, lived or travelled in more than 20 countries. Tayah has more than 10 years of experience in administrative roles in the private, public and non-profit sectors and has done volunteer work for non-profit organizations as a Spanish-language translator. In her free time Tayah loves visiting new places, going on picnics, hiking, watching documentaries, cooking, and making jewelry.

AmeriCorps VISTA Members

Silas Babilonia (he/him/his)

AmeriCorps VISTA – Grant Writing Specialist – Grant Corps

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Silas Babilonia (he/him/his), Grant Writing Specialist, works to help non-profits across the state of Colorado receive the funding and resources necessary to thrive through the function of grant-writing. Silas started with CRC in October 2022. Prior to his current position, Silas has worked in the non-profit realm in various capacities. He has served previously with AmeriCorps, working with CRC to combat the COVID pandemic as a Contact Tracer/Case Investigator. Before that, Silas also served as both a case manager and overnight assistant at several different facilities run by Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Silas grew up in Aurora, Colorado, and considers the state his home. He is a lifelong traveler, having been across Europe and the United States; however, Colorado always had a special place for him. He is currently located in the Capitol Hill area of Denver and spends his time with family and friends, works on making and producing electronic music, and spends time with his Guinea pig named Jim. 

Eugene Davis (he/him/his)

AmeriCorps VISTA – Data Analyst – Grant Corps

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Eugene Davis (he/him/his) is currently working as a Data Analyst for the AmeriCorps Vista Program with CRC to build capacity in the rural Colorado nonprofit ecosystem. Eugene began working with CRC in late October after graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in environmental policy and globalization. Eugene has previously worked as a Communications Assistant for the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides in Eugene, Oregon, and has experience working with rural communities during his time in the University of Oregon Environmental Leadership Team. On his days off Eugene enjoys playing music and basketball as well as spending time with his close friends and family members. 

Terry Hessner (he/him/his)

AmeriCorps VISTA – Data Analyst – Grant Corps

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Terry Hessner (He/Him/His) is a Statewide Data Analyst Vista working with GrantCorps at the CRC. As a Data Analyst he acts as a resource for Colorado nonprofits to access funding for their organizations and navigate the Colorado Grants Guide. Terry started as a Vista at CRC in October 2022. Before joining the GrantCorps team he spent several years working in hospitality and food service, including three years helping to manage the food program at a Denver based youth shelter organization. Terry is from Lafayette, Colorado and lives there still. His hobbies include reading, writing, playing piano and watching movies.

Joe Raymond (he/pers/name)

AmeriCorps VISTA – Grant Writing Specialist

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Joe is a recent graduate of UNCO. He came to Colorado in 2021 after a service year with AmeriCorps Indiana, where he taught work literacy remotely to adults. Joe finished writing in what he refers to as his Volume I when he retired in 2017. He considers joining VISTA  to be the start of his Volume II, Chapter 4. In Indiana, Joe fundraised for the Midwest Food Bank & Gleaners because 22% of that city lives in a food desert without access to transportation. He was also active with multiple agencies in varied capacities that support BIPOC Indianapolis communities in need of housing, medical care, educational supplies, clothing, transportation and housewares. Joe prefers to drive the country roads over the highways whenever reasonable. This is probably a direct result of growing up in Council Bluffs, Iowa and spending summers and holidays working on his cousin’s Iowa farms. Work, sunshine, community, and food were plentiful. He believes VISTA will provide him an opportunity to support preserving some of that legacy. Joe’s employment experiences include a startup of his own print studio in California, decades of direct technical support and troubleshooting for manufacturers, working hands-on with customers to improve their processes, creating and developing marketing materials, writing and delivering technical training programs, authoring articles in multiple countries, product development, and project management in addition to his work with “not for profits”. Three years ago he began “The Grey Goat Project”, a mobile art studio intending to serve Veterans reentering our community, seniors and schools without resources through artistic expression. Grant Corps seems to be the perfect opportunity to roll his experience into passion.

Callin Hahn (she/her/hers)

AmeriCorps VISTA – Statewide Data Analyst VISTA

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Callin Hahn (she/her/hers) is a Statewide Data Analyst VISTA working with GrantCorps at the CRC. As a Data Analyst, she combines her love for research and mathematical problem-solving with her passion for lifting people out of poverty. Before joining the CRC, Callin had careers in software engineering and in raising children. She holds a M.A. in International Development from the University of Denver. Having called Colorado home for most of her life, Callin enjoys camping, lakes, and skiing and spends most of her free time making fun for her three kids.

Ivy Brooks (she/they)

AmeriCorps VISTA – Statewide Data Analyst

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Ivy Brooks (she/they), Statewide Data Analyst, currently works for CRC via the Americorps Vista program. As a Statewide Data Analyst, Ivy assists Colorado nonprofits in their efforts to access grants via the Colorado Grants Guide. Prior to joining CRC, she graduated with a MS Mathematics degree from the University of Texas while working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. During her time at CRC, Ivy hopes to to use the knowledge she gained during her degree to assist in the fight against poverty across Colorado. Ivy grew up in Texas and enjoys reading, gaming (both tabletop and video), programming, and mathematics.

Matthew Romanyk (he/him/his)

AmeriCorps VISTA – Grant Writing Specialist – Grant Corps

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Matthew Romanyk (he/him/his), Americorps Grant Writing Specialist VISTA, is helping build capacity, facilitate connections, and provide support for rural non-profits across underserved Colorado communities through grant development and organizational maintenance. Matthew started his service with Americorps and CRC in October 2022. A central New York native, Matthew found his home in southwest Colorado last year, and brought with him a love for expansive nature, music and solitude. In his free time, Matthew can be found participating in local open mics, reading, writing, hiking with his boxer-mix Martha, and thinking about what fundamental improvements could be made to the world around us. Matthew plans on using his research and education background to foster understanding and equity throughout Colorado. 

CRC Interns

Madeline Hulbert (she, her, hers)

Advocacy Intern

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Madeline Hulbert (she/her/hers) is an Advocacy intern who is working with the Root Causes Network and the Participation Project. Madeline is currently a student in the Master of Social Work Program at the University of Denver. Madeline is passionate about trauma-informed mental health care, working to empower individuals and communities, and social justice. In her free time, Madeline can be found snowboarding, going to concerts, and filling her house with new plants.