Master of Ceremonies: Kyle Dyer

Volunteerism enriches our services and makes possible many activities and resources that would not otherwise exist. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Samaritan House and Samaritan House Women’s Shelter, with over 10,500 volunteer hours completed yearly. The Courteney Saeman Volunteer Award has been created to commend the integrity of the recipient. Courteney, who died in 2017, worked as an intern in the Family Services Program in 2013. Her joy, optimism, youth and gentle spirit brought an element of happiness to the Samaritan House as a whole.

Julie Izard and family have, for more than a decade, touched hundreds of people throughout Denver through their work with Samaritan House. Specifically, embracing the mission to serve children experiencing homelessness through the Family Services program.

Each year, Julie brings together multiple donors, contributing toward a Children’s Shoe Fund. This fund provides a new pair of shoes for every child on the Family Floor for Back to School and, in the last couple years, in October as well. In 2017, the Shoe Fund reached a record $2,637 in donations, providing 78 total pairs of shoes for children residing at Samaritan House. For kids experiencing homelessness, a new pair of shoes is worth so much more than the price tag. It means a world of improvement for their self-esteem when they are able to go to school no longer picked out as the poor kid, given away by their shoes. Julie continues to make this wonderful opportunity for Samaritan House families a reality each year – as well as increasing the scope to provide for even more children.

In February of this year, Julie and her family expanded their reach of love and kindness. Recruiting friends, family, workout buddies, and parishioners, Julie coordinated a "love note" drive for all those receiving sack lunches through Samaritan House. This drive was done in honor of a close friend's daughter that recently passed away. In all, more than 2,000 love notes were collected and brought to Samaritan House! Julie and a group of friends then attached these notes onto the sacks of lunches heading out to residents later that day, and shared hundreds of these notes with the women at the Holy Rosary shelter. Notes are still being attached to lunches every day because of this amazing outpouring of love and support. For these reasons and more we honor them with the Courteney Saeman Volunteer Award.