We spring into May with excitement and enthusiasm for a season full of opportunities for connection.
Before we focus forward with optimism, we want to take a moment to honor our Denver food/beverage/hospitality community with an impactful message from our Executive Director, Erin Boyle.
To our food, beverage, and hospitality community:
Our community has once again been devastated by tragic deaths. We are gutted here at CHOW; we’ve lost too many to addiction, suicide, and murder. We can’t continue what we’ve been doing if we want to see things change.
We want to offer you this CALL TO ACTION:
· Start conversations about mental health in your workplace.
· Educate yourself and encourage co-workers to join you to learn more about how to help others – and yourself.
· Attend therapy, meetings, CHOW meetings and social events that leave you feeling good.
Our community is filled with amazing people who want to help others. Please take time to help yourself, and I’d like to encourage you to try one of CHOW’s Group Discussion meetings.
Our Group Discussion meetings give us a place and the chance to talk about the highs and lows, the systemic frustrations, network, and share ways we stay sane in the chaos. These meetings have helped me find new friends who hold me accountable for my well-being.
They’ve been my mirror when I need to see I’m entering depression and my crutch when I need help remembering how to help myself. I work with CHOW because I believe that having space for these conversations will give us the support and community that we need to thrive.
I hope you will join me.
Sincerely,
Erin Boyle
CEO CHOW
CHOW is here to support, educate, and refer. We have group discussion meetings, trainings, education, and social events. We’re also a resource broker. This means you can contact us about ANYTHING you need help with – grief, finding a gym, health insurance, financial hardship, etc..
From the CRA:
Support the Families of Victims at American Elm
Unimaginable tragedy struck earlier this week at American Elm, a four-year-old restaurant in Denver’s Highland neighborhood. General manager Emerall Vaughn-Dahler and prep cook Ignacio “Nacho” Gutierrez Morales lost their lives in what police are investigating as a double homicide.
Our hearts go out to the American Elm team and the victims’ families; we’ve contacted the restaurant about CRF’s Angel Relief Fund grant opportunities so staff members can get the financial and mental-health resources they need right now.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help support Emerall and Ignacio’s families.
New Image Brewing Company (5622 Yukon St., Arvada), where Emerall was previously taproom manager, is hosting a gathering in her honor on Monday, May 1 at 5 p.m.; there will be a silent auction and special pours, the proceeds from which will go to her family.
Also on Monday, May 1 at 5 p.m., Hops & Pie (3920 Tennyson St., Denver) is hosting 30+ restaurants, breweries, bakeries, and more for a fundraiser with food, beer, baked goods, and music; show proof of a $50 donation to the above GoFundMe campaign for entrance (kids are free).
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for up to a $2,000 reward.