DENVER - April 24, 2008 - Three women who were nominated by their employers for moving from welfare to achieving significant career success will be honored on Thursday, May 1 st,. CWEE: The Center for Work Education and Employment and more than 500 business leaders, elected officials, alumni and friends of CWEE will join to celebrate Cristal Anderson, Karen Thurman and Rebecca Towne. Starting at 11:30 a.m. at EXDO Event Center, the program will begin with opening remarks from Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien followed by program emcee Gloria Neal. CWEE's Investing in Success luncheon ends at 1:30 p.m.

All luncheon proceeds benefit CWEE's full range of services including job development and assistance with job search and retention. While attending CWEE, case managers help participants to identify and overcome personal obstacles such as homelessness and domestic violence. CWEE provides an individualized program so participants are fully prepared to achieve stability and economic self-sufficiency.

"This center is not about getting someone a job, it is about helping people lift themselves out of desperation and into dignity," said Donald MacKenzie, CWEE board chair. "There are few things more satisfying than seeing our participants go from being unemployable to landing and keeping a job making $10 an hour or more."

Award winner Cristal Anderson said, "CWEE has impacted my life in so many ways. CWEE
gave me the knowledge of knowing how to set goals high, but not too high for
them to never be reached. CWEE also showed me how to use what I know and to
always be willing to learn more." Cristal graduated from CWEE in 2003 and in 2006 began working at Holden MSS, a telemarketing firm. Today she is a sales/customer service representative with the company. Her supervisor says that Cristal is one of their best employees.

The luncheon's presenting sponsor is Denver-based Newmont Mining Corporation. Other key sponsors include MacKenzie House, Wells Fargo, Palace Construction and Community Banks of Colorado.

For more information please visit www.cwee.org or callLaurie Harveyat 303-892-4444 x313.

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About CWEE: Center for Work Education and Employment

Since the organization's inception in 1982, CWEE's goal has always been to empower participants with the skills, confidence and motivation necessary to obtain satisfying employment and end their dependency on welfare. CWEE's job-readiness programs offer well-rounded, individualized services to provide the assistance and support necessary for participants in the Denver Metro area to become self-sufficient.