DENVER (June 26, 2008) - Mi Casa Resource Center celebrated the naming of Christine Marquez as its new executive director on Wednesday evening, June 25, with Mayor John Hickenlooper taking the stage to personally welcome Ms. Marquez to her new position. The Mayor commended Mi Casa on its accomplishments and long-standing commitment to strengthening the community. Other notable guests included Hope Salazar and Cristana Duran, Deputy Political Director for Mark Udall for Colorado's campaign. The Welcome Event Committee included Elsa Holguin of Rose Community Foundation, Christiano Sosa of the Denver Foundation and Andrew Hudson.

The community event began with music by Jazz del Barrio and catering by Encantada to set the festive mood. Mayor Hickenlooper was followed at the podium by Mi Casa board chair Theresa Solano, a member of the Mayor's Latino Commission, as well as a number of the founding mothers and past executive directors of Mi Casa including Alice Daly, Carmen Carrillo, Donna Lucero and Barbara DesMarteau.

Guests heard about the history of Mi Casa, founded in 1976 by eight Head Start mothers, as well as its future direction. Ms. Marquez and Ms. Solano unveiled a new logo for the organization and new tag line, "New Opportunities. New Possiblities." This summer the board of directors and Ms. Marquez will be embarking on a strategic planning process to help guide the $2 million organization as it assesses and retools its economic self-sufficiency programs for Latinas and youth.

"I want Mi Casa to be a place where people are able to prepare for exciting new careers, launch businesses or take their careers and businesses to a whole new level. I want Mi Casa to be a place where people can work to achieve their dreams!" said Ms. Marquez who spoke to those in attendance about her important vision for Mi Casa.

Sponsors of the event included 1st Bank of Colorado, Colorado Lending Source, the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado and the board of directors of Mi Casa. The media sponsor was Entravision.

About Mi CasaResourceCenter

The mission of Mi Casa Resource Center is to advance the self-sufficiency of primarily low-income Latinas and youth. Mi Casa was founded in 1976 by eight Head Start mothers in Denver. These women understood that education and employment were vital for women to become successful on both a personal and economic level. As a result, Mi Casa was established to create these opportunities for adults and youth to become successful. For more than 30 years, Mi Casa has been committed to advancing the self-sufficiency of primarily low-income Latinas and youth in the Colorado community.