Jefferson County Community Development Director Jacqui Pickett and Jefferson County Commissioner Kevin McCasky presented Seniors' Resource Center with the distinguished Leadership Award at the 2009 Community Development Achievement Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 16.

The Leadership Award is the highest esteemed award granted by the County Commissioners, honoring an outstanding program, project or person. Seniors' Resource Center was selected for demonstrating exceptional leadership and true "best practices".

"This honor is a tribute to the commitment and passion shown by our board members, staff and volunteers in ensuring the independence, dignity and quality of life of seniors for 31 years," said John Zabawa, President/CEO of SRC. "It's a matter of immense pride and honor for Seniors' Resource Center to have received this award from the Jefferson County Commissioners and the Division of Community Development."

Formed in 1978, Seniors' Resource Center, a private non-profit organization, provided direct services to nearly 18,000 individuals across ten counties in 2008. This included a coordinated-care model of intensive transportation, adult day and respite care, in-home care, mental health outreach, job training and care management services.

As the state's age 60+ population climbs from 780,000 in the year 2009 to 1.3 million by year 2020, Seniors' Resource Center continues to pride itself on meeting the needs of older adults from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. It does so through concerted outreach to low-income, frail, minority and isolated seniors and their families, based out of five homelike facilities in metro Denver and the foothills.

The awards ceremony, held at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, was the conclusion to the celebration of National Community Development Week (April 13 - 17). The criteria used in judging and ranking applicants included fulfillment of community need, innovation, impact on community/quality of life, success/impact measurability and collaboration.

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To volunteer, make a contribution, or inquire about a service, call (303) 238-8151 in metro Denver or (303) 674-2843 in the Evergreen/foothills area. Visit SRC online at www.SRCAging.org.