Celebrating Light in Remembrance: A Healing Tribute to Loved Ones

Last night, TRU's Grief Services team and dedicated volunteers presented a poignant and meaningful Lights of Life Remembrance Service, providing solace and support to attendees as they honored and cherished the memory of their departed loved ones. The service, held at Unity Columbine Spiritual Center, was guided by the compassionate leadership of Grief Counselor Vanessa Schmautz and Grief Services Director Kathryn Messman, who warmly welcomed all participants. Heartfelt readings were delivered by Grief Counselor Joan Hummel, Volunteer Jean Manifesto, and Volunteer Bill Madura, and Grief Services Intern Jeff Hudson took the stage with Vanessa to read the names of the departed. Van Currell, also a Grief Services Intern, led attendees through a Ceremony of Light, crafted to honor the darkness of grief while illuminating the light of hope stemming from courage, cherished memories, and enduring love.

Participants adorned a memory table with photographs and mementos of those they had lost, and the true heart of the service unfolded as individuals stood to vulnerably share memories and stories of their departed loved ones.

Harpist Joan Hunderhausen brought rhapsodic melodies to the proceedings and singers Roberta Lott-Holmes (TRU Clinical Supervisor) and Hayley Voss (TRU Volunteer) sang a stirring rendition of James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes." As the evening ended, both attendees and participants departed the hall moved, carrying with them the comforting embrace of shared remembrance and support.



Bonuses Increased Throughout March for Employee CNA Referrals

In an initiative to hire needed Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), TRU has increased the employee referral bonus for CNA hires from $500 to $750 throughout the month of March. 

If you are acquainted with any suitable candidates, kindly submit a referral bonus request form to the Human Resources department before your referral's scheduled interview. Additionally, ensure that they mention your name when completing their employment application.

More about the Employee Referral Program here.



Please Help TRU Find Badly Needed Volunteers in Your Area

TRU has been expanding service to the southern areas, including suburbs surrounding and south of Denver. 

Volunteer Services needs an entire base of volunteers to serve this area. Our best efforts are from you - either talking with friends, neighbors, and relatives or posting on your Nextdoor or other social media for caring individuals age 18 and older. 

If you live anywhere outside of Boulder County - particularly in these cities to the south, please email TRU's Volunteer Department at volunteer@trucare.org. This will help us learn how to reach more communities like:

• Denver
• Parker
• Centennial
• Englewood
• Littleton
• Aurora
• Highland Ranch
• Golden
• Wheatridge

While these volunteer roles are often "companionship,” to visit patients where they live;

there are also needs for others such as:

• Veteran Companionship
• Massage Therapy, Reiki, or Comfort Touch
• Errands or Organizational help
• Pet Therapy, Aromatherapy
• Notary volunteers

Our expansion also includes regions surrounding Boulder County such as

Broomfield, Brighton, Thornton, Westminster, Northglenn, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Arvada, Superior, Berthoud, and Firestone/Fredrick Dacono areas

More wonderful caring people like you can be hard to find; let's share the goodness of TRU!

Please email volunteer@trucare.org for more information



TRU Thrift Shop March Sales Calendar

Current Job Openings

TRU Staff: Earn Money for Employee Referrals!

Current Job Openings at TRU

We know that good people, like you, know good people.

Let us reward you! More information here.

Be sure to submit your referral bonus request form prior to your referral's scheduled interview and ensure they write your name when completing their employment application.

Current employees can apply by emailing HR@trucare.org.

Do not apply through Indeed, as it is for external applicants only.



Save the Date

TRU Thrift Staff and Volunteer Appreciation After-Hours 50% Off Sale and Party

Wednesday, March 13th, 6-7 pm

Join fellow TRU staff and volunteers at an exclusive after-hours party at TRU Thrift! Receive 50% off anything in the store and enjoy live music from TRU Thrift volunteer Alexi Molden and his band, the Midnight Hour. As usual, we will provide food and beverages and will announce the treasure hunt item the day before the event.

TRU Thrift Shop

5565 Arapahoe Ave.

Boulder, CO 80303

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Event

Friday, March 29, 2024, 9 am - 2 pm

Ceremony and reception at 1 pm

March 29th is National Vietnam War Veterans Day and the day before Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day is observed in Colorado. TRU Community Care and the Carbon Valley Community Center would like to honor all Veterans on this day, especially Vietnam Veterans. RSVP information will be shared in the next edition of TRU Team News. The day will include donuts and coffee at 9 am. Healing Warriors pop-up from 9 am. – 12:30 pm. Veteran to Veteran Café from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, and a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans commemoration and dessert reception from 1 – 2:30 pm.

Carbon Valley Community Center

151 Grant Street

Firestone, CO 80520

Pre-register at trucare.org/welcomehome.

My Life, My Death, My Choices

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 pm (National Healthcare Decisions Day)

Please Join TRU Community Care and The Conversation Project in Boulder County for a showing of CELLO and an evening of meaningful conversation.

Cello is a short film about a renowned musician facing a terminal diagnosis and navigating important end-of-life conversations. The film viewing will be followed by a panel and audience discussion. Hearty appetizers and dessert provided. Cash bar.

The Dairy Center for the Arts Boedecker Theater

2590 Walnut Street

Boulder, CO 80302

Pre-register at trucare.org/cello. SPACE IS LIMITED!

Welcomes and Congratulations

We're excited to welcome the following employees and travelers to our TRU family:



• Dominique Trujillo – Landmark QMAP/Caregiver
• Lacie Winterfeld – PACE Claims Auditor
• Matthew Mitchell – Thrift Shop Driver/Assistant

* This reflects new staff members and travelers who started between this edition and the last edition of TRU Team News

Fond Farewell

Sending best wishes to the following people who recently left the organization:

• Gabriel Minty 
• Kim Wantz

Congratulations to the following volunteers celebrating aniversaries with TRU in March. We appreciate all that you do for TRU!

15 Years - Sandy Hard

13 Years - Kate Sladen

12 Years - Claudia Johnson

12 Years - Caryl Sharp

11 Years - Paula Prentup

10 Years - Don Boselli

9 Years - Marie Zrust

8 Years - Bob Benson

8 Years - Barbara Gordon

8 Years - Stephen Parker

7 Years - Michele Kolman

7 Years - Donna Sueper

5 Years - Sally Kornblith

5 Years - Abigail Sperry

4 Years - Janet Denny

4 Years - Ellen Hogan

3 Years - Jessica DeSimone

3 Years - Bria Vogt

2 Years - Gail Connally

2 Years - Geoff Galbraith

2 Years - Valerie Hedge

2 Years - Jerry Jacob

2 Years - Kelly Robbins

2 Years - Patricia Shea

1 Year - Lydia Bickell

1 Year - Carol Dyer

1 Year - Kristen Eisenman

1 Year - Timothy Prout

1 Year - Linda Scanlan

1 Year - Luca Wolf-Scala