Beacon Youth and Family Center Closes its Doors

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Englewood, Colorado -- After 42 years of providing mental health care services to children and families in the Denver community, Beacon Youth and Family Center will close its doors and cease operation on April 30, 2011.

Beacon Center has built a legacy on providing comprehensive mental health treatment for children and families. Services have included residential care, crisis care, hospital diversion, hospital step-down, drug and alcohol treatment, community based therapy, respite care and day treatment. Since its inception in 1969, Beacon Center has provided these vital services to over 15,000 children and their families.

"It has been an honor for Beacon Center to have served so many Colorado children and families over the years. We believe in our mission, and sincerely hope that the demise of our programs doesn't mean kids don't have access to treatment. It has also been a privilege to work with so many remarkable people who share our commitment -- staff, board members, Cherish the Children Guild, donors, and members of the community who have given of themselves to support our children's mental health needs," said Michael Guthrie, Executive Director.

Unfortunately, many factors have contributed to the difficult decision for Beacon Center to close. A dramatic decrease in referrals for the mid-level (non-locked, non-restraint) care that Beacon Center provides played a significant role in this decision. With smaller budgets for counties, state and federal government, and other referral sources, this level of care is simply not being utilized at its capacity. This decline in referrals has led to a steady decline in revenue.

The President of Beacon Center's Board of Directors, Georgianna Contiguglia, stated "We recognize that Beacon Center is just a small piece of a much larger story. The fact is, the huge drop in referrals to programs like ours is not because all the kids got well. We are surrounded by evidence of the needs for mental health care, yet agencies like Beacon Center continue to close in Colorado. Clearly, there are bigger economic issues at play, and I am heartbroken that we, as a society, are not willing or able to support the treatment needs of our own children. My hope is that our decision as a society to provide needed care for those with mental illnesses doesn't happen after all the capacity has disappeared." As the need for mental health care continues to exist, so does the need for education, advocacy and accessibility to services.

Beacon Center has received support over the years from many committed foundations and individuals. We are most grateful to the Cherish the Children Guild, an auxiliary of Beacon Center was chartered in 1999 to raise funds necessary to allow us to serve families in need. Guild Founder and President Emeritus, Annabel Bowlen, along with many other dedicated supporters have raised millions of dollars over the years at the annual Cherish the Children Gala.

"It brings great sadness to me and the members of the Cherish the Children Guild that the Beacon Center will no longer be able to continue the wonderful work that they have done for the last 40 years. They have reached out and given special love and care to numerous adolescents and their families. They have also been a source of strength to many. I would like to thank the members of the Guild for the tremendous work, love and care they have given to this amazing charity. The Beacon Center will always have a special place in my heart, as well as, the many Guild members who dedicated their time and incredible efforts," said Annabel Bowlen, Cherish the Children Guild Founder.