February 19, 2015 VOLU M E 1 0 | I S SUE 38
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Grant to benefit abused youths Ralston House gets money for forensic interviewers By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com
Arvada native, Sara Fellman Kerpan (second on the right) stands with members of the Washington Chorus and Stephen Schwartz, composer for musicals such as ““Godspell,”“Pippin” and “Wicked.” Courtesy Photo
Singer excited to live the dream with chorus By Crystal Anderson
canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com
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rowing up, Sara Fellman Skerpan was surrounded by music, listening to her mother play the flute and jamming out to Bruce Springsteen with her father. So, for her, following a life of music was only natural. “I just loved it so much,” she said, “it really became a passion of mine.” she said. Fellman Skerpan, 27, an Arvada native who now lives in Washington, D.C., takes that passion to the stage at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, Feb. 21, in a massive choral performance with the Washington National Cathedral Choir of Boys and Girls,
the Choirs of Trinity Wall Street and her choir, the Washington Chorus. “I’ve never actually been inside Carnegie Hall and I can’t wait,” Fellman Skerpan said. “There’s always this moment when you put the orchestra together with the other singers where they kind of get it — I’m excited for that.” Musically inclined, Fellman Skerpan jumped into the choral scene at Ralston Valley High School, participating in the school’s choirs and musicals and performing with statewide choirs. “Sara Fellman was, simply put, a gem of a student,” said Jeff Talley, the Ralston Valley choir director. “She worked very hard to achieve everything
In January, the Ralston House received a $34,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to help further the healing process for sexually abused children and youths across the Front Range. “Ralston House is an example of an organization that shares our core values and is committed to helping children live better ... which in turn creates a stronger overall community,” said Anne Hatfield, director of communications at the foundation. Annually, the foundation offers two grant cycles in which it awards money to businesses or organizations, such as the Ralston House, which align to their goals of serving individuals and communities across the country and globally. A statewide grant program, the foundation gave more than $19 million back to Colorado communities, a funding diversification that Ralston House grants and development manager Kathy Pettit said the Ralston House was looking for. “Anytime we can apply for a corporate or foundation grant it’s a good opportunity,” she said. “This is for our forensic interviewer services, and while it’s a little bit general, it’s something we really need.” By receiving this grant, the Ralston House, a nonprofit serving youths in Adams, Broomfield, Gilpin and Jefferson counties, is able to employ five forensic interviewers at their three locations in Arvada, Lakewood and Northglenn. According to Ashley Lapp, the development officer at Ralston House, these investigators play a key role in the investigation process and help the children begin to heal from their respective situations. “It’s evidence,” Lapp said. “It’s really important you have someone who’s highly skilled and not talking to kids in a way that’s leading or suggestive because that’s what they’ll use to start the investigative process.” The Ralston House is a local nonprofit that works with law enforcement and the community to provide free victim services Grant continues on Page 16
Carnegie continues on Page 16
On Jan. 21, representatives from the Arvada nonprofit, the Ralston House, received a grant for $34,000 from the Walmart Foundation. Courtesy Photo