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PEOPLE OF THE YEAR
Michalik honored by city he loves By Crystal Anderson
canderson@coloradocommunitymedia.com For Chris Michalik, giving back to his community has always been second nature, and on April 8, he will be recognized for his service as the city’s 2015 Man of the Year. “This year, we have an individual, our Man of the Year, who has done extraordinary things with the food bank — among many, many other things in the community,” said Steve Camins, chairman of the Arvada Chamber Luncheon. ”He’s needed to be recognized for many years.” FIVE THINGS Born in a small rural town in Poland in The 2015 Arvada Man of the Year Chris Michalik: 1951, Michalik grew up on his family’s farm, • Raised on a farm in Poland which at the time had no running water or • Moved to Arvada in 1979 electricity, and transportation other than • Computer systems guru walking was scarce. When he was 10, his • Part-time DJ family moved to the United States, relocat• Has a wife and two grown children ing on the East Coast. Now a shy, humble man, Michalik said he’s always served those around him by volunteering with local organizations, such as a church or school in his community, helping in whatever way he could. In 1979, Michalik moved to Arvada after being offered an opportunity to work in the computer service and tech support industry for Sun Microsystems. For 35 years he worked diligently within the industry, but while he enjoyed his career, his passion truly lay within serving those around him. “I had this need to be needed, I’d like to be that person that people are happy to see when I show up,” he said. “You can complain about a lot of things, but you can either complain about things and not do anything or you can go out and make a difference, and I hope to make a difference in somebody’s life.” While at Sun Microsystems, Michalik saw a volunteer opportunity recording programs for the blind for the Audio Information Network, and from there he sought out numerous organizations to become a part of. A member of the Shrine of St. Anne’s Catholic Parish, he began to get involved with a variety of activities within the church. A member of the Arvada Elk’s Club, Men’s Club and Knights of Columbus, he also runs the sound booth for the melodrama and helps with the church’s annual bazaar. Chris Michalik, 64, as a hobby and part-time job, assembles the speakers as part Aside from of his dj and sound system for the Our Lady of Visitation Easter performance, this involvement, Friday, March 27. Photo by Crystal Anderson Michalik spends a majority of his time serving the Arvada Community Food Bank, where he formerly served on the board of directors and helped found the Backpack Program, which serves approximately 1,800 People continues on Page 23
Arvada’s 2015 Woman of the Year, Doris Stipech, sits in her State Farm Insurance office with her 7 year-old English Setter, Allie. Photo by Crystal Anderson
Stipech inspired by contributions By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com For Doris Stipech, contributing towards community is one of the key philosophies in life. Raised in Montana, Stipech found herself living life without boundaries, always knowing if she worked hard and went the extra mile, she and others could succeed. “I’ve been very fortunate in my life, and I believe you need to give back,” she said. For her engaging spirit and activism within the Arvada community she will be named as Arvada’s 2015 Woman of the Year, by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, April 8. “I think from where I started, and that’s probably some of the giving back, it’s that you get the idea that when you’re fortunate and you work hard and are persistent … you do as well or better, “ she said. Moving to Arvada in 1995, Stipech thought she wanted to start a career in education, following her passion for both children and education, but after one day, she switched paths, and became an accountant. Over 15 years she worked as an accountant and a controller with manufacturers and a custom homebuilder, but found she missed interacting with people. So she took a leap, starting her own State Farm Insurance business and a new career that would launch her, head first into the Arvada community. “It was a fit, I love Arvada,” she said. “It is such a lovely place to do business and I find that the people, as clients are wonderful, but also the people in the community are very giving and they contribute.” Once established in the community,
FIVE THINGS Arvada’s Woman of the Year Doris Stipech: • Raised in Montana • Moved to Arvada July, 1995 • Insurance agent and business owner • Avid mentor • Married to husband for 48 years Stipech began to seek out volunteer opportunities with various service organizations such as the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Club, where she served as president, and the Red Rocks Community College Foundation, where she’s currently serving on the board of directors. She also is an active volunteer with the Arvada Community Food Bank and its Backpack Program, which serves meals to 1,800 students weekly. Prior to serving with these organizations, she was a member of the Habitat for Humanity Denver as well as supporter of the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth (AWRSAY) and the Ralston House. “Doris has been involved in the community since she got here,” said Steve Camins, chairman of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. “She’s just a very high energy lady and a very well respected person who has great judgement and advice - she’s always there when you need her.” Aside from serving her community, Stipech enjoys spending time with her husband of 48 years and being with people, whatever that may look like. She will be honored alongside Chris Michalik as Arvada’s Woman of the Year, April 8. “It was a step backward to go forward, but I far exceeded where I was before,” she said of her career path. “It’s a combination of everything — the opportunities are always there so long as we have the ability to see them.”
Council on Aging pegs senior needs Danielson to meet with county advocacy group By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Jefferson County’s senior advocacy groups are continuing to work toward the county’s goals in addressing senior needs. The Jefferson County Council on Aging identified key areas related to senior care in its 2015 report, which will be released in May. Through assessment surveys, provid-
ed by the Area Agency on Aging under the Denver Regional Council of Governments, residents responded that Jeffco seniors are in need of assistance relating to home repairs, housekeeping including meal preparation, case management and transportation. “It doesn’t matter where you’re aging — those are really big things,” said Rena Kuberski, aging and adult program manager with Jeffco Human Services. Kuberski and many other council members volunteer on multiple senior advocacy groups including Jeffco’s Aging Well Project. Results obtained by the council are ac-
curate when compared with the types of calls received at human services, Kuberski said, where county residents are calling to request more information on how to get assistance. Cary Johnson, president of Jeffco’s Council on Aging, said the 2015 report also outlines strategies to increase awareness of the advocacy group, their initiative to identify additional trends, concerns and gaps affecting older adults and their goal to reach out to state representatives. “We want to see that you are actually putting forward senior legislation on a regular basis,” Johnson said of the legislator
outreach. In August, the council will organize a forum where a handful of Jeffco’s representatives will be invited to listen to council’s suggestions and findings for senior needs. “We just want to interact with them at least once year,” Johnson said State Rep. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, is at the top of the invite list, since she has taken a proactive approach to addressing senior needs through the introduction of two House bills this legislative Aging continues on Page 22