Every organization has a story, but behind every meaningful movement are people who believed change was possible long before that change became a reality.

For the Rose Andom Center, that story is rooted in the dedication, compassion, and determination of individuals who recognized that survivors of domestic violence deserved something better. They envisioned a community where survivors would not have to navigate complicated systems alone, where support would be accessible and coordinated, and where every person seeking help would be met with dignity and respect.

In 2024, we took time to reflect on the people whose leadership and commitment helped transform that vision into the Rose Andom Center we know today.

Among those individuals is Margaret Abrams, whose career and contributions to the Rose Andom Center reflect the extraordinary impact that persistence, partnership, and compassion can have on an entire community.

As the Rose Andom Center’s founding Executive Director, Margaret played an important role in helping establish Colorado’s first Family Justice Center and bringing together the people, organizations, and resources necessary to create a more coordinated response to domestic violence.

But building something new is rarely simple.

Creating a center where multiple agencies could work together required more than finding a shared location. It required building relationships, earning trust, navigating challenges, and encouraging organizations with different responsibilities and perspectives to unite around a common purpose.

It required a belief that the systems designed to support survivors could work better together than they could separately.

And it required people who were willing to keep moving forward, even when the path was uncertain.

Margaret’s leadership helped turn that belief into action.

Alongside founding partners, board members, donors, volunteers, advocates, and community leaders, she helped establish a foundation built on collaboration and survivor-centered care. Together, they worked toward a vision in which survivors could access critical services in one welcoming location, reducing the burden of navigating multiple agencies and repeatedly sharing difficult experiences.

What began as a vision became a place of safety, connection, and hope.

Over the years, the Rose Andom Center has continued to grow, adapt, and respond to the changing needs of survivors and their families. New partnerships have formed, services have expanded, and the Center’s role in strengthening our community’s response to domestic violence has continued to evolve.

Yet the values that shaped its earliest days remain at the heart of our work.

Every survivor deserves to be believed.

Every survivor deserves to be treated with compassion and dignity.

Every survivor deserves access to support that respects their individual experiences, needs, and choices.

And no survivor should have to navigate the journey toward safety alone.

These principles are part of the lasting legacy of the people who helped bring the Rose Andom Center to life.

While Margaret’s leadership represents an important chapter in our history, the story of the Rose Andom Center has always been one of collective commitment.

It is the story of founding partners who believed collaboration could transform the way our community responds to domestic violence. It is the story of board members who helped guide the organization’s vision and growth. It is the story of donors who invested in a mission because they believed survivors deserved better.

It is also the story of staff members and advocates who have shown up day after day with compassion and determination, volunteers who have generously shared their time and talents, and community partners who continue working alongside us to remove barriers and create opportunities for healing.

Each of these individuals and organizations has helped shape the Rose Andom Center into what it is today.

A legacy is not defined only by what someone builds. It is defined by what continues to grow because of their efforts.

For the Rose Andom Center, that legacy lives in the partnerships that continue to strengthen our work. It lives in the services that help survivors navigate difficult circumstances. It lives in the dedication of professionals who recognize that even a single compassionate interaction can make a meaningful difference.

Most importantly, it lives in the experiences of survivors who walk through our doors and find people ready to listen, believe, and support them.

As we reflect on our history, we recognize that the impact of the Rose Andom Center extends far beyond any single individual, program, or milestone. It is the result of a community that has continued to invest in a shared vision for nearly a decade.

And that vision is still growing.

The challenges survivors face continue to evolve, and so must our response. The need for coordinated, compassionate services remains critical, and the partnerships that sustain this work are just as important today as they were when the Center first opened.

Honoring the legacy of our founders and early leaders means more than remembering what they accomplished. It means carrying their commitment forward, continuing to strengthen our services, and ensuring that future generations of survivors have access to the support they deserve.

Your generosity is an important part of that legacy.

Every gift helps sustain the work that began with a vision for a safer, more supportive community. Your support helps strengthen the partnerships, programs, and resources that survivors rely on, while ensuring the Rose Andom Center can continue adapting to meet the needs of those who turn to us for help.

For those who wish to recognize Margaret Abrams and the many individuals who helped establish the Rose Andom Center, a gift in their honor is a meaningful way to celebrate their contributions while investing in the future of this mission.

It is an opportunity to honor the people who helped open our doors while helping ensure those doors remain open for the survivors who will need us in the years ahead.

As we celebrate ten years of the Rose Andom Center, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who has contributed to this extraordinary journey. From the earliest conversations about what a Family Justice Center could look like in Denver to the countless acts of compassion that continue within our walls today, every step forward has been made possible by people who believe in the power of community.

On October 17, we will gather for the Rose Andom Center’s 10th Anniversary Gala to honor Margaret Abrams, our founding partners, and the many individuals and organizations whose dedication helped make the Center possible. This special evening will celebrate the visionaries who laid the foundation, the community that has sustained our work, and the survivors whose strength and resilience continue to inspire our mission.

You can be part of this celebration and help carry that legacy forward by making a donation in support of our 10th Anniversary Gala. Your generosity helps sustain the programs, partnerships, and critical resources that survivors and their families rely on, ensuring that the hope created over the past decade continues to grow for years to come.

As we look toward the next ten years, we remain committed to building on the foundation established by those who came before us and creating a future where every survivor has access to safety, compassion, and support.

When a community comes together with compassion, determination, and a shared purpose, lasting change is possible.