9
Jan
2012
Motivational Speaker and Author Christopher Gardner Headlines JFS Executive Luncheon May 8
DENVER — January 9, 2012 — Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) welcomes Christopher Gardner, motivational speaker and author of the book-turned-movie The Pursuit of Happyness, as the speaker for its eighth annual JFS Executive Luncheon fundraiser this spring. The luncheon is Tuesday, May 8, at the Grand Hyatt Denver at 1750 Welton St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the program starts promptly at noon. Tickets are $150 and sponsorship packages start at $1,500. For more information or tickets, contact Lisa Mehl at 720.248.4633 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org.
All proceeds from the event will help support all programs of JFS, including mental health counseling, senior and adult in-home care, disability and employment services, and family safety net services. Founded in Denver in 1872, JFS is a nonprofit community agency serving people regardless of age, race, faith, or income.
Conquering grave challenges to become a successful entrepreneur, Chris Gardner is a powerful motivational and inspirational speaker, addressing the keys to overcoming obstacles and breaking cycles. JFS Executive Luncheon co-chairs Adam Agron, David Asarch, and Michele Right are excited about how closely Gardner’s story and successes tie in with the work JFS does to help thousands of struggling people each year achieve self-sufficiency.
The amazing story of Gardner’s life was published as an autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, in 2006, and became a national bestseller. In paperback, the book spent over 20 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into more than 30 languages. The book was the inspiration for the blockbuster movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, which was released December 2006. Will Smith starred as Gardner and received Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild nominations for his performance. Gardner was an associate producer on the film.
Gardner’s childhood was marked by poverty, domestic violence, alcoholism, sex abuse, and family illiteracy. Gardner published his autobiography out of a desire to shed light on these universal issues and show they do not have to define you. Gardner never knew his father, and lived with his beloved mother, Bettye Jean Triplett, when not in foster homes. He is indebted to her for his success as she provided him with strong “spiritual genetics” and taught him that in spite of where he came from, he could achieve whatever goals he set for himself.
In 1981, as a new father, he was determined to find a career that would be both lucrative and fulfilling. Fascinated by finance, but without connections or even a college degree, Gardner applied for a training program with a brokerage firm, willing to live on next to nothing while he learned a new trade. When his wife left him, Gardner fought to keep his son because, as he says, “I made up my mind as a young kid that when I had children they were going to know who their father is.”
Gardner earned a spot in the Dean Witter Reynolds training program but became homeless when he could not make ends meet on his meager trainee salary. In 1987 he founded the brokerage firm Gardner Rich in Chicago from his home with just $10,000. Today, Gardner is involved with homelessness initiatives assisting families to stay intact, and assisting homeless men and women who are employed but still cannot get by.
In his second New York Times best-selling book, Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, published in 2009, Gardner shared his philosophies on creating a fulfilling, successful life. The book provides a much-needed blueprint for navigating tumultuous times with positivity, courage, tenacity, discipline, and common sense.
Chris Gardner’s aim, through his speaking engagements and media projects, is to help others achieve their full potential. His practical guidance and inspirational story have made him a frequent guest on CNN, CNBC and the Fox News Channel. He has been featured on The CBS Evening News, 20/20, Oprah, Today Show, The View, Entertainment Tonight, as well as in People, USA Today, Associated Press, New York Times, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Jet, Reader’s Digest, Trader Monthly, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and The New York Post.
About Jewish Family Service of Colorado
Founded in 1872, Jewish Family Service of Colorado is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder, helping seniors age in place, providing mental-health counseling to individuals and families in distress, offering training and placement services to those with barriers to employment, and providing crisis intervention and food to people in need. Every year, JFS benefits more than 21,000 people of all ages, faiths and incomes. For more information, call 303.597.5000 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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