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Seeds of Hope gets new executive director
Position goes to longtime Seeds of Hope supporter Maribeth Hanzlik
By Julie Filby
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Maribeth Hanzlik |
Maribeth Hanzlik was named executive director of the Seeds of Hope Charitable Trust effective Oct. 31, replacing former director Betsy Boudreau.
Seeds of Hope makes Catholic education available to economically disadvantaged children through tuition assistance, scholarships, vouchers and operating support.
Hanzlik has been affiliated with Seeds of Hope for some 10 years as a board member, speech coach with S.U.N. schools (Schools in Urban Neighborhoods), co-chair of the annual Hope Springs Eternal luncheon and assisting with other fundraisers, and serving as an ambassador at St. Rose of Lima School in Denver and St. Thérèse School in Aurora.
“I love the kids,” Hanzlik said. “I’ve gotten to know so many of them and their families very well.”
When asked to take on the position of executive director, she considered it a calling.
“As much as I know that I was of service to the kids being in the classrooms, I recognized that when I was asked (by the board), there was a higher good,” she said. “I’m going to be able to help in a way that maybe (the kids) don’t see, but if I really care about the kids, I had to accept this opportunity.”
Though initially tentative, her choice became clear through prayer.
“It’s a pretty daunting job … the first thing I wanted to say was ‘no,’” she said. “But I told them I would pray about it.
“It was funny because I went to Mass and the entire sermon was about answering God’s call,” she said. “(Husband) Bill looked at me and said: ‘Oh my gosh, does He have to be that clear?’”
Hanzlik has been married to Bill Hanzlik, former Denver Nuggets player and coach, for nearly 30 years. The couple has four children—28, 26, 24 and 22—who all attended Catholic grade schools and high schools in the Denver Archdiocese. They are parishioners at St. Thomas More Church in Centennial.
Hanzlik, who holds a master’s degree in clinical social work from St. Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Notre Dame, has served as a psychotherapist, school counselor, social worker, and grief and crisis coordinator in the private sector, at several Catholic schools, and with Catholic Charities.
She looks forward to advancing the work of Seeds of Hope.
“There are so many people in Denver who believe in our mission, and for those that don’t know about it, it’s my job to let them know,” she said. “It’s imperative that all of us do whatever we’re called to do to help further that mission as the Catholic community of Denver.”
Since its inception in 1996, Seeds of Hope has given more than $20 million dollars to some 12,000 students at archdiocesan Catholic schools.
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