May 7, 2026

Pathways to Empowerment: Empowering Me. Uplifting We. Building Stronger Futures Together.

Empower Field at Mile High
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Pathways to Empowerment is a celebration of resilience, progress, and community. Buy your tickets below!

Pathways to Empowerment 2026 is a celebration of resilience, progress, and community. Rooted in the ideal “Empowering Me. Uplifting We. Building Stronger Futures Together,” this annual event highlights the individual growth of teen moms and their children while showcasing the collective strength of the FloCrit community. Through inspiring stories, engaging activities, and opportunities to give, attendees will leave feeling connected, inspired, and motivated to make a difference.

As FloCrit’s signature event, Pathways to Empowerment brings together over 500 attendees, including supporters, partners, community leaders, board members, alumni, teen moms, and their families, to celebrate the transformative work of Florence Crittenton Services.This event is a chance to rally support for the young families we serve and to highlight how our programs such as education, housing, mental health support, and early childhood education create brighter futures.

At FloCrit, we use a two-generation approach, empowering teen moms to achieve their goals while setting their children up for long-term success. Supporting one generation uplifts the next, creating a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities.

In addition to this event, we’ll honor the 2026 Dr. Kate Waller Barrett Advocate Award and Charles Crittenton Community Partner Award recipients.

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Location: Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204

Sponsorships are available! View the Sponsorship Packet for more information.

Buy Your Tickets Today

2026 Award Recipients

Dr. Kate Waller Barrett Advocate Award

Introduction 

About Dr. Kate Waller Barrett 

Dr. Kate Waller Barrett (January 24, 1857 – February 23, 1925) was a humanitarian, philanthropist, and social reformer. While raising six children and opening a shelter for unwed mothers, she earned a Medical Degree and a Doctor of Science. In 1895, Dr. Barrett joined Charles Nelson Crittenton to co-found the National Florence Crittenton Mission, and they established rescue homes for unwed mothers across the country. More than 70 Crittenton homes operated in the United States and abroad at the time of her death.  

In 1909, Dr. Barrett became the Mission’s President and ignited the movement of supporting young girls and young women, including women of color. Her advocacy efforts and leadership also supported girls and young women beyond the walls of the Crittenton homes. A few of her many accomplishments include:  

  • Partnering with John D. Rockefeller to create an anti-trafficking film, Traffic in Souls; 
  • Voted President of the National Council of Women; 
  • Appointed a delegate to the 1924 Democratic National Convention; and 
  • Appointed as special agent of the U.S. Bureau of Immigration for her anti-sex trafficking and advocacy changing the way girls and young women were treated while in custody.  

2026 Dr. Kate Waller Barrett Advocate Award Winner: TBA

The Charles Crittenton Community Partner Award is given to an individual or institution that supports the work of Florence Crittenton Services through partnership and collaboration. Named after one of our founders, Charles Crittenton, awardees embody Charles’s spirit of social enterprise, philanthropy, and community citizenship.

2026 Charles Crittenton Community Partner Award Winners: TBA

The Rising Phoenix Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an alumna of Florence Crittenton Services who has continued to show determination and drive after graduating and has pursued excellence, stability, and success for herself and her family, however that may look to best fits their needs and life.

We are honored to present this year’s inaugural Rising Phoenix Lifetime Achievement Award to a deserving alumna who will be announced at Pathways to Empowerment on May 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Attire is business casual or cocktail. 

The Denver Art Museum is located at  100 W. 14th Avenue Parkway in Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood. Our event is in the Martin Building (the newly remodeled original DAM building). Enter in the Sie Welcome Center entrance off 13th Avenue, on the south side of the building. 

Ride share, elderly and handicapped drop-off/pick-up is available on 13th Avenue, between Broadway and Bannock streets.  

Visit the DAM Accessibility page for more information on access at the DAM. 

Please find more information about location and parking here. 

  • Cultural Center Garage: Located on 12th Ave. between Broadway and Bannock streets. 
  • Street and metered parking (most are free after 6pm): Available within walking distance of the museum. 
  • Surface lots: Nearby unattended lots. 
  • Art Garage: Covered parking adjacent to the Art Studios at 1200 Lincoln Street. 

Please find more information about location and parking here. 

Guests will have access to the 2nd floor galleries; however, food and drink are not allowed in the galleries.  

Non-flash photography is allowed in galleries and public spaces. You will see on the gallery door or object label if photography is not allowed. 

  • 6:00 pm doors open 
  • 6:00-7:00 pm Cocktail hour in the Creative Hub on the 1st floor, passed apps, galleries open. 
  • 7:00-7:30 pm Dinner in the Sturm Ballroom on the 2nd floor. 
  • 7:30-8:30 pm Program and paddle raise. 

This year, instead of a silent auction, we’re inviting you to place symbolic bids through GiveSmart in our “Pathways to Abundance” fund-a-need exhibit—a meaningful way to support FloCrit teen families by funding essential items. Anyone can place a bid through this link 24 hours before the event.

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