About Us

Savio has always been driven by the belief that every child has a fundamental need and right to a stable and caring family. We lead Colorado in providing intensive, in-home support that keeps families together through their most difficult moments. Each year, we serve more than 1,800 families across the state, meeting them at their breaking point—navigating the complexities of trauma, financial hardship, or mental health crises. When a single incident finally highlights the need for help, Savio is there.

Our therapists deliver proven, research-based interventions directly in the home, at no cost to the family. By meeting families where they are, we provide support that is faster and more effective than traditional residential programs. At the one year mark after treatment, 90% of Savio families remain safely together and out of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Four people, two women and two children, walking outdoors in a fall or winter setting, wearing jackets and beanies, with autumn leaves and bushes around.

Mission

Savio builds resilient communities by strengthening family relationships.

A young girl wearing a red shirt and a bracelet on her wrist, playing with colorful building blocks.

Vision

Savio will be the preeminent child and family treatment center where the most caring, culturally appropriate, and effective strategies enable families to resolve conflicts and live harmoniously in the community.

Two boys playing and laughing outside near a small house with open door, one is jumping and the other is smiling.

Our History

In 1966, four Denver businessmen—Gale Neiswanger, Alfred Wiesner, Charles Hughes, and Michael Reidy—founded Savio as an orphanage for "wayward boys.” Over the past 60 years, Savio has transformed into a statewide leader in family preservation. In early 2020 we closed our residential facility; today, we serve children and families of all ages and identities across Colorado, providing proven interventions that help families safely build roots that allow them to branch out into the world stronger than ever.

The Denver Lions Club’s commitment to Savio began in 1974, when they stepped into a pivotal board leadership role that fueled the organization’s early growth and development. This enduring partnership continues to flourish today, as Savio proudly remains a signature project of the Denver Lions Club—a testament to over six decades of shared dedication to Colorado families.

A newspaper article titled 'SAVIO HOUSE: Home for 19 boys' with photos of director Gerald Denim and boys at Savio House, and an exterior view of the house.

Watercolor painting of a large house with a red roof, surrounded by trees and greenery, under a blue sky.

Letter addressed to friends about a fundraising appeal for Savio House, a home for 27 boys in Denver, seeking donations for renovations and activities, with a black-and-white photo of two smiling men at the bottom.

Text on a green background discussing the 1970s, specifically about Savio's founders seeking help from The Lions Club of Denver in 1974 to stabilize the organization and support youth within the community.

Black and white photo of William Bill Hildenbrand sitting at a cluttered desk in an office, with a window and plant in the background.

Left page with FAQ about Savio House, including its location in Denver, how boys are selected, the current number of resident boys, accommodations for boys aged 12 to 17, and its funding sources; three small black-and-white photos of boys; and the mo

A group photo of students in dark uniforms, a person playing pool, and a person skiing.

Text on a dark green background highlighting the growth of Savio during the 1980s, mentioning ground breaking in 1983 and community-based services starting in 1988.

A group of men, some wearing suits and hard hats, gathered outdoors in front of a brick building, with some holding shovels, likely at a groundbreaking ceremony.

Certificate from the Colorado Association of Family and Children's Agencies, Inc. awarded to Savio House in June 1988, with decorative border and signatures.

Architectural floor plan with colored sections, primarily in white, black, brown, and blue, depicting the layout of a building's interior spaces.

A black and white photograph of a group of people standing outside a building along with a poster for Savio House, a community service project by the Lions Club of Denver. The caption at the bottom reads '1982 Savio Staff.'

Text on a green background describing the growth and innovations of Savio in the 1990s, starting in 1993, including expanded community services and youth education centers.

Group of people sitting on rocks and stairs outdoors, smiling for a photo, with a wooden fence and trees in the background.

A black and white illustration of a community education center with text describing its features, including classroom and recreational areas, and a quote about Savio House from a Colorado State Senator. The illustration includes children playing bask

A group of people gathered outside in front of a large brick house with a red roof, surrounded by trees, during daytime.

Text on a green background explaining the history and expansion of Savio in the 2000s, including its services and partnerships.

The image shows the front entrance of a building with a white sign that reads "SAVIO OF COLORADO SPRINGS". There are two large trees on either side of the entrance, and people can be seen through the glass doors inside the building.

A flyer for Savio promotes various education and community services, including counseling, day treatment, education for adolescents, foster care placement, residential treatment, and supervision services.

A large group of people gathered outdoors on a grassy area under tall trees, posing for a group photo.

Text about the transition of Savio in the 2010s, highlighting expanded programs for adolescents, trauma-informed care, and support for parents, along with the establishment of a Cañon City location for juvenile detention prevention.

Photograph of three professionally dressed individuals standing together in an office. A man in a suit and tie is on the left, a woman in black in the center, and another woman in a blue blouse on the right. The office has framed photographs on the w

A two-tier white cake with green accents and a brown ribbon decoration celebrating 50 years. The cake has the message: "Keeping Families Together for 50 Years," and is placed on a table with cookies around it. A brick wall is in the background.

A digital screenshot showing a webpage or document with a green sidebar on the left and white background on the right. The sidebar contains white text explaining a landmark law related to child welfare and mental health resources, while the right sid

Text slide with green background displaying '2020s Visioning'. The slide discusses Savio's response to residential and day treatment program changes in 2020, highlighting a shift to home-based models, and expanding services to support families with c

A promotional flyer with text and images about addiction treatment and family recovery programs. The left side features a row of suburban houses with cars parked in front. The right side shows a cozy living room with two people talking, one sitting o

An outdoor sign features an illustration of a mother and child embracing. The sign includes a quote about the loss of a son and the importance of staying together to prevent trauma. It is attributed to RACHEL A., a Mother in Recovery, and has a QR co

Conceptual site plan for residential development showing buildings, parking, landscaping, and playground area with a legend and elevation views.

A graphic with the heading '1966 Founding' and text describing the founding of an organization by Gale Neiswanger, Alfred Wiesner, Charles Hughes, and Michael Reidy, who purchased 325 King Street to help 15 boys ages 12-17. The four founders named th

Leadership

The hearts and minds behind our mission: Meet the team leading the way for family resilience.

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A brown, plush toy hand puppet with four fingers and a thumb

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Norma Aguilar-Dave LCSW, CACIII
Executive Director
(303) 225-4040
Email Norma

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Rebecca Carpenter, LCSW
Child Placement Agency Director
(720) 530-6071
Email Rebecca

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Courtney Fiedler, LPC, LMFT
Director of Multisystemic Therapy Services
(720) 480-6803
Email Courtney

Portrait of a woman with curly blonde hair outdoors, smiling with greenery in the background.

Julia Roguski, MA, LPC, CACIII
Associate Executive Director
(303) 225-4200
Email Julia

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Nicole DeHerrera, LPC
Colorado Springs Coordinator
(719) 351-5712
Email Nicole

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Beth Humphrey, LCSW
Bluestem Director
(720) 326-3717
Email Beth

A woman with blonde hair smiling outdoors, with a background of green trees.

Elizabeth Doner, LPC
Director of Adolescent Community Based Services
(720) 480-6908
Email Elizabeth

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Joshua Pruyn
Director of Development
(303) 526-8310
Email Joshua

Board of Trustees

We are proud to partner with a dedicated board of local community leaders who bring diverse expertise to our mission, ensuring high-impact services for Colorado families and long-term healing.

Pictured left to right: Brett Wilson, Vonnie Hergett, Sean, Debnath, Dee Pape, Norma Aguilar-Dave (Executive Director), Cleo Rauchway, Ron Abo, Chuck Anderson, Bob McCormick, Sally Hooks, Dan Kiel, Bill Adams