Devereux Celebrates 50th at Hearts of Gold Gala
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Arizona celebrated 50 years of service at its Hearts of Gold gala Oct. 21 at DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley. In the last half century, Devereux has grown from a special education school to a $30 million operation that stretches across Maricopa and Pima counties. The organization’s community-based services – foster care, outpatient counseling, in-home support and child-abuse prevention – now reach more than 6,000 children, adults and families annually.
The Hearts of Gold gala drew 170 guests and focused on raising funds for Devereux’s Residential Treatment Center. The 48-bed facility on Devereux’s original Scottsdale campus was completed in 1978 to provide a 24-hour therapeutic environment for the students attending its school as well as to meet the larger need for residential services for youth in Arizona with significant behavioral challenges. Over the past 25 years, Devereux has renovated the two eight-bed dorms multiple times. Funds raised from the gala will allow Devereux to replace the two modular units with a new state-of-the-art dormitory and increase capacity to 52 beds.
During the ceremony, Devereux’s executive director Lane Barker was presented a proclamation from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, and Sam Coppersmith, chairman of the board, was recognized for his service. The event also included a silent auction, dinner and dancing as the band urban Crossroads performed. Carey Pena served as the evening’s emcee.
PHOTOS COURTESY DEVEREUX ARIZONA