Selah will host its 25th annual gala 6 p.m. Saturday at Steamboat Resort’s Thunderhead Lodge as the women’s support organization celebrates a mission that blends practical services with steady, judgment-free support.

The fundraiser, which is the organization’s largest of the year, will feature an evening performance by singer-songwriter Jonah Werner.

Founded in 2000, Selah began as a grassroots effort that grew into a certified women’s care clinic offering free pregnancy tests, limited first-trimester ultrasounds, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and women’s wellness education.

Executive Director Rachel Fleming said the core aim is simple and personal.

“We really want to meet people where they are,” Fleming said. “We want to be a supportive resource to the best of our ability without anyone feeling judged.”

Fleming began working with Selah in October 2021 as the organization reignited operations after COVID-19 slowdowns. Her first year focused on restoring the clinic’s medical footing by hiring a clinic manager, securing a medical director and replacing an ultrasound machine.

“When the right things fall into place, you can push forward,” she said.

Services extend beyond the clinic, as Selah teams visit middle schools throughout the Yampa Valley for age-appropriate conversations about healthy relationships, consent and basic sexual health. The lessons are posted in Google Classroom so teachers and parents can see the materials.

“We keep it very light,” Fleming said. “We are not there with an agenda. We just want kids to be informed and to know we are here for them or their friends if something scary comes up.”

Inside the clinic, staff help clients slow down, breathe and sort through decisions that often carry financial and emotional stress after an unexpected pregnancy is discovered.

“A lot of people think they have to act right away,” Fleming said. “We help them pause and process what they are feeling while they consider school, finances and housing.” 

She added that Selah determines pregnancy viability with limited ultrasounds and sees growing demand from people seeking accurate dating information. 

“We are not there to diagnose or to provide or refer for abortion or the abortion pill,” she said. “We want people safe and healthy, and we make sure they understand their options.”

Support continues after a positive test for those who choose to move forward with the pregnancy. Clients can take prenatal and parenting lessons and receive material items such as car seats, cribs and newborn supplies.

Selah also connects clients to local partners including Northwest Colorado Health, area OB providers, LiftUp and mental health resources. 

“We tailor support to what each person needs,” Fleming said. “The goal is successful parents and healthy families.”

Board member Mark Grawehr described the tone as compassionate and steady. 

“We’re about helping women make a choice, an informed choice,” he said. “You just see people’s lives being blessed by it, and in my opinion, lives being saved by it.” 

He praised the volunteer board’s dedication and the staff’s day-to-day patience, saying that he is continually “impressed with the women who serve” within the organization as they “pour out their lives as mothers and professionals.”

Selah operates on donor support, with the gala functioning as its primary funding mechanism alongside monthly gifts, church campaigns and a smaller fundraiser. Fleming said last year’s gala raised about $75,000 the night of the event and secured more than $160,000 in total committed giving by the end of the campaign. She estimates the gala accounts for roughly 65% of annual operating revenue.

“It is unique, but it works here,” she said. “People come ready to celebrate something they love and they give to keep services free.”

Attendance typically ranges from about 270 to 305 guests, and tickets are not sold, which Fleming said reflects the center’s approach to hospitality and trust.

“We fill Thunderhead and try to make it a beautiful night,” she said. “It is a celebration of what the community makes possible.”

Grawehr underscored the board’s fiduciary role and the center’s stable footing. 

“Thankfully, we’re financially secure,” he said. “Our responsibility is to be wise with the funds we have and to be legal and ethical in everything we do.”

The board has also explored potential investments, such as a mobile ultrasound unit, while weighing cost and impact to reach more people in a timely way.

Both Fleming and Grawehr point to moments that keep the team going when work gets heavy. 

Fleming shared a clinic story about a teen who watched her ultrasound in awe while wrestling with pressure at home. 

“It sits with you,” she said. “That is why we are here. If we were not here, some people might not get that time of compassion and care in the room.”

While Selah is faith-based and supported by many local churches, the center emphasizes open doors and a nondenominational, judgment-free position.

“We want people to find freedom and healing,” Fleming said. “Not everyone wants a faith-based group, and that is OK. We meet them where they are.”

For community members who want to learn more, Fleming said tours are welcome. 

“We are open and transparent,” she said. “Seeing the space makes it clear how we work with people and what resources we provide.”

The gala will include program updates and client-impact highlights along with opportunities to make one-time gifts or renew monthly commitments. 

“We are here for you,” Grawehr said. “You have options. We want you to understand them.”

For more information on Selah, please visit SelahSteamboat.com.