Shining Stars: Student Stories of Hope and Resilience
Through heartfelt personal interviews, witness our students share their incredible journeys and how Serendipity Center has been a beacon of support and empowerment on their path to success.
Video produced by:
Rachel Gardell, Kellan Marvin, Jason Roark, Anders Lund, Chip Sloan
Inside the Mission of Serendipity Center
Welcome to Serendipity Center, where every day is an exciting day! Take a journey inside the mission and discover our innovative therapeutic programs, experiential learning opportunities and compassionate care that make a lasting impact on the lives of our students and their families.
Video produced by:
Rachel Gardell, Kellan Marvin, Jason Roark, Anders Lund, Chip Sloan
Serendipity Center’s New Sensory Room
What is a sensory room, and why do our students need one? Watch Serendipity’s Special Education Coordinator, Emily Kelley explain.
Created in 2022
Created by Rachel Gitner
Starring: Emily Kelley
Growing Minds Garden at Serendipity Center
Take a minute to watch and learn from Garden Assistant Taylor about why the Growing Minds Garden is so critical to our community. Philanthropic dollars make the magic happen!
Created in 2022
Director of Photography: Jason Roark
Audio/Lighting Technician: Anders Lund
Producer: Rachel Gardell
Editor: Kellan Marvin
Serendipity Center: Andrew’s Story
Be inspired by this journey of personal growth, as shared by a Junior in Serendipity’s Therapeutic School.
Created in 2022
Director of Photography: Jason Roark
Audio/Lighting Technician: Anders Lund
Producer: Rachel Gardell
Editor: Kellan Marvin
Serendipity Center: We Heal through Art Therapy
Meet Jolie Guillebeau, Serendipity’s Clinical Art Therapist, and learn how this critical work nurtures healing in our students.
Created in 2022
Director of Photography: Jason Roark
Audio/Lighting Technician: Anders Lund
Producer: Rachel Gardell
Editor: Kellan Marvin
Serendipity Center — Celebrating 40 Years of Transformation
This video introduced the Four Pillars of services (Education, Mental Health, Transition, and Wellness) delivered by Serendipity’s Therapeutic School. It also announced the launching of the Four Pillar Fund in Fall 2018.
Created by Spencer Trefzger, South Platte Studios, 2019.
Serendipity Center: 35 Years of Connections
This video helped to celebrate Serendipity’s 35th anniversary by gathering founding board members, long-term investors, and early graduates to share the impacts of Serendipity on students, families, and the community.
Created by Peter Gjovik, Serendipity’s Marketing Coordinator in 2015.
Serendipity Center — Agency Profile
This video recounted and explained the positive outcomes reported by students, graduates, educators, and donors.
Created by The AV Department, 2014
Serendipity Center — Deciding to Support Serendipity
This video introduced Serendipity’s definition of Therapeutic Education, with testimony from supporters.
Created by Dennis Looney, 2013.
Serendipity Center — Growing Minds Garden Video #2
First shown at the January 2020 YO Breakfast, this second video featuring the Growing Minds Garden shares the ways our therapeutic garden program has expanded and enhanced learning, treatment, and wellness approaches at Serendipity.
Created by Spencer Trefzger, South Platte Studios, 2019
Serendipity Center — Believe In Me Capital Campaign
Believe In Me is the name of Serendipity’s campaign to complete a trauma-informed campus. This video was debuted at the 2017 Pearls of Hope gala, introducing the campaign leadership and the importance of building the future of Serendipity.
Created by Peter Gjovik, Serendipity’s Marketing Coordinator in 2017
Serendipity Center — What is a Teacher/Counselor?
Despite having multi-disciplinary roles, all Serendipity staff members are called “Teacher/Counselors.” This video defines a Teacher/Counselor in the Re-Education tradition. Watch to gain insight into the qualities that make a staff member impactful at Serendipity.
Created by Peter Gjovik, Serendipity’s Marketing Coordinator in 2015
Artist Portrait, Jake Smith, creator of Portraits of Hope
Serendipity commissioned a series of four pairs of portraits, done in charcoal, with each pair communicating an emotional transformation. Watch to meet Jake and see how his art tells the story of the transformational changes that are possible in children’s lives when they are holistically supported.
Created by Spencer Trefzger, South Platte Studios, 2019
Serendipity Center — Growing Minds Garden Video #1
This video was filmed when Serendipity’s therapeutic garden program was just a year old. Watch to meet Garden Supervisor Nicolas Townsend and to hear the early impacts of the garden.
Created by Peter Gjovik, Serendipity’s Marketing Coordinator in 2015
Serendipity Center — Dani’s Story
Meet Dani, Class of 2019,and her team
Created by Rob Van Nood, Funnote Productions, 2018
Serendipity Center — Daniel’s Story
Meet Daniel, Class of 2016, and his team
Created by Peter Gjovik, 2017
Serendipity Center — Rodger’s Story
Meet Rodger, Class of 2013, and his team
Created by Peter Gjovik, 2017
Serendipity Center — Juan’s Story
Meet Juan, Class of 2016
Created by Peter Gjovik, 2017
Serendipity Center — Arneisha’s Story
Meet Arneisha, Class of 2011, and her team
Created by The AV Department, 2014
Serendipity Center Testimonial — Parent Panel
Hear the stories of four mothers as they share their experiences with their children’s placements at Serendipity with other parents in the community.
Interviews filmed by Dennis Looney, 2013
Serendipity Center Testimonial — Tony Martinez, Fox 12 News
Tony Martinez has served as Serendipity’s Master of Ceremonies at our annual events since 2006. When the last event was cancelled due to the pandemic, Tony filmed this statement of what he finds special about Serendipity, and why he continues to encourage our community to support Serendipity students and programs.
Filmed by Kari Gale, Serendipity Events & Marketing Manager, 2019
Serendipity Center Testimonial — Donor Panel
Meet representatives of four corporate supporters (Key Bank, Miller Nash LLP, Capital One, and Social Ventures Partners Portland) as they explain their draw to supporting Serendipity’s students and program.
Interviews filmed by Dennis Looney, 2013
Serendipity Center Testimonial — Erika Schwartz, Board Member
Meet Erika Schwartz, Serendipity’s Board Secretary, and a highly seasoned Speech Pathologist working with students with special needs in one of the districts that partners with Serendipity. From her vantage point, Erika is able to identify why all regions need access to a therapeutic school, for those students whose needs are more intense and urgent than can be addressed in within public schools.
Filmed by Kari Gale, Serendipity Events & Marketing Manager, 2019
Serendipity Center Testimonial — Lori Silverman, Board Member
Meet Lori Silverman, Serendipity’s Vice-Chair, who is also a retired Director of Special Education for a district that has long partnered with Serendipity. Lori shares her unique perspective on how Serendipity helps students that cannot be helped to learn in public settings.
Filmed by Kari Gale, Serendipity Events & Marketing Manager, 2019