About Us —

Our Mission

To provide a continuum of services in a home-like environment where high-risk, homeless, mentally ill and disadvantaged youth can work through their problems, learn to take responsibility for their actions and become productive members of society.

Recognition

Treatment Team of the Year: 2010
Third Way Center's Lincoln Program was named "Treatment Team of the Year" at the Annual CAFCA Conference (Colorado Association of Family and Children's Associations).

Third Way Center: 2009 Recipient of “Large Non-Profit Organization of the Year”
Denver Metro Chamber

Third Way Center: 2008 and 2009 Finalists, El Pomar Foundation
Awards of Excellence

Third Way Center’s Founder, Hildegard Messenbaugh, MD wins “Exemplary Service Award for Lifetime Achievement” from the Colorado Child & Adolescent Mental Health Coalition, (2003) and “2008 E-Chievement Award” from Etown National Radio Broadcast and the Bohemian Foundation.

Our History

Founded in 1970 by Hildegard Messenbaugh, M.D., Third Way Center was created as an alternative to incarceration and homelessness for troubled youth. Concerned that youth who were leaving institutional settings had no place to go except to the streets or to jail, she wanted there to be a third way. This “third way” is truly a path to healing and wholeness through intensive mental health treatment in a home-like, safe environment.

Our Staff

Supervisory Staff

  • David Eisner, M.Ed, Executive Director:
  • Renee Johnson, LCSW, Clinical Director:
  • Kristi Thiede, LPC, Asst. Clinical Director:
  • Tami Lack, Director of Development:
  • Heidi Coughlin, Co-Director of Operations:
  • Jody Groves, Operations Coordinator:
  • Hildegard Messenbaugh, MD, Founder, Medical & Program Director:
  • David Manson, Chief Financial Officer:
  • Amy Land, Director of Human Resources:
  • Erin Martin, Co-Director of Operations:
  • Mike Bond, Director of IT:

Board of Directors:

  • William Matthews, President
  • Bob Fanch, Treasurer
  • Members at Large:
    • David Eisner
    • Ann George
    • Gary Gray
    • Kerri Greenberg
    • Sally Johnston
    • Matthew McCormick
    • Hildegard Messenbaugh

Advisory Board:

  • Linda Aley
  • Tommy Berry
  • Curtis Brown
  • John Coombe
  • Judy Dennis
  • Suraya DeSorrento
  • Joel Farkas
  • Adrienne Green
  • Keri Greenberg
  • Danny Gryzmala
  • Mike Johnston
  • Sally Lowe
  • Mary Pat McCormick
  • Eugene McGuire
  • Mark Messenbaugh
  • Billy Van Heusen

Job Opportunities

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer agency and welcome qualified applicants for mental health workers (Bachelors level), teachers (preferably Masters level with special education certification) and therapists (Masters level) throughout the year.

To submit your resume, email:  . Please indicate the position for which you are applying.
Note: Unless a position becomes available, you will not receive a response.

For specific positions which might be posted, please check Craigs List: Denver and/or the Colorado Non-Profit Association’s job board, and type "Third Way Center" in the "Keyword" field.

Thank you.