Citizens Project Online News

December 2014

Final Remarks from Kristy Milligan,

Executive Director, 2010-2014

Note: The Citizens Project staff and board celebrated Kristy Milligan's tenure at a celebration at the end of November, 2014. She is the longest serving staff member that Citizens Project has had and we are grateful for the legacy that she leaves.

I started volunteering with Citizens Project in 2003, quite by accident, after returning "home" from the east coast.

Almost immediately, my involvement with Citizens Project transformed the way I saw the Pikes Peak region. It changed my narrative and my perspective from one of scarcity and threat to one of abundance and possibility. In all honestly, Citizens Project made it desirable for me to live here because it gave me hope.

Over the years, the community that Citizens Project created became my extended family. I developed connections with people who inspired me, who challenged me to think better of my hometown, and who catalyzed important life-enhancing programs and initiatives.

Farewell from Citizens Project Intern

by Dana Ponce

Citizens Project Intern

We are born with a voice
Something strong and true
To speak our needs
To understand, to construe

Then as we grow
We learn to be silent
We learn to fear reactions
We become quiet

Injustice exists
You can't deny it
We are all caught up
Resentfully compliant

Have we lost our voice?
Our one and only tool
To perfect the system
To say, "I'm no fool."

The darkness creeps in
Where we remain frozen
Undoing good works
To unjust laws, we're beholden

If you strive for equality
If you believe in diversity
If you desire religious freedom
If you think it a scarcity

You must use your voice
To obtain what you're seeking
So now I must ask
...Why aren't you speaking?

Note: We are grateful for all of the hard work that Dana has done for Citizens Project. She has been instrumental in grant seeking efforts in the past months and a wonderful presence on staff. Thank you, Dana!

Articles of Interest

Protesters march through downtown Colorado Springs

The Gazette article

Lesbian basketball players sue Pepperdine University article

Colorado Springs Congressman Lamborn out to defend Christmas from athiests article

Seven states still have "religious test" for those seeking office

New York Times article

Upcoming Events

A COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON THE LEGACY OF FERGUSON
Panel discussion on police, relations, use of force, and how Colorado Springs can build community relations in the wake of this national tragedy.
December 22, 2014, 6-8pm
Centennial Hall

Colorado Springs Diversity Forum: Food For Thought

New Discussion Groups launch February 19...now taking applications

All People's Breakfast

Courageous Conversation to Courageous Action -- Beyond Tolerance; A Call for ACTION.

January 19, 8am

Colorado College Reid Arena

Please check out our events calendar for more upcoming events!

Get Involved

~Planning is underway for the Citizens Religious Freedom Institute on April 11, 2015. This event is for educators and parents wanting to better understand how our laws are interpreted in the schools with separation of church and state.

If you would like to help plan this event, please contact Barb Van Hoy.

~Citizens Project is in need of a woodworking hobbyist to help sand and stain a desk that is essential to our work!

~Do you have IT expertise? We would love to know who we can count on to help periodically with technical issues! Please let us know if we can count on you.

~The El Paso County Board of Commissioners is seeking community-minded citizen volunteers to serve on the El Paso County Citizen Outreach Group (COG). Applications for the open position are due by January 7, 2015.

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