Youth Spotlight: Mel McCalley
Representing & Creating Positive Change
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By Michelle Stecher, Executive Director
Mel McCalley recently spoke as a panelist during two of our Eat Chat Parent family education events. These opportunities offered a chance to tell their story of overcoming adversity, figuring out their identity, and developing personal values such as living authentically and being unapologetic. Adolescence can be an awkward phase of physical and emotional development for many. The past few years have enabled Mel to build their support system and building self-esteem. "The way I had been expressing myself didn't feel like myself," Mel explains.
Mel prefers the pronouns “they/their” vs “he” or “she”, and identifies as transgender and non-binary; some days feeling more feminine and some days feeling more masculine. They feel
more confident dressing and expressing themselves in a manner that is comfortable. Plus, as Mel points, out, some clothing is simply more comfortable and functional.
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Difference Maker: Beatriz Bustamante
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We’ve been noticing a trend. There are angels among us. The ones who quietly go about their days: answering phones, returning emails, bandaging knees, making dinners and shoveling the walk. Then add to that arranging gatherings, supporting friends and family and creating programs that benefit the community at large.
Beatriz Bustamante is one of those angels. She’s a health assistant at Battle Mountain High School but goes way beyond fulfilling her day-to-day duties. She naturally gravitated to helping her community and it’s blown up into a full-fledged program. She always been a natural leader and helper; answering questions and filling gaps within in the Spanish-speaking population.
Do you know someone in the community who makes a difference? Email
Heather
with your nomination for "Difference Maker!"
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Eat Chat Parent: Addressing Technology Misuse
According to the
2017 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey data
, half of all local middle school and high school students have been bullied in the past 30 days. Almost 25% of middle school students have reported bei
ng cyberbullied in the past 30 days. Knowing that the average teen spends 7-9 hours plus per day (outside of school) on their device,it makes our youth very susceptible to cyberbullying.
In order to ensure the safety of all children, an RSVP is required for childcare with the number and ages of children:
cjohnson@eagleyouth.org
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Eat Chat Parent presented by Vail Health
February 6, Eagle Valley High School Auditorium
February 7, Battle Mountain High School Auditorium
Dinner: 5:30 to 6 p.m.
Presentation: 6 p.m.
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ACT on Drugs
ERYC is collaborating with Sheriff Megan Heil for two
ACT on Drugs
events presented by Lynn Reimer.
Substance Use Disorder and prevention experts subscribe to a very important theory: TALKING about unwanted behavior three to four years BEFORE the behavior occurs, helps with prevention efforts. Knowing this fact, and knowing that middle school students and high school students will experiment, parents need to get on board with tackling tough topics before they occur. The common response ERYC hears from parents with elementary kids is that “we are not there yet.” We beg to differ and encourage you to educate yourself with facts that you can share at your next family dinner, or long car ride.
Join ACT Founder Lynn Reimer for two free informational sessions. Dinner included.
February 18 at Brush Creek Elementary
February 19 at Berry Creek Middle School
5:30 to 7 p.m., presentation
7-7:30 p.m., Q and A
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PLAN AHEAD FOR ERYC EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS
APRIL 6: Be part of our annual
Summer Camp Expo
at Eagle Valley Middle School! Do you own or run a summer camp? Do you have resources to share with our community? Do you want to learn what is happening for kids during the summer? Then come to our EXPO! Learn more: email
Heather
.
New this year! Sign up for our one-day
Families In Action
on APRIL 6, held in conjunction with our Summer Camp Expo. FIA will help to improve communication within your family and learn to tackle tough topics with confidence. Taught by local certified experts in Spanish and English. This is a unique opportunity for co-learning and to be on the same page with important topics that youth face today. Limited space, so register today for this life-changing experience. Learn more, email
Carol
.
This July, Maya at the Westin Riverfront will support ERYC with Table 101's "
You Dine, We Donate
" program. Launched in 2014, Maya donates the net proceeds of all food & beverage purchases made at Table #101 – a large round booth that can seat up to 5 people - to a different Vail Valley charitable organization each month. Good food, good cause(s)!
For the entire month of September,
Ein Prosit will donate 15% of sales from Mondays to ERYC: Make Mondays Matter! Please join us in supporting the youth in our community.
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Thanks and Accolades from ERYC to:
- Town of Vail for leading and soliciting civic space planning ideas from the Youth Leaders Council
- Vail Recreation District for donating space for the Youth Leaders Council meeting
- Ona Crow from OMNI Institute, Bonnie Holladay from the CO Office of Behavioral Health, and the No DUI Steering Committee for support in crafting the No DUI Strategic Plan
- Civic Canopy for its support and leadership in ERYC Strategic Planning efforts
- #EpicPromise for supporting Eat Chat Parent with a family of four giveaway to Epic Discovery
- Broken Arrow Restaurant for providing Eat Chat Parent dinners in February
- Eagle Valley High School and Battle Mountain High Schools for hosting Eat Chat Parent
- Brush Creek Elementary and Berry Creek Middle School for hosting ACT on Drugs events
- Town of Vail Library for the Eat Chat Parent Parenting Traveling Library
- Congratulations to the winners from our YMP survey: Eagle Valley Middle School, YouthPower365, E f(ec), The Cycle Effect, New Roots CO. Each organization received $100 thanks to YOUR engagement.
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Read, Learn, Discuss, Watch. Resources For A Good Life
Did you know ERYC administers the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey every other year?
Review the latest report here.
2019 is the next year slated for all middle and high school students to take the survey that helps us to better understand youth health and what factors support youth to make healthy choices. Learn more: email
Michelle
.
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Events, Happenings and Things to Do
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Eagle Valley Library District
Teen Creative Writing Club
February 6 | 6 p.m. | Avon Public Library
Teens, are you looking for a volunteer opportunity to to gain leadership and mentoring skills? Join Eagle Valley Libraries'
Reading Buddies
program and help foster a love of reading in elementary school students. Reading Buddies pairs teen volunteers with younger students in 1st - 3rd grade for an hour of one-on-one shared reading, once a week - for eight weeks.
Students can participate in Reading Buddies by registering for the winter session at the Eagle Valley Libraries, today! Reading Buddies is a program provided in collaboration with the Eagle Valley Library District and The Literacy Project of Eagle County.
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Sharing Your Lived Experience with Suicide with SpeakUp ReachOut
February 11 | 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. | CMC | Edwards
Do you want to share your story? Do you want your community to know how it feels to be in your shoes? This workshop is for you. Learn to tell your story in a safe and effective way to help save lives.
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Gabriel House Re-opens
The Yellow House | Eagle
Gabriel House needs volunteers! Gabriel House provides diapers, formula, other baby items, spiritual and resource support to moms of young children. Volunteers can commit as little or as much as you would like, and it is usually a few hours once a week that the house is open.
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Eagle County Brain Injury Support Group
First and Third Mondays | 5:30 - 7 p.m. | Edwards Interfaith Chapel | Edwards
Brain injury support group; a safe place to share experiences. The support group has grown to over 40 members since the founding in March of this year.
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Mountain Valley Horse Rescue Programs
March 1 through May | Mountain Valley Horse Rescue | Bond
Mini Horse Heroes program is for kids from 3-5 years old and their parent/guardians. This program takes place the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month starting March 1
and going through May!
Summer Camp dates are up! Mountain Valley Horse Rescue's Horse Heroes summer camps filled last year and are expected to do the same this year. Check out the date on our website and registration opens March 15.
For more information or to register visit MVHR's
website
.
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Babysitter Basics Training Program
Tuesdays | March 5 to April 9 (excluding March 26) | 4 to 5:45 p.m. |
Eagle County Administration Building | 500 Broadway | Eagle
Youth in 5th through 8th grades will gain knowledge on the responsibilities of being a reliable babysitter and learn about child development. Additionally, this hands-on curriculum will give youth useful activities to do with young children while babysitting.
Cost is $35 for supplies, snacks and a subscription to the monthly
Good Times with Kids
newsletter.
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Project Funway for E*ƒ(ec)
Saturday | February 9 | 6 p.m. | Dobson Arena | Vail
Now in its 8th year, this unconventional fashion event challenges designers to create unique garments out of anything but fabric and send them down a runway to be critiqued by expert judges. The challenge is to raise funds for E*ƒ(ec). The approach is avant-garde an
d FUN. Event includes dining, drinks, runway shows and auction. Get tickets at
ProjectFunway.org
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Sustainable Film Series:
Blue Heart
February 5 | Loaded Joe's | Avon | 6:30 p.m.
February 19 | Dusty Boot | Eagle | 6:30 p.m
.
The Sustainable Film Series raises awareness and encourages community dialogue about environmental issues afflicting our world through award-winning independent featured films.
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PowHER Up for Success
April 11 | 3:45 to 8 p.m. | Battle Mountain High School | Edwards
YouthPower365 and Girl PowHER presents PowHER Up for Success! On April 11th, young women and volunteer mentors are invited to come together to discuss what success means for them. This is a great opportunity for high school students to hear stories and gain valuable career insights from professional women in our community.
The night will include free mini-sessions on dressing professionally, makeup and hair tutorials, networking opportunities with professional local women, a job expo to learn about career options in Eagle County, dinner, and giveaways! Plus, each student will take home an interview-ready outfit.
You can also support YouthPower365's Girl PowHER event by donating professional, interview-ready clothing. Donations can be dropped off at theYouthPower365 office located at 90 Benchmark Road, Suite 202 in Avon. For more information contact
Brittany Kinney
.
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Vail Public Library Events
Robotics Club
Tuesdays | Through February 19 | 4 to 5pm
In Robotics II, participants will use Lego Mindstorms EV3 to build, program and complete challenges. Additionally, they will learn new moves each week and put them to the test in fun, interactive ways.
Reading Buddies
Thursdays | Through March 21 | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Reading Buddies is a free Vail Public Library program that pairs trained teen volunteers with younger kids for a one-on-one shared reading experience. Little buddies do not need to be struggling readers to benefit from this program. The intent is to foster a love of reading. Reading Buddies offers a chance for friendship, while providing another set of attentive ears for our young readers. Little buddies should be in 1st – 3rd grades. Big buddies should be in 7th – 12th grades.
Teen Volunteers needed for Harry Potter Book Night Party
February 8 | 5 to 8 p.m.
The library needs teen volunteers to help kids with wand making, Potions class and Butter beer. We'll be showing the 4th movie HP and the Goblet of Fire at 5:30pm.
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Be included in a future newsletter! Email
Heather
Name of Event:
Location:
Short description:
Contact info:
One photo JPG (if available)
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Do you know someone in the community who makes a difference? Email Heather (hhower@eagleyouth.org) with your nomination for "Difference Maker!"
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