Gerry's Off the Grid
FOMO v. JOMO
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Our Youth Advisor, Gerry Lopez, was feeling overwhelmed late last year between finals, work, holidays, family and running. Instead of scrolling throughout the day, he decided to take a social media break. Gerry comes off as unflappable and rarely frazzled, but even this young calm, cool and collected college student realized he felt like keeping up with it all was too much. There are so many benefits from taking a break: mental health, creativity, better relationships, added gratitude and even a bit of time for contemplation.
Read about his break from technology. Could you do it?
"30 days without social media may sound like a nightmare for some, and for others it may just be an easy challenge. For me it was a combination of both. I wa scared of missing out, and I was scared of losing the interest of others. “What if that one girl finally sends you a message?”, “What if a celebrity likes your photo?”, “What if you lose all your followers for being so plain?”. These are just examples of questions I had to fight off in order to fully commit on going 30 days without checking my social media platforms."
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Youth Spotlight: Finn Mott
The Value of Life
by Gerry Lopez
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Finn Mott is a star at Eagle Valley High School. Currently in his junior year of high school. A young soul who is always wearing a smile, and a positive attitude, full of adventure, and positive energy. As we speak Finn admits it wasn’t always that way for him.
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Community Spotlight:
FJELLBARN Fund
We think it's so cool when a young person is so vested in their community, this community, and decides to make a difference for others. Even better when they team up together to help others out. That’s just what Kejll and Sylvan Ellefson and John Cummins did when they founded Fjellbarn Fund. (pronounced F-yell-barn).
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Difference Maker: RRP's Paula Palmateer
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Paula Palmateer is a tireless volunteer. She’s a rock in the community and seems to have boundless energy and goodwill. One of her main focuses is leading the board of Red Ribbon Project, a powerful nonprofit that provides hope and positive prevention.
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Building Resiliency and Self-Esteem in Our Kids
Help yourself and your family form better relationships and deeper, more meaningful conversations in the new year. “Building Resiliency and Self-Esteem in Our Kids” will be led by Mind Springs Health President & CEO Sharon Raggio, LPC LMFT. This interactive presentation will focus on the vital role self-esteem, coping and resilience play in a young person’s life. Self-awareness and resiliency are built at home, and Raggio will share simple, yet effective, insights that help our kids and our families find daily happiness.
Feeling different causes anxiety, but learning to accept who you are is key in building self-confidence. Participants will also hear from Eagle River Youth Coalition’s Youth Advisor Gerry Lopez, who will share his personal story of discovery and life changes from loneliness and depression; and how he has become an inspiration for youth. Local high school senior Mel McCalley will tell of her powerful journey to gain self-esteem and self-acceptance in a gender non-conforming world through the support of her family and within her school community.
To get the most out of this workshop, please go to
www.VIACharacter.org
to complete a free character strength analysis prior to the event. Bring it with you for further insights from the session.
January 8, Berry Creek Middle School
January 9, Eagle Valley Elementary School
Dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Presentation at 6:00 p.m.
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Save the Date for ACT on Drugs
ERYC is collaborating with Sheriff Megan Heil for two
ACT on Drugs
events presented by Lynn Reimer.
The majority of teens, college students, and young adults using drugs are not drug addicts: they are experimenting. Whether experimentation starts with “challenges," vaping, trying pot or popping pills, a few bad decisions can lead to consequences.
Vaping among high school students grew an astounding 900 percent since 2011, and teens as young as 12 or 13 are now more likely to vape than smoke
. According to the new study, Colorado is #1 in teen vaping.
This session will discuss ways people use drugs, new trends in teen drug use including alcohol, over the counter products, vaping and e-cigs, plant material that mimics illegal drugs, and marijuana – why it’s different, misconception, and marijuana products.
February 18 at Eagle Valley Middle School
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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YOUth Wanted for Mountain Rec's Youth Recreation Committee
Mountain Rec does an amazing job with offering programs for a variety of youth in our community, and the organization is looking to become even better at doing that. The Youth Recreational Committee will give young people the opportunity to be a part of what programs are brought to Mountain Rec facilities. Programs that will fit the need for all youth to thrive. Joining the Youth Recreational Committee will help youth hone their leadership skills, and help connect them with other youth, and local leaders.
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Buddy Mentors Art Show for National Mentoring Month
January | Color Coffee Roasters | Eagle
January is National Mentoring Month. To celebrate,
Bright Future Foundation
's Buddy Mentors for a community event celebrating the significant impact of mentors in the lives of young people AND the impact of mentoring as a movement near and far. This event will showcase the art work of our mentors and mentees. We aim to raise awareness in our community about the importance of mentoring, and entice volunteers to join our ranks and become someone who matters to someone who matters.
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Family Leadership Training Institute
January 5 - June 3, 2019 | Miller Ranch Community Center | Edwards
Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) in Eagle County. FLTI is a series of 20 lessons designed to build family involvement and leadership skills. FLTI teaches participants about democracy and how to engage in the civic process for the benefit of their family and community.
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Sign Up for Teen ASIST from SpeakUp ReachOut
Late January | Early February
SpeakUp ReachOut would like to host a special ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) for anyone ages 16 to 20 years old. This is a full 2-day program teaching participants how to be ready, willing, and able to help an individual in suicidal crisis find their own hope and reasons for staying safe for right now.
This is an amazing opportunity for teens looking to get more involved in suicide prevention/ intervention or mental health. FREE! We will need a minimum of 15 participants and will cap the training at 30, first come, first serve.
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Wondering What To Do with Holiday Waste?
Bring it by the Old Avon Town Hall on January 5th, 2019!
Materials collected:
- Electronics
- Bulbs & Batteries
- Christmas Lights
- Styrofoam
- Textiles
- Paper Shredding
Fees apply for electronics & paper shredding.
Please call ahead for large loads: 970.476.3511
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Couldn’t afford a horse this Christmas? There is still time to get your kids hands-on time with horses through Mountain Valley Horse Rescue’s Horseless Horse Club. This club meets the 1st Saturday of every month (January-May) at MVHR. Learn more at our website:
https://www.mountainvalleyhorserescue.com/programs/
Summer Camp Dates are now up on our website! Check them out and start planning summer early this year.
What’s your New Year’s Resolution this year? If you are looking to give back to an amazing community, Mountain Valley Horse Rescue has 2 Basic Volunteer Orientations coming up in January. This training is MANDATORY in order to volunteer with us on a regular basis. Join us on January 8th or 19th to start helping the horses!
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SAVE THE DATE:
Maya Modern Mexican & Tequileria, at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon "We Dine, You Donate" for Eagle River Youth Coalition July 2019
Launched in 2014, Maya donates the net proceeds of all food & beverage purchases made at Table #101 to a different Vail Valley charitable organization each month. July is our month!
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Alpine Arts Center 2019 Art Classes
Alpine Arts Center is now enrolling for January session which begins the week of January 14. Sign up for art classes for all ages, and receive discounts when enrolling for the 6-week session.
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Sustainable Film Series:
Death by Design
January 8 | Loaded Joe's | Avon | 6:30 p.m.
January 15 | Dusty Boot | Eagle | 6:30 p.m.
The Sustainable Community Film Series raises awareness and encourages community dialogue about environmental issues afflicting our world through award-winning independent featured films.
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Happenings at Eagle Valley Library District
Dungeons and Dragons
Mondays | 4:00 p.m. | Gypsum Public Library |
Second Tuesday | 5:00 p.m. | Avon Public Library
Middle School Book Club
1st Tuesday of the Month | Eagle Public Library
Teen Creative Writing Club
1st Wednesday of the Month | Avon Public Library
Teen Advisory Board
Third Wednesday of the month | 6:00 p.m. | Avon Public Library | Teen Corner
Are we missing something? Speak up! Join the Teen Advisory Board to help build the library you want. Organize fun events for teen night, come up with innovative ideas for teen zone displays, and help shape the library to better serve teen needs. TAB is a fun and fulfilling way to gain valuable volunteer hours, give back to your community, and help support other teens!
Teen Nights
Hey teens, did you know there is a special night at the library just for you? Get active with a live action game of PAC Man, show off your crafty side and decorate a mug for your Valentine, take on a challenge at a library escape room, or jump into a table top role playing game like Dungeons and Dragons. Play video games on our large screen, or join us for a movie night! Spend your evenings in the library- seriously. We'll provide materials and snacks, you bring the fun!
Mondays @ 6:00pm | Gypsum Public Library | 970-524-5080
Tuesdays @ 6:00pm | Avon Public Library | 970-949-6797
Thursdays @ 6:00pm | Eagle Public Library | 970-328-8800
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Brain Training Classes
Classes start January 8 | Eagle
Sign up for brain training classes to keep learning new things. In this era of sitting jobs, we have figured out we need to exercise our bodies. In this time of smart technology, we have to keep our smarts going strong!
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An Evening with Susan Ford Bales
Gore Range Room | Vail Golf Club | February 1 | 6 p.m.
An intimate gathering with Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President and Mrs. Betty Ford and cardiac arrest survivor, as she shares her insights on family heart health. Cocktails, silent auction, and dinner, beginning at 6:00pm
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Read more:
Did you know ERYC administers the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey every other year? 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. Click the link to find data on topics including alcohol, bullying, health care, home life, marijuana, mental health, nutrition, other drugs, other topics, physical activity, safety, school, sexual health, substance use prevention, tobacco, violence, and weight status. Data are available for 2013, 2015, and 2017 HKCS. Regional data are presented in maps and bar graphs either overall or by demographic group with state-level comparison. Want to learn more: email
Michelle.
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Thanks and Accolades from ERYC to:
- Mountain Recreation and Valley Life for All for supporting CMP partners at ISST meetings in December
- Everyone who made a donation to Eagle River Youth Coalition throughout 2018
- We are excited to welcome Hillary Higgins to the ERYC team. She is taking on the role of Safe Driving Coordinator.
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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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