YOUTH SPOTLIGHT | VICTOR LOPEZ | |
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Crashing to his own beat!
Empathetic, charismatic, and engaged are three characteristics that sum up my friend Victor Lopez. I first met Victor, a sophomore at Battle Mountain High School when he spoke in front of the Eagle County School District Board of Education. Victor has appreciated getting to speak at these meetings, and is also realistic about change-making processes. As he shared, “Bringing up our student concerns doesn’t guarantee that there will be immediate change, but it does seem like we can help make positive change over time. That is hard because students do want to see change immediately.” Victor also quickly points out that school board members and the superintendent really do listen attentively and put their own experiences aside; they genuinely want to listen to student perspectives.
Victor was invited to speak due to his involvement with the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) program, a District-wide program that Victor was recommended for by his 8th grade teachers at Berry Creek Middle School. “YES! is super fun. I love meeting new people and talking about what we can do better in schools together. We are exploring how we can create safe environments where students feel like they belong,” Victor reflects. One thing led to another, and Victor, alongside his friend Chase, helped pump up all of the District’s educators and support staff at last year’s Educator Academy. Bringing all of the District staff together for a quasi-pep rally, Victor shared his perspective on what major school transitions are like for students. Similarly to how he felt about transitioning into high school, the Educator Academy speech in front over 1,200 adults was, “Nerve wracking, amazing and opportunistic,” according to Victor. As Natia Luck, Eagle County School District’s Belonging and Engagement Coordinator, shares, “Victor is a committed community member, in all areas he is involved in. Whether it's football, board meetings, or helping set up, Victor is there with a smile on his face. Victor and I have worked together many years in YES!, where he has shown his ability to bring people together across differences. He is consistently authentic, kind, and open minded.”
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Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate a Youth Spotlight Here
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DIFFERENCE MAKER | RACHEL GLOWACKI | |
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As a Mindful Movement Educator, Rachel's primary mission is to help people feel loved, valued, and cared for.
Rachel Glowacki is a true difference maker throughout Eagle County, and her passion for connecting youth and parents to healthy living positively impacts people of all ages. Rachel was born and raised in White Plains, New York, in a family with a lot of adversity. Eager to move away from her childhood, she began working with youth as a nanny and a college student at Charleston Southern University. She didn't have a typical college experience, as she was responsible for balancing her work as a nanny and school. Her studies began with youth ministry and later shifted to liberal arts. After college, her love for working with children led her to teach 5th grade in Honduras. While in Honduras, she realized she had left something behind in Charleston that she needed to pursue. She asked Casey if his offer stood to "sweep her off her feet." He quickly fled to Honduras with an engagement ring to bring his girl back to Charleston. She and Casey got married, began opening restaurants, and became parents to two boys: Liam (senior at BMHS) and Grey (junior at BMHS). When the boys were in middle school and wanted to simplify their busy lives, they sold seven restaurants in Charleston, sold their furnished house, and left beach life for mountain life to open the Drunken Goat in Edwards. Thriving as a mountain family, they opened two more businesses in the valley: Cut and Wild Sage.
In addition to supporting Casey's businesses and parenting, Rachel joined the Mountain Youth team in 2020 as our WE HEAR U program facilitator, designed to help families communicate and connect. She continues to practice as a yoga teacher, writer, and leader in the kid's yoga field. Since 1999, she has specialized in mindful movement for all ages and abilities. Rachel is an award-winning author of the Kids Yogaverse storybook apps, a keynote speaker at Mindful conferences, and has trained 100s of teachers and students how to incorporate mindful movement in schools and at home. She hopes that one day, mindful movement will be taught regularly in schools like math and science! Rachel believes that a calm brain is a learning brain and a healthy body is a happy body, principles she shares with her students, young and old.
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Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate a Difference Maker Here
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October is a month filled with movement, engaging discussions, and community connections that we hope you will take part in! Join Mountain Youth for a fun night of ice skating on October 21st at Dobson Ice Arena in Vail from 5:30-7:30pm, brought to you by the Town of Vail/Discover Vail! There will be food, fun, and free ice-skating equipment for all who join. We will hear from Rachel Glowacki, who specializes in mindful movement for all ages and abilities. Rachel believes that a calm brain is a learning brain and a healthy body is a happy body, principles she shares with her students young and old. Learn more about her work at www.rachelglowacki.com.
As always, these events are free to everyone, with dinner, childcare and interpretation provided. Please join us with your family to learn, connect, engage and grow as a community. If you have any questions or ideas on topics or speakers you would like to hear from, please contact Stevi Bratschie, Community Education Manager at sbratschie@mountainyouth.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Colorado Mountain College together with Bright Future Foundation and Mountain Youth are excited to host a screening of the acclaimed documentary film “Audrie and Daisy” followed by a discussion with Charlie Coleman & Shael Norris of SafeBae. SafeBae is the only survivor-founded, student-led national organization working to prevent sexual violence exclusively among middle and high school students in the U.S. They work to enlist all school stakeholders in culture change by giving teens the tools to become peer-to-peer advocates of sexual harassment and assault prevention, affirmative consent, safe bystander intervention, survivor care, and Title IX education.
Join us for a free screening on Thursday, October 26 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Colorado Mountain College with free dinner, interpretation, and childcare provided.
On Saturday, October 28 from 10 am-12 pm at Colorado Mountain College, SafeBae will hold a “Take Action” training for youth who are interested in learning how to create change within their schools and community. Learn how you can create a culture of consent in Eagle County!
SafeBAE’s 360° Schools program is a full spectrum approach to engaging an entire school community (namely high schools) in transformative culture, curriculum, practice, and policy change. We believe that in order to foster significantly impactful and lasting improvements in prevention and response in a school community, all stake holders must be engaged in the work. Prevention curriculum must be pared with empowering students as culture-change leaders and active bystanders. Policy reform must be matched with implementation and transparency guidance. Everyone must play a part in ending dating violence.
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If you have any questions or ideas on topics or speakers you would like to hear from, please contact Stevi Bratschie, Community Education Manager at sbratschie@mountainyouth.org. We look forward to seeing you! | |
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The Coalition had a great turnout for the Community Board Meeting on September 27th! We reviewed the coalition structure, defined workgroup roles and are looking forward to recruiting more community members. Are you interested in attending an October meeting and learning more? Save these dates: Youth Recruit & Reward meeting, 10/18 from 6:30-8pm at the Eagle office and the Community Board Meeting on 10/25 from 6-7:30pm at CMC!
Interested in learning more or getting involved with Communities That Care? Please contact Hannah Conoley, hconoley@mountainyouth.org
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If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Cameron Dole, Youth Engagement Coordinator, at cdole@mountainyouth.org
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Updated Resource Directory Out Now! | |
Finally! All of Eagle County’s resources are together in one place. Let us help you find a dentist, learn where to get WIC benefits, find a summer camp or join an LGBTQ+ meeting. This resource ensures local residents, providers and those new to the community have the information necessary to be supported in various aspects of their lives. Requests for hard copies can be sent to Michelle Stecher: mstecher@mountainyouth.org | | |
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Beaver Creek Gives Night,
Benefiting Mountain Youth on 10/6!
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We are so excited to announce Beaver Creek Gives Night— An evening hosted by the Beaver Creek Merchants Association, in which we seek to promote, educate about and raise funds for different local non-profit organizations. This month, if you shop or dine with one of the participating Beaver Creek shops/restaurants between 5-8pm on 10/6 or 10/24, they will donate 10% of sales back to the designated non-profit.
Benefitting:
10/6- Mountain Youth
10/24- Mountain Pride
Participating Merchants:
Alpine Kind
Blue Moose Pizza
BC Generation
Beaver Creek Gear
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October Calendar of Events | |
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Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI)
Family Leadership Training Institute taking applications for 2023/2024 session. FLTI is a free community leadership program for adults that focuses on training individuals to develop civic skills needed to make a difference in the community, making it a better place to live. FLTI is a program to help learn about and support community problem-solving, leadership styles, socio-economic trends, systemic changes, building networks, working with the media, fiscal policy and much more.
Apply for the 2023/24 session HERE
Location: Miller Ranch Community Center
Date: Saturday, October 21st from 8:30 - 4:30 and then Monday evenings 5:00 - 9:00pm, October 23 - April 15 (excluding holidays)
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Contact info: Glenda Wentworth, 970-471-1097
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School’s Out Climbing Camp
Parents and kids LOVE our day camps, so get signed up ASAP! Climbing Camps at Eagle Climbing + Fitness are a fun filled adventure for kids ages 5-12, which includes climbing, slacklining, Ninja style obstacle courses, games, fun and lots of learning new skills!
Location: Eagle Climbing + Fitness
Date: 10/9– 10/12
Time: 8:30am – 3:30pm, extended day available
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Kids Climbing Club
Get started in climbing while having fun in a supportive environment. Climbers learn and improve climbing technique, learn to belay and tie the figure-8 knot, and have fun by participating in climbing specific games and drills.
Location: Eagle Climbing + Fitness
Date/Time: Homeschool: Mondays 2:00 – 3:15
Climbing Club: Mondays, Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:45
Girls Rock: Thursdays 3:30 – 4:45
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Queer Climbing Night
Find and build community at Eagle Climbing + Fitness. Queer Climbing Night is a social and fun gathering on the last Sunday of each month from 5-7pm. This is an inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ identifying/curious individuals (and allies too!). ALL abilities welcome.
Location: Eagle Climbing + Fitness
Date: Last Sunday of each month
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
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This Is My Brave-The Show Eagle Valley
This Is My Brave-The Show Eagle Valley features local community members sharing stories about their lived experience with mental illness, suicidal intensity, trauma, and/or addiction through the performing arts.
Join us in our movement to eliminate stigma and increase HOPE for our community. It’s okay not to be okay. You'll walk away inspired by this amazing cast of storytellers who are breaking barriers to end stigma!
Location: Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
Date: October 19, 2023
Time: Doors open at 6:30pm | Show starts at 7pm
Contact info: info@speakupreachout.org
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Contact info:
Renata / Estefania 970-376-5587
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Club Familiar de Naturaleza- Fogata & S'mores / Family Nature Club - Bonfire & S'mores
Socios / Partners: Walking Mountains Science Center
Location: Vail Nature Center
Date: 6 de Octubre/ October 6th
Time: 6:30pm - 8pm
Cupos / Spots: 20
FREE. Para todas las edades. Vamos a aprender acerca de animales nocturnos mientras nos sentamos alrededor de la fogata y comemos S'mores.
Lake Creek Village Clean Up and Birding
Socios/Partners: U.S. Forest Service and Walking Mountains Science Center
Location: Lake Creek Village
Date: 14 de Octubre / October 14th
Time: 9m –12pm
Cupos / Spots: 20
GRATIS. Para todas las edades. We will serve coffee and muffins for breakfast and pizza for lunch. Birding will be from 9am-10am and clean up from 10am-12pm
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Caminata en la Montaña con Riley / Hike with Riley
Socios / Partners: Walking Mountains Science Center
Location: A Ser Determinado / To Be Determined
Date: 15 de Octubre / October 15th
Time: 9am – 1pm
Cupos / Spots: 13
GRATIS. A partir de los 12 años. Únase a nosotros una mañana divertida en la montaña con Riley. / FREE. 12-year-old and older. Join us for a fun hike with Riley
Ven conoce al carismático Riley y únete a una de sus caminatas sorpresas en la montaña. Unete a la emoción de no saber si te encontraras con un lago, cascada, vista panorámica, y mucho más. Las caminatas son para mayores de 12 años y siempre se dirigen a vistas espectaculares. Estas caminatas son de espacio limitado!
Club Familiar de Naturaleza - Talla de Calabazas / Family Nature Club - Pumpkin Carving
Socio / Partner: Walking Mountains Science Center
Ubicación/ Location: Two Rivers, Dotsero
Fecha/ Date: 19 de Octubre /October 19th
Hora/ Time: 6:30pm-8pm
Cupos / Spots: 20
FREE. For all ages.
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Mountain Youth works to make the community we live in a stronger, more vibrant place for youth and families through education, advocacy, and connections.
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