An important function that YVCF provides in the community is nimble fundraising and responsive grantmaking to meet urgent needs in the community.
This spring YVCF was contacted by the Steamboat Springs School District with a need to secure funding for the district's bilingual family liaison position. This position was created for the 2023-2024 school year through a one-year grant from CDPHE, with funding concluding in May 2024.
The Family liaison position aims to support families, enhance communication between schools and families, and support students. The general goals of the Family Liaison position are:
- Improving family engagement with the school;
- Facilitating effective communication between the school and the parents;
- Collaborating effectively with school staff;
- Connecting families with community resources and services;
- Educating families to advocate for themselves and their children.
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, four Parent Engagement Nights were hosted for immigrant and newcomer families, with a typical attendance of 40 families, assisting with critical needs such as getting families signed up with medical insurance. The Family Liaison began conducting Home Visits to build relationships with immigrant families and learn more about their needs, while also welcoming new students and assisting them with the enrollment process.
The outcomes of this position for the first year were overwhelmingly positive, and the district was in search of funding to continue the position through the summer and 2024-2025 school year, while they research long-term sustainable funding. Through direct outreach and the generosity of donors who have a passion for education and equity, YVCF was able to raise the $65,000 needed in order to ensure the Bilingual Family Liasion position would continue without any disruption in services to families.
If you are interested in being notified when urgent nonprofit or community needs arise, or in providing this kind of support, please contact Traci Hiatt at traci@yvcf.org or (970) 879-8632.
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