Youth Spotlight:  Shelby Spiegle

Humble, hard-working and engaged sum up Mountain Youth’s October youth spotlight. Shelby Spiegel, a Junior at Eagle Valley High School, first appeared on our radar five years ago as Mountain Youth launched Valley’s Voice for middle schoolers. “I heard about the program through a friend and it sounded fun, so I tagged along to a meeting and really enjoyed the work. I like making a difference, and knowing that I am helping people in my community."

Difference Maker: Taylor Hall

Drawn to working with young children, Taylor decided to take the leap into early childcare, and it has shaped her career ever since. Starting as a preschool teacher for a year, she then spent two years working with infants, followed by a role as an assistant director for a year. Now, as the director of the center for the past few months, Taylor reflects on how these experiences have influenced her approach to leadership and the joy she finds in her work.

Have questions or want to sign up for Valley's Voice? Email Cam Dole at cdole@mountainyouth.org

September kicked off a few months of data review and skill building for Communities That Care. The coalition reviewed results from our community surveys, coalition survey and disparities report. Annually reviewing data helps the coalition to determine if our current projects are still meeting the needs of our community.

In October our work will focus on skill building with an Organizing for Phase 5 workshop! Would you like to work with middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults to share your ideas and support our community? Contact Hannah to learn more and join a meeting: hconoley@mountainyouth.org. This has the potential to be a paid position (up to $20 an hour)!!

Road Home with Rex Ogle

Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 6:00pm

Hear from author Rex Ogle about his latest book, "Road Home," which chronicles his time being forced from his home and living on the streets after his father discovered he was gay. "Road Home" is the final book in his trilogy of young adult memoirs and highlights both the struggles and resilience of LGBTQIA2S+ youth. This is a free event hosted in partnership with The Bookworm of Edwards and Mountain Pride, and there will be a book signing and light refreshments. 

Explore the dynamic roles of neuroplasticity and present-moment awareness in building resilience to stress, anxiety, and depression. Drawing from a wide body of research and the speaker’s personal experience, this program shares how evidence-based Mindfulness and Positive Psychology can transform our response to stress, address low mood, and help prevent depression.

According to the 2023 Healthy Kids CO Survey and the 18-25 year old Survey, mental health among Middle and High School youths has improved since 2021. However, more than a third of the youths often still experience sadness, hopelessness, and unmanageable stress.

Leveraging insights from brain development across different life stages – from childhood through adolescence to adulthood – you will learn practical tools that, when practiced regularly, help you reshape your response to stress and navigate the pressures of modern life. The insights will empower you with knowledge and evidence-based techniques to foster resilience and optimism, ultimately enhancing your overall mental well-being and that of your loved ones.

Youths 12 years and older, young adults, parents, grandparents, caregivers, educators, and anyone concerned with the mental health challenges in our valley, are invited to attend. Join in this community conversation - as much or as little as you are comfortable with. 

Child care, dinner, and live interpretation will be provided.

Explore las funciones dinámicas de la neuroplasticidad y la conciencia del momento presente en el desarrollo de la resiliencia al estrés, la ansiedad y la depresión. A partir de un amplio conjunto de investigaciones y la experiencia personal del orador, este programa comparte cómo la Atención Plena y la Psicología Positiva basadas en evidencia pueden transformar nuestra respuesta al estrés, abordar el bajo estado de ánimo y ayudar a prevenir la depresión.

Según la Encuesta Healthy Kids Colorado de 2023 y la Encuesta para jóvenes de 18 a 25 años, la salud mental entre los jóvenes de secundaria y preparatoria ha mejorado desde 2021. Sin embargo, más de un tercio de los jóvenes a menudo todavía experimentan tristeza, desesperanza y estrés inmanejable.

Aprovechando los conocimientos del desarrollo del cerebro en diferentes etapas de la vida, desde la niñez hasta la adolescencia y la edad adulta, aprenderá herramientas prácticas que, cuando se practican con regularidad, le ayudarán a remodelar su respuesta al estrés y a afrontar las presiones de la vida moderna. Los conocimientos le brindarán conocimientos y técnicas basadas en evidencia para fomentar la resiliencia y el optimismo y, en última instancia, mejorar su bienestar mental general y el de sus seres queridos.

Están invitados a asistir jóvenes de 12 años en adelante, adultos jóvenes, padres, abuelos, cuidadores, educadores y cualquier persona preocupada por los desafíos de salud mental en nuestro valle. Únase a esta conversación comunitaria, tanto o tan poco como se sienta cómodo. 

Se proporcionará cuidado de niños, cena e interpretación en vivo.

Starting in September, we are offering a parent and caregiver skills program called Guiding Good Choices! In five weekly sessions, parents and caregivers learn specific actions that promote healthy development and reduce risky behavior in the teen years. Home practice and weekly family meetings build family connections and help families apply skills in real life. Guiding Good Choices emphasizes strong family bonds as the key that motivates preteens to follow family guidelines and stay on a course toward better health and educational outcomes as teenagers.

Calendar of Community Events

Calendario de Eventos Comunitarios

Day of the Dead Celebration

Join us on November 2nd at 4:00 PM at the Salón Grande de Feria, located at 426 Fairgrounds Rd, Eagle, CO, to celebrate Día de los Muertos. This free event for all ages is an opportunity to remember our loved ones through tradition. We will have many activities, crafts, traditional Mexican food, including pan de muerto, and folkloric dance. Día de los Muertos is a meaningful holiday where we honor those who are no longer with us. Don’t miss it! Register using the QR code and come share with us in this beautiful Mexican tradition that unites us as a community.

Dia de los Muertos Celebración



Acompáñanos el 2 de noviembre a las 4:00 PM en el Salón Grande de Feria, ubicado en 426 Fairgrounds Rd, Eagle, CO, para celebrar el Día de los Muertos. Este evento gratuito para todas las edades es una oportunidad para recordar a nuestros seres queridos a través de la tradición. Tendremos muchas actividades, manualidades, comida mexicana tradicional, incluyendo pan de muerto, y baile folklórico. El Día de los Muertos es una festividad llena de significado en la cual honramos a quienes ya no están con nosotros. No te lo pierdas, regístrate utilizando el código QR y ven a compartir con nosotros en esta hermosa tradición mexicana que nos une como comunidad.

BOWLING FOR BOOBS

Location of Event: Deca + Bol

Date: October 3, 2024

Time: 5:00pm-9:00 pm

Think friendly bowling competition collides with fabulous bites and drinks at Bol in Vail, all to support the Vail Breast Cancer subgroup during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Ticket for bowling teams are sold out but you can still purchase a single Spectator Ticket for $50. Both options include light appetizers, a signature cocktail, and access to our silent auction.

Contact info: terri@vvcf.org

Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI)

Location of Event: Miller Ranch Community Center, 25 Mill Loft St. Edwards 

Date: Saturday, October 26, 8:30 - 4:30

and Mondays from 5:00PM - 9:00PM beginning October 28 -April 2025

Time: 10.26.2024: 8:30 - 4:30 and Mondays: 5:00PM - 9:00PM

Participants will develop civic skills and tools needed to make a difference in the community. FLTI is a program that helps participants 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.

Contact info: glenda.wentworth@eaglecounty.us 

Queer Climbing Night

Location: Eagle Climbing + Fitness

Time and day: Last Sunday of each month, 5:00 – 7:00pm

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.

Contact info: info@eagleclimbing.com

970-328-0893

VCHS Open House

Location of Event: Vail Christian High School

Date: Thursday October 24th, 2024

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Meet our team of amazing teachers, staff, and student ambassadors. Let us show you what it's like to be part of our engaging community!

Contact info: Kristy Maslan | kmaslan@vchsweb.org | 970-926-3015

Volunteer Opportunities

Want to join the team in helping youth and families thrive? Start today by filling out our volunteer form!

¿Quiere unirse a nuesro equipo para ayudar a los jóvenes y las familias a prosperar? ¡Empiece hoy completando nuestro formulario de registro de voluntario!

Next Opportunity: Thursday October 10- Eat Chat Connect-Setup and Welcome Table help from 5:15-6pm. With renowned author Rex Ogle, we will be focusing on equity from an economic, sexual orientation and gender identify perspective. We’ll be at the Bookworm from 5:30-7:30.

Other News

We are excited to welcome Monica Torres as our new Prevention Specialist! Monica has worked with Mountain Youth for the last few years as our childcare provider at event such as Eat Chat Connect, and now has taken the step to becoming a full time employee. In her new role she will be in schools teaching the Guiding Good Choices curriculum, primarily in Spanish. Welcome Monica!

¡Estamos emocionados de darle la bienvenida a Mónica Torres como nuestra nueva Especialista en Prevención! Mónica ha trabajado con Mountain Youth durante los últimos años como nuestra proveedora de cuidado infantil en eventos como Eat Chat Connect y ahora ha dado el paso para convertirse en empleada permanente. En su nuevo rol, estará en las escuelas enseñando el plan de estudios Guiando Buenas Elecciones, principalmente en español. ¡Bienvenida Mónica!

Rachel Glowacki, Mountain Youth's Intervention Program Facilitator for WE HEAR U, has partnered with videographer, Carly Finke at Move With Me Books, to provide FREE resources for teachers and children. Move With Me Books incorporates movement and breathwork as part of storytelling, to encourage kids to move and breathe as they learn. Think of Move With Me Books as a "brain break" to get kids moving along to picture books and breathing in the words, ideally for grades K-3. Click here to view our Back to School Newsletter and please share with others!

Parenting Tip of the Month

If you are a parent in the 21^st century, you’ve probably heard of helicopter parenting. Helicopter parenting involves three main behaviors: constantly tracking their children’s schedules and achievements, stepping in during their conflicts with others, and controlling their decisions to prevent them from making mistakes. Parents often act this way out of a desire to protect their children and give them an edge in a competitive world. However, too much involvement can backfire, leading to mental health problems like anxiety and depression as children grow up and face challenges independently. 

Some ways you can support your child without the negative effects of helicopter parenting: 

Avoid stepping in to help your children avoid the consequences of their actions unless you genuinely believe those consequences are unjust or severely impactful. Don’t raise your child to expect special treatment compared to others. Encourage them to tackle their own problems by brainstorming creative solutions. Teach them to advocate for themselves respectfully.

Learn more here.

Si eres padre de este siglo, probablemente hayas oído hablar de la crianza en helicóptero. La crianza en helicóptero implica tres comportamientos principales: seguir constantemente los horarios y logros de sus hijos, intervenir durante sus conflictos con los demás y controlar sus decisiones para evitar que cometan errores. Los padres a menudo actúan de esta manera por el deseo de proteger a sus hijos y darles una ventaja en un mundo competitivo. Sin embargo, demasiada participación puede resultar contraproducente y provocar problemas de salud mental como ansiedad y depresión a medida que los niños crecen y enfrentan desafíos de forma independiente. 

Algunas formas en que puede apoyar a su hijo sin los efectos negativos de la crianza en helicóptero: 

Evite intervenir para ayudar a sus hijos a evitar las consecuencias de sus acciones a menos que realmente crea que esas consecuencias son injustas o tienen un impacto grave. No críe a su hijo para que espere un trato especial en comparación con los demás. Anímelos a abordar sus propios problemas mediante una lluvia de ideas sobre soluciones creativas. Enséñeles a defenderse a sí mismos con respeto.

Obtenga más información aquí.