YOUTH SPOTLIGHT | Rylee Sharkey |
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Rylee Sharkey has a sure way of energizing you with her call for action!
“Once you enter the world of sustainability, you see it applies to everything, it factors into every aspect of life and impacts everyone. Get involved! See the behind the scenes of the process!”
Rylee speaks passionately about how we cannot ignore the environmental aspect and how humans aren’t separate but very much part of it. It reminded me of this quote by Lady Bird Johnson: “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.”
Rylee was a key organizer and promoter of the Sustainable Splash, an event culminating her efforts on an environmental awareness project with Valley's Voice. Rylee saw the biggest goals of the event being about accessible outdoor recreation and sustainability, fun and safe river activities for all levels, and collaboration with local partners like Vail Health, Timberline Tours, and The Watershed Council. Sustainable Splash and Rylee are showing us that being environmentally conscious is first of all lots of fun! Learning about it is fun, participating is great fun, connecting with others who are interested is super fun!
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Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate a Youth Spotlight Here
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DIFFERENCE MAKER | James Dilzell |
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An asset to our community, encouraging others not to limit their potential!
Where do we often meet people who are top influencers of our community? A professional development training? Local board meetings? Color Coffee? When I realized how impactful James Dilzell is, I was his punching dummy in a Kickboxing class. The guy has a great jab and the flexibility makes for a limber opponent… but the new Executive Director of Eagle River Watershed Council has a stoke for water that goes beyond a striking first impression.
James’ home state of Ohio is neighboring one of the Great Lakes (Erie) making it the land of 'much water’ and easy access to recreational water… but not always drinkable. A member the kayaking club in Alabama, James remembers a course in one location where they were told “If you flip, don’t open your mouth”. The local chicken processing plant was upstream and drained directly into the river filling it with thriving toxic bacteria. Additionally, his field ecology class in high school included a 2-week summer program to explore Lake Erie and the ecology, ecosystems, and environment inside of this body of water. Dissecting fish, learning more about the bugs, seeing the ecosystem up close and evaluating were some fond memories. He attributed these experiences and memories to his love of water and passion to care for (and inherently restore) the environment, but most specifically freshwater ecosystems.
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Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate a Difference Maker Here
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Mountain Youth Offers Local Dashboard Showcasing Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Results |
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The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) is an important tool for educators, nonprofit leaders, policymakers and community program providers to truly understand issues facing young people and exploring how we can work together to help them learn and thrive. The survey invites youth to share their feelings and experiences anonymously around questions related to mental health, substance use, and other behaviors. Each year, data from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey offers local schools and youth organizations a peek into how middle and high school students are feeling, acting and viewing the world around them. The biennial survey was most recently administered to Eagle County students in the fall of 2021. While the survey is given to students across the state, local nonprofit Mountain Youth helps administer it locally, acting as a liaison between the state and the schools.
Mountain Youth coordinated the administration of the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey. Overall, the Eagle County survey had 1,346 middle school students participate and 1,961 high school students participate providing valuable insight about 6th -12th graders in the Eagle River Valley. This insight allows educators, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and community program providers to keep a pulse on the behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of young people in the community. Now, Mountain Youth wants to place this data in the hands of the participants, parents and trusted adults, and other community partners.
This data is used to steer programming and secure much-needed resources, helping local and statewide policy efforts by utilizing the identified strengths and barriers facing youth. HKCS data helps bring in millions of dollars annually for community partners to support identified needs. Mountain Youth has partnered with Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, an outreach of Vail Health, to introduce the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Dashboard to the community in 2020. This user-friendly platform allows for a better understanding and breakdown of middle and high school youth behavioral data. The dashboard incorporates data from past years to recognize trends. Users of the dashboard can filter results by various demographics for 2017-2021 data. The dashboard is accessible in English and Spanish. It breaks down the information from different behavior areas by years and allows users to filter by grade, age, gender, and ethnicity. There is also a YouTube video available, demonstrating how to easily navigate the survey results. Click HERE or use the QR code provided to check it out! |
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We have so many fun and free events coming up!
Valley's Voice meetings TBD- STAY TUNED!
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Free September events open to any youth! Please RSVP online.
September 09, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Eagle Climbing and Fitness
700 Chamber Ave, Eagle, CO
September 27, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Edwards Field House
450 Miller Ranch Rd, Edwards, CO
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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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Communities That Care Data Team Update
On August 10th, 2022 the Data Team opened their meeting to community members interested in their work. They first centered their efforts on the benefits of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The participants shared that they enjoy the team experience of different gender, age and ethnicity in the room and observed that this shows different perspectives and allows expanded learning about others.
The Team and community members participated in a gallery walk of data from the 2021 Healthy Kids Colorado and Parent Surveys (HKCS). The core of the work hours were spent on identifying the trends we can see from the 2015-2021 HKCS data. There was a rich discussion about the prominent trends, surprises and concerns. The Data Team will continue working on examining the HKCS data, exploring other data sources and making it accessible to the community at large.
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If you have any questions or would like more information on our work, please reach out to Tsveti Fuentes, Communities That Care Mobilizer, at tfuentes@mountainyouth.org. |
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MOVE CHAT CONNECT EVENT 9/11 |
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Come enjoy a Group Mountain Bike Ride
in support of mental health with Mountain Youth in partnership with Seagull's Cycles!
Featuring guest speakers: Amy Hermes and Kyle Foster
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When we move in an outdoor setting, chatting comes naturally. Connection follows. Join us for an all levels MTB group ride facilitating healthy conversations about mental health. How we can improve our own mental health and improve outreach in our community. Breaking stigmas for future generations.
Date: September 11th
Time: 5-8 PM
Location: Seagull's Cycle, 422 McIntire St. Eagle, Co
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Mountain Valley Horse Rescue Is Hiring! |
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Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, 33933 Colorado River Road, McCoy, CO
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue (MVHR) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abused, neglected, abandoned, and unwanted equines. (click here for MVHR’s full Mission and Values Statement). As one of the only horse rescue organizations on the Western Slope, we cover a lot of territory. Though we are making a small dent in the need, we make an everlasting difference for those equines we can save.
MVHR is Hiring!
Two part time positions currently available:
Positions could potentially be combined for the perfect candidate.
To apply, please email info@mvhr.net with a brief cover letter and resume explaining why
you would be a great fit!
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Ranch Hand - Year-Round Part Time (20 hours/week) $18-$20/DOE
MVHR is seeking a hard working, self motivated individual to help with basic daily care of the horses and ranch. Primary duties will be mucking corrals and stalls, watering and haying horses. Other duties may include: supporting volunteers who are assisting with basic chores at the ranch; basic horse handling (ie. to move horses to and from pasture or assisting farrier, vet or trainer); assisting Maintenance Technician with projects and repairs. Regular weekly schedule, which will be established based on hiree’s availability during the hiring
process.
Qualified individuals will have: a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to the ranch; willingness and ability to work outside, in all weather conditions; ability to regularly lift/carry 60+ pounds; experience in ranch/outdoor work; comfort working around horses; ability to follow instructions, and to reliably work independently on assigned tasks; good communication skills to
work as part of a team, assist volunteers and report to other staff.
Special skills/knowledge (horse, ranch, construction) a plus. Bilingual a plus. Possibility that this position could expand to more hours/responsibilities over time for the right individual.
This position has the opportunity to be flexible in schedule, in days of the week and number of hours per day. Schedule possibilities will be discussed during the hiring process.
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Riding Lesson Instructor - Year Round Part Time (20 hours/week) $22-25/hour DOE
MVHR is seeking a knowledgeable, hard working, creative and self motivated riding lesson instructor. This individual will teach introductory riding and horsemanship lessons to a wide variety of students, many with little to no horse experience. Candidate must have extensive horse experience and be able to safely and creatively provide instruction about the whole horse, from the ground up
including (but not limited to) catching, haltering, grooming, leading, tacking, and introductory (primarily walk/trot) riding. Lunge line lessons and ground work lessons may also be required.
Instructor must also be able and willing to assist in overseeing the health and safety of horses in the
lesson program.
Set weekly schedule, to be established during hiring process.
Special skills/knowledge (ie. horse care or discipline knowledge or specialties) a plus. Bilingual a
plus. Possibility that this position could expand to more hours/responsibilities over time.
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September Calendar of Events |
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Fiesta Americas is a celebration of the diversity of the Latin American community in Eagle County. Starting with Zumba at 10am, there will be music all day (Jenny La Leona, Grupo Acenso, Mariachi from Denver, and Grupo Alba), local nonprofits offering activities, inflatables for big kids and toddlers, laser tag, bubble soccer, food trucks, Nature’s Educators, petting zoo, and so much more.
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Location: Lundgren Amphitheater,
789 Gypsum Creek Rd., Gypsum, CO
Date: September 18, 2022
Time: 11-6
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Location: Gypsum Rec Center Pool/Gypsum Creek Pool
Date: September 9-September 12
Time: Varies
Get your lifeguard certification so you can save lives!
Location: Gypsum Rec Center Pool/Gypsum Creek Pool
Date: September 3
Time: 10:30am-6:30 pm
Get your lifeguard certification so you can save lives!
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Location: Eagle Town Park
Date: Friday, September 16
Time: 5:30-movie ends
Mountain Rec partnered with Kaleidocope Productions and the Town of Eagle to bring the community live music and a movie. Bring your low chairs, your blankets, snacks, and enjoy a fun evening for all.
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Location: Gypsum Creek Pool
Date: Saturday, Sept. 17
Time: 8:30-10 (dogs 25lbs or smaller), 10:30-12 (dogs 25lbs or larger), 12:30-2:30 (all dogs welcome)
People shouldn’t get all the fun! Let Fido celebrate the end of summer with Mountain Rec’s Pool Pawty). Reservations will be taken online, and all pups must have proof of current rabies shot. No pups under six months, no dogs in heat, any dog showing aggression toward other dogs or humans will be asked to leave. And no humans in the pool, of course.
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- Feel the foundation of love and connection in your relationship
- Open new lines of communication
- Deepen trust and grow resilience
- Build empathy and compassion
- Grow new depth and understanding
- Discover the power of ritual in relationship
- Learn to use Nature as a support system
Contact: Susie Kincade
(970) 328-5472
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Are you longing to stay connected with your daughter through her teen years and beyond? Learn how with others who desire the same. Discover what your daughter wants and what you need. Then learn powerful lifetime tools to trust, communicate and grow together! Retreat to a beautiful, private sanctuary in Eagle with other moms and daughters to learn powerful lifetime tools that will transform your Mother-Daughter relationship.
Your facilitators:
Susie Kincade, founder of Women’s Empowerment Workshop, is a certified nature-based life coach and mother of four daughters.
Lisa Hassin, LPC is a nature-connected, Spanish bilingual therapist in the Eagle River Valley.
Location: Eagle, CO
Date: Sunday, Sept. 11
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Family Leadership Training Institute taking applications for 2022/2023 session!
Do you want to engage in conversations and civic dialogue? Consider applying for the Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI). The Family Leadership Training Institute (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 you 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. FLTI kicks off with a day-long retreat October 1, 2022 to build trust and establish space for a safe learning environment. A variety of other topics are tackled on Monday evenings from October 2022 - April 2023. Classes are held in English, however most written materials are available in Spanish. Bilingual Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply.
Location: Miller Ranch Community Center, 25 Mill Loft St. Edwards
Date: Applications due September 24, 2022
Time: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Find us on FaceBook HERE!
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Volunteers needed in Vail, Avon, Eagle, Gypsum
Date: Now through June 2023
Time: during the day or evenings M-F
Volunteers needed for Adult and Middle School students. Please visit us online to read about our programs by clicking here.
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Stay Up To Date On Our Work By Following Our Social Media |
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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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