YOUTH SPOTLIGHT | Elsa Morales and Grecia Mena |
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Two incredible young women leading powerful opportunities for local youth.
Compassion. Humility. Positivity. These characteristics sum up my experiences with two incredible young women leading powerful opportunities for local youth. Elsa Morales, Battle Mountain High School senior, and Grecia Mena, Eagle Valley High School senior, have joined forces as leads in a Tu Guia tutoring and mentorship program in the community.
Conceived during the early phase of at-home learning during the pandemic, Grecia and her peers recognized the academic struggles many families were facing in supporting their children’s learning. These young leaders conceptualized a program where older peers- high school and college-aged would be paired with families of elementary and middle school students to provide support with academics. Before long, other needs emerged beyond academic learning and the tutors embraced training on communication, time management, conflict resolution and a multitude of other behavioral and life skills.
Unlike many other tutoring and mentorship programs, family engagement is a priority with built-in parental supports. Fast forward and, while fortunately students have been back on school campuses for some time, Tu Guia continues to grow and support local families. “It is obvious that school and learning are very important to Elsa and Grecia. They both recently transitioned into Tu Guia Lead roles with Mountain Youth and are truly an inspiration. Elsa and Grecia are excited to dive into the program, explore new opportunities, and ensure that each student’s individual needs are met,” shares Denise Kipp, Director of Education at Mountain Youth.
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Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate a Youth Spotlight Here
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DIFFERENCE MAKER | Jo Pennock |
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Jo brings humility, empathy, and passion to all that she does!
Some people seem to bring light wherever they go. They actively seek ways to make a difference and do not hesitate to do what it takes to make someone else's future a bit brighter. Jo Pennock is that light and she brings humility, empathy, and passion to all that she does.
After Jo graduated with a degree in Sociology from Smith College, she realized that she was tired of learning only about the world's problems, rather than working to figure out solutions to those issues. Naturally, she set out to solve all of these problems with her relentless determination. Recognizing that there are too many problems to solve for just one person, she decided to focus her attention and efforts on working with youth in need. Jo acknowledges that, while it may sound cliché, the "children are the future." That is why her role with Bright Future Foundation is a dream come true and has allowed her to pursue her passions. Now, she has the opportunity to help and positively impact the lives of the youth in our community in a meaningful and mutually beneficial way.
Jo is the Youth Advocacy Manager at Bright Future Foundation. Her role involves going into schools and teaching about healthy relationships. An extremely significant part of a child's life are the relationships that they form. A healthy relationship can help youth feel secure and supported, whereas unhealthy relationships can have long-term adverse effects. The prevention work done in this area is vital in assisting young people in identifying unhealthy behaviors and maintaining healthy boundaries.
If you know of a local child that would benefit from the Buddy Mentor program, please click here. If you are interested in becoming a Senior Buddy, click here.
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Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate a Difference Maker Here
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Be A Part Of Our Team, Mountain Youth Is Hiring! |
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Position Summary
This position supports the mission of the organization by building supports for families through coordinating and facilitating referrals and intervention programs. This is, on average, a 10-15 hour per week, part-time hourly role. Hours may vary depending on program and responsibilities.
Position Responsibilities:
Mountain Youth Team Member
- Serve as a valuable member of the Mountain Youth team, valuing collaborative approaches to meeting the needs of the community
- Participate in Mountain Youth team meetings and committee meetings as requested and available
- Support other programs and efforts as requested and as available
- Participate in regular check-in meetings to align different efforts and resources across the organization
- Support in fundraising efforts and sustainability strategies to maintain the work of the overall organization
- Interest in and commitment to positive youth, family and community development, and overall community health and safety. Bilingual English/ Spanish language speaking and multicultural preferred. Experience in nonprofit organizations, community building, youth development, substance use prevention, or family education strategies preferred, or equivalent combination of experience and training.
*Please follow link below for complete details and job description.
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Communities That Care:
Youth Recruit and Reward Team Update
Our Youth Recruit and Reward team members want to motivate and inspire you with different levels and ways an organization can engage youth!
Serve young people -communication flows from the program or initiative to inform and/or serve youth
Consult youth about their needs - Young people provide one-time or periodic feedback.
Involve youth in order to initiate a partnership -Communication flows both ways and young people provide ongoing participation.
Collaborate Increased trust and partnership-building. - Young people influence decision-making.
Shared Leadership A strong partnership with bidirectional trust that affects broader community health outcomes. Young people share power and responsibility with adults in making decisions together.
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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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We are excited to offer two interactive and engaging Eat Chat Parent events in October and November highlighting speakers from our local community. As always, these events are free to everyone, with dinner and childcare provided. Please join us with your family to learn, connect, engage, and grow as a community.
Join us on October 18 th and October 25 th for a conversation with Dr. Stacie Freudenberg, Psy.D., LP with Bright Future Foundation and Dr. Aubrey Austin, PhD, LP with Vail Psychologist to discuss how to talk with your child about consent and developing healthy, meaningful relationships. Registration and details on location will be located on our website in the coming weeks.
Join us on November 8 th and November 9 th to hear Juan Carlos Hernandez Barraza, LPC, ADDC, NCC with Colorado Mountain Medical and Cassandra Armas, LSW with Your Hope Center to discuss and share tools and resources on supporting youth through the challenges of everyday life, including stress, anxiety, and depression. This will be a bilingual event presented in both Spanish and English with interpretation for all. |
Aprendiendo Juntos
Location: 700 Chambers Building A Unit 2A
Date: October 24
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
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Join Us For Pumpkinfest 2022! |
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Join us for family fun and $5 pumpkins that will benefit Mountain Youth. Sponsored by The Village Market in Edwards. More details to come soon!
Location: The Riverwalk in Edwards Backyard
Date: October 29
Time: TBD
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Mountain Youth is on the Radio Thanks to Gallegos and Encore Electric! |
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Each month, Mountain Youth is proud to honor both an adult and a youth in our community who are doing amazing things! Our Youth Spotlight features a youth or young adult who is a great role model for their peers and who is making a positive impact on our community. Individuals chosen for this recognition demonstrate a commitment to the community, academic perseverance, exemplary character, and are dedicated to making the world a better place.
Our Difference Maker is an adult in our community who is pursuing excellence in themselves and their craft while cultivating the same in others. The individual chosen each month to be recognized as a Difference Maker thinks beyond self-interest, stands out by serving the community, is passionate about helping others, and is focused on making positive change in whatever they do.
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Mountain Youth features both the Youth Spotlight and Difference Maker monthly in our newsletter and on our website. Now, thanks to two special companies in our community, our ability to share those honored, has now reached the radio airwaves!
Gallegos Corporation and Encore Electric have generously stepped up to sponsor monthly radio ads on KZYR that will share highlights about our Youth Spotlight and Difference Maker, which feature different nominees each month.
We believe in the importance of shining the light on positive things that are happening in our community and the people making that happen, and we are honored to receive such a gift from Gallegos and Encore to continue sharing these amazing individuals with everyone in our community. It is evident that these two companies value those making a positive impact in our community as well!
To read about past Youth Spotlight and Difference Maker recipients, click HERE.
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Homeownership Opportunity For Eagle County School District Employees |
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Since 1995 Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley has focused on building permanently affordable homes in Eagle County. One thing that has been abundantly clear since day one is that a home is a foundation for everything while strengthening the fabric of our community.
We want to work with educators! We will be building on Third Street in Eagle in partnership with Eagle County School District. This process is specialized to help ECSD families who earn 80-100% of the AMI become homeowners. The application cycle is rolling, ongoing and open.
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October Calendar of Events |
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Location: Gypsum Rec Center & Edwards Field House
Date: 10/10-14
Time: 7:30am-5:30pm
School’s out, but your job isn’t. Rec Kids provides a safe, fun place perfect for state licensed child care when you need it. Choose days based on your work & play schedule. $50/day; Due to staffing challenges, Rec Kids will be offered Mon-Wed (Edwards) and Thursday & Friday (Gypsum)
Location: Gypsum Rec Center Pool/Gypsum Creek Pool
Date: 10/1/22
Time: 10:30am-6:30 pm
This American Red Cross training is for boys and girls ages 11-15 to learn about the business of babysitting, caring for children and infants, making responsible decisions, and handling emergencies. This course includes CPR and First Aid training.
970-688-7326
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Location: Gypsum Rec Center
Date: 10/11-10/14
Time: 8am-4pm
The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies in pools up to 6 feet deep and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personnel take over. This course, upon successful completion of it, provides participants with an American Red Cross Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED for 6 feet or shallower certification which is valid for 2 years.
970-688-7319
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Location: Eagle Ice Rink
Date: 10/7, 10/14, 10/21
Time: 6:45pm-8:00pm
Grab your favorite neon outfit, your friends, and your ice skates! For the next few Friday nights, the Eagle Ice Rink will be hosting a neon ice skating party. Best neon outfit wins a prize!
970-688-7337
Location: Gypsum Rec Center
Date: 10/11-10/13
Time: 9am-12pm
Have you heard of American Ninja Warrior? This camp gives kids the opportunity to learn some awesome tricks and go through our new Ninja course which is an adrenaline rush. You will also learn how to use a slackline and some parkour tricks. For kids 5-12, $35/day
Free gymnasium access 12pm-5pm Monday-Friday
Free public skate from 1 pm to 2:30 pm Monday-Friday
Free facility access
9:30 am to 7:30 pm
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*Application deadline has been extended until October 5, 2022. |
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TEDxYouth@Vail is looking for speakers and organizers! If you are interested in being a part of this year's event please complete the application below. The 2023 event will be held at Battle Mountain High School on April 16. Applications will be accepted until the extended date of October 5 and interviews will be held October 19 & 20.
Speaker Application: HERE
Organizer Application: HERE
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Are you prepared for the crisis your organization will someday face? The economic implosion? The critical donor or customer lost? Some technology shift that threatens your business? Crisis and turnaround CEO, Bob Vanourek, will summarize ten critical steps you can take now to emerge even stronger from a catastrophe.
Bob was the former CEO of five firms, ranging from a start-up to a $1 billion NY stock exchange company. He is the co-author of Triple Crown Leadership: Building Excellent, Ethical, and Enduring Organizations, an International Book Awards Winner. A former Vail Valley resident, well-known to many of us, Bob has served on eleven for-profit and non-profit boards and chaired four of them.
Challenging times are surely ahead. Learn how you can be a successful, transformational leader even in the midst of chaos.
RSVPs are required – please RSVP HERE
Location: Colorado Mountain College - Edwards Campus
150 Miller Ranch Rd, Edwards, CO 81632
Date: October 6th, 2022
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
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Join the Colorado Nonprofit Association in Vail for a half-day of learning, connection and a happy hour reception! Members and nonmembers can expect to engage, learn and connect.
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Engage and grow through a training session/workshop relevant to nonprofits in your region.
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Learn more about our vision for the Colorado nonprofit sector and how we are supporting your region.
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Connect with nonprofit professionals in your region to share ideas, solutions and celebrations.
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Location: Grand View Room
395 E. Lionshead Circle, Vail, CO 81657
Date: October 4th, 2022
Time: 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Pricing
- $50.00 for members of Colorado Nonprofit Association (must be logged in for discount on Regular price)
- $80.00 for non-members
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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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