Spring 2021
Activities Galore
We've been busy, busy, busy hosting so many fun activities for the youth in our programs in the past few months. Given the current need for offering kids more opportunities to connect while also keeping everyone safe, we've been creative in offering a variety of virtual and in-person activities.

Youth really enjoyed our recent activities that focused on arts and crafts--a virtual Paint & Snack night, a virtual Origami activity, and a Vision Board making session. Girls in our Nexus program also got to participate in a Beats by Girlz activity and learned digital music skills.

We've also been able to enjoy time outside. During our Painted Rock Hunt activity, we hid painted rocks in a local park and offered partnerships clues on how to find them. A group also visited the Loveland Visitor's Center to hang love locks on the heart, focusing on dedicated their lock to someone important in their life. In both Greeley and Estes Park, we have Community Clean-Up service activities planned.

Our aim with activities is to provide youth participants the change to build life skills, engage in community services, and enjoy more recreational activities in a social setting. We also offer Continuing Education Opportunities to the volunteer mentors in our program and have recently focused on Suicide Prevention, Substance Misuse Prevention, and College Readiness.
OUR MISSION IN ACTION
THOUGHTS FROM AN
ESTES PARK PARTNERSHIP
"I became a volunteer with Partners to provide some guidance to a local youth through the hectic journey that is life; what I didn’t expect was to have a mentee I’m continuously learning from and, more so, has become such an integral friend in my life. 

The work that Partners does within our community is beyond creating partnerships between adults and children; It is building a mutual, respectful mentorship between you and another; It is creating a safe space for talking about hardships and lessons to be learned; It is organic moments of growth and laughter; And most importantly, it is creating an unexpected lifelong friendship that helps both parties reach their highest potential."

--Cato Kraft, Estes Park Mentor
PREVENTION EDUCATION
Our Prevention Education Program is ramping up for the summer. We are kicking things off with a handful of presentations and trainings for parents through local Parent Teacher Associations. If you are on a Parent Teacher Association and would like a one-hour presentation on how to talk to your child about substances, feel free to reach out to Katherine at kchu@poweredbypartners.org.

This summer we will be teaching BrainWise and Youth Empowered Yoga to youth across Northern Colorado. We are planning to be in a few locations in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley. We are looking forward to teaching youth skills to make good decisions through our strengths-based programing!
NO DUI LARIMER UPDATES
We are continuing our leadership of the No DUI Larimer Steering Committee and moving forward with our campaign to reduce impaired driving. Our current focus is advocating for some policy changes locally surrounding Old Town parking and event planning.

Our discount with zTrip is still active! If you need a safe ride when you are impaired? Make the Call to a local ride service to keep yourself and others safe. To get $10 off a zTrip EVERY month, text #NoDUI to 970-224-2222.

RAR UPDATES
Our Responsible Association of Retailers members are united in their commitment to the safe sale and service of alcohol and cannabis.

As businesses more fully open over the spring and summer months, we are recruiting new members. Are you part of a liquor store, bar, restaurant, or dispensary that believes in reducing youth access to alcohol and cannabis, as well as ensuring a safe environment for those who are of the legal age to consume alcohol and cannabis? If so, join RAR!
OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
MENTORS NEEDED!
Partners ALWAYS needs more volunteer mentors to work with youth in our programs. We believe that all youth who could benefit from having a mentor should get one, but we always have a waitlist of youth waiting to be matched. In order to match them all, we need more positive adults to get involved!
NOCO GROCERY GRAB
Join us for the first-ever NoCo Grocery Grab! This fresh event brings the energy of the classic TV show Supermarket Sweep to Northern Colorado. Larimer County Partners, Inc. Board of Directors will be hosting a raffle for the chance to win a shopping spree of up to either $1000, $750, or $500 at Lucky's Market. Then on April 30th, our winners will have a limited amount of time to grab whatever they can (with a few hidden prizes along the way). 
PARTY FOR PARTNERS
Our annual Party for Partners event is scheduled for May 7, 2021! Join us for an inspiring night celebrating the importance and impact of mentoring and prevention education in our community!

The first 50 people who RSVP will be entered to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! 
OFFICE UPDATES
WELCOME NEW STAFF
Jessica Gengler is our new Administrative Assistant. Jessica is a certified archivist with a passion for community outreach and education. She has a bachelor’s degree in music from CSU and master’s degrees in musicology and library and information science. Jessica is excited to be at Partners because she believes in our mission of providing resources and education services to Colorado communities. She enjoys knitting, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and dog.
WE ARE HIRING
Our programs are growing! We are currently hiring a new School-Based Program Coordinator in the Fort Collins office.

THANKS TO OUR CURRENT EVENT SPONSORS
The mission of Partners is to to empower youth and community members to achieve their full potential through mentoring, prevention education, and strategic partnership.