Our Core Values

We do what we say. We stick to our mission and we are accountable for our actions.

We are stewards of the resources entrusted to us. We maximize our resources to create opportunities for others.

We have regard for the welfare of others. We empower people by creating a climate of non-judgmental support.

We operate in integrity. We create an environment of direct, honest and open communications.

Hopeful Youth, Strong Families, and Safe Communities Since 1976

YouthZone is dedicated to providing comprehensive assessment and advocacy to inspire healthy relationships between youth, families, and communities in Colorado's 9th Judicial District. We serve nearly 2,000 community members in our region each year. Click below to learn more about us.

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YouthZone's History

As the story goes, it all started around Bud and Sharlene Collett’s kitchen table in Rifle in 1976.  YouthZone began as Let’s Work it Out and later became Garfield Youth Services followed by its present name of YouthZone .

In 1993, Garfield Youth Services offered a program called “Victim-Offender Mediation.”  The program looked a little different than it does today.  Instead of a circle, two mediators were seated across the table from the youth.  The program’s focus was on repairing harm through restitution.  The group found that victim involvement led to restoration and the program evolved into Restorative Justice, headed by Barb Lorah.

Some of the original volunteers included Marion Smith, Jan Kaufman, and Eddi Vanderhoof.  Barb and Bill Lorah, Alec Raffin, Jean Heyser, Patty Phelps, Lisa Franke, and Debbie Wilde acted as facilitators.

Barb remembers one of the early circles that had a big impact on the youth offender.  A 12-year-old boy who loved art.  To repair the harm, he wanted to paint miniature pictures and use them as prizes at Sunnyside Retirement Center’s weekly Bingo game. He enjoyed helping run the games and awarding prizes so much that he continued to paint pictures and volunteer for a few years after his two-month obligation was fulfilled.

Since then, YouthZone has grown into a thriving nonprofit with a multi-million dollar budget that serves three counties, 11 municipalities, and thousands of community members each year. Thanks to all the hard work of the many past employees and volunteers, YouthZone has become an important part of the juvenile justice system that helps kids, families, and victims in our region.

 

 

THE LEGACY CLUB RECOGNIZES YOU:

 

Planned gifts, including bequests, life insurance payouts, annuity, and trust agreements play integral roles in the certainty of YouthZone's future programming. These gifts are deposited into YouthZone's established endowment fund, which aims to continually generate interest for programming. A portion of the fund's dividends are spent on YouthZone's annual expenses, while the remainders are reinvested into the fund. This means that, over the decades, your gift will actually grow from its initial value. To recognize such generosity, we've created The Legacy Club.

Every year, The Legacy Club gathers to receive heartfelt recognition for their continued support of our community's youth. As an added perk, Legacy Club Member’s will be prominently listed in our Annual Report.

Have you considered making a future gift? If not, we encourage you to. Have you already arranged for a future gift?  If so, we sincerely thank you. By supporting YouthZone, you're supporting the growth of strong families in your community.

For more information on The Legacy Club, please contact Carol Wolff. She will be more than happy to help you get involved with your charitable gift by phone, email, or in person.

Phone - 970-930-6545     Email - [email protected]

YouthZone Foundation Legacy Members: Mary Jean Carnevale, Lisa Chiles, Holly and Rich Glasier, Shirley and Richard Hunt, Anne-Marie and Hollis Kelley, Barbara and Mark Lea, Linda and Bill McKinley, Lori and Joe Mueller, Christie and Steve Nilsson, Pam Pine and Rick Abernethy, Susie Richardson, Mary and Dave Rippy, Ken and Martha Robinson, Pam Szedelyi, Dave Scruby, Tammie and Scott Stuart, Robin and John Tolan, Debbie and Mike Wilde, Ken Keister and Stephanie Keister