State funding allows YouthZone to divert kids from the criminal justice system in the 9th Judicial District by providing intervention and support through the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum program. Since 2018, Airen Goodman has been the CYDC/Senate Bill 94 Coordinator. Appearing in court is scary and unsettling for teens and their families. Airen, who holds […]

YouthZone’s James Bakehouse excited to help youth in the community get back on track James Bakehouse took the long, more difficult path to get to YouthZone to help young people who may be headed down a similar path. He feels his own past gives him the perspective he needs to relate to teens who may […]

By Carol Wolff Development Director Taking their cues from the world around them, eight young filmmakers created movies this summer to tell their stories of how the world around them impacts their choices. The 2021 Youth Film Fest provides a venue for these young advocates to express their view of a quickly changing world and […]

The growth of the Black Lives Matter movement along with the additional social unrest that followed the death of George Floyd in 2020 led many individuals and businesses to reflect on how their actions might negatively impact others around them. YouthZone’s process of self-examination began with a concrete effort of staff engaging in reading and […]

Sharlene Salinas Youth Advocate II   Sharing quality time with your children allows you to know what your child is up to without making it seem like your keeping tabs on them. Quality time comes from sharing a meal, taking a walk, or picking them up from school/extracurricular activities. Parents can ask specific question about […]

Helping youth understand the impact of their actions on their community requires an effective communicator with strong leadership skills. Mary Bess Bolling began building relationships with the YouthZone community in 2019 when she came on board as the Administrative Manager. Her new role as the Restorative Justice Coordinator allows her to expand her engagement with […]

YouthZone Client  Spring 2021  My idea is to address the issues people struggle with. Adult and youth drug and nicotine users should really think about what they’re doing and how it could affect their future and health, including their mental health. For example, if you get caught doing drugs or any nicotine product outside, near, or inside the school campus, it can really affect your school record and can make […]

By Keith Berglund  Assistant Director    It has been well over a year since the Covid-19 pandemic changed all our lives dramatically. The social restrictions put in place to contain the pandemic have left most of us feeling exhausted and stressed out. Families have been in “survival mode” for all or most of that time with children experiencing a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and fear.   The pandemic has been especially difficult […]