YouthZone was one of five local nonprofits selected to work with Anderson Ranch this August on a public arts initiative supported by the City of Aspen. Members of the artistic staff at Anderson Ranch worked with each nonprofit to bring...
Continue ReadingSay Hello to New Grants and Data Manager Stephanie Maurice
YouthZone recently welcomed Stefanie Maurice as the new Grants and Data Manager. Stefanie has a background in both health care administration and writing, and her attention to detail and her preexisting knowledge of privacy and accuracy have helped her settle into this position. Stefanie also has a good understanding of the...
Continue ReadingHelp YouthZone Celebrate Colorado Gives Day!
Carol Wolff Development Director Giving is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world, and better yet, one of the simplest. Gifts aren’t always material; sometimes they are simple acts of human kindness or supporting a cause that is important to you. Philanthropy is described as “the desire to...
Continue ReadingWalking the Line Between Social Distance and Isolation
Claire Hemme Communications Coordinator Recently I noticed myself forcing my gaze from the floor back into the eyes of a peer for the third time in a single conversation. “How strange,” I thought to myself, “Why is this so hard?” ...
Continue ReadingYouthZone Creates First LGBTQ+ Safe Space for Local Teens
Rami El Gharib Restorative Justice Coordinator YouthZone Restorative Justice program has received a $25,000 micro-grant from the Colorado Restorative Justice Coordinating Council. This grant will be used to fund the valley’s first youth LGBTQ+ safe space, known as The Space. ...
Continue ReadingYouthZone Celebrates Administrative Staff
Claire Hemme Communications Coordinator Every organization needs a “glue” to hold the staff together to keep things running smoothly. For some, this can be programs or spreadsheets, but here at YouthZone it’s our administrative staff, Linda Green and Mary...
Continue ReadingFundraising During a Pandemic: What it Means for a Non-profit
Claire Hemme Communications Coordinator YouthZone holds its annual Ascent fundraiser to gather enough funding to keep its services available for youth and families. We are grateful to be a part of a community that understands the challenges presented by state...
Continue ReadingYouth Find Restoration Through the Art of Conflict Resolution
Airen Goodman CYDC/Senate Bill 94 Coordinator Conflict is a normal part of life, an everyday challenge, and an opportunity to learn to express yourself and create change. The other day I asked one of my kids I work with...
Continue ReadingYouthZone’s Past Reaches Out
Lori Mueller Executive Director In early September, Colorado Governor, Jarid Polis declared Sept. 6 through Sept. 12 Youth Awareness Week. The week featured daily activities to celebrate and honor youth with professional development and engagement opportunities. In his proclamation, the...
Continue ReadingAmericorps VISTA Claire Hemme Lands At YouthZone
By Staff Claire Hemme’s journey to YouthZone began with an unplanned raft guiding position. After graduating from West Virginia University in the midst of the Covid-19 shutdown, Claire wasn’t sure how she would find a job. As the pandemic raged on, callbacks became fewer and fewer. Searching for a...
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