Parent Talk:
Good Reads You Can Trust
"What's Happening to Our Boys?" |
What kind of world are our boys growing up in?
In her follow-up book to "What's Happening to Our Girls?" Maggie Hamilton asks how the new techologies, drugs and alcohol, peer pressure and porn are affecting our boys. And she offers tips and insights to help parents and educators on how to create a more promising future for our boys.
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Donor Updates |
Thank you to the United Way for a generous donation of $4000 over the next six months. We are proud to be in a "family" of United Way recipients that includes:
Advocate Safehouse
Alpine Legal Services
Catholic Charities
Childhelp River Bridge
CO West Counseling Services
Early Learning Fund
Family Visitor Program
LIFT-UP
Literacy Outreach
Mountain Valley Development
Planned Parenthood
Roaring Fork Family Resources Center
Sopris Therapy Services
Salvation Army
YouthZone
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Here we are, celebrating 20 years of kissing pigs! You might be surprised to know that this long-standing, annual affair did not start with pigs.
Twenty-two years ago, then-Garfield County Fair Board Chair Gayle Schultz, approached me with the idea of doing a catch-a-calf contest at the fair. I said if she raised $1,000 of sponsorship money, I would gather teams of kids and adult volunteers. When the trailer doors opened and what could be more realisitcally described as yearling steers barreled out into the area of anxious team members, the crowd had quite a show! Gayle and I were grateful that we got out of the affair with as few injuries as we did. The next year we invented a cow paddy catch contest. I will let you imagine what that event entailed.
It seemed we were destined to create a new "livestock" event each year and when we tried kissing a pig, I thought it would be a one time gig. But before that first pig was kissed, community members from across the valley were dreaming up ideas for the following year.
Now known as YouthZone Kiss N' Squeal, the event has taken on a life of its own. What community ownership and fun is now wrapped up in this significant funding source for YouthZone services.
A smooch to each and everyone who have kept Kiss N' Squeal alive for the benenfit of kids.
Debbie | |
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YouthZone Parent Educator Charla Belinski needs your vote! She has a mision to bring positive parenting to the small screen, through a fun, interactive television show on the new Oprah Winfrey Network. Vote online today! There's a lot of competition for "Your OWN Show," so vote as many times as possible, and please spread the word. Help us support Charla and support youth and families everywhere!
In the meantime this newsletter is chock full of helpful information. June finds us busy planning a party for pigs. You'll have to read on to learn why...
Plus we offer some good summer reads, upcoming classes and events you don't want to miss. All that, and Father's Day, too!
Enjoy this busy month of June.
"By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong."
--Charles Wadsworth |
Put Your Money Where Your Snout Is
Annual Kiss n' Squeal Fundraiser
 Calling all candidates! It's time, once again, for YouthZone's annual Kiss n' Squeal fundraiser. And this is no ordinary event (as if kissing a pig were somehow ordinary...) this is our 20th anniversary of Kiss n' Squeal! At least five generous people will volunteer themselves as "candidates" to see who can garner the most "votes" - he or she with the most votes wins the honor of puckering up to a pig. Sound odd? Well, it is! It also happens to be YouthZone's biggest source of community funding because it is one of the community's biggest and longest-standing events. This really is your event! The fun officially begins next month with a kick-off event at Glenwood Caverns July 8th. At the Caverns, each candidate will gain inspiration and encouragement from previous winners, participants, community members and staff.
Then it's off to the pig races! Well, not literally, but it is a race to see who can raise the most amount of money - each "vote" is worth a dollar and each dollar counts. Last year YouthZone raised over $100,000.
In addition to the parties, parades and signs around town, YouthZone will host an online auction during the Kiss n' Squeal campaign. We are currently accepting donated items for the auction. The deadline to donate is July 5.
Now it's off to the races!
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5 Reasons to to Kiss a Pig
1. Every dollar rasied during the event directly impacts youth and families from Parachute to Aspen.
2. This event takes on a life of its own. We don't plan it...you do!
3. Colorado state funding has dropped more than __% since 2000.
4. Our parenting and prevention programs are funded by Kiss n'Squeal -- and where would we be without them?
5. Pigs really are cute (but their whiskers tickle).
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Your YouthZone
Here's what some of you are saying about the servcies you receive at YouthZone:
"Pienso si no existiere YouthZone, talvez seria mas dificil. La ayuda para nuestros hijos."
("I think if YouthZone didn't exist this would have been harder. They helped our children.")
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YZ Happenings
Boys Council
Boys Council is a nationally acclaimed curriculum designed to safely encourage boys (10-17 years old) to think about what it means to be a real man.Facilitated by Evan Z, theis 8-week session meets at the new Carbondale Third Street Center. For information on how to register contact YouthZone at 970-945-9300. Boys Council Summer Schedule:
Thursday, June 17
Thursday, July 1
Thursday, July 8
Thursday, July 15
Thursday, August 5
Thursday, August 12
Thursday, August 19
Thursday, September 2
Parenting with Love & Logic, Rifle
Learn how to establish healthy control in your family without resorting to anger, threats and nagging.
Wednesdays, beginning July 21st
YouthZone Rifle office, 136 E. 12th Street
Parenting Through Divorce
This introductory one-night workshop helps parents learn to communicate with their former spouse, how to co-parent in different households, and how to lay a foundation for a great relationship. YouthZone is a certified provider of the Parenting Through Divorce class required by the Ninth Judicial Court (Meeker to Aspen).
Rifle
July 14, August 9
YouthZone Rifle office, 136 E. 12th Street
Glenwood
August 10
YouthZone Glenwood Springs office, 803 School Street
Save the date!
Jennifer Keener has been recognized by the YouthZone Board of Directors as the Employee of the Month! Jennifer has been a court case manager in YZ's Rifle office since 2008. In addition, she facilitates parenting classes and has formed great relationships with community members in the West End. Jennifer is always ready to step up and help when needed, often when her own case load is already full! She does it all with a smile and an attitude that says, "Bring it on!" Congratulations, Jennifer.
New Court Case Manager in Rifle
Nancy MacGregor has been appointed YouthZone's new Court Case Manager in the Rifle office. Nancy has been the Pals Mentoring case manager there for five years and begins her new role immediately, joining teammate Jennifer Keener in helping out all the youth in diversion in the West End. Congratulations, Nancy!
Two Part-Time Positions Available with YZ
YouthZone is currently accepting applications for two part-time Pals Mentoring case managers, one in its Rifle office and one in the Carbondale office. The Pals Mentoring Program is a voluntary one-on-one mentoring program that matches youth K-8th grade with teen and adult mentors. For information on either position, contact Lori Mueller at lmueller@youthzone.com
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Happy Father's Day and happy summer from our families to yours.
Sincerely,
YouthZone
www.YouthZone.com
970-945-9300
Lori Mueller, Program Director
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