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Upcoming Events & Training Opportunities:
Webinar: Collaborating Systems at the intersection of Substance Abuse and Family Violence July 13, 11:30-12:30. This webinar will review the most current data on co-occurring substance abuse and family violence, and will provide an overview of best practices and evidence based intervention approaches. To register, click here.
Training: Board Development: Fundraising and Engagement July 13 in Dove Creek, July 14 in Telluride. Presented by JVA Consultants. Learn how to move your Board's engagement from rubber stamping to meaningful strategic engagement in advancing your mission. No cost for RSAPP staff, AmeriCorps members, and Board Members. For registration information, contact: Cathy Cowles.
Day of Service: Colorado Cares Day July 30. Join RSAPP AmeriCorps members and others in this 13th annual statewide day of service honoring Colorado's statehood on August 1, 1876. Volunteers are needed at the "RSAPP Rocks Medicine Horse" project in Mancos, and others. For more information go to Serve Colorado
Training: Bullying Prevention Institute September 21, 8:30-3:30 Montrose CO. No cost for Colorado participants. Learn about best practices in bullying prevention, on-the-spot interventions, and techniques for creating a positive school climate. Go to COTRAIN for more information and to register. |
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Welcome to RSAPP's Monthly e-Newsletter!
RSAPP, or Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Partners, has the long-term goal of decreasing youth substance abuse in Southwest Colorado. RSAPP's vision is: engaged, thriving youth invested in strong communities throughout our region. With our e-Newsletter, we aim to keep you informed about substance abuse prevention happenings, issues, events, activities, trainings, gatherings, successes and challenges here in Southwest Colorado. |
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RSAPP AmeriCorps Member of the Month: Danielle Brafford
 | | Danielle Brafford: RSAPP AmeriCorps member serving Montezuma County |
Danielle Brafford is RSAPP's longest serving AmeriCorps member, and is the Lead Community Prevention Organizer on RSAPP's team. She is serving her second term with School Community Youth Coalition in Cortez. This is Danielle's first foray into community work, and you could say that she has found her calling.
Currently, Danielle's biggest project is coordinating the Teen Maze, a regional experiential health fair. She is working with a dedicted core group to revamp the Teen Maze, making it even more interactive and thought-provoking for youth. She also does a lot of networking, and facilitates collaborative projects with other Montezuma and Dolores County organizations including the Target Tobacco Action Group, Southwest Community Leadership Collaborative, and Montelores Early Childhood Council. Danielle is a bit of a whiz on the computer, and creates most of the print and social media for her coalition. Although she is shy by nature, Danielle has overcome this challenge and is now quite comfortable presenting to a room full of strangers.
Danielle grew up in Dolores, and is raising her own family there, too. She loves hiking with her family, and getting creative with various arts and crafts media, but Danielle doesn't have much down time. In addition to serving as a full-time Community Prevention Organizer, she is enrolled in the honors program at San Juan College, and has two children, ages two and six. Phew!
What motivates Danielle to serve? She says it's "knowing that my kids will be well-supported by their community." Thank you, Danielle, for working to make Montezuma County a safer, healthier place for all youth and their families.
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Youth Leadership Council Takes The Show On The Road
 | | YLC Investigators in Denver |
The investigative team of Montezuma County's Youth Leadership Council was invited to head up a Youth Policy Summit held in Denver on June 25th. The Summit was arranged by Kristin Kidd, Youth Programs Specialist for the Tobacco-Free Colorado Communities Initiative. Youth from all over Colorado converged in the Tivoli Center to share their processes and progress in fighting Big Tobacco.
Youth organizations from Golden, La Junta, and Breckenridge are working on tobacco policy initiatives including strengthening the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, developing smoke-free housing, and reducing youth access to tobacco through retailer licensing.
The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) shared their creative and interactive "crime scene investigation" presentation. YLC has used this approach when presenting to Cortez City Council and other community stakeholders. On July 26, YLC will present Cortez City Council with a draft ordinance requiring licensing of tobacco retailers.
For more information, contact Cindy Houston |
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Pro-Social Community Involvement at the Silverton Cemetary
 | | Cleaning up the Silverton Cemetary |
On a recent sunny Saturday, Julie Danjou gathered together a group of Silverton youth to volunteer in the annual Hillside Cemetary Clean-up Day.
The youth group joined adults in picking up trash and removing lichen from graves. They also chose to adopt three graves, including one belonging to a fourteen-year-old boy who died in 2005. Julie says, "The kids are so excited to take care of these grave sites. It's really heartwarming."
Youth who have opportunities for pro-social involvement in their communities, and who receive recognition for pro-scoial community involvement are less likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs. Julie does a great job of getting the kids from the Silverton Youth Center involved in community projects, and the community really appreciates their efforts! For more information, contact Julie Danjou.
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Prevention Education with SCC Community Crews
 | | Catherine Goraj leads a crew in a circle discussion. |
This summer, RSAPP is partnering with Southwest Conservation Corps to bring Prevention Education to area middle schoolers. Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) puts together crews of 11-15 year old youth who volunteer on conservation projects in their communities. RSAPP's AmeriCorps members meet weekly with these crews, leading them through activities designed to get them thinking and talking about big issues: trust, decision-making, consequences, values, refusal skills, conflict and responsibility.
RSAPP has found that an engaging and interactive approach to prevention education can be far more relevant and meningful than lecturing youth about susbtance use facts. By building trust and modeling good communication, RSAPP AmeriCorps members can create safe spaces for youth to share their problems and concerns, and also learn tools and techniques for making good choices.
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Colorado Cares Day: a Call for Volunteers
 Thousands of Colorado citizens will be spending Saturday, July 30 as a day of service, honoring the anniverrsary of Colorado's statehood on August 1, 1876. How about joining a service project in your community, and bringing your family, friends, and/or youth group? Volunteers are needed at the following events in Southwest Colorado: a landscaping project at Medicine Horse Therapeutic Ranch in Mancos (contact Bill Parsons) a School Supply Drive in Dove Creek (contact Kristy Chadd) an Ice Cream Social and Tie Dye Party in Pagosa Springs (contact Jo Ferko or Soledad Leo) and a Community Garden Clean-up in Silverton (contact Julie Danjou.) Show Colorado that you care! |
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Thank you for being a partner in RSAPP! If you have any submissions for next month's newsletter, please send them to me.
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