Soledad Leo: RSAPP AmeriCorps member serving Archuleta County

    

     Soledad Leo serves at the Pagosa Springs Youth Center (PSYC,) where she welcomes everyone with a warm and loving heart. Food is a big draw at the Youth Center, and you can often find Soledad in the "magic kitchen," turning whatever is in the refrigerator into nutritious and delicious snacks and meals. She usually has a youth or two helping her - often an individual who is serving court-ordered community service - and takes that opportunity to act as a deliberate mentor. Quite a few of Pagosa's youth have cried on Soledad's shoulders - and found acceptance and the inspiration to make good choices about their futures.          Soledad is an accomplished artist, and has owned two galleries in Pagosa where she sold her art. She recently created a class called "Art Knows no Disability," teaching drawing, painting and printmaking to individuals with varying disabilities. She has found inspiration for her own art - and life - from these students.    

     Soledad grew up with 10 brothers and sisters in a 300-year-old haunted mansion in Guanajuato, Mexico. She came to Ashland, Oregon in 1987 on an art exchange, and has lived in the United States ever since. After 17 years in Pagosa Springs, Soledad seems to know just about everyone in town. She lives with her daughter Clarita, and is about to become a grandmother! 

        Sole admits that serving as an AmeriCorps member isn't always easy. She has been working with the Victim's Assistance Group's "See it Stop it" program, and is committed to reducing violence in her community. The PSYC has a small but diverse team of volunteers and AmeriCorps members, and there have been a few challenges juggling schedules, styles and responsibilities. And while the youth bring her incredible joy, Sole says that it breaks her heart to see kids struggling with substance use or difficult home situations. Soledad's philosophy applies to all these situations and more: she says that "love is the key for every single thing."  

 

    RSAPP AmeriCorps members mobilized volunteers and got things done on July 30, the 13th annual Colorado Cares Day. Citizens all over the state honored Colorado's 135th birthday by volunteering and serving their communities, and  Southwest Colorado made a great showing. 

RSAPP Rocks Medicine Hors

      In Mancos, AmeriCorps Member Bill Parsons organized 27 AmeriCorps members, students, and community volunteers to construct a rock wall at Medicine Horse Center, a therapuetic  horse ranch. Volunteers hauled rock from a nearby corral, and stacked it to create a low wall around the newly-landscaped entry area. After they busted out the project, the group enjoyed a barbeque lunch provided by C.A.R.E. Cleaning and Restoration Experts in Cortez. The rapid construction of a 50-lineal feet wall proves that "many hands make light work."    

Weeding and cleaning at the Silverton Visitor's Center

     In Silverton, RSAPP AmeriCorps member Julie Danjou mobilized 5 youth to complete clean-up projects at the cemetery, the Visitor's Center, and on notorious Blair Street. Julie and some regulars from the Silverton Youth Center don't need a formal Day of Service in order to get things done - they have become a regular feature out and about town, cleaning, painting, shoveling, and contributing to the community in many ways!  

     In Dove Creek, the town rallied around Relay Under the Stars. Community members formed teams which walked all night, collecting pledges which will be distribute to local families in need.  

     Durango AmeriCorps member Nicole Schnee coordinated with the Youth Partnership for Health to sell reusable shopping bags, and donate the profits to a local soup kitchen. 

      Pagosa Springs AmeriCorps members Jo Ferko and Soledad Leo hosted

Ice Cream Social in Pagosa Springs

an Ice Cream Social and Tie-dye party for youth, and fun was had by all. Danielle Brafford, an RSAPP  AmeriCorps member from Dolores, brought her husband and kids to Pagosa for Colorado Cares Day, and the whole family volunteered. 

    

 

 

      

 

 

RSAPP is looking for 12 talented people who are interested in serving the youth, families, schools and communities of Southwest Colorado. If you care about youth and want to get things done, apply to serve as an RSAPP AmeriCorps member. These one-year service opportunities begin on October 1, and duties vary by community. We will fill 10 full-time positions (in Dove Creek, Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Durango, and Silverton) and 2 half-time positions (in Pagosa Springs.) For a position description and application instructions, send an e-mail to RSAPP's Program Coordinator indicating which community you are interested in serving. To apply, go to my.americorps.gov and do a quick search by entering "RSAPP" in the "Program Name" box. And please - help spread the word! 

 

Thanks,  

Cathy Cowles

RSAPP Program Coordinator

cathy@rsapp.org