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Season's Greetings from RSAPP             

                                                December 2013 

Upcoming 
Events & Training 
Opportunities:

    

Bullying Awareness Groups (BAG): Meetings will be held on the second and last Monday of every month from 5-7 PM and will be held at La Plata Youth Services (A-frame across from Durango High School). The next meeting is December 9th.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or call Dillon Walls at 970.385.4440 EXT. 22.

  

Meet and Greet hosted by Second Wind Fund, December 11th, 6:00-8:00 pm at Durango Discovery Museum 1333 Camino Del Rio. A chance for local non-profits to get to know each other and discover ways to work together. Please RSVP to [email protected] by December 4th.

 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

LPEA, who suppots RSAPP through

the Round Up Fund, has been asked and said YES to helping the Salvation Army with their bell ringing at their Walgreen's location (Durango). We are looking for volunteers to help

man the red kettle and ring the bell. Please click one of the following  links to sign up!

 Week Two December 2-8

http://doodle.com/4zctxmhrdph5k79r

 Week Three December 9-15

http://doodle.com/k39itkuavhskz2v7

 Week Four December 16-22

http://doodle.com/9rem7sdaskn6ihbf

 Final Week - Two Days 23rd & 24th

http://doodle.com/4yxiqenqye89hht8

 

Many thanks to RSAPP's Generous Funders:

 

Serve Colorado 

(Governor's

 Commission on Community Service)

 

Daniels Fund 

 

Empire Electric Association

 

 La Plata Electric Association  

 

MercuryGives

 

Coutts & Clark Western Foundation 

 

Wells Fargo 

 

John G. Duncan Charitable Trust 

 

 RSAPP's Board of Directors 

 

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 "Live for something. Do good, and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storm of time can never destroy. Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy, on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with year by year; you will never be forgotten. No, your name, your deeds, will be as legible on the hearts you leave behind as the stars on the brow of evening." ~ Thomas Chalmers

 A Fond Farewell to Cathy Cowles: RSAPP's Outstanding Leader

Cathy Cowles was contracted to write the original AmeriCorps Grant for RSAPP. The grant process involved a lot of program design, including the development of a Program Coordinator position. As a result, she was asked to apply for the Program Coordinator position, and after thinking about it, she realized that it was a great opportunity. Cathy has always been  supportive with coworkers with helping them determine and work towards their highest potential. 
 
This passion helped on multiple levels at RSAPP with the AmeriCorps members, and the youth they serve. This carried over to our community partners, too.  She  established a culture for RSAPP that encompasses the importance of regional sharing, community based solutions, collaboration and transparency.  
     Cathy has referred to herself as the RSAPP incubator. She helped this small seed of a program grow into a thriving organization. The first AmeriCorps program year had 7 members and as of this year RSAPP has 19 AmeriCorps members. When asked what she felt her contribution was she replied, "I feel like I have taken some great ideas and built them into the solid foundation of an AmeriCorps program and nonprofit organization." No doubt,  she has established a healthy organization and a culture that will help RSAPP  for years to come. 
     Cathy enjoyed working with so many different people across the southwest region of Colorado and shared, "I am humbled and inspired by the dedication and creativity I've seen among community members who care about their youth. It's been a treat to be able to fan the flames, and see the results. And it's clear that I've gained at least as much as I have given."
     Before she leaves the country for backcountry skiing in Canada, and start a new chapter, she shares some last words of wisdom: " The solutions lie within the community - we have so many resources right here in southwest Colorado."  All who serve or work with RSAPP will always be grateful for our her work and we plan on building on her successful leadership.
 
RSAPP AmeriCorps Member of the Month: Natalie Hensold
Natalie Hensold- RSAPP AmeriCorps Member serving Del Alma
Natalie grew up in Springfield, Illinois, dreaming of becoming an artist or a teacher.  She studied art education, and has worked as an art teacher, an outdoor educator, and many things in between.  Prior to her AmeriCorps service, she was a paraprofessional for elementary students with severe special needs, and a field guide for a wilderness therapy program.  While she loved both of these jobs, she felt she wanted more.  She wanted to branch into a more programmatic setting, and develop new skills.  " However, it seems essential to my being that I work with kids- I thrive on their energy, and learn something new everyday."
Natalie with Del Alma students ringing Salvation Army Bell
Young,  "hippie" Natalie hoped for the  PeaceCorps, but realized that this country greatly needs and deserves help and service. Because of this, she found Americorps.  She shares, "I appreciate this opportunity to serve my local community.  I am proud to have lived in Durango for almost three years.  Working with Del Alma, a program that teaches elementary, middle and high school students to value cultural differences and promotes educational excellence, artistic expression, and cultural competence, met all of my greatest priorities:  positive youth development, literacy, multi-cultural competency, and artistic expression."
     Natalie says that her successes while serving at Del Alma are ongoing.  She has cultivated a respectful, structured group culture has formed at both of the elementary programs.  Students cheer about activities and participate whole-heartedly:  making Mexican hot chocolate, sand painting, or playing Navajo games taught by Fort Lewis' Native American Center students. She enjoys promoting family involvement through Family Dinners, field trips, and sending home bilingual letters. She appreciates the feedback from a parent that they felt much more, "in the loop" because of her efforts.
     Natalie's go-get 'em quote is Roosevelt's "Do what you can with what you have, where you are."  Natalie states that her journey has been steered by a balance between the previous quote and the following: "Sometimes on the way to the dream, you get lost, and find a better one." Please contact Natalie at [email protected] for more information about Del Alma.
 Silverton's Kendall Mountain to Remain Alcohol-free
 
Kendall Mountain
Kendall Mountain
The Silverton Town Council has shelved a proposal to issue the town liquor license for Kendall Mountain Recreation area. On November 12,
six speakers, including two Middle school students  from the Silverton Youth Center helped stop Kendall Mountain from allowing alcohol to be sold at the drug and alcohol free ski area. The middle school students along with Julie Danjou, read letters to the public that were organized and written by the youth of Silverton and YAK members that could not be present. Other community members spoke up on the issue including the school superintendent/principal, Kim White. White spoke up and stated that the school receives $2,500 to help pay for lift tickets for its students at Kendall Mountain, but the grant money is contingent on it being drug and alcohol free.
      Julie Danjou, AmeriCorps member at the Silverton Youth Center, presented the council with testimonials from students who were in Denver doing field work. " I personally think there are too many kids at the recreation area for there to be any form of alcohol," wrote Sophomore Tanner Paxton. Trustee, Malcom McDougall who operates the ski lift at Kendall stated his mind was changed in the two hours of the town meeting and said he would oppose the liquor license.
     It is inspiring to see what just a few written letters by youth and attendance by community members at a town council meeting can do. Kudos to Kim White, Julie Danjou, Becky Joyce (Silverton School Nurse and prevention specialist), and the youth in the community for standing up for what they believe in!
 A Year to Celebrate: RSAPP's Annual Meeting
     On November 7th, RSAPP's Board of Directors hosted the 3rd Annual Meeting located at the Durango Discovery Museum's dynamic science lab. The collection of 42 people included AmeriCorps Members, RSAPP's regional community partners and their family members. The night was packed with good food, great presentations by the AmeriCorps team and a few surprise awards and recognitions.
Check & Connect Mentors Receiving Award for 2012-2013 Outstanding Prevention Program
The Check and Connect Program was awarded the Outstanding Prevention Program of the year. Claire Sheridan was announced as the Outstanding AmeriCorps Member of the Year and Zach Bertrand was awarded the Outstanding Site Supervisor of the year. 
In recognition for the 2012-2013 term of service, RSAPP's Board President, Mary Jo Rakowski shared the following impact data with the attendees: AmeriCorps members directly served 3,887 youth in southwest Colorado and leveraged 503 Volunteers. The RSAPP AmeriCorps team also implemented or supported 164 individual prevention programs, projects and activities. We are still "Getting Things Done" and appreciate the chance to pause and appreciate our efforts along with the amazing group of community partners!
 Lt. Gov. Garcia encourages children's book donations for 3rd Annual Colorado Reads Book Drive
 
DENVER - Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 - Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia announced the launch of the 3rd Annual Colorado Reads Book Drive today with the goal of collecting 25,000 new and gently used children's books by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on 
Jan. 20, 2014.

"One of the best ways we can honor the legacy of Dr. King, who believed so strongly in the power of education, is to provide all children with a strong start, a love of books, and the ability to read at an early age," Lt. Gov. Garcia said.

     As part of the State's commitment to early literacy, the Colorado Reads Book Drive represents one way Serve Colorado/AmeriCorps, local businesses and nonprofit organizations are coming together to help ensure Colorado's children have the support and resources to become successful readers by the third grade. Collections will take place statewide for books written for children from birth through age ten. Spanish-language books are especially needed. A complete list of collection sites is available at: www.colorado.gov/ltgovernor/serve

Donated books will support youth served by organizations such as Denver Public Schools, the United Way of Weld County, Reach Out and Read Colorado and organizations in communities affected by the Colorado wildfires and floods this past year. Books will stay in the communities in which they are donated and benefit local children.

The Colorado Reads Book Drive is sponsored by AmeriCorps Colorado, AARP, Etkin Johnson Group, KLOVE and United Way organizations around the state.

  
Ropes Course Proves Beneficial for FLC and Escalante Students
By Ian Lennox, RSAPP AmeriCorps Member

Ropes courses are a great way for students and people of all ages to learn how to enhance their teamwork, communication, and problem solving skills. Escalante Middle School is lucky enough to have a ropes course on campus. 

Escalante allows students from Fort Lewis College to come and hone their ropes course teaching and facilitating skills during a class taught through the Environmental Education department.

 

When I found out that a good friend of mine was instructing this course through FLC this semester we both knew that we had a great opportunity to give both my Check and Connect students and his FLC students a new experience. His students needed kids to run through their ropes course elements, and I am always looking for fun ways for my Check and Connect kids to work together outside of the classroom.

            Three groups of ten Check and Connect students were split up by grade and taken out to the ropes course to work with the FLC students. Each grade level was given a different element that emphasized various skills: 6th graders worked on teamwork as they made their way across a tire swing, 7th graders focused on communication and group problem solving as they carried buckets full of water across a rope swing, and 8th graders learned about supporting each other and working towards a goal as they walked a metaphorical tightrope towards their high school graduation. Most of the students do not normally interact much, especially in a collaborative fashion, and the FLC students did a great job guiding the students successfully through the process. By the end of the sessions the students were all sharing, working together, and having fun while also learning a little bit about how they can be a contributing member of a community.

            This was a great experience for the both sets of students, and I hope that FLC and Escalante Middle School can continue this activity in the future. The Check and Connect students have come up to me every day since then, asking when the FLC students were coming back to do the ropes course. They truly had a great time. Hands on, experiential education can have a powerful impact on students, and it is a great way to get students outside of the classroom and experience success with their peers.

Please contact Ian Lennox at [email protected] for more information.

 
Want to Support RSAPP?
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     Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Partners appreciates financial contributions of any size, and welcomes in-kind donations of needed goods or services. RSAPP is a nonprofit corporation exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3), and all donations are tax deductible. You can donate by using the PayPal button at www.rsapp.org, or do it the old-fashioned way by mailing a check payable to RSAPP to: PO Box 4378, Durango, CO 81302. For more information, contact RSAPP
 

Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Partners (RSAPP) works towards a vision of "engaged, thriving youth invested in strong communities throughout southwest Colorado." Thank you for being part of RSAPP! If you have any submissions for next month's newsletter, please send them to us: [email protected]