Thanksgiving, Guardian Scholars Style!

            As some of us here at The Youth Foundation are gearing up to leave the Valley to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving, the same is true of our Guardian Scholars at Colorado Mesa University. While some will leave their Colorado Mesa University home for Thanksgiving, many will be remaining behind.  As emancipated foster youth, many of them do not have families of their own to visit during this holiday season and, with this in mind, The Youth Foundation help inspire the scholars to remain positive and on their paths to success during this time by sending cards and care packages. Just last week, a group of student volunteers from Eagle County Charter Academy created adorable Thanksgiving cards for each of the scholars! This is just one small example of how the Guardian Scholars Program serves as more than a scholarship, but a family.  Mentors and supermoms are constantly in contact with the scholars, offering the emotional support necessary for them to realize their success, “making dreams come true.”  We are so incredibly thankful for the gifts each mentor, donor, and scholar brings to the program this Thanksgiving week!

Dana Bronfman, DREAM First and Scholarship Coordinator 

An Exciting Finish to Our First Robotics Rotation!

In my last blog, I talked about the desire to show the children in robotics class the concept of cause and effect, proving that they are capable of creating something that provides a purpose. I am here to report that building robots is indeed an effective way to prove this concept true. Robotics is the art of making a machine that can replicate qualities of another object or thing, and while we already know teaching kids is an art all in itself, the two together are a perfect balance of challenge and accomplishment.

When the children first entered my classroom, all they knew was that they were going to be building a robot. In their minds, a robot was a metal or iron machine that had the potential to blow things up, save the planet, or went by the name of WALLE.  Little did they know that at the end of seven weeks, they would be masters at structuring, computer programming, problem solving, teamwork, and would become proud creators of 5-7 different models of robots.

Local Patron Creates a "Big Time Rush"

During the pilot program this summer at Berry Creek Middle School, Girl PowHER introduced an installment dubbed “Workshop Wednesdays,” where notable women from our community came to speak to Girl PowHER girls about their careers, hobbies, and other passions. One particular week, we had the extraordinary pleasure of listening to Ann Smead, a business entrepreneur and incredible philanthropist, talk about the power of networking, the importance of first impressions, and the value of setting goals. At the very end of the workshop, Ann was generous enough to provide every girl in attendance with not only their own journal, but with her business card, inviting each one of them to e-mail or call her at any time if they needed any help or advice in order to fulfill their goals.

Express Yourself! Girl PowHer Introduces New Art Program

There is no doubt that art has its benefits for children and adults of all ages, because it provides a way to think outside of the box, to find meaning beyond the surface, and to celebrate multiple perspectives. Art helps us to say what cannot be said and is proven tool for stress relief and personal reflection. I don’t know about you, but I can think of a place that could really use these perks. A place crammed with peer pressure, self discovery, and power-struggles, where drama dominates and hormones rage. A little place called Middle School.

Magic Bus Staff on the NAEYC in Orlando

Deb Dutmer and Maria Calvo, both Magic Bus staff, were fortunate enough to attend the Annual Conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) on November 2 through the 5 in Orlando, FL.  This was the first time either of them attended a conference of this size and they were thrilled to reap the benefits of such an event.  Just to give you an idea of how extensive the conference was, there were over 1,700 professionals in the field of early childhood education presenting in sessions, workshops, and forums throughout the four-day event.  Some of the topics of the sessions included Child Development & Learning, Curriculum – Theories & Approaches, Community Partnerships, Importance of Play, and Family Engagement and Support.  The sessions ranged from 1 to 1 ½ hours in length with anywhere from 40 to 60 sessions to choose from each time.  Needless to say, the girls had trouble deciding which sessions to attend! 

Indoor Soccer Kicks Off!

Just because the snow is falling doesn’t mean that we have stopped playing soccer! The Youth Foundation has begun the middle school indoor season! Last Friday, Berry Creek Middle School held the first day of their Friday After School Soccer Program. The turnout was incredible! Overall, there were around 70 participants all waiting to play. We formed 10 co-ed teams and played a format of either 5 minute games, or the first team to score 2 points. While watching the other teams, the children cheered each other on and spent time together in a positive, fun, and exciting environment! Gypsum Creek Middle School is also participating in the indoor season and we are looking forward to our monthly tournaments within the middle schools. One Saturday per month, schools will be gathering for indoor tournaments held at the middle schools. The exact dates and locations for the tournaments are still being finalized so please stay tuned with The Youth Foundation if you would like to see more! A big thank you to The Youth Foundation staff as well as our school staff for your efforts and support! Being able to provide something positive and exciting in a healthy environment for these children is crucial. And given the amount of children that are showing up, the need is out there!

Mike Santambrogio for Bratzo Horruitiner

A Girl PowHer Hike Leads To Unexpected Discoveries!

Unaware of the day’s agenda, a small group of high school girls gathered on a crisp autumn morning at the base of a trailhead in Beaver Creek. “Where are we going? … How long will we be hiking? … We’re going all the way up there? … I’m not sure I really even like hiking” Questions only natural for teenagers at a time when they could otherwise easily be sleeping. Although the details of the day remained uncertain, they took comfort in knowing one thing – they would be together.

Ells Angel's Coach Swims, Bikes, and Runs Her Way to a World Champion!

Cheers fill the auditorium of Berry Creek Middle School, as students shout “Tam, Tam she’s our mam, if she can’t do it, no one can!” Youth Foundation PwrHrs participants have convened to congratulate coach, mentor and Xterra World Champion, Tamara Donelson for her recent win at the World competition in Maui, Hawaii last week. Donelson was one of four local athletes who finished well in last weekend's Xterra World Championships: Donelson, Josiah Middaugh, John Klish and Brad Zoller.

Donelson was the first amateur woman to cross the line, and 14th overall among the women. “To know Tam is to truly admire and love her!” said, Anne-Marie Desmond, Girl PowHER coordinator at The Youth Foundation.

Donelson, and husband Brett, both trainers at the Westin Riverfront Club, have been instrumental in developing and implementing The Youth Foundation’s newest program, Girl PowHER and creating and coaching the mountain bike team, Ells Angels.

Community Coach Training, straight from a Community Coach

On Friday, October 28^th, Dana Bronfman, Scholarship Coordinator, and Lee Jones, Director of Programs, led a training for all of The Youth Foundation’s Community Coaches. Veyra Gamboa, one of the Community Coaches in Training, describes her experience with the program:

On Friday in the Community Coach Training we learned a lot about being a leader and how we going to do in The Youth Foundation as a Community Coach.