| Think back to when you were growing
up. Was there an adult who was a positive influence in your life? Someone
you looked up to? Partners in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties provides you with
the opportunity to be that person for a child in your community. Partners is a
community-based, non-profit organization that promotes positive change in youth
through a one-to-one mentoring relationship with an adult role model. The
organization matches each volunteer with a youth who shares similar interests
and asks each mentor to spend at least three hours a week with that child,
having fun and learning new skills. As a mentor, Partners will provide screening
and training, as well as ongoing support from a case manager. In addition, the
mentoring relationship also benefits adults, who report improved morale and the
ability to learn more about themselves. Mentoring better defines their core
values, and provides a fresh, new perspective on their lives, creating an
overall feeling of increased satisfaction. “We are always looking for
compassionate, caring adult mentors, who can offer friendship, guidance,
understanding, and support to our youth,” says Debbie Channel, Executive
Director of Partners. “National research indicates that mentored youth
generally exhibit improved school performance and attendance, are more
self-confident, display better attitudes, are motivated to reach their
potential, and are less likely to become involved in drugs, alcohol, or
violence,” adds Program Director, Penny Bieber.
Kimberly Mazza, Penny Bieber, Sandy Majors,
Jerry Berebitsky, Debbie Channel, and Frank Lucero
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| The Partners organization now enters its 6th year
of offering life skills-based programs to area youth through generous grants
from the Tony Grampsas Youth Service, Daniels Anschutz and Janus, the Las Animas
and Huerfano County Commissioners and the Department of Human Services.
Recently, they were honored to accept the Karl E. Eitel Award for outstanding
service to youth and received a $1,000 grant courtesy of the El Pomar
Foundation. |
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Last year, Partners joined with the YMCA in Trinidad to
strengthen the group's goals of reaching more area youth. This collaboration
allows both agencies to continue running their programs independently but with
greater crossover possibilities, and now has a new office at the Y from which to
operate. Greater efficiencies can be realized in joint fundraising
opportunities, shared operational and employee costs, joint grant-writing
efforts, and better recruitment opportunities. Additionally, the YMCA facility
allows Partners to accommodate future growth as youth services increase.
Although one-to-one mentoring is still the primary focus, other
similarly-based programs are being introduced. Last April a gender specific
program called CREW (Creative, Righteous, Educated, little, Women) was
established in Walsenburg. Initially funded by the Colorado Women's Foundation
and the Department of Local Affairs through a community service block grant,
CREW currently serves sixteen 6th grade girls by encouraging self-development
through instruction of personally and socially acceptable values.
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| Likewise, Partners has established a
life skills program in Las Animas County for 7&8th grade girls called
“Girls Rock!”. Both programs are classroom based with lessons and
activities; however, involvement includes community service and field trips. It
promotes healthy behavior among young girls to help them acquire valuable life
skills and develop a sense of purpose by introducing them to opportunities and
allowing them to contribute to their community in meaningful ways. So far this
year, girls have explored career opportunities and aptitudes, planned monthly
budgets and examined the characteristics of healthy relationships. Partners also
administers a “Connect” program for Huerfano County’s school districts.
It's an alternative education program for students who have been suspended, but
still allows them to be engaged in the learning process. The program's purpose
is to keep these students involved in their education and offer them the
opportunity to improve their grades and attitude by increasing parental
involvement. |
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| Presently, the organization is making a
difference in the lives of roughly 100 area youth. But still others are waiting
for a mentor. If you would like to learn more about their programs or become
involved in the life of a child please contact Partners at (719) 738-2378 in
Huerfano County or (719) 846-1871 in Las Animas County. It's an investment in
the future of our communities and their youth. |
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