October 2025 Newsletter

Fill Your World With Good Tour!

Building on the foundation of a successful statewide sticker design contest and the 2025 #IRiseAbove Celebration event, we are excited to introduce our Fill Your World With Good Tour! This year we are visiting 8 Colorado communities to elevate the positive social norms about the healthy choices youth make related to substance misuse and how they improve their communities.

The Fill Your World With Good Tour promotes health, wellbeing and community connection within each stop and celebrates the collective impact of all tour communities at the culminating #IRiseAbove Celebration.

The tour kicks off this month and will conclude with the 2026 #IRiseAbove Celebration on March 5th!

Connect with us on Facebook.

We will be making stops in the following communities:

Broomfield
Durango
Denver
Jefferson County
Prowers County
Steamboat Springs
Sterling
Yuma

Introducing Our New Website!

Thanks to a grant from SAMHSA and in partnership with Design Like You Mean It and Rehab Creative, we are excited to unveil our brand new website: riseaboveco.org!

Our website is a trustworthy source of information, advice and inspiration for youth across Colorado. Within the pages of the site, youth will find reliable and accurate information about various substances while also finding pages created by Colorado youth, giving ideas for how their peers can rise above in their daily lives.

On the murals page, visitors can explore the dozens of murals we have created in partnership with local youth in communities all across Colorado. Can you find a mural in your community?

Our site also features a suite of educational resources, designed to be delivered to Colorado youth by educators, other trusted adults and youth alike. These resources empower youth to make healthy decisions related to the use of prescription drugs, to understand how their perceptions related to substance misuse can impact their behaviors, to build critical thinking skills related to the constant presence of media on their screens, and more.

Visit the website by clicking HERE.

Meet Jayde Forrest

and Manikya Vaish from our Teen Action Council!

Jayde

What is one reason that you are a member of the Teen Action Council (TAC)?

One reason that I’m a TAC member is because I like to help people and connecting with people with the same end game is one of those ways that we can all help each other.

What is something that you've accomplished recently that you are proud of?

One thing I’ve accomplished is getting into my college to become an esthetician. I’ve always wanted to be a makeup artist and this is a step closer to getting there.

What is something that you are looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to seeing where TAC goes this year and seeing everybody grow.

What is one of your favorite things about fall?

I like fall because of Halloween. I like everything spooky and it’s one of my favorite holidays.

Manikya

What is one reason that you are a member of the Teen Action Council (TAC)?

One reason I’m a member of TAC is because I want to be part of a community that empowers teens to make positive choices and create real change. I believe in using my voice to help educate and inspire others, especially when it comes to topics like mental health and substance misuse. TAC gives me the opportunity to turn that passion into action and connect with other motivated youth across Colorado.

What is something that you've accomplished recently that you are proud of?

Recently, I started a non-profit called Plates To Purpose. We take food that chain restaurants throw out that hasn't gone bad and donate it to local food banks.

What is something that you are looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to collaborating with new people and learning from their experiences, both within TAC and beyond. I enjoy being part of groups that share ideas and perspectives, and I’m excited to grow as a leader while also helping others feel supported and heard.

What is one of your favorite things about fall?

One of my favorite things about fall is the atmosphere—it feels calm yet full of energy at the same time. I love the crisp air, the changing leaves, and how everything seems to slow down just enough to appreciate the season. Plus, there’s something about cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and golden sunsets that makes fall feel like a fresh start.