YOUTH SPOTLIGHT | Armando "Mando" Fuentes |
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We recommend getting to know Mando if you haven’t already, since he wants to get to know you!
Mando’s outgoing, approachable, and generous nature make him a great addition to our team at Mountain Youth. Although he doesn't have an official title, we know he can be relied upon to help and contribute creative ideas and positive energy to any task he undertakes. His responsibilities include serving on the High School Valley's Voice Board and the Communities that Care media and data teams. Mando helps brainstorm the areas or risk factors that we could improve upon. He also helps determine how we go about making positive changes and promoting protective factors for our local youth. When there are other opportunities to jump in and help, he is on it and comes in with his dimpled smile, contagious laugh, and excellent attitude.
Being a true "day one" Vail Valley native, Mando appreciates the people in his community, as well as, the beautiful surroundings. Although he loves his home, he embraces the opportunity to learn about the world through travel. Both of his parents are immigrants to the United States and have an appreciation for learning about other peoples’ cultures and experiences. They have encouraged Mando throughout his travels. His passion for traveling stems from the fact that he has been able to learn more from his explorations and adventures in the nine countries he has visited, than he could have learned in a classroom.
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Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate a Youth Spotlight Here
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DIFFERENCE MAKER | Craig Westering |
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Read all about this admirable addition to our Board!
Craig Westering has been in law enforcement since 2005. Like many Vail Valley transplants, he came for “just a year” and has been here for 23 years and counting. Craig earned his bachelor’s in education and youth ministry in Chicago.
When he arrived in Eagle County, Craig volunteered in youth ministry while holding a multitude of backbone local jobs – taxi driver, property manager, golf course employee, carpenter apprentice, and guest service agent.
A friend encouraged Craig to pursue a law enforcement career at that time, with the promise of merging his passion for helping people and his innate ability to see the best in everyone, even at their worst. Craig found his niche, serving the Vail Police Department for the last 15 years. “It’s a family,” he says of the police force. “Being in a smaller area allows us to build strong relationships with the community. It makes officers more approachable,” Craig continues.
Craig recently began employment with the Eagle Police Department in December of 2021.
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Youthapalooza 2022: A Fun Night "At the Beach" |
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On Tuesday, July 26 th Mountain Youth, along with almost 40 community partners came together to celebrate “A Night at the Beach” at Eagle Town Park. Through the dedication of other nonprofit organizations, local police and fire departments, Eagle County School District, and community volunteers, we were able to reach hundreds of youth in our community. Each youth received a “passport”, in which they were tasked with getting a stamp from each and every booth at the event for a prize. The aim was for each individual to have an opportunity to visit all of the community partners and learn more about their work. Learning opportunities centered around health, safety, education, recreation, art, and career exploration. It was incredibly rewarding to see youth of all ages excitedly running around visiting each booth and learning in the process! The connections that were made at Youthapalooza 2022 are deeply valuable, and we can’t wait to offer the opportunity again next year! Thank you to everyone that came out to participate, volunteer, perform, educate, and meet new people. A special thanks to The Colorado Health Foundation, El Pomar, Daniel's Fund, Community Banks of Colorado and First Bank for making this event possible. We hope to see you all again at Youthapalooza 2023!
Have some great pictures from Youthapalooza? Tag us on our Instagram!
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We have so much fun left this summer!
Valley's Voice meetings TBD- STAY TUNED!
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Free August events open to any youth! Please RSVP online.
Aug 04, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
CMC Auditorium, 150 Miller Ranch Rd, Edwards, CO
Aug 20, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Eagle River Park, 200 Fairgrounds Rd, Eagle, CO
Field and Trampoline Day
Aug 31, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location TBD
If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact Cameron Dole, Youth Engagement Coordinator, at cdole@mountainyouth.org
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Communities That Care Focused on Valuable Training Opportunities for the Community
This summer, our Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition was focused on providing valuable training opportunities in fulfilling our goals of building skills, developing trusting relationships, and practicing inclusion.
We hosted a Language Justice training where community members from all backgrounds and lenses of difference came together and experienced a collaborative approach to language justice. Participants strategized how to continue with bilingual efforts, to communicate in the languages spoken by the community members, and to ensure quality interpretation and translation services that are also culturally responsive.
CTC also designed and implemented an interactive workshop based on Six Key Strategies for Supporting and Retaining Youth Staff. This opportunity was deeply appreciated by partner organizations including VVP, Mountain Recreation, Walking Mountains, YP365, CASA and Valley's Voice youth advisors!
Missed the in-person training? Check it out here!
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If you have any questions or would like more information on our work, please reach out to Tsveti Fuentes, Communities That Care Mobilizer, at tfuentes@mountainyouth.org. |
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National Night Out: Tuesday August 2, 2022 |
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The 38th annual National Night Out event takes place in Eagle County on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. The event strengthens police and community relationships and encourages neighborhoods to form a partnership to fight crime. The events encourage residents to spend the evening with their neighbors and public safety personnel.
Agencies throughout Eagle County will be hosting a variety of neighborhood events, such as block parties, barbeques and ice cream socials. Join your neighbors, friends, local businesses and first responders at a location near you. Stop by with questions, get involved, meet your neighbors, participate in fun activities and enjoy free food. Click to learn more about National Night Out events around the country.
Learn more about this National Annual event HERE
The spirit of National Night Out - Video
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⭐Minturn - Little Beach Park - Eagle County Sheriff's Office
⭐Edwards - Edwards Freedom Park - Eagle County Sheriff's Office
⭐Gypsum - Lundgren Theater, Gypsum - Eagle County Sheriff's Office
⭐Basalt - Triangle Park/Willits - Basalt Police/Eagle County Sheriff's Office
⭐Eagle - Brush Creek Pavillion & Park - Town of Eagle Police Dept
⭐Vail - West Vail Fire Station #3 - Town of Vail Police
⭐Avon - (3 locations) CLICK HERE for more info - Town of Avon Police 6 - 8 pm
- The Aspens Community Park, 901 W. Beaver Creek Blvd., Avon, CO
- O’Neal Spur Park in Wildridge, 2799 Old Trail Road, Avon, CO
- Eaglebend Apartments, 10 Stonebridge Drive, Avon, CO
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Stay Up To Date On Our Work By Following Our Social Media |
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August Calendar of Events |
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We believe music education should be accessible to all students, on that note, we offer partial and full scholarships to families of students who qualify for the school district Free and Reduced Lunch Program. If you are interested in a scholarship, please contact us via email at info@efec.org.
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Location: Minturn Little Beach Park and Amphitheater
Dates: August 1-5th OR August 8-12th
Times: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (M-Th), 9:30 AM-12:00 PM (F) Concert at 12:00pm Friday
E·ƒ(ec)’s Summer School of Rock Day Camp is directed by Grammy-nominated music educator, Jake Wolf. All students, ages 8-12 years old, who are interested in music are encouraged to attend. Campers participate in three hours of daily musical instruction in addition to yoga, mindful meditation, hula-hoops, and art. Each campers receive a ukulele and a T-shirt!
All camp proceeds benefit arts and music programs for Eagle County students.
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Eagle Climbing and Fitness- Check out the Eagle Climbing & Fitness calendar HERE for a scheduled jam-packed with opportunities for the youngest (Toddler/ Family Yoga and Kids Climbing Club) humans in your life. Summer camps are open! Get out and climb. Queer Climbing Night occurs the last Sunday of each month.
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FREE! Join Mountain Rec and Mountain Youth for the final film in the Outdoor Movie Series of 2022: Back to the Future! Please bring low chairs, blankets, and a head lamp or flashlight. Movie starts shortly after sunset.
August Outdoor Movie: Back to the Future!
Location: Edwards Freedom Park
Date: August 11, 2022
Time: 8:30, arrive any time after 7
Questions? Contac Lizzy Owens, Community Engagement Manager |
Contact Sheryl Staten, Eagle Pool & Ice Rink Supervisor, for more information. |
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Location: Gypsum Creek Pool
Date: August 11-13
Time: 9am-5pm
Attend a lifeguard training and earn up to $1,000! This course, upon successful completion, provides participants with an American Red Cross Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED for up to 6 feet water depth certification which is valid for 2 years.
Contact Rialto Heller, Aquatics Supervisor, for more information.
Location: Eagle Pool & Ice Rink
Date: Drop off August 1-12, Swap August 19, 4pm-8pm and August 20, 8am-noon
Mountain Rec is hosting its inaugural community sports gear swap! Bring the gently-used sports equipment you no longer use or need between August 1-12 and come “shop” on August 19 & 20. This swap is free; we are requesting donations to support the Mountain Rec Foundation’s Youth Scholarship Fund.
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Lunch a la Soupe Kitchen
Location: Battle Mountain High School
Date: Friday, August 5, 2022
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Contact Info: Tsu (970)748-0704
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August 13, 2022 - Unlimited samples of amazing brews, seltzers, and ciders in your souvenir sampling glass. Live music, water lanterns, food trucks, kids activities, lawn games & many more activities!
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Dates: Aug. 2nd, M-Fri 8th-12th, 15th and 16th; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (early drop-off and late pick-up available for a fee)
Time: 9am-3.30/ extended hours 8am-5pm
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Cost: $65 per day (multi-day discounts available)
Ages: 6-14
Campers begin each day by voting on a theme for that session, allowing them to direct their own creativity and making each day unique. They then spend the morning drawing, watercolor painting and creating a project that fits that theme, followed by an afternoon of painting their visions on a 16-by-20-inch canvas.
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Mountain Youth works to make the community we live in a stronger, more vibrant place for youth and families through education, advocacy, and connections.
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