Let’s help make childhood what it ought to be… | |
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In Memory of Angela Japha
It is with profound sadness we share the loss of our dear friend, Angela Japha.
Angela was a long-time and generous supporter of our work on behalf of vulnerable children in Colorado.
Whether it was her warm embrace, her infectious smile, or her deep compassion, you knew Angela was with you. She brightened every room with her enthusiasm, passion, and overwhelming joy.
With her passing, a light has dimmed, but her spirit will forever remain bright.
With every step we take along this cobbled street, she will be there reminding us that determination, courage, and love will always be part of the journey. No matter the challenges, it’s worth the trip. We will miss her. ❤️
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The Cost of Failure:
Who Pays for a Broken System?
An eye-opening new study, released in November 2023 by the Common Sense Institute, reveals the cost to Colorado’s economy when teens and young adults “age out” of foster care without achieving permanence. Data is scarce on the life outcomes of foster children. “Untapped Potential: Economic and Social Costs of Colorado’s Foster Youth” is the first study of its kind attempting to capture the individual and social costs borne by a cohort of Colorado’s foster youth.
“Aging out” of foster care refers to the situation where youth who have been in care reach a certain age and are no longer eligible for foster care services or placements. Teens are allowed to leave foster care at age 18. Under Colorado law, they can stay until age 21, though historically, few choose to do so. At this point, they “age out” of the system, meaning they transition into adulthood without the support or guidance of a foster care arrangement and are left to fend for themselves.
It is no surprise that foster youth aging out of the system in Colorado face a multitude of challenges, including higher rates of homelessness, failure to graduate from high school, unemployment, involvement in the criminal justice system, early parenthood, mental health issues, a lack of support networks, limited healthcare access, substance abuse risk, and financial instability.
Each carries heavy economic and social tolls. The new study determined an average of 213 youth age out of Colorado’s foster system per year. Each cohort's lifetime social and economic costs range from $66 million to $73 million EVERY YEAR, or about $343,453 per youth.
Coloradans are paying for the societal and economic costs on the back end of foster care interventions that did not lead to permanency and failed foster youth. The study concludes that policies that pay for performance at the front end and invest in high school graduation are critical.
This new study illuminates the importance of Cobbled Streets’ work. We go upstream, investing in the lives of foster youth at an early age. It is not only the right approach for our youth but also, as this study proves, the financially responsible thing to do. Join us in this critical mission.
Untapped Potential: Economic Costs of Colorado’s Foster Youth, November 14, 2023, Authors: John Farnam, DJ Summers, Cole Anderson
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Cobbled Streets Team Highlights | |
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Congratulations!
Volunteer of the Year
The Greater Woodland Park
Chamber of Commerce
We are proud to announce that Sherri Albertson, who has been with Cobbled Streets since its beginning, received the award for Volunteer of the Year for Teller County!
Her time and dedication to Junior Achievement have helped many young people. As Sherri said, “JA’s vision is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. We envision a world where young people have the skill set and mindset to build thriving communities.”
Sherri began volunteering at age seven, helping her Mom in a vaccine clinic for older adults. From vaccine clinics to charity events, she’s dedicated her time to various causes including Habitat for Humanity, Happy Cats Haven, and the Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition.
She has actively supported community initiatives including the Holiday Home Tour, Vino & Notes, Ute Pass Symphony Guild, and many more.
“Sherri embodies altruism, dedication, and humility, making her an exceptional volunteer and a clear choice for this award,” noted Steve Woolf, past Chair of the Chamber Board. Congratulations, Sherri!
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Cobbled Streets is Growing!
Bissy Gaudiano joined the Cobbled Streets team in July 2022 as our grant writer. In January 2024, she transitioned to the new role of Development Director and now supports the team with fundraising, donor communications, marketing, and corporate outreach.
She is thrilled to help Cobbled Streets continue to grow and have an increasing impact on children in foster care in Colorado.
Previously, Bissy was a fifth-grade teacher for ten years. She has over 18 years of experience working with children of all ages, in a variety of different contexts. Along her journey, she has had the honor to be a teacher, student, leader, mentor, and coach, embracing each of these roles as an opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of young people. Congratulations, Bissy!
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Amazing Volunteer Helps Woman in Need
The volunteers at Cobbled Streets are amazing, and we are so grateful for them. Not only do they provide support, comfort, and joy to the kids in foster care, they are extraordinary people. This is the incredible and recent story of the compassion and generosity of one of them, Chuck Stovall. Co-Founder and CEO of Navflex Inc., Chuck is also a foster and adoptive father in Adams County.
He had been working extremely hard recently, with long weeks away from his family as he grows his international business. Recently, he had an opportunity to come home for a short 36 hours, but he didn’t. His selfless nature compelled him to help a stranger in need instead.
As Chuck was boarding his flight, he heard someone yell for a doctor. A doctor and nurse rushed past him. Chuck and the other passengers continued to board. Once seated, however, he was overwhelmed with the need to go back. As he approached, he saw an elderly lady who had just fallen and injured her arm. She had a small dog with her. Chuck asked the injured woman, Miss D, if he could call anyone to help. She said she had just moved and was on the way to meet her daughter, so there was no one local to call.
Without missing a beat, Chuck asked if Miss D would like him to stay with her. She cried in response and said she would love that. Chuck rode in the ambulance with her, cared for her dog, helped fill out all the appropriate paperwork, and called her daughter.
Chuck had heartfelt conversations with Miss D and remained at the hospital for almost eight hours during surgery and her initial recovery. He couldn’t help but think of his own mom there all alone and didn’t even think twice about his decision to stay.
The relationship they formed during such a trying time is one Chuck (and I’m sure Miss D) will never forget. The bond that was created by such a selfless act has carried through the last four weeks with updates via text, pictures, and videos. There is no doubt that they will see each other again and that the families will meet and have a very special, lasting relationship.
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LEGOLAND
Cobbled Streets made a dream come true for Trisha and her family by purchasing tickets for her seven foster children to visit LEGOLAND while on a recent trip to California. Trisha’s family participates in many group activities with Cobbled Streets. As a result, one of Trisha’s sons and a former foster son have built a strong relationship with each other, even though they no longer live together. This trip was especially meaningful for them. Trisha shared, “I am so thankful to everyone at Cobbled Streets for their continued support of my family’s needs and wishes. I don’t know where we’d be without you!”
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Hockey Dream Comes True
Ron is a 14-year-old teen in kinship care. He is in 8th grade and not particularly fond of school. He has always wanted to try hockey but has never had the chance. Cobbled Streets provided the necessary gear and a six-week session for Ron to try it. He was thrilled! Ron’s caregiver said, “Hockey is going great, and he loves it! He was quickly moved up to the highest level in the skills training class. He has now decided he would rather play hockey than football because he loves it so much. Also, my brother is now a role model for him. He is 45 and still plays hockey, so I’m hoping this is something life-long for Ron. Now, Ron wants to go to school! Thank you again! He couldn’t do this without the support of Cobbled Streets!”
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An Adoption Story
The following note is from two amazing foster parents who are part of the Cobbled Streets family:
I would like to take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation to Shari Shink, Kiara Galvan, and the wonderful staff at Cobbled Streets.
My husband and I have been fostering for 7 years. We learned of Cobbled Streets through a training at our foster agency, Parker Personal Home Care. If you are a foster family, then you know the struggle is real, and the support often unavailable in most counties, especially for extracurricular needs.
I reached out to Cobbled Streets for assistance with a sibling set of four foster children, who had been with us four years. We had planned a trip to Orlando for a family of seven. Discovery Cove was at the top of the list of our kids’ favorite places to visit, but this was not in our budget. Cobbled Streets purchased tickets for everyone to this amazing place, and even got each of our kids new swim attire! Then...when we finalized the adoption of these four siblings, an amazing, emotional and blessed day we waited over two years for...Cobbled Streets celebrated with us by providing tickets for Meow Wolf!
Words are not enough to express our gratitude and thanks for such a wonderful organization! Cobbled Streets’ care and compassion for foster children and foster families truly shows, and reflects in all they do. A special thank you to Kiara, for her hard work in assisting with my requests, her quick responses to all of my questions, and for the love and dedication she truly has for her work.
With love and gratitude,
Ken and Lori Aragon
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March Saturday Event with Foster Source
We host special Saturday Events in partnership with Foster Source about six times per year. At these events, foster, adoptive, and kinship families participate in trauma-informed education and come together as a supportive community, while their children have the opportunity to engage with Cobbled Streets in a morning full of new experiences and enriching activities.
At our last Saturday Event in March, families listened to the powerful speaker, Lori Poland, share her inspiring story of hope and resilience. In the next room, 18 children in foster and kinship care were thrilled and entertained by the activities Cobbled Streets had planned especially for them.
Children enjoyed an amazing magic show by a hilarious performer. They participated in an art activity creating elaborate treasure chests that they could take home with them. They even visited the Wishing Star Farm mobile petting zoo where they had the chance to pet goats, sheep, an alpaca, a donkey, and a pony! It was pure magic to witness the interactions between the children, the opportunity to have new buddies, and the connections with our volunteers. The overflowing joy as the children engaged in new experiences was palpable … the smiles and squeals of laughter unforgettable.
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We are happy to share our
2023 Impact Report!
This report includes inspiring data about our programs and
strategic plans for 2024.
You can access the report by clicking
on the button.
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Rita F. Pierson, Ed. D. of Houston, Texas, began her career as a professional educator in 1972 and taught for 40 years. She once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.’”
Watch Dr. Pierson's TED Talk Video, a rousing call to educators and child advocates to believe in children and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level.
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