March 2019

YouthZone moves to new home

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Jennifer Herrera and Ashley Atencio

Rotarian President Ken Robinson

Chris Perry

Rotary Club members and YouthZone staff

Rotarian and City Council Member Jim Ingraham

Rotarians Debbie Onorofskie and Debbie Wilde

With help from Roaring Fork Furniture, Valley View Hospital and the Rotary Club of Glenwood Springs, YouthZone moved to their new location on 9 th and Blake. All of those helping hands allowed the staff to make a quick transition into the newly renovated Glenwood building on March 1. It is a blessing to live in such a generous and giving community that allows YouthZone to serve our communities' youth and their families. Join us in a Grand Opening celebration at our new location at 413 9th Street on April 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tour the new space, have a bite to eat with your neighbors and friends, enjoy the music, and join us for a short program about what this move means for YouthZone.

YouthZone’s Crossover Plan for CYDC praised by state board

The Colorado Youth Detention Continuum helps youth who have been charged with criminal offenses and are awaiting a sentence hearing in court. Airen Goodman joined YouthZone in August 2018 to be the CYDC District Coordinator for the Ninth Judicial District.

There are multiple statewide goals of the state CYDC initiative: Reduce the number of youths going to detention Reduce the length of stay in detention Reduce the incidence of youth failing to appear in court Reduce the number of re-offenses and commitments to the Colorado Division of Youth Services               Each district is granted flexibility to be creative to achieve the overall goals outlined by the legislation. “This is one aspect of my job that I love,” said Airen. “Everything that YouthZone offers to our CYDC clients is family-centered, strength-based and individualized to the specific needs of the family.” In February, CYDC coordinators presented its annual plan to the state's CYDC Advisory Board. This year's plan required a Crossover Youth Practice Model that is intended to improve the outcomes for youth involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice system.  When YouthZone’s plan was presented, Airen received praise for her innovative approach. Her plan capitalized on existing community resources to better service youth and had a higher probability of affecting change. One state board member said it was one of the best Crossover Plans she had seen. The plan was unanimously approved. Some of the required enhanced practices already occur in the Ninth Judicial District. As the CYDC provider, YouthZone provides juvenile case management and oversight in collaboration with other local service providers. The program includes electronic home monitoring, drug testing, individual and family counseling, psychological evaluations and treatment, parent education, substance use intervention and educational support. Additional, YouthZone restorative services include community service projects, substance use prevention, truancy intervention and life skills workshops.

Restorative Justice allows youth to learn and grow from mistakes

Karen Barbee, Restorative Justice Coordinator

Albert Einstein once said, “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded to the individual.”  When a child is born our dreams and hopes take wing. We begin paving a path of opportunity for this child to thrive and grow. When this child begins walking, we expect there will be tumbles and we help, encouraging and praising the effort despite the fall.  Until the day they fall in a different way. When our children fall because of their choices, ones that carry serious consequences, what do we do? What does the community do when a child falls by the choice to vape or steal? At YouthZone, the Restorative Justice process helps youth learn and grow from the mistakes they have made. The youth takes responsibility for what they did after they engage with the victim who tells them the impact of the action. They recognize how their choice also harmed themselves. It ends with a contract to mend the harm done. It is an opportunity to support healing for the victims and offer a path forward for the offending youth. The Restorative Justice process is anything but the easy way out of trouble. Rather than having an authority figure hand down a punishment, the youth must have the strength of self to admit and own the mistake made and then to have the courage and compassion to do something about it.  YouthZone has been offering Restorative Justice practices since 1993. In the last two years, the number of successful Restorative Justice Circles has more than doubled, going from 27 to over 80. These circles happen from Parachute to Aspen and are possible because of the support of the many people who volunteer their time, voice and skill by sitting in and facilitating circles. Please join us on April 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. for a Restorative Justice Celebration .  We will recognize the community members whose volunteer time has been immense and invaluable, share the current RJ program, celebrate its history and look towards the future, and have information for those who would like to volunteer.   For more information, call Karen Barbee or Ashley Atencio at 970-945-9300.

YouthZone Capital Campaign

Thanks to our generous donors who helped make our move possible! Roaring Fork Furniture for 50% on all our furniture: $10,000 value! Valley View Hospital for artwork, chairs and desks: $5,000 value!   Thank you to First Bank for sponsoring our Annual Report .

YouthZone's New Home Wish List Two 10-foot conference tables Outdoor furniture Projector and screen ADA compliant dishwasher Large white board $750 each to furnish 11 offices with desk, bookshelf and chair

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