eagle river youth coalition

2015
annual
report
Making Youth A Community Priority

WHO WE ARE

STAFF
executive director

Michelle Stecher
program director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
president

James Wilkins - Business

vice president

Kristi Grems - Health Care

treasurer

Thomas Pohl - Legal

secretary

Jennifer Coulson - Media

members

Edgar Arroyo - Parent

Andrej Birjulin - Civic/Volunteer
Ryan Collins - Youth
Sara Coulter - Youth
Daric Harvey - Law Enforcement
Elise Holstrom - Religious
Catherine Jarnot - Youth Serving
Anabel Johnson - Youth
Mike Kowalski - Business
Jeanne McQueeney - Government
Jason Platt - Religous
Philip Qualman - School
Franklin Reilly - Youth
Toni Rozanski - Government
Robert Ticer - Law Enforcement
Korrine Winstead - Substance Abuse

Jason Peck
manager of strategic impact

Mikayla Curtis
community engagement coordinator

Carol Johnson
integreat ! strategic director

Sara Amberg
MEMBER AGENCIES
Alpine Arts Center
Avon Police Department
Bright Future Foundation
Colorado Mountain College Upward Bound
Colorado Skateboards
Colorado State University Extension
Eagle County
Eagle County Prevention Committee
Eagle County Schools
Eagle County Sheriffs Office
Eagle Valley Library District
Early Childhood Partners
First Bank
Girl Scouts of Eagle County
Jennifer Coulson
Mind Springs Health
Red Ribbon Project
Speak Up Reach Out
Vail Valley Salvation Army
Walking Mountains Science Center
YouthPower365

from left to right: Sara Amberg, Mikayla Curtis, Jason Peck,Michelle Stecher, Carol Johnson

LETTER
Greetings Friends, Members and Supporters,
The Eagle River Youth Coalition is honored to serve the unique role of
convening local champions around positive change for local youth. We
appreciate collaborating with diverse partners to assess prevention needs in
our community and build capacity through strategic plans, programs, and
policies around the issues facing young people.
ERYC coordinated the
most comprehensive
local youth behavioral
assessment in Eagle
County history

ERYC substantially grew youth

education and leadership initiatives
through in-school substance use
prevention partnerships and the
Youth Leaders Council

ERYC
became the
backbone
agency for
InteGreat!

ERYC Board Members and Staff enjoy an annual retreat at 4 Eagle Ranch

None of our accomplishments would be possible without the tremendous

contributions of our incredible staff, partners, donors, volunteers and
members. We thank each of you for your commitment and passion as we
continue to serve as a leader in collaborative youth development in 2016.
Respectfully,

James Wilkins
Board President
eagle river youth coalition

Michelle Hartel Stecher

Executive Director
eagle river youth coalition

VISION
Strengthen community
collaboration to enable
youth to reach their full
potential.

MISSION
Collaborate with Eagle
River youth-serving
organizations to assess
prevention needs,
coordinate substance
abuse reduction efforts,
and build capacity
through strategic plans,
programs and policies
around the issues facing
young people.

PRIORITIES
Utilize collaboration,
outreach, and prevention
programs and services to
tackle three main areas
that affect the development
of youth including:
substance use disorder
prevention
wellness and mental
health promotion
academic
achievement

SUPPORT AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
The Eagle River Youth Coalition strives to cultivate relationships
with supporters who share our passion for making youth a
community priority. We appreciate your belief in our
organization and your ongoing support!
Government Grants

80.7%

$347,825

7.7%

Foundation Grants

$32,999

6.6%
5%

Earned Income &

Membership

$28,641

Special Events

$21,508

2015 REVENUE: $430,973 TOTAL

$137,912 of in-kind services
and products confirm tremendous
community support in 2015

Thank you for your great

work! We appreciate
all you do your efforts
support our community
in powerful ways.

Eagle River Youth Coalition is a

wonderful organization that was
formed to meet the unique needs
of our community. They understand
that the youth of today will be
tomorrows leaders. I am happy
to continue to support ERYC.

Pathfinder Donor

Advocate Donor

GET INVOLVED
ERYC is a coalition of youth serving member organizations. We work across the community
to build each agencys capacity and opportunity for improving the lives of youth.

become a
member
share
your time
donate
services or
goods
contribute
financially

EAGLEYOUTH.ORG

FACEBOOK.COM/EAGLEYOUTH

Together we can inspire young people to reach their full potential

Red Ribbon Project has worked

closely with Eagle River
Coalition for fifteen years.
ERYC goes out of their way to
support efforts to improve the
lives of youth in our community.
Anyone fortunate enough to
have contact with ERYC will
experience their knowledge,
creativity and resourcefulness
all of which are limitless.
DENISE KIPP
Red Ribbon Project Director

Colorado State University Extension

has been involved in the Eagle River
Youth Coalition since its inception.
ERYC collaborates with youth serving
agencies to leverage resources
for the community. Because ERYC
mobilizes agencies to work together
towards a common goal, we are
all successful in promoting positive
youth development.
GLENDA WENTWORTH
County Extension Director, Family
& Consumer Science Extension Agent,
Colorado State University Extension

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES,
GROWING FUTURES
InteGreat! is a community coalition of people and organizations in Eagle County. We
are collaborating with neighborhood leaders, parents, students and teachers to create
a community system that effectively supports health and learning for all children and
youth. Collectively, we are challenging the vast disparities in our community by inviting
youth and families to join in our fight to overcome them.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES GROWING FUTURES

GOAL:

To reduce
disparities in our
community that
mirror and often
perpetuate the
achievement gaps
for our children
and youth.

2015 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

70

33
agencies

partners
engaged

involved

102

700
children

youth, parents and

business leaders
volunteered

fed

7,700
meals
served

OUR ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES:

The establishment
of effective, efficient
collaborations that
serve as a model for
our community, our
children, and our peers

An ongoing
elimination of
community-identified
obstacles that hinder
the well-being of our
children and youth

An increase
of diversity
and inclusion
in community
leadership

HEALTHY KIDS
COLORADO SURVEY

(real students. real data. real impact.)

2146
students

7th-12th
grades

Every middle and

high school in the

EAGLE RIVER VALLEY

Next survey

2017

Survey outcomes are utilized to:

Identify and prioritize
youth and family programs
and service needs

Promote comprehensive
prevention and intervention
collaborations

Support funding
requests and
inform policies

For complete survey results please visit EagleYouth.org

2015 LOCAL HEALTHY KIDS COLORADO SURVEY OUTCOMES INCLUDE:

Marijuana
36% of local high school youth have tried marijuana
19% of local high school youth currently use marijuana
71% of local high school youth think it is wrong or very
wrong for someone their age to use marijuana

Alcohol
61% of local high school youth have drunk alcohol
34% of local high school youth currently drink alcohol
20% of local high school youth binge drink (5 or more
drinks in a row)

Driving
18% of local high school youth have high school youth rode
in a car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol
20% of local high school youth have driven in a car driven
by someone who had been using marijuana

Academics and
Future Aspirations

97%

of local middle
school youth think
it is important to
go to college

Sports/Activities

69%

of local middle
school youth play
on at least one
sports team

NETWORKING,
TRAINING & EVENTS
Eagle River Youth Coalition coordinates professional development opportunities from
renowned trainers on topics relevant to local needs. Hosting free community building,
resource referral and prevention education events builds capacity and networking
opportunities for organizations to collaborate on programming to ensure the most
effective and efficient services are being delivered to Eagle County youth and families.
These events help bring valuable information to families to connect them to programs and
services, and also offer alternative activities that promote healthy behaviors.

2015 EVENTS:

2015 TRAININGS:

April: Get Out and Live Drug-free

party at WECMRD Field House
in Edwards

March: Youth Engagement

with OMNI Institute

April: Safe Driving Fair at Battle

Mountain High School
May: Family Jam & Plan at Brush
Creek Park and Pavilion in Eagle

April: Strategic, Tactical

Social Media with Blizzard Press
August: Crucial Conversations
with Colorado Mountain College

October: Valley Tastings: Food for

Youth at Donovan Pavilion in Vail

October: Bridges Out of

Poverty with Eagle County
Economic Services

October: Village Market

Pumpkinfest at Riverwalk in Edwards

December: Mental Health First

Aid with Mind Springs Health

In 2015, the Eagle River Youth Coalition broadened

its impact, reaching over 4,100 youth and families.
"I enjoyed the workshop very much!"
RANDI LOWENTHAL, Mountain Valley Development Services

YOUTH LEADERS COUNCIL

Established in 2006, the Youth Leaders Council (YLC) provides an opportunity for youth
to cultivate community change. Students serve an advisory role for various community
initiatives while gaining leadership skills and completing service learning projects.
In 2015, YLC had its largest representation with 40 students from all Eagle County High
Schools (public and private). Students foster rapport and team building skills through
an annual retreat and monthly engagements.

Through my time in YLC, I learned that community service unites

people from all backgrounds to achieve a common goal and builds
camaraderie, all while teaching compassion and understanding.
RUBY BLACK,
Vail Valley Ski and Snowboard Academy Student and Youth Leaders Council Member

2015 YLC ADVISORY ROLES HAVE INCLUDED:

Safe driving
initiatives, in
partnership with
local health care
providers and law
enforcement

Student bus route

accessibility for
higher education
and increased
recreational bike
trail construction

Philanthropic efforts
available to Eagle
County youth, in
collaboration with
local foundation,
Epic Promise

We learn the importance of not only giving back

to our communities, but how working together
with other organizations can be more impactful.
JAYCEY BEARD, Eagle Valley High School Student, YLC member,
Devils Against Destructive Decisions (DADD) member and winner
of 2015 Youth Summiteer Award

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Higher education
affordability and
accessibility,
in partnership
with Colorado
Mountain College

YOUTH LEADERS COUNCIL

2015 YOUTH LEADERS COUNCIL STUDENTS REPORTED THE FOLLOWING:

They are willing

to make a difference
in their community

They have an
appreciation of
other cultures

They will volunteer to

do something with kids
(tutoring/coaching/mentoring)

I joined YLC with the goal of giving the youth

a voice and listening to the opinions of others
within my community.
RYAN COLLINS, Vail Valley Ski and Snowboard Academy
Student ,Youth Leaders Council Member and ERYC board member

I joined YLC because it was a great opportunity

to connect with other youth leaders around the
valley and to voice my opinions about how we
can make our community a better place.
TESS JOHNSON, Vail Valley Ski and Snowboard Academy
Student and Youth Leaders Council Member

I place an enormous value on the importance of being a leader for

the next generation. When community leaders are involved in guiding
local youth, it will resultin a new generation of community leaders.
Proper leadership skills, and virtuous community mentors that practice
and apply those skills, are whatmake communities like ours great."
SYLVAN ELLEFSON, Vice President of Sales of Cirque Mountain
Apparel, and former member of the US Nordic Ski Team

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PARENT EDUCATION
from left to right: Ellen Clark,

Eagle County Schools

Counselor, Carrie Benway,
Development Director at
YouthPower 365 and Molly
Brown, Assistant Principal at
Eagle County Charter Academy.

I am honored to be a
part of the Eat Chat Parent
series and share my
perspectives and experiences
with parents that positions kids
to succeed in our community
CARRIE BENWAY
YouthPower 365 Development
Director and mother of two
teenage daughters

In 2015, ERYC provided six Eat Chat Parent sessions

to community members with topics including:

JANUARY

Healthy Relationships & Teenage Dating

FEBRUARY

Substance Abuse & The Effects

on the Developing Brain

MARCH

The Distracted Teen: Technology

& Social Networking

SEPTEMBER

Parenting: Establishing
a Successful School Year

OCTOBER

Technology and Your Child:

Understanding Phone & Tablet Apps

NOVEMBER

Defining Mindfulness & Reducing Stress

"The Eat Chat Parent series is

absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much
for offering it to Eagle County parents."

"Very comfortable setting

and the open discussion
was terrific. Thank you!"

Eat Chat Parent Participant

Eat Chat Parent Participant

100%

of parents feel
more comfortable
communicating
with their child
about bullying

94%

of parents feel
more confident
discussing
sensitive topics
with their youth

86%

of parents reported
that they can identify
3 community resources
to support healthy
relationships

92%

of parents reported an
increase of knowledge
and understanding on
youth depression and
stress reduction

ACTIVE PARENTING OF TEENS COURSE

A six-session parenting course that improves family
communication and relationships.

"This class is great! I learned to emphasize

the positive and to calm down before
addressing situations. The Active Parenting
class helped me learn a new way to parent
and how to approach tough conversations."
TANIA TERRAZAS, Gypsum mother of 5 boys

12

25

parents

50%

scholarships
Evidence
based
instruction

SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDER PREVENTION
The Eagle River Youth Coalitions efforts surrounding substance use disorders
incorporate prevention, intervention and enforcement measures in the community.
ERYC encourages community mobilization to address behaviors and attitudes around
substance use norms, critical in spearheading larger community change.

School based prevention education

programs reach over 500 middle and
high school youth annually

Media campaigns remind community

members of the importance of sober
driving and modeling positive behaviors

Educational forums and trainings

initiate a community dialogue on
current needs

Project Sticker Shock brings youth and

retail partners together to prevent youth
access to alcohol

Red Ribbon Week education activities

at 4 elementary schools in collaboration
with Town of Avon Police, Town of Vail
Police and Eagle County Sheriffs Office

Policy change initiatives encourage

community-wide awareness
Enforcement initiatives are conducted in
partnership with local law enforcement

PREVENTION EDUCATION STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:

It helps you know what to do in specific situations.
It teaches us what
is bad for us.

It helped me
understand things better.

I think
differently
about
drugs.

Makes me think how bad drugs are.

It was fun to do.

It helped me
think more
about life.

I used to think that drugs like marijuana are not bad but I learned
that they are so now I can stay away from them.

SOBER & SAFE

DRIVING INITIATIVES
10 strategic media campaigns that appeared in newspaper, radio, print and variable
message boards coordinated in collaboration with CDOT
450 high school students reached through Safe Driving Fair coordinated in
collaboration with Eagle County Prevention Committee

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SUPPORT AND
CONTRIBUTIONS
government partners
Colorado Department of Health Care
Policy & Finance
Colorado Department of Transportation
Colorado Office of Behavioral Health
Eagle County Government
Office of the District Attorney
Fifth Judicial District
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, Drug Free Communities
Town of Avon
Town of Gypsum
Town of Vail

business donors
Active Energies
Alpine Bank
Cascade Village Theatre
Central Rockies Mortgage Corp.
Climax Molybdenum/
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
Cohen Construction
East West Resorts
FirstBank
Kaiser Permanente
Marchetti & Weaver, LLC
Mind Springs Health
Pohl & Pohl, P.C.
RA Nelson LLC
Slifer Smith & Frampton Foundation
Sugar Bar
U.S. Bank Foundation
Vail Mountain School
Vail Resorts Epic Promise
Village Market

pathfinders

Anschutz Family Foundation

Duncan Charitable Trust
The Colorado Trust
United Way of Eagle River Valley
Vail Valley Cares

inner circle ($500+)

Travis Bossow
Sara Fahrney
Susan and Hary Frampton
Fred Hartel
Laurie Iverson
Eileen and Mark Kleiman
Toni and Steve Rozanski
Glenda and Marc Wentworth

visionaries ( $200+)
Sandi and Larry Agneberg
Kathy Chandler-Henry
The Cole Family
Jennifer Coulson
Markian Feduschak
Daric Harvey
Tessa and Steve Kirchner
Kimberly Koller
Jeanne McQueeney
Mike Schranz
Michelle and Ryan Stecher
Josiah Sutton
Olga and James Wilkins

(100+)

Lindsey and Onie Bolduc

Lori Brown
Patricia and Rex Brown
Jeff Chizmadia
Kim and Bill Cox
Candace and Eric Eves
Amanda Gonzalez
Linda Hall
Elizabeth and Michael Hartel
Shelly and Chris Jarnot

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grants & foundation

support

Katie Jarnot
Carol and TJ Johnson
Michael Kowalski
Corey Lamothe
Trudy and Robert Matarese
Ellen Moritz
Jean Naumann
Leah O'Brien
Beth Pantzer
Phil Qualman

Narda Reigel
Beth Reilly
BJ and Garrett Smith
Kerri and Jeremy Thelen
Bob Ticer
Sandy VanDevent
Jake Wolf
Kathleen and Tom Zurcher

advocates
(UP TO $100)

Alecz Adams
Stan and Julie Anderson
Edgar Arroyo
Anna Assenmacher
Brenda Baden
Felicia and Robert Battle
Debra Beard
Carrie Benway
Andrej Birjulin
Pam Brandmeyer
Laurel Broy
Sara Charles
Lauren Ciarallo
Bonnie Collard
Cheri Curtis
Stan Eaton
Seth Ehlrich
Karen Eyrich
Sara Fisher
Tanya Fried
Megan Gilman

in-kind support
4-Eagle Ranch
A Secret Garden
Alpine Arts Center
Alpine Party Rentals
Always Mountain Time
Avon Liquor
Avon Police Department
Avon Recreation Center
Back Bowl
Bangl'z Salon
Batter Cupcakes
Battle Mountain High School
Bear Cat Stables
Beehive Technology
Bishop Orthodontics
Blitz Boutique
Blue Moose
Bonfire Brewing
The Bookworm
Breckenridge Distillery
Caf Milano
Camp Deep End
Carly Arnold Creative
Catholic Charities
Cirque Mountain Apparel
Colorado Mountain College
Cordillera
Cosbar
Crazy Mountain Brewery
CSU Extension
Devils Against Destructive
Decisions, EVHS
Doctors Plus, Kids Care Clinic
Double Diamond
Eagle County Charter Academy
Eagle County Detention Facility
Eagle County Government
Eagle County Paramedic Services
Eagle County Public Health
Eagle County Schools
Eagle County Sheriff's Office
Eagle Family Dentistry

Dr. Jason Glass

Kristi Grems
Corina Guardado
Richard Gutfreund
Richard Gyde
Dwight Henninger
Alan Himelfarb
Jack Hunn
Anabel Johnson
Early Childhood Partners
Denise Kipp
Jennifer Kirkland
Mara Kleinschmidt
Carol Krueger
Tina Licciardi
Meighen Lovelace
Katlin Lowe
Susan Marquez-Ledezma
Debi Martinez-Brun
Megan McDonald
Valerie Mesch
Katharina Mittringer
Tom Moorhead
Andrea Morales
Marka Moser

Regina O'Brien
Cissy Olson
Rob Oswald
Richard Patriacca
Jason Peck
Alicia Pimbramsky
Jason Platt
Tom and Lori Pohl
Mercedes Quesada-Embid
Wendy Rimel
Lynne Rossman
Electra Shea
Jennifer Shreeve
Nate Free and Lisa Siegert-Free
Norman Smith Jr
Dawn Stewart-Sheaffer
Matt Teeters
Sue Terbush
Deb Travers
Tracy Tutag
Jennie Wahrer
Alison Whalen
Vali and Willy Wilcox
Korrine Winstead
Meredith Zafian

Eagle Police Department

Eagle Valley Library District
Eagle Valley Middle School
Education Foundation of
Eagle County
EPS Design & Print
Family Learning Center
Fiesta's Caf & Cantina
Girl Scouts
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park
Golden Bear
Gore Range Brewery
Grand Ave Grill
Green Elephant Juicery
Gypsum Creek Golf Course
High Country Culinary Concepts
High Country Kombucha
Home Depot
Hotel Minturn
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
JB T-Shirts
Jen Winkeller Photography
JointWorx Physical Therapy
Kids Cottage
Kitchen Collage of Vail Valley
Kiwi International Delights & Coffee
Krimson Klover
KZYR Radio
Lacy's
Larkburger
LeeAnna Salazar - Goodesign
Local Joes Pizza
Magic Fun Castles
Main St. Grill
Mangiare Italian Food Market
Marble Slab Creamery
Matsuhisa
McMahan & Associates
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Moe's BBQ
Mountain Valley Horse Rescue
Nancy Cole Photography
Northside Kitchen
Old Gypsum Printing

Ooh la la
Pam Peterson Photography
Patagonia Store, Beaver Creek
Pepi's Restaurant & Bar
Ptarmigan Sports
Pure Barre
Red Ribbon Project
Ristorante Ti Amo
Riverwalk at Edwards
Rocky Mountain RETAC
Shawn Marie Fleishon
Sitzmark Lodge
Skipper & Scout
Slifer Designs
Small Champions
Sonnenalp Foundation
SOS Outreach
Stoneyard Distillery
Survive!
Sweet Dream Accounting
Tennessee Pass Cookhouse
The Literacy Project
The Lodge at Vail
The Mile
Think First
TV8
University of Colorado, Denver
Vail Daily
Vail Police Explorers
Vail Style
Vail Valley Foundation
Vail Valley Interpreters
Vail Valley Medical Center
Vail Valley Salvation Army
Vail Vision
Valbruna
Valley Girl
WECMRD
Western Slope Laundry
Wishes Toy Store
Yama Sushi
Yoga Off Brodway
Zip Adventures of Vail

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October 6, 2016 at Donovan Pavilion

Tickets are available at eagleyouth.org/valleytastings

people to reach

their full potential.

eagleyouth.org

YOUR VOICE.
YOUR CHOICE.

Food For Youth special event on

inspire young

Eagle River Youth Coalition

P.O. Box 4613
Edwards, CO 81632

Save the Date for our Annual Valley Tastings:

Together we can

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