Jelissa with Cresson Academy dancers

 ”Many of us,” she explained, “think you have to be a ‘dancer’ to dance.  But in other cultures, dancing is an everyday part of life.”  She looked around the room.  “Can you walk?” she asked.  Many of us nodded our heads in response.  “Dancing is just a form of highly decorated walking.” 

She lined everyone up and began a stretching warm-up, starting from our toes and working up to our heads.  By the end of the 45 minutes she had us leaping through the air, and turning across the room.  The final activity was a dance jam circle where individuals got to strut their stuff! 

Jack flies through the air with the greatest of ease

I will never think of dance in the same way again!  Now as I’m walking down the street I wonder, how would people respond if I did the little “step, step, leap hop” move that we learned.  Perhaps I will try it and let you all know!

A group of "highly decorated walkers" - Salida Circus Grand Finale

Susan Strauss teaches stories through movement

Youth In Action students in Buena Vista and Salida recently had the opportunity to both listen to and tell stories with Susan Strauss, storyteller extraordinaire from Bend, Oregon.  Her visit was a perfect transition into the Thanksgiving Holiday as she shared Native American stories of gratitude.  After listening to a story about coyote (and his “tracks, tracks, tracks . . .”), students practiced movements for a story of how Eagle stole the sun.  After learning the story through movement, middle school mentors told the story to families at our end-of-the-month “Parent Showcase.”

Susan’s visit also served as a culmination of our month of “building bridges.”  Each month in Youth In Action, we introduce a new story from Rasperries and Rhinos: Tolerance Tales for the Early Grades, a free curriculum offered by Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center.   The story chosen for November was “Old Joe and the Carpenter: An Appalachian Tale of Building Bridges.”  This story of farmers from the eastern U.S. taught us to be willing to find solutions to issues that may get in the way of our friendships.  Middle schoolers and pre-schoolers shared ideas like saying “thank you” or “I’m sorry” as ways to “build bridges” with each other.  Then they built more literally: matches built mini bridges out of wood, cardboard, and glue and worked together to form bridges/towers and do acrobatics with the Salida Circus.  Susan’s stories reminded us of the bridges built between Europeans and Native Americans in the early history of our country — the background behind our celebration of Thanksgiving.

During Susan’s week in Buena Vista and Salida, she also shared stories and a workshop with Nurturing Parenting families and taught two workshops for teachers, entitled “The Passionate Fact,” which were sponsored by Colorado Mountain College and the Buena Vista and Salida Libraries.  Susan’s visit was also made possible thanks to support from Lakeside Motel, Joyful Feet, and Farmhands Education.

Kayla reading to Junior

Kayla and Junior playing together

Orion reading to Avery

Orion and Avery knew they wanted to be matched from the first time they met.  Both had perfect attendance in October, and when Orion couldn’t come the first week of November, Avery really missed his buddy.  It’s clear these two have a strong connection.

Cool Dudes!

Alison and Whitney joined us at our October Group Activity on October 11th and enjoyed not only a burrito dinner and watching “The Princess Bride” at Starpoint but also taking lots of photos.  The photo above has the classic self-portrait look  . . . and indicates what fun Alison and Whitney are having together.

Alison Peticolas has been a mentor with us since the fall of 2005 and has been an amazing friend to Megan.  Thanks in part to Alison’s support, Megan took the courageous leap to spend a year abroad in Hungary.  Alison was re-matched with Whitney on September 25th and they hit it off from the beginning.  Both Whitney and Alison love dogs and they took a dog walking course from Karen Thorpe at the Ark Valley Humane Society.  They both mentioned how great the workshop was and how much they’re looking forward to going back to hang out and walk the dogs.  They also share a passion for reading and the outdoors and are excited about all the adventures their year together will bring. 

Thanks, Alison, for your continued support!

Alison and Whitney’s idea to take a workshop together on something they both enjoy is something all matches should consider.  Learning together creates a connection and a foundation from which to share a common interest.  Call Heather or me for more ideas on possible shared learning experiences - 719-395-7006 or 719-539-2630.

22 youth & mentors participated in SCR's Generational Relay last July. Absolute Bikes donated free bike rentals to our matches for the event.

A mentor recently emailed us saying, “Just wanted to give you a heads up that my mentee doesn’t have a bike so I had an old one . . . and it fits her. I took it to Absolute [Bikes] and they said it needed new tires and a chain, but they have a deal with the Mentor program and they would be able to fix it for her. What a great program.”  This opportunity is made possible because of the incredible support of Absolute Bikes and South Central Racing who care about making bicycling accessible for all kids in Chaffee County. 

Absolute Bikes not only offers bike repair for our youth - they also organize fun learning opportunities for youth and adults.  For instance, this Saturday, October 4th at 1pm, youth and mentors can participate for free in ”Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day” sponsored by Salida Mountain Trails with support from Absolute Bikes and in conjunction with the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). 

To attend Saturday, complete the Absolute Bikes Waiver and call Absolute Bikes at 539-9295 to pre-register (this helps them know how many volunteers they need and allows you to reserve your free use of a bike and helmet - they have a limited number).  Then, take the completed waiver, a water bottle, sunscreen, and a wind or rain jacket (if you have one) and meet at the parking lot behind Absolute and Bongo Billy’s Salida Cafe at 1:00 pm.  (The activity will be canceled if it is raining.) 

Volunteer Mary Ann Davidson says, “The plan is to ride mostly on paved trails, some on paved road, & some on dirt paths. The ride up Spiral Drive is optional.  We’ll divide into at least 3 groups so everyone can ride their own pace, walk anything that looks intimidating (we will go down the fairly steep hill from Cty Rd 160 to Franz Lake), or even take a short cut back that would skip the part around the lake.”  This is a great opportunity for matches!  However, if a mentor or parent can’t attend, kids can still go as long as they take the completed waiver.

As stated on their website, IMBA’s International Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day celebrates the life of Jack Doub, an avid teenage mountain biker from North Carolina who had a true passion for the sport from an early age but passed away in 2002. Funding is provided by the Jack Doub Memorial Endowment. The event takes place each year on the first Saturday in October.

Absolute Bikes also recently supported 4th graders (including several Chaffee County Mentors youth) by donating 91 nice bike helmets to Longfellow Elementary.  Five Absolute employees went to each of 4 classes for 90 minutes and taught the students how to wear a helmet, basic rules of the road, and safety.  After showing the kids how to fit the helmets they then offered a bicycle skills class including balancing around on a 2×4, coming to a mock intersection, and riding through a slalom of cones.  As our mentors know, wearing helmets is required for matches when riding together.  Absolute’s education around helmet use provides essential groundwork for supporting youth buy-in to such a critical safety practice. 

Throughout this year, our matches (and everyone in the community) will continue to have opportunities to build skills through the free bike clinics offered by Absolute.  Click here to see the schedule for these free workshops.  Mentors, perhaps you could plan a day around attending one of the free clinics and then going for a ride with your mentee. 

Chaffee County Mentors offers a HUGE THANK YOU to Absolute Bikes for their ongoing support of Chaffee County Mentors and this community through donations and special events.  For more information, visit Absolute Bike’s website.  Also check out IMBA’s Useful Tips for Taking Kids Cycling.

Trash in Bags, Not by the Creek

As I was walking my dog, Buddy, by the creek across from my house the other day, I decided to grab a couple of trash bags.  Although I normally grab a small trash bag to pick up Buddy’s waste, this time I was grabbing some larger bags.  The creekside was coated with trash, bottles, and cans, and I wanted to change that.  Within 15 minutes, we had gathered 2 full bags of trash and recycling (I say ‘we’ loosely — Buddy was mostly drinking from the creek as I picked up stuff).  I realized afterwards how satisfied I felt and how I would have liked to have shared that experience with a young person.  So, I’m encouraging matches to find ways to engage in service to our community - even if it’s 15 minutes helping your neighborhood. 

An article from The Tutor (Fall 2007) entitled “The Ripple Effect: When Mentors & Mentees Volunteer Together” (by Jennifer Goddard) states: “Volunteering together builds civic responsibility while helping youth to identify their skills,values, and important role helping address community needs. Serving the community together can deepen the mentoring relationship as the mentor and mentee connect with each other and the larger community, which also benefits in turn. Like the ripple effect created by dropping a pebble into a pond, pairing mentoring and service can amplify and extend the benefits.”  Click here to read more of The Ripple Effect-Fall07.

On Saturday, September 13th, 22 youth and volunteers joined us for a jaunt along Twin Lakes to the restored resort of Inter-Laken.  Our adventure began with a bus ride down the bumpy dirt road to the trailhead thanks to our heroine, Kay Blum, head of Salida Transportation.  (Kay later told us proudly that those driving their 4WD trucks down the road were astonished when they pulled into the parking lot and saw a school bus!) 

After a short snack outside the bus, we set off for Inter-Laken.  This resort from the late 1800’s (read more about it at this site) proved to be quite a treat, but not without the treasures of the walk out there.  The mountains were coated with a white from the storm the night before and the aspen leaves were displaying the first shades of yellow.  The sky was clear blue and the lake was shimmering in the sunlight . . . it was one of those perfect Colorado days. 

Andrew and Josh

I started in the back with Andrew Fahrney and his mentee, Josh.  We enjoyed a nice conversation, watched the ripples on the water,  and looked for fish in the lake (we saw a few).  During a stop I joined up with Steve Phillips and his mentee, Josh (a different Josh from Andrew’s mentee), where we spied an osprey on its nest.  Meanwhile, a nearby bird wouldn’t stop shouting its alarms.  Perhaps others could comment on this blog with other sightings and treasures of their walk to Inter-Laken. 

Randy, Ryan, Josh, & Steve

As Steve, Josh, and I started up again, Josh took off at a sprint and then stopped at the top of the hill for Steve.  Josh enjoyed regularly running ahead, each time stopping some distance ahead to wait for Steve.  It seemed we were at Inter-Laken in no time.  I was impressed by the structures.  Many of us enjoyed going to the highest level in the main building — for the view and the fun of going up and down those steep stairs.  We also played with the dogs of other hikers and played by the lake.  Somewhere in there, we ate lunch and hung out. 

Hiking Back to the Bus

We decided to return to the bus as a more cohesive group and offered different kids the opportunity to lead.  Those who took on the role did a great job; meanwhile others were put to task taking photos.  You’ll see some of those on this blog. 

Our time at Twin Lakes reminded me of the simplicity of mentoring.  You don’t need to spend any money.  Just go somewhere and experience it together.  Talk to each other.  Honor each other’s unique ways to experience a place without losing sight of the goal of spending time together  (like Steve and Josh).  Enjoy the journey and, if you get there, the destination.  Remember to try new things and new roles when you’re hanging out (like our hike back).  Photos are a great way to remember your time together, and cheap in this day of digital photography.  We have scrapbooks you can have if you want to make one together. 

Heather and I look forward to scheduling more time next year for hanging out at Inter-Laken, playing frisbee, and skipping rocks.  While we cover that side of the planning, perhaps one of you could schedule the perfect fall weather again for next year . . . thanks!  And thanks to all our volunteers and especially to our heroine, Kay Blum.

Thanks, Barbara & Bruce and all our volunteers!

Chelsea greeted everyone at our Welcome Table

All the Family & Youth Initiatives programs - Chaffee County Mentors, Youth In Action, Nurturing Parenting, YouthATCrossroads, and Family-to-Family Mentoring - came together Monday, August 18th for the first ever FYI Back-to-School BBQ Potluck and Baseball Game.  One hundred kids, parents, mentors, volunteers, supporters, and staff filled the Buena Vista Riverpark Pavilion for some yummy burgers and dogs cooked up by our fabulous grill volunteers - Shantel and Spencer.  Andrew and Rayelle came to the rescue half-way through the evening to get another grill when we discovered the two we had were cooking too slow!  Dinner was delicious thanks to the potluck items brought by families and volunteers.

After dinner, big kids played baseball while small kids enjoyed a tee-ball game headed up by Rob and Megan.  Cheers echoed from both fields as kids ran from base to base and racked in the score.  Some mentors went to bat for the first time in 20 years.  A great time was had by all! - Especially all the kids that dog-piled on top of Rob Readmond (Family-Family Manager).

A HUGE THANKS to all our volunteers and families for making this special event such a huge success!

Mark your calendars now for the next All-FYI Event - A FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY - to be held Saturday, November 1st from 7-10pm at the Salida Scout Hut in Riverside Park.  Invite your friends - this event is open to the community and is FREE!  The party will include a costume contest, old-time dance, circus show, and haunted house and is sponsored by Family & Youth Initiatives, Salida Recreation, Arkansas Valley Music and Dance, and The Salida Circus School.

Aug 08 Going Green 100 Aid Station Volunteers

 After a year and a half of envisioning a new website for Chaffee County Mentors, we are now UP AND RUNNING!  Thanks a million to Trey Beck for making this possible.  I met Trey exactly a year ago as we were both helping with South Central Racing’s Going Green 100 bicycle ride.  Check out http://southcentralracing.com/century/ to find out more about the ride.  Just a few weekends ago, the Going Green 100 was going on again and Whitney and I had a great time running the aid station.  Angie, Candice, Kirsten, Camille, & Jackie joined us during the day to also support the effort. 

We support the Going Green 100 because South Central Racing supports us.  Specifically, since last summer, SCR helped us get 3 bicycles to a family for Christmas, helped fund our annual group activity at Monarch Mountain, sponsored our annual FYI fundraiser, and organized the fun and inspiring Generational Bike Relay (held this July).  This year’s Generational Relay drew eleven matches who got the unique opportunity to race in a fun and supportive environment.

So, thanks to South Central Racing and thanks to Trey for all your support of Chaffee County Mentors!  We’re really excited about this new blog format of our website that will allow us to keep everyone more informed of our efforts for youth in this community!

Matt & Nish placed 2nd / Dave & Jesse placed 3rd at the 2008 Generational Relay