Staff

MENTORING STAFF

Eleanor running Youth In Action

Eleanor Fahrney

Chaffee County Mentors Program Manager

Eleanor feels fortunate to have been involved with this program since 2004 when she became a mentor to a teenage girl in Buena Vista. She and her mentee expanded each other’s comfort zones (Eleanor took her climbing; her mentee showed her horror movies), and they developed a friendship that will last a lifetime. Meanwhile, Eleanor’s involvement with Chaffee County Mentors evolved from a part-time job running Youth in Action to full-time work as the Program Coordinator to Eleanor’s current position in January 2007. Eleanor loves her work and the opportunities it provides to learn about and contribute to this community. Her background includes a BS in geology, graduate work in education, serving as the assistant director of the 100 Elk Outdoor Center in Buena Vista, and substitute teaching. When Eleanor’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Andrew, adventuring outdoors, and dancing & playing music.

Email Eleanor or call 719-395-7006

Heather Barron

Chaffee County Mentors Program Coordinator

Heather started as our Program Coordinator in August 2008. She has over 15 years of experience in youth and adult development and program administraton, and is excited to return home to Chaffee County after traveling the last five years. Her background includes leading youth and training staff at Adventure Unlimited Ranches; developing a community center in Truckee, CA; facilitating a variety of workshops throughout the country with an underlying purpose of community building; starting her own business as an Integral Life Coach; and serving in numerous volunter positions with diverse youth of all ages. Last winter she enjoyed a short stint in Salida working at the Boys & Girls Club and The Crest Academy. Most recently, Heather was a Scholarship Advisor with Outward Bound in Golden, CO.

Email Heather or call 719-539-2630

Arden Trewartha

Family and Youth Initiatives Supervisor

As the supervisor for Family & Youth Initiatives, Arden writes the grants that fund Chaffee County Mentors and tries to keep up with Chaffee County Mentors staff Eleanor and Heather. She also supports oversight and funding for Family-to-Family Mentoring and Mentors+. Arden got her start over ten years ago in Leadville, Colorado, where she worked in child welfare and then ran Full Circle’s mentoring program. After braving Leadville winters she moved to the “banana belt” where she’s been living happily ever since with her husband, Read, and their cat, Buenie. Arden and Read spend part of their time in Salida and part of their time north of Buena Vista in an “off the grid” dirt home Read built. Arden would love to hear from you about your views of or suggestions for Chaffee County Mentors, Mentors+, or any of the Family & Youth Initiatives programs. She welcomes you to call, e-mail or stop by the FYI office (at 124 East 2nd Street in Salida) any time.

Email Arden or call 719-539-9193

Menessah Nelson, MA, LPC

Mentors Plus Program Manager & DHS Intensive Family Therapist

Menessah has been with Chaffee County Department of Health and Human Services since August 2006 as their Intensive Family and Youth Therapist. Through her work with adolescents, she sought an alternative to traditional therapy for promoting change with older youth and initiated Mentors Plus in the spring of 2008 to meet that need. Menessah has worked with children and adolescents for a combination of 11 years from a camp counselor to a family therapist. Her background includes a BS in Graphic Design and Psychology and an MA in Counseling Psychology, Art Therapy. She very much enjoys working with youth while using art and has currently founded the Art for Youth Program of the Arkansas Valley Art Center in Buena Vista, CO. While Menessah loves the views and life of Colorado, her true love is her family back in Indiana. So in her spare time, she travels to see them. When Menessah’s not traveling or working/volunteering, she loves roaming throughout Colorado, playing with her animals, taking up offers on a pick up game of soccer, and making art.