Thirteen nonprofit organizations received a total of $100,000 in grants from the Western Colorado Community Foundation for projects that help youth address stress and anxiety through organized outdoor activities.  Projects range from mentoring young women through mountain bike skills training to helping homeless youth attend summer camp.
Notes Barb Chamberlin, grants selection committee chair, “Our young people are more stressed than ever – helping them access outdoor recreation to increase their confidence and resiliency was a major goal of this funding.  Once the COVID-19 hit and youth, along with everyone had to stay inside, we saw this funding as more important than ever.  Our committee was really pleased that so many of these organizations were able to adapt their programs to follow social distancing and help our youth get outside and active this summer.” See below for a full list of funded projects.
Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club – summer outdoor adventures
Canyons Association – youth education and recreation on public lands
Friends of Youth and Nature – outdoor recreation for at-risk youth
Hilltop Community Resources – recreation for residential youth services clients
Karis/The House – summer camp for homeless youth
Mesa County Partners – bike club for youth and mentors
Partners of Delta, Montrose Ouray – summer outdoor adventures
Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley – outdoor experiential learning
Summit 54 – outdoor learning and activities
The Buddy Program – Leadership through Exploration, Action and Discover (LEAD)
The Cycle Effect – mountain bike skills training and mentoring
The Nature Connection – expand river recreation for Delta County 9th graders
Voyager Youth Program – Adventure Wednesdays