Montrose Press | September 5 | full story
photo caption: Amber Martin has been appointed as the first Resiliency Ranger, tasked with leading mental health programs outdoors. (Courtesy photo/Colorado National Monument Association)
The Colorado National Monument Association (CNMA) proudly announces support from the Western Colorado Community Foundation and the Dave and Mary Wood Fund, providing a significant boost to the National Park Service’s Resiliency Ranger program.
This support, totaling $10,000, is pivotal for launching an initiative focused on improving mental health and resilience for at-risk Veterans and youth in the Grand Valley.
With Mesa County facing suicide rates above both state and national averages, this mental health intervention is timely and crucial. The Resiliency Ranger program will deliver resilience and mindfulness-focused educational programming through partnerships with Suicide Prevention Mesa County (SPMC), the Veterans Administration (VA), the Vet Center, and Colorado Mesa University (CMU).
Launched in late April with an internship through the Mesa County Workforce Center, this program is now able to continue due to the backing from the Western Colorado Community Foundation and the Dave and Mary Wood Fund.
Amber Martin has been appointed as the first Resiliency Ranger, tasked with leading mental health programs outdoors.
Her work will focus on Veterans, Latino and LGBTQ students, and other underserved groups. Martin’s responsibilities include organizing Veteran outreach events, leading resilience hikes, and collaborating with CMU and the Vet Center to offer targeted programming for at-risk Veterans and young adults.
The program plans to reach 1,000 underserved Veterans and youth through a blend of interpretive programming based on scientific research. Regular feedback will be gathered to adapt the program according to community needs.
This initiative reflects CNMA and the Colorado National Monument’s commitment to fostering community well-being. While it cannot prevent every mental health crisis, the program is a proactive effort to uplift and empower the community through resilience-building activities. The long-term goal is to sustain the program through ongoing funding and support.
For more information on upcoming programs or how to support this initiative, please contact Johanna van Waveren at johannavwaveren@coloradonma.org.
