The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has awarded $67,550 through its Forward Together campaign to 18 nonprofit organizations across the state dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Colorado’s youth and encouraging positive relationships within their communities.
Research shows that connection is an important factor in protecting youth from numerous health challenges, including poor mental health and negative behaviors related to substance use, sexual health and violence. According to the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey conducted by CDPHE, youth who have a parent/guardian or other trusted adult they can talk with are less likely to use marijuana, vape or experience feelings of depression.
The grant recipients and their initiatives are:
- Asian Girls Ignite (Denver) will produce events that address the lack of safe spaces of belonging and representation for Asian American and Pacific Islander girls in grades 6-12.
- Birdseed Collective (Denver) will engage Globeville youth with a structural art project and a competition at the Globeville Center or Alto Gallery.
- Colorado Young Leaders (Denver) will engage almost 250 youth, their families, and nonprofit partners in youth-led projects addressing high-priority issues, including teen mental health, climate change, animal welfare, healthy relationships, and connecting youth with veterans.
- The Hive DGO (Durango) provides a space for youth and community members to develop and discover their true selves by providing passion-based exploration through creative expression, mentorship and leadership opportunities. The grant will help fund facility costs and mentor staff.
- Inside Out Youth Services (Colorado Springs) will serve LGBTQ+ youth by launching a youth-run calendar that promotes connection opportunities in the community with an emphasis on inclusive, sober spaces.
- The Road Called STRATE (Aurora) will provide an opportunity for young men of color who have been affected by the justice system to go on a camping trip in the Colorado mountains with adult mentors.
- The Queens Legacy Foundation (Fort Collins) will fund its Black Leaders and Community Council youth for restoring, painting and designing the “Bus Shop” school bus to deliver food and services and transport youth to school or for weekend outings.
- Rural Communities Resource Center (Yuma) will empower the organization’s youth group for Latina high school girls to plan youth events in their community.
- Montezuma Youth Alliance (Mancos) will support youth in designing, researching, buying equipment, marketing, recording, editing and releasing a podcast.
The following organizations are receiving smaller promotional grants to fund partnerships with Forward Together that will allow them to share campaign information and resources within their communities:
• Elevate Youth (Teller County)
• Friends for Youth (Littleton)
• Full Circle of Lake County (Leadville)
• Gunnison Hinsdale Youth Services (Gunnison)
• The Matthew’s House (Fort Collins)
• Muslim Youth for Positive Impact (Broomfield)
• Queen Shipp (Denver)
• Riverside Educational Center (Mesa County)
• Spirit of the Sun (Denver)
• Studio Colombia (Denver)
Forward Together selected the grantees through a state-wide search that invited 100 nonprofit organizations across Colorado to apply. Since 2021, Forward Together has awarded $276,700 in grants to 40 nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
About Forward Together: Working in partnership with Colorado teens, parents and community groups, Forward Together provides actionable information and resources to help adults better connect with youth and to help teens develop healthy relationships with their peers. Learn more at forwardtogetherco.com.
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
