New coordinators employed to serve both young and old

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efforts for seniors at the Aspen Mine Center. She’ll work on raising money for the Aspen Mine Senior Club’s rental of space at the center and also be available to help link seniors with the variety of programs offered through the center. Senior-specific programs at the Aspen Mine cover the gamut from the Senior Club’s social activities to the nutrition and transportation programs provided by the Teller Senior Coalition, a nonprofit organization that offers Golden Circle Meals both at the Aspen Mine and in Woodland Park.

Jody Turner’s position is another grant-based role. She’s seeking out needs and solutions for families with kids as a Promise Fellow, under the auspices of AmeriCorps, a federal program something like a domestic Peace Corps for needy areas within the United States.

The Community of Caring Foundation applied for and was granted the Promise Fellow position for the Victor area, where healthy recreation opportunities for children are not as plentiful as in Cripple Creek. The job, which started in January, runs for a year and could be renewable for a second year. Under the terms of the AmeriCorps agreement, the City of Victor and the Cripple Creek-Victor Gold Mining Co. each contributed $4,600 to fund a share of the project, with AmeriCorps providing the balance of the $13,000 grant.

Part of the task both women face is to build and strengthen the web of linkages necessary to make resources available to those who need them.

“I’m working to get various organizations to collaborate with one another — and then to make sure that people know what’s available,” Turner said.



As the coordinator for the Aspen Mine Center, I would like to take this opportunity to briefly share some information regarding the center, the importance of this project, and some factual data regarding the families we serve and the impact on our community.

The Aspen Mine Center is quite simply a “one-stop shop” for services, resources and programs for the residents of southern Teller County. The center is one of several projects of the Community of Caring Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It is my great pleasure, and indeed an honor, to be part of a project that really defines collaboration and partnership. At present, 27 agencies provide services out of the Aspen Mine Center: everything from a medical clinic to employment services, a senior center, food pantry, clothing distribution center, counseling services for alcohol and drug abuse, help for crisis pregnancy, domestic violence and mental wellness. The center also houses Teller County Departments of Social Services and Public Health. We are focusing a great deal on educational programs, and on providing families and residents here with the tools to make positive differences in their own lives, and to build a healthy community.

The residents who utilize the services here are asked to give back by volunteering their time here. Many of the janitorial and maintenance services are provided by volunteers, and by

                    

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