Community partners are imperative to the success of We Are Chaffee.
Partners are community-based organizations, nonprofits, cultural institutions and others that have strong relationships within the community who agree to work together in a safe manner to create a more resilient community through the power of storytelling and community conversations. Partners positively impact social determinants of Health in Chaffee County through their work in healthcare, housing, environment, education, the economy and other community efforts.
All partners pledge to communicate openly and collaboratively while showing curiosity and respect for all voices represented in We Are Chaffee. We agree that our engagement will strive to create a deeper and more resilient community.
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For more information about becoming a We Are Chaffee Partner - click here.
Learn more about our community partners.
Achieve, Inc.
Achieve, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to provide social and cognitive skills training, job training and employment for teens and young adults with learning disabilities. There is a severe lack of job opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities in rural Colorado so it is extremely difficult for this population to gain experience and acquire meaningful employment that will allow them to live independently. Achieve helps remedy this deficit by providing job coaching and paid employment opportunities in an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.
Jennifer Davis
719-395-4006
Alliance
The Alliance empowers individuals beyond domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, education, and social change.
Shelley Schreiner - Executive Director
719-539-7347
Ark Valley Helping Hands
Ark Valley Helping Hands is a neighbor-to-neighbor, non-profit, volunteer-based organization right here in Chaffee County! We support the elders in our community in remaining in their homes and remaining an integrated part of our communities.
Sara Ward - Program Coordinator
719-530-1198
Ark Valley Recovery
AVR is a peer recovery coach network helping people overcome addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Our mission is: "To walk side by side with the Recoveree from crisis to achievement by providing support to those seeking to sustain permanent recovery from Substance Use Disorder."
Mike Orill
719-221-5418
BETCH
Our vision is for people of the community to be able to find housing at an affordable price and to assist people in navigating through the challenges and problems of renting in this community.
Salty Riggs
Buena Vista Public Library
The Buena Vista Public Library connects people to information and ideas to assure the best quality of life and to promote lifelong learning for our community. The Library is a welcoming gateway, both physically and virtually, for accessing information and sharing diverse ideas. We foster community, literacy and cultural growth for all guests.
Cecilia LaFrance
719-395-8500
Central Colorado Conservancy
The Central Colorado Conservancy is an accredited land trust dedicated to protecting the lands, waters and quality of life of Central Colorado as our communities face pressure and rapid growth. Through conservation easements, restoration projects and volunteer opportunities, we protect over 5,000 acres of land in this area in perpetuity. To make this happen, we collaborate with private land owners, other nonprofits, community members, public lands entities, local governments and many other stakeholders in our landscape.
Jes Walton
Central Colorado Showing Up for Racial Justice
The mission of CCSURJ is to recognize our inherent role in white supremacy, dismantle systems of oppression, and build anti-racist communities in Central Colorado. CCSURJ is an affiliated chapter of Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) that represents the Central Mountain region of Colorado - from Buena Vista to Salida, and south through the San Luis Valley to Alamosa.
Megan Lombardo
Chaffee County Community Foundation
The CCCF exists to elevate the power of philanthropy in achieving the common good in Chaffee County. We build the capacity of community members, local nonprofits, businesses, and governments by acting as a catalyst, convener, and thought partner.
Betsy Dittenber - Executive Director
(719) 204-5071 office
Chaffee County Family and Youth Initiatives - FYI
The Family and Youth Initiatives (FYI) is the prevention division within Chaffee County Department of Human Services, with a focus on providing evidence-based prevention resources for children, youth, and families in Chaffee County. FYI’s programs promote health and reduce risk to build a strong community.
(719)530-2583
Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity
Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity works to make sure everyone in Chaffee County has a safe, decent and affordable place to live. We operate as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and focus on this community specifically to best serve the citizens of Chaffee County.
Jill Smola-Nall - Executive Director
719-395-0482
Chaffee Housing Authority
The Chaffee Housing Authority (CHA) is an independent public organization, formed in October 2020 through a joint agreement between Chaffee County, the City of Salida, and the Town of Buena Vista. The CHA’s work focuses solely on increasing access to affordable housing across the county.
Ashley Kappel - Executive Director
719-530-2590
Chaffee County Public Health
Chaffee County Public Health strives to elevate community health through immunization against communicable disease, health promotion, health protection, and emergency preparedness.
Andrea Carlstrom - Director
719-539-4510
Community Equity Coalition
The Community Equity Coalition catalyzes a more positive future for the Chaffee County community by raising awareness and mobilizing around equity issues including racism, class, and gender/sexuality.
Janie Hayes - President
ElevateHER
ElevateHER is a nonprofit organization based in Chaffee County, that provides tri-annual 10-week programming sessions for young women who reside in Chaffee County. Participants learn the basics of a wide range of outdoor sports while learning important life skills. We use a holistic approach to programming that lets us nurture each girl’s mind, body, and soul.
Daniela Wohlwend-Executive Director
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Greater Arkansas River Nature Association - GARNA
GARNA, through community collaboration, inspires a conservation ethic by providing educational opportunities and experiences so that those who live, work and play in the Upper Arkansas Valley are motivated to take care of the natural resources and leave a legacy of responsible use of the natural environment.
Dominique Naccarato-Executive Director
719-539-5106
Guidestone Colorado
Guidestone Colorado is a Chaffee County-based, 501c3 nonprofit, dedicated to growing a vibrant agricultural future through education community building, and partnerships. We serve producers, educators, youth, community members, and area visitors through four cornerstone programs: the Farm to School Program, Farmhands Education, Colorado Land Link, and the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center. The organization’s strategies and programming are founded upon the belief that if individuals are exposed to experiences on local farms and ranches, that exposure results in a growing appreciation for where our food comes from and the commitment and resources needed to produce food locally.
Andrea Coen-Executive Director
970-309-3175
Housing + Health
Housing and health go hand-in-hand. The Housing + Health site provides resources, education and community stories to help you understand the challenges and solutions facing Chaffee County today.
Partnership for Community Action
The Partnership for Community Action is a community-driven social enterprise bridging community, business, and leadership to build more healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities. Our work is implemented through several community platforms to amplify the voices/issues that are typically excluded, introduce educational opportunities for all age groups, and create programs that offer insight into leadership for a shared understanding of our growing rural mountain culture. Platforms include Salida Soup, PfCA Community Grants Program, Bookmarks & Burritos, Ark Valley Equality Network, Inclusive Educator Outreach, Ark Valley Pride, PfCA Community Movies, Chaffee Elected, Business Advocacy Program, Volunteer Chaffee, and our Community Labs.
Jimmy Dale Sellars II - Director of Policy and Programming
719-221-9893
Salida Sunrise Rotary
Salida Sunrise Rotary's vision is to see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. The Mission of the Salida Sunrise Rotary club is that as a community of service-minded Rotarians with diverse experiences, we work together to provide a variety of community-based services and financial support for scholarships and non-profit grants. We also provide a fun environment for social and business networking.
Janet Franz - Contact
719-239-0204
Southwest Conservation Corps
Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC)'s mission is "empowering individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities and the environment". SCC provides young women and men with structured, safe and challenging service and educational opportunities through projects that promote personal growth, the development of social skills, and an ethic of natural resource stewardship.
Anna Hendricks, Los Valles Director
719-580-3272
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chaffee County
Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce
Buena Vista Recreation Department
Colorado Small Business Development Center
Salida Circus Outreach Foundation
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Would you like to be a We Are Chaffee Partner?
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Partners are community-based organizations, nonprofits, cultural institutions and others that have strong relationships within the community who agree to work together in a safe manner to create a more resilient community through the power of storytelling and community conversations. Partners positively impact social determinants of Health in Chaffee County through their work in healthcare, housing, environment, education, the economy, and other community efforts.
All partners are asked to take a pledge before collecting stories for We are Chaffee - see below.
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Collaboration will be key to the success of this storytelling initiative. From you, our partners, we will request the following information:
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30 seconds to 1-minute video introduction of your organization that we will include on our website. We are not looking for professional videos however, please reference our Video Guidelines for some tips!
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Share We Are Chaffee on your social media platforms and out to your membership, we will provide you with the necessary materials.
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Client, staff, board videos - up to 5 videos that represent your mission
In return, We Are Chaffee will provide your organization with a responsive listing on our website with links to your organization, space on our website for a video about your organization, opportunities to take part in storytelling events, support and use of our Listening Stations to collect stories, social media shares, and other collaboration. It is going to be fun!
Please fill out the form below and we will send you all of the details about becoming a We Are Chaffee partner - it's easy and FUN! Thank you for considering adding to our collection of stories, together we are building a stronger Chaffee County!