Happy 2017!

We have lots of good news to share, and opportunities on the horizon!

Our ongoing group mentoring and youth development programs are expanding!

Weekly Academic Tutoring is attended by an average of ten students and five volunteer tutors. We are always looking for new tutors, as students need help in various subjects including math, English, history, art, and more. With a flexible commitment schedule, tutoring is a great way for busy professionals to give back! The Telluride Foundation recently reported that the 2015 graduation rate for Hispanic students in the Telluride School District was 14.2 percent lower than the national average. We hope our Academic Tutoring Program (which is inclusive of students from any background or population) will help to improve on this statistic! Tutoring takes place Wednesdays at the Telluride High School library from 3:15-4:30pm. Contact Suse Connolly for more information: suseconnolly@yahoo.com.

Trades Tuesdays teaches skills such as carpentry, proper use of power-tools, furniture-making, property management, and welding. Recently the boys worked to remove snow around the residence of an elderly community member. True North is partnering with Tri County Health Network on plans to engage the boys in building handicap ramps for elderly homebound in the West End of the county, in the towns of Nucla and Naturita. Contact Lanier at 970.708.2300 for more info.

The Rising Stars 9th grade girls wanted to participated in the Telluride's Women's March on Saturday. We made signs, marched alongside several hundred other citizens, listened to inspiring speeches, then went for pizza to talk about the experience and plan future adventures. The Rising Stars will be meeting regularly on Thursdays, and upcoming activities include an evening at the indoor climbing gym and a trip to the new Montrose Rec Center.

Scholarship Coaching is focused on youth in the West End who have been identified by our partners in the Norwood Schools. Betsy Walker works individually with students on applications, interview skills, and the financial aid process. We are crossing our fingers that our Daniels Fund applicants will make it to the next round!

Our upcoming Wilderness Adventure will focus on winter camping and learning proper techniques to build a safe and warm snow shelter. As always, camping gear and outdoor clothing donations welcome.

We look forward to sharing more stories from these programs!

Sincerely,
Vivian Russell, Outreach Coordinator

True North in the News...

We recently received grant funding from the Adolph Coors Foundation. Pictured above is True North volunteer staff along with Coors foundation officers. "We are happy to support True North and believe the organization is having a significant impact on local youth," said Rachel Rivest, Adolph Coors Foundation Program Officer. In January, True North was also approved for grant funding from Just For Kids Foundation and the Town of Telluride CCAASE.

"The Pantry" is a clothing and food bank that was initiated by Telluride High School Students who were especially concerned about the basic needs of fellow students who are living in Telluride without parents. Click here to read the article from local newspaper, the Telluride Daily Planet. True North participant Manolo sits on the school's accountability committee, and has been integral in helping organize the pantry.

Be sure to pick up a copy of this Winter's Telluride Style Magazine, on news-stands around town. Flip over to page 36 to read a feature article about True North! If you are not in Telluride, we would be happy to mail you a clipping!

Make a tax deductible donation:
TRUE NORTH ~ PO Box 2072 ~
Telluride, CO 81435
Donate by credit card here.

Miriam is a Telluride High School student and a TRUE NORTH participant who was diagnosed with Leukemia over the holidays. Miriam is receiving chemotherapy treatment at Children's hospital in Denver, and will soon be staying at the Ronald McDonald house with her mother. Her brothers remained in Telluride to work and attend school. Lanier helped Miriam's brother Luis set up a crowd-funding site for the family. Miriam loves makeup, so we coordinated with her Rising Stars friends to send her a care package including a signed book by Bobbi Brown. A meal train site has also been set up for brothers Daniel and Luis, who are also True North participants. For more information on ways to help or how to make a tax deductible donation, please contact Telluride High School principal Sara Kimble at Skimble@telluride.k12.co.us or read Miriam's story which appeared recently in the local newspaper. We are keeping Miriam and her family in our thoughts and prayers.

Miriam's Rising Star friend, Kaila, paying her a surprise visit in Denver

Trades Training! Telluride High School student, David, learning to weld to strengthen a trailer that will be used in True North community service in the West End.

Volunteer Corner:

We welcome new volunteer, Doctor Susan Opadia. With professional experience in the medical field, and volunteer experience doing youth development in the Peace Corps, we are thrilled that Susan will be working with the Rising Stars girls, offering regular career exploration and group mentoring activities!

Welcome new volunteer Susan Rahmann! Susan is a Telluride small business owner and Colorado state licensed substitute teacher. We are excited to have Susan on board as an Academic Tutor!

We welcome new volunteers! Please contact us for more information.

You are invited to Youth Mental Health First Aid class, offered in partnership with Tri County Health Network and presented by school board member Paul Reich.

Please take a moment to read Paul Reich's commentary regarding mental illness and suicide in our community and contact us if you are interested in participating in this training, and we will notify you when a date and time has been arranged. The training is offered free to True North Volunteers and at a minimal cost to other members of the community.

True North Youth Program is an all-volunteer 501-C-3 non profit organization. True North operates without any salaried employees and without any brick-and-mortor overhead costs or fundraiser event planning expenses. Our programming is enabled by the generous support of volunteers, foundation grants, and individual donors.
truenorthyouthprogram.org