My job encourages me to collaborate with other organizations to promote positive community development. Collaboration embraces the spirit of people working together for the benefit of the whole.
In today’s column, I will share information about two coalitions with upcoming events.
First is La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition. In 2008, the La Plata County Children, Youth and Family Master Plan was completed. The work in creating this plan involved a yearlong planning process with input from about 2,000 people followed by a six-month period when 200 people served on seven committees to develop the 120-page plan.
The plan’s goal is to ensure that all La Plata County’s children and families thrive. The plan includes seven key areas with recommendations and goals. The “Family Economics” section makes this recommendation: “La Plata County and its multiple jurisdictions, service providers, employers and employees will work together to ensure that everyone residing in La Plata County has the opportunity to earn a livable wage.”
In February 2013, the Family Economics Implementation Subcommittee formed. We have researched livable wage issues and potential approaches to achieving one in La Plata County. To ensure that all La Plata County children and families thrive, the coalition will build, educate, publicly recognize and advocate for our community about the benefits of a livable wage.
The coalition invites you to learn more about this initiative at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Fort Lewis College in Room 130 of Noble Hall. There will be a screening of the highly acclaimed documentary “Inequality for All,” created by former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich. After the screening, there will be a discussion with FLC associate professor John Baranski and information about how to get involved with the coalition.
The next coalition I would like to highlight is Celebrating Healthy Communities. The CHC mission describes itself as: “a sustainable coalition that collaborates, engages and educates to promote addiction-free lifestyles by building assets for all.” The word “assets” is used to describe the Search Institutes’ 40 Developmental Assets. CHC holds these assets as building blocks to promote children growing up to be healthy, caring and responsible people.
CHC functions through subcommittees working in areas of community action, education, media and policy. The coalition encourages a diversity of people to get involved to shape the future health of our community.
CHC invites the community to take part in “Serengeti Wipeout.” Animas High School’s Peers Owning Wellness and CHC will be putting on a youth-friendly (ages 12-18) obstacle course at Snowdown from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Buckley Park. Durango Coffee Co. will provide a hot-chocolate bar for participants. This is a great way to learn more about CHC and have fun with your family.
Lastly, Chinese New Year is Friday, and 2014 is the year of the horse. Go Broncos!
felsengh@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6463. Greg Felsen is La Plata County 4-H youth development agent.
