Author - The Durango Herald

What’s in a name?

Names can cause confusion. One day this past summer, our United Way office received a call from a gentleman who wanted to confirm his airline reservation with us. We kindly redir...

DATE: Jan 17, 2020 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

The fastest path to change is through understanding

In a few days, the U.S. will celebrate the life of one of our country’s greatest leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. Most Americans are familiar with King, even if their only point of...

DATE: Jan 10, 2020 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Simple steps to take to keep your home healthy

We all want to live in a safe, healthy home, but unhealthy conditions are not always immediately obvious. The good news is that once you know what to look for, it’s easy to make note of a fe...

DATE: Jan 3, 2020 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

We are blessed by the generosity of our community

The name of Community Connections demonstrates the priority we place on engaging with our local communities. In Southwest Colorado, we have local communities that set the standard for engage...

DATE: Dec 20, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

It’s beginning to look a lot like flu season

If you’ve noticed a dramatic uptick in sneezing, coughing and tissue waving in the last few weeks, it isn’t a fever dream. Yes, along with the ethereal first dusting of snow, all the Christm...

DATE: Dec 6, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

No one should have to wait to save their life

Some things are worth waiting for. In fact, sometimes waiting can help build anticipation, such as waiting for Christmas, that vacation to Costa Rica or the summer clearance at Br...

DATE: Nov 8, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

A timely conversation with your Health Coverage Guide

It’s health insurance season again, and San Juan Basin Public Health is here to guide you to the coverage you need. Now through Jan. 15, 2020, most Colorado residents responsible...

DATE: Nov 1, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Ability Summit to focus on issues of inclusion in S.W. Colorado

I spend a lot of time in this column asking the simple question, “What is community?” This week, I have a real example of community-building to share: the Ability Summit. Part of ...

DATE: Oct 11, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Understanding West Nile virus and how to protect yourself

Since 2002, 56 cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in La Plata County. As public health specialists, our role is to investigate all laboratory-reported cases to determine severity o...

DATE: Oct 4, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Why are we not already more inclusive?

I talk a lot about inclusion. Social inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is Community Connections’ 10-year strategic goal, so inclusion is a frequent topic ...

DATE: Sep 13, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Creating Community Food-safety measures are good public health

Do you stop to think about all of the possible foodborne illnesses you could get when you go out to eat? Probably not. Most of us don’t, and if you did, going out to eat wouldn’t be nearly a...

DATE: Sep 10, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Building a healthier community by promoting mental health

In Southwest Colorado, we count ourselves fortunate to call this beautiful place our home. Our small communities are part of vital ecosystem that allows us to thrive in our daily lives and c...

DATE: Sep 6, 2019 | CATEGORY: Creating Community