Author - The Durango Herald

Strong social support: Possibly as beneficial as healthy food

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” speaks to the importance of healthy foods in our diets. The United Way Community Investment Committee recently decided to provide funding f...

DATE: Jul 27, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Working through problems? Art can help heal body, soul

All forms of art have the capacity to heal our mind and body and have been used consciously and unconsciously throughout the history of mankind. People have used art to connect with their so...

DATE: Jul 20, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Represent the intellectually disabled, increase civil rights

Last month, two major Supreme Court decisions opened a new chapter of civil rights for some Americans. Civil rights do not regulate people’s opinions. They protect people from opp...

DATE: Jul 13, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

United Way’s purpose is much more than just fundraising

At a laundromat, people wash laundry, at a grocery store, people buy groceries and at United Way of Southwest Colorado, we unite. What do we mean by that? The word sounds great, but let me s...

DATE: Jul 6, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Even when your think teens aren’t, ‘They Are Listening’

Let’s take a minute to think about when we were teenagers. Did your parents talk to you about alcohol and drugs when you were young? Were they role models? Did they ‘walk the talk’? Did they...

DATE: Jul 6, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Having nonprofit does not make you tax exempt entity

A Colorado nonprofit can be set up online with the Colorado Secretary of State. However, setting up a nonprofit with the Colorado Secretary of State does not make you a tax-exempt entity, no...

DATE: Jun 22, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

NAMI is back in S.W. Colo., but what does that mean?

Let’s begin with a description: National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grass-roots mental-health organization dedicated to improving the lives of people and families aff...

DATE: Jun 15, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

States’ governors aim to help employ those with disabilities

Meet someone at a party or social gathering, and its almost guaranteed that at some point, the conversation will come around to, what do you do for a living? Fo...

DATE: Jun 8, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

‘Keeping it Sacred’ movie is example of beautiful full circle

A boy rides his bike down a dirt road. He’s looking to meet with friends and for answers for how to help his dad quit smoking. Friends join his quest seeking knowledge from elders about how ...

DATE: Jun 1, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Teachers, organizations aim to have positive effect on kids

At Seeds of Learning in Pagosa Springs, the toddlers giggle, play, nap, snack and learn. The well-trained teachers and academic programs foster positive child development. The st...

DATE: May 25, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

By Liza Fischer Axis Health Systems On April 30, President Barack Obama proclaimed May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. Obama called on citizens, government ...

DATE: May 18, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Discrimination can lead to exclusion from life events

Marriage between same-sex partners has had much attention in the media through the years, yet a couple in Manorville, Long Island, would say there’s another group of people whose right to ma...

DATE: May 11, 2013 | CATEGORY: Creating Community