Have you ever had a stranger compliment you out of the blue?

Or a neighborhood child strike up a conversation with you while walking by? These seemingly minor behaviors have the opportunity to alter our mood and outlook in many ways. The Search Institute, out of Minneapolis, MN, developed a framework to boost esteem and decision-making among young people while reducing the likelihood of negative behaviors. The 40 Developmental Assets have been a model for numerous youth development programs since the 1980s. Outlining internal and external assets, the framework is divided into eight categories, including support, empowerment, commitment to learning, and positive values. Consider taking action through any of the below to help provide support: Acknowledge others, even strangers! Play outside with a neighborhood child Share in a friends excitement Send a letter or postcard Laugh at others jokes Use your ears more than your mouth Wave and smile when you part Point out what you like about someone

Thank you for your strong work in building character and life skills in the young people of our community! ~ Michelle Hartel, Executive Director

Eagle County Schools Walking Mountains Bright Future Foundation CSU Extension Samaritan Center of the Rockies The Literacy Project Red Ribbon Project SOS Outreach Eagle Valley Alliance For Sustainability Avon Police Department Early Childhood Partners Colorado West Regional Mental Health, Inc. 1st Bank Eagle County EMS Prevention Committee Chrysalis - Girls Empowerment Adventure Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Eagle Valley Bravo! Vail Valley Music Upward Bound - Colorado Mountain College Eagle Valley Library District Second Wind Fund Vail Valley Salvation Army Girl Scouts of Colorado The Youth Foundation Starting Hearts

Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival is celebrating 25 years of producing orchestral and chamber performances in the Vail

Valley. The Festival has grown from a weekend-long chamber music series into a seven-week festival with more than 90 concerts and events and yearround Music Matters education and outreach programs. To make the arts accessible the Colorado Cares Day: Festival created Music Matters. This July 28 education and outreach program has become an integral part of the cultural life of the region. Bravo summer activities for children include free On Saturday, July 28, Coloradoans will gather to celebrate the 14th Annual orchestra tickets for children 15 and under and: Colorado Cares Day. Colorado Cares Day is a statewide day of service in honor of Family Orchestral Concert - Bravo's annual Family Concert is Colorado's statehood on August 1, 1876. an exciting and informal introduction to symphonic music. The spectacular Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is the perfect venue for Colorado Cares Day is an opportunity to helps strengthen our local communities a family outing. This free performance is Thursday, July 12 through statewide service projects. featuring the National Repertory Orchestra with an anticipated audience of 2,000 adults and children. Little Listeners @ the Library - Children ages 3-7, as well as the young-at-heart, enjoy informative musical performances in area libraries. Renowned musicians introduce their instruments and talk about the history and the importance of music. There are 10 events throughout the summer in Avon, Eagle, Vail, Gypsum and Leadville.

Nelson Mandela International Day: Instrument Petting Zoo - Children experiment with real July 18 orchestral instruments: - woodwinds, percussion, brass and In November 2009, the UN General strings. Bravo's Instrument Petting Zoo will be at the Vail Farmer's Assembly declared July 18 "Nelson Market and at the Free Family Orchestral concert. Mandela International Day" in recognition of the former South African President's Very Young Composers - Children ages 9-12 and their teachers contribution to the culture of peace and study the art of music composition under the leadership of New freedom. York Philharmonic Ambassador of Education Jon Deak. Through The overarching objective of Mandela Day stories, picture scores, and collaboration with peers, young is to inspire individuals to take action to help composers can take their ideas all the way to the stage. In 2011, change the world for the better, and in doing three of the Young Composers received recognition and awards so build a global movement for good. in the Music Teachers National Association Composition Ultimately it seeks to empower communities Competition. everywhere. "Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day." Instrument Bank - Eagle and Lake County schools receive instruments and music supplies to fortify school music programs. Each year the Festival purchases and repairs school instruments. During the summer idle instruments are used at the Instrument Petting Zoo. The Instrument Bank also equips students enrolled in after-school music classes with a keyboard for practicing at home. National Philanthropy Day Colorado is a There is no fee for the keyboard during the school year and a special day set aside to recognize and pay nominal monthly fee during the summer months. tribute to the individuals and organizations whoe contributions improve the quality of During the winter months, the Festival offers affordable, afterour lives, oru communities, and our world. school piano classes in Eagle and Lake County. Last year 175 Submit your nomination for the 2012 students participated in half-hour, small group lessons at an National Philanthropy Day Awards today! affordable rate - $2 per lesson. Bravo provides an avenue for

Make a nomination for Outstanding - Foundation - Philanthropist - Service Organization - Professional in Philanthropy (Grantmaker and Fundraiser) - Volunteer - Volunteer Fundraiser - Youth (18 and under) Project Sticker Shock: Changing Attitudes - Youth Group (18 and under) Local youth volunteers are kicking off "Project Sticker Shock," a - Business (Large or Small) youth-led initiative to change adult attitudes about selling and Deadline for nominations: providing alcohol to minors July 11 at multiple liquor stores. This public awareness campaign is scheduled in conjunction with local Girl Scouts: Volunteers are needed to help events that traditionally with community visibility that includes being experience high underage on the Service Unit team as Treasurer, drinking rates, such as School Coordinator, or Registrar, or helping high school graduation, with the Hispanic Initiative. To volunteer, prom, homecoming, and contact Cindi Graves at 970-242-4461 or Fourth of July. This first cindi.graves@gscolorado.org. event will kick off the first week of July. Literacy Project: Volunteers are needed immediately to help with Reading on The ERYC's Youth Leaders Go, a program for middle school students Council (YLC) and Eagle where reading and writing activities occur for Valley High School's Devils a couple of hours and then participants go Against Drinking and Drugs (DADD) are part of a movement of on an outing for a few hours. Reading on youth nationwide working with participating stores to spread The Go meets in Eagle on Tuesdays from "Sticker Shock" waves across the county in an effort to reach 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Volunteers are needed to adults who might be tempted to buy and supply alcohol for youth helpt supervise outings. You can volunteer under 21. The red-and-white stop stickers stand out on the beer one time or every week. If you are cases for all to see, and provide a strong reminder: "Providing interested, please contact Kira Barclay at Alcohol to Minors is Illegal! Fines are $5,000 or more &/or up to 970-328-8800 or six years in jail!" kira@literacyprojecteaglecounty.org. children of all socio-economic levels to explore music lessons at a young age when a mind is best suited to learning music. Without our piano classes many of the parents would be unable to introduce their children to music lessons outside of school hours. Together, YLC and DADD members, law enforcement, and local participating retail stores are working to create a safer, healthier lifestyle by combating the problem of underage drinking. Volunteers are needed to man information tables at the Edwards Farmers Market Saturday, July 21 and Saturday, July 28 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Shifts are also needed to be filled in Eagle, Saturday, July 8, from 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. to support a fundraiser that will benefit the ESL programs. Please email literacy@evld.org or call 970-949-5026 to volunteer. The Study Friends program in Avon, Edwards, Eagle, and Gypsum already has 65 teacher referrals for 6th - 8th grade students who need tutoring help for the 2012-13 school year. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor and/or interested in hosting a volunteer tutor information

Youth Leader Spotlight: Karla Robledo

Members of ERYC's Youth Leaders Council and other youth leaders make a big impact in the community numerous ways and we are proud to highlight their work. Each month, one student will be featured in the Vail Daily, on KZYR, and on NRC365 stations. June's feature student was Karla Robledo. Local teen mentors younger students Eagle Valley High School sophomore Karla Robledo supports younger students through science mentorships and in literacy through The Literacy Project's Read Buddies program at Eagle Public Library ... Robledo's impact, though, reaches even further through other community service. She helps out at the annual Family Fun Fair and Easter hunts at Gypsum Recreation Center and is a member of student council and an EDGE Group member. "Community service is so important because it's part of what surrounds us and affects us," she said. "That is why it is important to do our best to make our community a better place and make it a welcoming environment for everyone."

session, please email kira@literacyprojecteaglecounty.org(Eagle/ Gypsum) or sloan@literacyprojecteaglecounty.org (Vail/Avon/Edwards).

ERYC would like to encourage everyone to stay informed about emergency situations by subscribing to EC Alert at www.ecalert.org. It is free to register to be part of this alert notification system that will immediately contact you during urgent or emergency situations with useful information and updates by sending text messages to your E-mail account, cell, smartphone, and other handheld devices.

P.O. Box 4613 Edwards, CO 81632 (970) 949.9250 eagleyouth.org

Upward Bound: Refunded

Congratulations to CMC - Upward Bound on being refunded for another five years! Upward Bound serves more than 60 students from Eagle County and Leadville High Schools. Eagle County is currently enrolling 9th and 10th grade students. For more information, please contact Debi Martinez-Brun at 970-569-2948 or dbrun@coloradomtn.edu.

CMC Edwards: TIPS Alcohol Server Training

What: Get your staff TIPS certified. The Vail Valley offers many exceptional restaurants and bars, which are great places for people to socialize and have a good time. Unfortunately, that good time can get out of hand when people misuse alcohol. Servers must be able to deal with problem behaviors. This class is designed to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving. Includes exam and those who pass will be TIPS certified for three years. Date: Tuesday, July 17 Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Location: CMC Edwards Campus Class information: SYN#67389

Cost: $45 Registration: Call 970-569-2900

The Youth Foundation: 4th Annual Star Dancing Gala

What: This star-studded evening will feature dance numbers by notable locals and professional dancers, as well as performances by local children who participate in various VVF's Youth Foundation programs, each pair performing a different genre of dance. Similar to the popular television show, "Dancing with the Stars," these local "Stars" have accepted the challenge to train with a professional dancer and perform in front of our live audience, all for the benefit of children at risk. Date: Monday, July 23 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Vail Valley Jet Center, Gypsum Tickets/Information: Click here

The Literacy Project: Author Jennifer Gilbert

What: The Literacy Project will host author and top Manhattan event planner Jennifer Gilbert. Gilbert, author of the memoir 'I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag,' was the victim of an attack in New York City that nearly left her dead in 1991 and will be talking about success after violence. Date: Tuesday, Aug. 14 Location: Westin Riverfront Hotel Tickets: $125/person (includes luncheon and hardback copy of the memoir) To purchase or for more information: Call 970-949-5026 or click here.

Trainings
Upcoming trainings to be announced.

Development
fundraising opportunities

Recent Findings
Medical Marijuana Use Among Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment. Study calculated the prevalence and frequency of diverted medical marijuana use among adolescentsin substance abuse treatment in the Denver metropolitan area. Approximately 74% of the adolescents had used someone else's medical marijuana, and they reported using diverted medical marijuana a median of 50 times. Salomonsen-Sautel, S., Sakai, J.T., Thurstone, C., Corley, R., & Hopfer, C. (2012). Journal of

Colorado Garden Show, Inc.

Purpose: Colorado Garden Show, Inc. supports horticulture and horticultural related projects and those groups that are involved or directly related. Education is emphasized. Areas of interest include horticulturalrelated research, education, therapy, and community improvements. Contact: Jim Fricke, Executive Director 303-932-8100 Ext. 203

Remember
Deadline for August newsletter submissions: Friday, July 27 Email: Beth Pantzer

jim@gardeningcolorado.com More information & Application: www.gardeningcolorado.com Deadline: One page inquiry letter due Aug. 30 Use our newsletter... It's a bright idea

the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(7). Abstract and Article. The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study. Highlights normalizing marijuana use among teens, prescription drug abuse, and substance use among Hispanic youth. MetLife Foundation & The Partnership at Drugfree.org (2012). Full report and Article.

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