Aurora Youth Options
Navigation of Community Resources, Mentoring, Tutoring, Substance Use Prevention and Youth Leadership.
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May 1, 2015 Aurora Mental Health held the 11th annual Spring Luncheon, Living Life to the Fullest. It was an amazing event honoring the stories of several AYO participants, enjoying lunch and all topped off with the comedy routines of The Second City.
Billie Jo Roach was recognized on April 14th as the Volunteer of the Year by the Colorado Child and Adolescent Mental Health Coalition. Billie Jo received this recognition based on her volunteer experience as a mentor with the AYO Mentor Program. She has been matched with her mentee for one year and during this time has employed several creative ways of building a relationship with and challenging her mentee.
AYO's volunteers have allowed us to serve 6,000 youth in the past six years offering each youth individualized support. Volunteers meet one-on-one with youth serving as mentors and tutors, as well as helping in the office with program development and connecting with our clients. On Wednesday April 1st, in honor of National Volunteer Recognition Month, we celebrated the accomplishments and impacts our volunteers have on the Aurora community. Thirty-five volunteers and friends were in attendance at Joe's Crab Shack to hear several volunteers share what they do for AYO and the successes th
Thanks to Payless' annual shopping day for Aurora Mental Health Center, 11 youth got some new footwear. AYO youth and their siblings were invited to select a shoe of their choice. Most selected sneakers and one little sister got some golden sandals. AYO supports middle and high school aged youth, helping them overcome life's challenges. The Payless' shopping day stretches family budgets and enriches their children's lives by this opportunity. Thank you, Payless, from AYO families!
PACT staff recently attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) 25th annual National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, MD. The conference challenged participates to be “Agents of Change” in their communities. Information provided by nationally known experts and policymakers focused on employing participants to use substance abuse prevention practices that are evidence-based and results-driven. PACT participants honed their substance abuse prevention skills attending some of the 70+ training sessions!
January was National Mentoring Month and Aurora Youth Options (AYO) held a mentoring drive in December and January to recruit mentors for Aurora youth. Members of the AYO Mentor Team presented to service clubs and other community organizations, visit community events, Buckley AFB and participate in the creation of public service announcements and the distribution of flyers to get out the word about the importance of mentoring. On January 29, AYO hosted 27 adults who were interested in learning more about how to change a life.
In the spirit of neighborliness and the holiday season, five organizations (Aurora Public Library, Aurora Strong Resilience Center, Aurora Youth Options, the Anschutz Community Campus Partnership and the Hoffman Youth and Community Center) tenanted in the building collaborated on hosting a holiday party and open house for the residents of the Hoffman neighborhood and their friends. Representing diverse mandates, although serving the same residents living in the Hoffman neighborhood, this was a unique partnership for the participating organizations, as each took responsibility for various
Colorado Juvenile Council (CJC) is dedicated to providing opportunities, connections and resources that support excellence in the juvenile justice system. Over the years CJC has evolved to include virtually every agency that works alongside the juvenile justice system in Colorado.
“Belay!” “Belay on.” “ I am ready to be supported.” “We are ready to support you!” And support each other they did as 32 mentors and mentees in AYO’s Mentoring Enhancement Demonstration Project stepped up to the challenges inherent in a high and low ropes course at West Pines Training Center in Wheat Ridge on September 27. The West Pines program, a ‘challenge by choice’ event where everyone has a role to play, from anchoring, belaying or cheerleading, brought AYO’s mentoring adults and their youth together in a unique bonding experience 30’ over a bark ‘floor’.
