We pursue opportunities to cultivate and build the capacity of the Southwest Region of Colorado by partnering with people who value and have a vested interest in building their own healthy communities. For almost three decades Celebrating Healthy Communities has worked to improve the quality of life for Southwest Colorado residents through community collaboration, social norming, and youth adult p
artnerships. To meet our mission, we act to increase protective factors and decrease risk factors that contribute to problem behaviors that our communities prioritize. All of our messaging uses the Science of the Positive framework which is based on the core assumption that the positive is real and is worth growing – in ourselves, our families, our workplaces, and our communities. As a Positive Youth Development organization we empower our young employees and interns to drive the changes in their communities by giving them the skills and knowledge provided by data and evidence-based programming as well as allowing space for innovation of strategies. Our programs include but are not limited to:
In partnership with San Juan Basin Public Health - The Recognizing Opportunities Around Resilience (ROAR) coalition made up of community members and stakeholders to address youth substance use and prevention in La Plata County;
The Coalition on Responsible Driving (CORD) to reduce impaired driving in a 3 county region of Southwest Colorado that includes the Ride Responsible program to incentivize designated drivers and provide alternative transportation during drinking events such as San Juan Brewfest, Animas River Days, and Taste of Durango;
In partnership with San Juan Basin Public Health - the La Plata County Su***de Prevention Collaborative which addresses root causes of su***de in a high risk county;
Question Pursued Refer trainings and GateKeeper Network building for high su***de risk men in the region;
In partnership with In The Weeds and Resilient Colorado - Resilience Cooks, a support project for the Restaurant Service Industry in La Plata County to prevent substance misuse and provide recovery support;
The Healthy Event Seal of Approval to work with area events including Snowdown to promote low-cost, substance-free, family friendly activities across the region;
Sticker Shock, a region-wide su***de prevention awareness month activity to provide trainings, build youth adult partnerships, and provide behavioral health resources. In partnership with the Postvention and Bereavement workgroup of the La Plata County Su***de Prevention - the International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day.
