A local realtor, youth advocate, pre-school teacher, recent high school graduate, civil rights litigant, mother of five and child counselor have each developed projects aimed to enhance the community.
At a Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) graduation ceremony this week, seven area residents described their projects after completing a 120-hour curriculum designed to build civic trailblazers. The 20-week course integrated personal and child development, leadership training, civic literacy and civic participation skills.
“It’s a hard journey,” said Colorado FLTI liaison LaShay Canady. “It takes a lot of time and commitment.”
Cortez FLTI site coordinator Trish Peters explained that each student was required to formulate a community project, including budgetary and funding mechanisms. A total of 45 area residents have successfully completed the local FLTI program, one of seven across Colorado.
“This is an impressive bunch,” Peters said at the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, June 9.
For his community project, local realtor and FLTI graduate Bill Stanley proposed a program to help families enjoy the outdoors. He envisions a one-stop source, a type of outdoor gear warehouse, which would enable families to “check-out” tents, sleeping bags and other camping equipment.
“This program would provide families with valuable adventure time together in the great outdoors,” said Stanley.
School Community Youth Collaborative program coordinator and FLTI graduate Meggie Curtis has created an online site that allows any organization to post events that promote productive ways for youth to engage the community.
“It’s up to us that young people know they are valued members of our community,” said Curtis.
FLTI graduate and Beech Street preschool director Brittany Conner announced that she is developing a kindergarten transition program aimed to help both students and parents via strong partnerships between the Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 school district and local family support organizations.
“We want to make sure all kids are served,” said Conner.
Recent high school and FLTI graduate Clinton York said he was inspired by a friend in an abusive relationship to develop a local sex education initiative, citing current programs failed to address all of the issues that teens routinely face.
“I want to help resolve this,” said York.
FLTI graduate and civil rights litigant Marion Harper proposed what he called the Mesa Verde Grand Skyway. He described a 12-mile pedestrian and bicycle corridor from the Mesa Verde visitor center to downtown Cortez.
“The skyway would be an innovative enhancement to the community,” said Harper.
After learning that 1 in 5 kids was both unlikely to graduate high school and live in poverty for life, mother and FLTI graduate Libby York said she became inspired to work toward launching an after school multi-media film studio. She hopes to start the program in the fall.
“This will help keep kids off the streets in a safe environment,” said York.
And child counselor and FLTI graduate Shemeah Richardson proposed a system to bring church, school, law enforcement and public health officials together with parents to address effective communication strategies when dealing with the area’s homeless population.
“Cortez, it’s time to start talking,” said Richardson. “We need community dialogue around this issue.”
Montelores Early Childhood Council director Vangi McCoy praised each of the FLTI graduates, describing them as passionate family leaders willing to change their own community.
“I look forward to watching you grow,” McCoy told the seven civic leaders.
The next FLTI course starts in September. To enroll or for more information, visit www.coloradofamilyleadership.com.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
