Sunday, March 29, 2015

Get to know: Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley

Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley
1010 Garfield Avenue Carbondale, CO 81623
PO Box 1927 Carbondale, CO 81623
                                    steppingstonesrfv@gmail.com
                        www.facebook.com/SSRFV
twitter.com/SSRFV81623



Mission: To support RFV youth by providing safe housing, basic needs, mental health services, workshops, and permanent positive connections.

Days Open: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Services Provided: Food, Showers, Laundry, Computer Access, Safe place to chill, therapy, tutoring, art, music, and life skill classes.

Volunteers Needed: The house needs committed volunteers who have a strong desire to work with and serve as role models for RFV teens. We will rely heavily on your volunteer efforts and your role will be varied but will be based in ensuring the safety of the youth in the house, helping youth with homework or job activities and helping to prepare and serve healthy and nutritious meals. Further, there will be opportunities to share your skills, hobbies and special talents. We are asking for a weekly commitment of four to eight hours and want our volunteers to commit to one year volunteering at the House. You may only be able to commit to volunteering every other week that is welcomed as well. Direct contact with youth is not necessary. If you, or a group of people want to donate food or basic supplies to the house we gladly accept your support! We know that your time is valuable but we want you to explore the question, what better way to serve this community though volunteering.

Host Homes Needed: HOST Program is an opportunity for people in the Roaring Fork Valley (RFV) to step out in confidence and open their hearts and homes to children, youth and families in crisis. When a crisis strikes, many of us rely on relatives and friends for support. But for some families, poverty and social isolation mean that they have no support when they need it. Host Home families provide support to families and youth navigating difficult situations including: unemployment or loss of housing, financial difficulties, postpartum depression, illness or hospitalization, or incarceration of a parent.

The HOST program includes:
1.       Training, support, and screening for host families.
2.       Transition Facilitators (Case Manager) for the individual or family in need.
3.       Opportunity to host children and families of various ages:
a.       Early childhood (Birth – 5)
b.       School Age (6-11)
c.        Teen and Young Teens (12-15)
d.       Transitioning Teens (16-21) Including Pregnant and Parenting Teens
e.        Families seeking emergency housing



On September 2nd of 2015 Amanda and I will be setting off on an expedition down the Mississippi River.  Besides the obvious goal of paddling the Big Muddy in its entirety, we will be raising funds for and incredible grass roots organization called Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley (Stepping Stones).  Stepping stones is located in the heart of the Rockies in Carbondale, Colorado.  The mission of Stepping Stones is “to support RFV youth by providing safe housing, basic needs, mental health services, workshops, and permanent positive connections.”  We chose this organization because it is a young, growing organization who is focused and committed to changing the lives of homeless and disadvantaged youth. Our goals for the trip are as follows:
  • Spread the word about Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley
  • Raise $5,000 for Stepping Stones by the end of our trip, approximately $2.16/mile  
  • Spread the word about the growing need for community support of Homeless and disadvantaged teens


We would greatly appreciate your support in this cause.  You can help us accomplish our goal several different ways (Please see attached donation form):
1.    Make a financial contribution by check directly to Amanda and I
a.    These funds would be used to purchase equipment ITS UP TO YOU!
2.    Make a financial contribution directly to Stepping Stones

For more information about Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley, please see attached program summary or check out their website at www.steppingstonesrfv.org
If you have any additional questions please feel free to email us at bigmuddy2015@gmail.com


Thank you for your support,

Dave and Amanda Mosse