Simple Offerings for Valentine's Day, and Beyond!

For many, Valentine's Day is an opportunity to celebrate romantic relationships. While the history of Valentine's Day remains mysterious, one legend describes an emperor who outlawed marriage for young men, declaring that single men made better soldiers than those with families. Outraged, St. Valentine performed secretive marriages for young lovers. (history.com)
February 1st- National Wear Red Day A National Heart Disease Campaign Click HEREfor more info February 6th- National Girls & Women in Sports Day Click HERE for more info

Beyond treasuring romantic relationships, February 14th can offer a chance to make a difference in the lives of other special people, February 8th- National Girl Scout Cookie Day including neighbors, co-workers, friends, or others who can benefit from Find local cookies HERE an uplifting gesture. Small, meaningful gestures may include:

Committing to volunteer for a local cause (local volunteer

opportunities)
Leaving a generous tip... a few extra dollars for a server can mean a lot! Shoveling a neighbor's sidewalk Saying "hello" to, or smiling at a stranger Making a charitable contribution (find a worthy charity here)

February 14th National Condom Awareness Day (Valentines Day) Click HERE for more info February 18- President's Day Click HERE for more info February 24th-Mar. 2nd- National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Click HERE for more info

Consider expanding Valentine's Day beyond the traditional holiday spirit of romance, and share your positive intentions with others!
~ Michelle Hartel Stecher, Executive Director Eagle County Schools Bright Future Foundation CSU Extension Samaritan Center of the Rockies The Literacy Project Red Ribbon Project Eagle Valley Alliance For Sustainability Avon Police Department Early Childhood Partners 1st Bank Eagle County Prevention Committee Suicide Prevention Coalition of Eagle Valley Eagle Valley Library District Vail Valley Salvation Army

Samaritan Counseling Center

The Samaritan Counseling Center is one of the valley's best kept secrets. Staffed with 5 licensed, mental health counselors, the Center offers

adjusted fees so that everyone can find hope and healing with professional and experienced therapists. Deb Felio works with children and their families, focusing on attachment issues. Meredith Van Ness and April Wilson work with middle and high school children, Meredith with a specialty in short-term solution-focused counseling, while April's specialty includes addiction and substance abuse. Randy Simmonds has a career's worth of experience working with adolescents. Together, these counselors have over 50 years of experience in their fields. Some people think of childhood as an easy, carefree time. But children do have problems and feel stress. Times of special changes like divorce, a death in the family, or a move can be stressful. Adolescence we know is a very difficult time. If the help that the parents provide their children does not seem sufficient, a visit to a professional counselor who can teach a child to both express their feelings and understand what is happening around him/her can be a tremendous help. The Center therapists also works with adults, families and couples.

Girl Scouts of Colorado The Youth Foundation Starting Hearts Walking Mountains

Family Connect Event

Sunday, March 10th, 12pm-3pm, at Vail Christian High School Eagle County families will have the opportunity to meet service providers and to register for programs. Volunteers are needed to help assess needs, and link families with appropriate services. Other duties include set up, greeting, and more! For more info: Contact Kathy Brendza via email, or at 970-748-5997

Visit the Samaritan Counseling Center's website to find information about child and adolescent counseling. The Center is located in Edwards, and can be Reading Buddies, Eagle Public Library contacted at 970-926-8558. Same day appointments are generally available. Mondays, Feb.4th-Apr.1st, 4:30-5:30pm Reading Buddies program is a collaboration of The Literacy Project and Eagle Valley Library District. Reading Buddies pairs teens with younger kids for an hour and a half of shared reading. For more infor: contact Dale at Eagle Public Library Upcoming Parent Education and Outreach Opportunities at 970-328-8800

Dinner & Dialogue- Healthy Relationships

Free childcare and dinner will be provided, as well as live Spanish translation. Meet Julia Kozusko, LPC, of Elevated Parenting and Dinner & Dialogue presenter, as she shares parenting tips through this educational parenting video. Date: February 12th, 2013 Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm Location: Eagle Valley High School, Gypsum CO RSVP and information: (970)748-5992

Study Friends Trainings

Feb. 4th, 6pm, Gypsum Library Ed Spivak will be traing on strategies for teaching math to middle school students. To RSVP: contact Kira at 970-328-9013 February 5th, 4:00-5:00 PM, Avon Library This training is on child abuse awareness and reporting. If you you are a new Study Friends tutor or missed last years training, this is mandatory. at the Avon Library. For more info contact: Sloan at 970-949-5026

Active Parenting of Teens

ERYC will be hosting another 6-week series, available in Spanish and English. Date: Wednesday evenings, March 6th- April 10th, 2013 Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm Location: Eagle Valley Middle School, Eagle CO Registration and Information: (970)949-9250 or email Lucy

Is it too late for a flu shot? December's Youth Leader Spotlight: Brittany Anderson
Although the flu season lasts from October until May, most cases occur between late December and early March. The flu Through the recent Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, administered to over 2,300 local young vaccine may still be reccomended people, over one third of middle school students depending on your situation. It can take 1 to 2 weeks for the flu shot to become reported to being bullied on school property while over 100 students reported missing school effective, so it's best to get vaccinated as soon as possible if your doctor thinks it's because they did not feel safe. necessary. Ways to protect yourself from getting the flu: deserve immediate attention. Get the vaccine. Hate shots? Most teens can get the flu vaccine as a nasal Along with a dozen of her Youth Leaders Council (YLC) peers, Anderson has spray worked tirelessly to address bullying in schools over the past two years. "The Wash your hands- especially after you anti-bullying efforts and projects that we have done and continue to do, have have been around a lot of people been my favorite part of YLC as it is an issue that is near and dear to my heart," For Battle Mountain senior Brittany Anderson, bullying and school safety are issues that

explains Anderson. Anderson describes, "I think community service is important

because it provides learning opportunities, and eye- opening experiences while benefiting others. I feel that it is important to give back, and create relationships with other members of the community."

When asked what guidance she would offer to peers who want to make a difference in their community, she advises, "Have the confidence to speak up for what you believe in, get involved, and take advantage of every opportunity you are given."

Keep your Distance if someone is sickthe Flu virus travels through the air so stay away from someone who is coughing or sneezing Stay home if you have the flu- You don't want to pass it on to someone else Keep your immune system strongenough sleep, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of liquids, and getting regular exercise help Learn more: Flu Center

Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability: 'In Organic We Trust'

What: Featured Film; In Organic We Trust is an eye-opening food documentary that answer commonly asked questions about organic food.

Eating Disorder Awareness

Eating disorders arise from a variety of biological, psychological and social factors Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder (anad.org) 51% of Eagle County middle and high school females are trying to loose weight (2011 HKCS) Other Resources for Parents and Teens: National Eating Disorders Association Eating Disorders Anonymous

Date: Tuesday, Feb.5th, 2013

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm Location: Loaded Joes in Avon Cost: $5 Suggested Donation For more info: contact info@eaglevalleyalliance.org

Starting Hearts: A Heart-Health Morning

What: A Heart Health Expo & Breakfast, benefiting Starting Hearts; Event will include Heart-Health Q & A with a cardiologist, blood pressure, height & weight checks, and more! Date: Thursday, February 14th, 2013 Time: Heart Health Expo & Breakfast: 7:00am-9:00am, featured presenters: 9am-10:30am Location: The Sebastion in Vail Cost: $150 to register For more info and to register: click here

Babysitter Basics Training Program

CSU Extension and Avon Public Library are offering the Babysitter Basics Training What: Doctors Plus Kids Care is pleased to announce its opening of the SBHC at Avon Program. Youth, grades 5 - 8th, will gain Elementary providing affordable healthcare to the insured, uninsured and underinsured knowledge on the responsibilities of being a reliable children of Eagle County Schools. Clinic will be open to Eagle County students ages 3babysitter and learn about child development. This 18 starting Monday between 8:30am-4:30pm. Come celebrate their Grand Opening on hands-on curriculum will give participants useful Valentines Day! activities to do with young children while babysitting. Date: Thursday, Feb.14th, 2013

Doctors Plus Kids Care: School Based Health Center Now Open!

Time: 10:00am-11:30am Location: Doctors Plus Kids Care Clinic, 850 W. Beaver Creek Blvd., Avon, CO For more info: call 970-328-2905

The Eagle Valley Library District, Walking Mountains Science Center, and Eagle River Watershed Council President: The 2013 High Country Speaker Series: H2Know Colorado
What: A series of presentations on interesting and relevant topics that have to do with Colorado waters including "An Entirely Synthetic Fish." Cost: All programs are free and open to the public For more info: Call the Avon Public Library (970) 949-6797, or the Walking Mountain Science Center (970) 827-9725

Date:Tuesdays, Feb. 26- April 2 (no meeting on March 21) Location: Avon Public Library Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm Cost: $35.00 for supplies, snacks and a monthly subscription to the Good Times with Kids newsletter Youth need to attend all five sessions and space is limited. For registration or for more info: contact CSU Extension at (970) 328-8630

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

Upcoming Trainings
Right-Things, Right-Now Marketing: Move People to Act with this One-Page Plan
Date: Tuesday, February 5th Time: 11:00am What's the right way to connect with supporters and motivate them to act? And how do you know if you're doing the right things? This free webinar provides a hands-on guide to gain a clear understanding of what to do next to activate your supporters Click HERE to register

Development Corner
Fundraising Opportunities Disney Friends for Change Grants Deadline: February 10th Disney Friends for Change Grants offer young change-makers an opportunity to receive a $1,000 grant for youth-led service projects that demonstrate youth leadership, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Whatever your interests, a Disney Friends for Change grant can help you make a difference for people, communities, and the planet. Youth ages 5-18 located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply for a $1,000 grant. Click HERE to learn more.

Use our newsletter. It's a bright idea!

Colorado Non-Profit Association: Program Planning Training Date and Location:TBD Cost: $25; free for ERYC members

Remember Deadline for March newsletter submissions: Wednesday, February 20th Email: Lucy Cummings

Ben & Jerry's Foundation Letter of Intent period: Jan.-Mar. The Foundation awards about $1.8 million annually to eligible organizations across the country and in Vermont. Our philanthropy is employee-led by non-management, employee advisory groups who consider proposals and recommend grants.All of our grant programs utilize an on-line application process. Click HERE to learn more.