By Marcy Mitchell
Special to The SUN
Archuleta County nonprofits have kicked off their Colorado Gives campaign to encourage our local community to “Give Where you Live.”
Spearheaded by the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado, Southwest Colorado Gives was created to inspire generosity in our community and increase online giving for local participating nonprofits.
Colorado Gives Day is scheduled this year for Dec. 10, but donors may donate early by scheduling their donation at www.swcogives.org.
This year, seven Archuleta County nonprofits are part of the Southwest Colorado Gives campaign. We are featuring two of those nonprofits this week: Aspire Medical Services and Education, and Justice Ministries.
Aspire helps every child born in Archuleta County thrive physically, emotionally and socially by the age of 3. Your contribution provides affordable prenatal care, parenting classes, ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, STI testing and childbirth education. Pregnancy and parenting are both rewarding times, yet also can be overwhelming.
This faith-based organization provides honest and practical insights to young parents in a safe and supportive environment. It sees approximately 80 percent of all pregnant women in the county for one or more services.
In addition, Aspire’s EQUIP program offers one-on-one mentoring, individual education and group classes to help parents provide a solid foundation for their child to grow emotionally, physically and socially. Free of charge, the EQUIP program is for both men and women.
Justice Ministries is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that has operated as a nongovernmental human service agency since 2010. It connects those who have a need with those who have a heart willing to serve. The mission statement is“To transform the lives of the abandoned and fatherless through lasting relationships based upon faith, hope, love and the power of Jesus Christ.”
Archuleta County has a big gap with services regarding employment, homelessness and basic needs for most transients and the local community. We currently do not have an emergency shelter and enough housing for low-income families and individuals.
Pagosa Springs can sometimes experience cold and hard winters. While many homeless people relocate to warmer states, some are stranded in our area who are living in tents and their vehicles. Your donation will help provide immediate winter kits for the homeless which includes gloves, hat, hand/feet warmers, blankets and socks.
Colorado Gives day highlights local nonprofits so you can select an organization (or several) that are close to your heart and make an impact in our local community.
Archuleta County participating organizations include: Aspire, Justice Ministries, Rise Above Violence, Chimney Rock Interpretive Association, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of Pagosa Springs and Sonlight Adventures. For more information, visit http://swcogives.org. Your support strengthens our community. We appreciate your generosity.
