Listening to Young People from Parachute to Aspen, Colorado

More than 1,200 young people across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys (from the Aspen to Parachute region) shared what they are experiencing, what opportunities excite them, and what barriers stand in their way.

EMPOWER brings together those insights to help communities better support youth.

Nonprofit and youth leaders connected with young people from across the region to hear their thoughts and gather data. Youth reporters then worked alongside a professional journalist and partners to share their stories.

Key Takeaways

Young people from the Parachute to Aspen region asked for:

Adults who listen and act on what they hear

Welcoming spaces where they feel safe and supported

Opportunities to build life skills and explore careers

Better access to programs and activities

The Report

Check out EMPOWER in both English and Spanish to learn more about what young people shared and how communities can respond.

“If you want to know what you can help us with, just listen!”

— SARA, ARTS INFLUENCER, THE ARTS CAMPUS AT WILLITS

This video was created by Youth Empowerment Alliance youth leaders. It includes reflections from young people across the region who responded to the questions explored through EMPOWER.

Spread the word and take action

Young people across the region shared their experiences, and what they need to thrive. It’s up to all of us to listen and act.

Share EMPOWER with friends, parents, teachers, nonprofits, community leaders, program providers, and anyone who works with young people.

Other ways to take action:

Use

EMPOWER to spark more conversations with young people

Experiment

with ideas shared in EMPOWER when working with youth

Invest

your expertise, resources, and time to amplify EMPOWER’s impact, strengthening the youth services ecosystem from Parachute to Aspen

Invite

community leaders, school administrators, businesses, and donors to learn about EMPOWER and work together to strengthen the region’s youth-serving ecosystem

About

EMPOWER grew out of the Youth Empowerment Alliance, a collaboration of twenty-one nonprofit organizations working to strengthen opportunities for young people across the region. Through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, youth helped shape the insights shared in this report.

We thank the Center for Expanding Leadership and Opportunity for uplifting key learnings from the data; Apogee Creative for their creative direction and amplifying the voices of youth; and Human Service Innovations for supporting the Youth Empowerment Alliance and this project.