Edition 6

Southwest Vida

written by SW Denver Youth

WESTWOOD FAMILY NATURE CLUB

Family Nature Club focused on promoting strong family ties, a strong sense of community, and having fun in nature. Through the Family Nature Club, families can participate in free outdoor excursions such as camping, hiking, snowshoeing, and local nature stewardship projects Once families have gained confidence and skills, they will have access to our Gear Library and be able to organize trips for themselves and other community member This program is sponsored by My Outdoor Colorado (MOC) and Denver Parks and Recreations. MOC is a visionary approach to connecting youth and families with the outdoors through strategic partnerships that provide access to nature education, recreation and skillbuilding opportunities

For more information / Para mas informacion

Visit our Facebook Westwood Family Nature Club Page

Text/Call/Email: Mary Reyes | 720 990 3081

Mary reyes@denvergov org

Family Nature Club se centró en promover lazos familiares fuertes, un fuerte sentido de comunidad y divertirse en la naturaleza A través del Family Nature Club, las familias pueden participar en excursiones al aire libre gratis como campamentos, caminatas, paseos con raquetas de nieve y proyectos locales de protección de la naturaleza Una vez que las familias hayan ganado confianza y habilidades, tendrán acceso a nuestra Biblioteca de equipos y podrán organizar viajes para ellos y otros miembros de la comunidad Este programa está patrocinado por My Outdoor Colorado (MOC) y Denver Parks and Recreations MOC es un enfoque visionario para conectar a los jóvenes y las familias con el aire libre a través de asociaciones estratégicas que brindan acceso a oportunidades de educación, recreación y desarrollo de habilidades en la naturaleza

MY SUMMER INTERNSHIP

With Councilwoman Jamie Torres & District 3 Office!

This summer I was fortunate to intern for Councilwoman Jamie Torres and the D3 office thanks to the Youth Employment Opportunities created for youth in Southwest Denver It was one of the best experiences because I got to learn more about policy in the community, city laws, and sharing resources with the community I worked closely with Daisy who is a Council Aide for Councilwoman Torres helping with social media, vaccination events and the Westwood National Night out

When asked what is your biggest personal accomplishment as a City Councilwoman, she answered that one of the two biggest accomplishments were being able to vaccinate over 3,000 of District 3 residents. She did this by "Having to do it ourselves, [they] planned it from a-z and staffed it for over 20 days of clinics. Being abe to work with other people and being able to deliver that in a safe and organized way."

Her second accomplishment is how she has helped institutionalize ways of protecting our legacy in the District and the City. Some examples are

Land Acknowledgment

Bison Donation to Indigenous Tribes

If you could have any superpower, which one would it be? Si pudieras tener un superpoder, cual seria?

TELEPORTATION!!! It is more about how much I drive and how much pressure driving is on environment

Cultural Historic District of La Alma Partnership with Chicano Murals to protect Denver Public Library renaming

Working with Arts and Creative districts in Santa Fe and Westwood creative district

Renaming of La Raza Park

What advice would you give to youth? Que consejo le darías a la juventud?

We going to need your leadership and your involvement in how this city grows and develops. We need to always remember the cultural district that Denver has. We are growing and cannot loose the Southwest historical fill to all of the development.

Necesitaremos su liderazgo y su participación en cómo esta ciudad crece y se desarrolla. Necesitamos recordar siempre el distrito cultural que tiene Denver. Estamos creciendo y no podemos perder el relleno histórico del Suroeste a todo el desarrollo.

MY Favorite Memory / MI Memoria Favorita:

Going to the Civic Center Eats Food trucks across the street for lunch and trying new food

Ir al Civic Center Eats Food trucks al otro lado de la calle para almorzar y probar comida nueva

Not only did I get to learn more about my own District 3, but I also learned about politics and laws in Denver. I realized that the job of a Councilperson is hard but equally rewarding at the same time since the impact of the work is reflected back on the community

I am proud to be a resident of District 3 and my neighborhood Westwood It is fulled with culture, arts, history and a diverse groupof people

Left to right: Aides Daisy Rocha Vazquez and Melissa Mejia, Me, CW Jamie Torres, CW Amanda Sandoval

COVID VACCINE UPDATES

Actualizaciones de la Vacuna COVID

Currently 78% of those currently eligible (12+) have received an initial dose of the COVID- 19 vaccine, including 67% of those 12-17 years old Our neighborhood maps show progress in getting vaccination to under-vaccinated areas too!

Actualmente, el 78% de las personas actualmente elegibles (12+) han recibido una dosis inicial, incluido el 67% de las personas de 12 a 17 años. ¡Nuestros mapas de vecindarios también muestran el progreso en la vacunación en áreas subvacunadas!

A couple of weeks ago the FDA and CDC approved a 3rd dose of mRNA vaccines for persons who have had an organ transplantation, are on chemotherapy or other medications that impair the immune system

Denver COVID-19 Update: The City of Denver issued a new public health order that will require masks in schools and childcare facilities for all people ages 2 and older.

Do it for friends family and coworkers

To protect you and your family

Vaccination builds protection

It's safer than getting covid

Vaccination will help stop the pandemic

Hace un par de semanas, la FDA y los CDC aprobaron la tercera dosis de vacunas de ARNm para personas que han tenido un trasplante de órganos, están en quimioterapia u otros medicamentos que deterioran el sistema inmunológico.

ActualizacióndeDenverCOVID-19: Laciudaddedenveremitióunanuevaorden desaludpúblicaquerequerirámáscaras enescuelasyguarderíasparatodaslas personasmayoresde2años.

Why Get Vaccinated?

Por qué vacunarse?

Hazlo por amigos, familiares y

compañeros de trabajo.

Para protegerte a ti y a tu familia

La vacunación genera protección

Es más seguro que tener covid

La vacunación ayudará a detener la pandemia

For more information visit/ Para mas informacion visite: https://www.who.int/ and/or https://www.cdc.gov/

SIGNSOF Respect

aHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP & Teen Dating Violence

Yourpartnerunderstandsand acceptsthatyouare,firstand foremost,auniqueindividual.”You haveinterests,needs,andlife experiencesthatareseparatefrom yourpartner’s.

COMMUNICATION

Inrelationships,communicationallows youtoexplaintosomeoneelsewhat youareexperiencingandwhatyour needsare.Theactofcommunicating notonlyhelpstomeetyourneeds,butit alsohelpsyoutobeconnectedinyour relationship.

Violence Free Colorado states " Girls and young women between the ages of experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence almost triple the national average. "

16 and 24

Safety Alert

If you are in a crisis or need immediate help, dial 911 or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or TTY (800) 787−3224

FACTS

1.5million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year

33% of adolescents are victim to sexual, physical, verbal or emotional dating abuse.

It starts early: Violent behavior often begins between 6th and 12th grade, with 72% of 13 and 14year-olds reporting that they are dating.

https://teendriving.aaa.com/CO/teens/getting-ready/underage-drinking/

https://www.talkitoutnc.org/underage-drinking-facts/

https://www.violencefreecolorado.org/find-help/teen-dating-violence/

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Groundwork Denver Youth Program

What is Groundwork Denver? - Que es Groundwork?

Groundwork Denver is a non profit organization that has seven different programs and they are; air, climate, energy, food, land, water and youth The organization's mission is to bring about the sustained improvement of the physical environment and promote health and well-being through the community and action One of Groundwork's Denver goals is to support the growth of community leaders from the neighborhoods through youth employment!

Groundwork Denver es una organización sin fines de lucro que tiene siete programas diferentes y son aire, clima, energía, alimentos, tierra, agua y juventud La misión de la organización es lograr la mejora sostenida del entorno físico y promover la salud y el bienestar a través de la comunidad y la acción ¡Uno de los objetivos de Groundwork en Denver es apoyar el crecimiento de los líderes comunitarios de los vecindarios a través del empleo juvenil!

The Youth Program - El Programa para Jovenes

The youth program is a paid summer job for youth ages 13-18. The program goes June through August and start hiring in May. The participants work on projects focused on improving the physical environment and health for the Denver Metropolitan area. Some of the specific neighborhoods are Montbello, Five Points, Westwood and Commerce CIty. Also, an example of some of the projects we did this summer for the Westwood green team specifically are help with picking up trash, alley clean ups and community events But, we also do fun activities and we go camping, hiking, bike riding and swimming

El programa para jóvenes es un trabajo de verano para jóvenes de 13 a 18 años El programa va de junio a agosto y contratan en mayo Los participantes trabajan en proyectos enfocados a mejorar el ambiente físico y la salud del área metropolitana de Denver. Algunos de los vecindarios específicos son Montbello, Five Points, Westwood y Commerce City. Además, un ejemplo de algunos de los proyectos que hicimos este verano para el equipo ecológico de Westwood es, específicamente, ayudar con recojer basura, limpieza de callejones y eventos comunitarios. Pero, también hacemos actividades divertidas y vamos a acampar, hacer caminatas, andar en bicicleta y nadar

How to Get Involved - Como Involuvrarse

Visit our website for more information and youth can apply around May for the summer program on the website: https://groundworkcolorado.org/

Follow on Instagram: groundwork denver

Visite nuestro sitio web para más información y los jóvenes pueden postularse alrededor de Mayo para el programa de verano en la pagina: https://groundworkcolorado.org/ Siguenos en Instagram: groundwork denver

Community Recognition

Youth Leadership Award

My name is Sheccid Apodaca and I a student at Regis University with a full ride. I am undeclared but all I know is that I want to help my community. I have been involved in the parish youth group for almost 7 years now.I attend St. Anthony of Padua Church in the Westwood neighborhood and I was chosen as coordinator for the group 2 years ago and have planned many events alongside an amazing team of teenagers. We take time to be of service to others and help one another grow closer to God and build a personal connection with Him. As a community we plan food drives, retreats, and fundraisers for the church. Not only do we take time in our weekly meetings to pray and reflect on our lives, but we create time to have fun and be teens! Many of us have too many responsibilities that tend to take that ‘free time’ away. I learned to see God’s love through the kindness of people and the selfless acts each person does without asking anything in return.

Whoqualifiestobeayouthleader nomineeforSWVida?

A young person age 22 and younger, living in southwest Denver and is a role model in the community to other young people. Youth may nominate themselves.

Nominate

Recommend

https://forms.gle/7Ymxs1bq72fZyK4u8

In each edition, we will identify a youth leader in our community to be recognized for all of their hard work

From left to right: Sayuri Toribio, Noemi Enriquez