November 27, 2014 VOLU M E 9 1 | I SS UE 1 5
LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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CWCG, Noeticus offer free workshop for parents IF YOU GO
By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com The holidays are a hectic time for everyone, with parents in particular trying to live up to all the expectations that come with the season. The Colorado Wellness Center for Girls (CWCG) and partner Noeticus Counseling Center and Training institute are offering a free class for parents who want to learn to connect with their teenage daughters and female relatives during the holidays. The two-hour workshop will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the CWCG, 3775 Chase St. in Wheat Ridge. “The holidays are a stressful time and many parents feel at a loss and helpless around the time,” said Andrea Philleo, founder of the CWCG. “We help girls all day long here, and we want to provide some direct strategies for parents about managing expectations, direct communication with their daughters and letting their daughters be who they are.” During event, trained psychotherapists Carrie Hammond of the CWCG, and Angie Tsiatsos Phillips of Noeticus will explore why the holiday season can be so difficult for teenage girls and their families. They will also discuss how the practice of skills,
WHAT: Thriving During the Holidays WHERE: Colorado Wellness Center for Girls 3775 Chase St., Wheat Ridge WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 9 6-8 p.m. COST: Free INFORMATION: 303-955-5818 or email carre@coloradocft.com
such as self-care (exercise and nutrition), boundary setting, humor, and mindfulness can be used during the holidays to “rewire” family relationships. Seasonal beverages and treats will be served during the workshop and guests will also leave with takeaways to help families and their daughters thrive. The fully licensed CWCG was formed 11 months ago by Philleo, who has years of social work to her credit, to create a wellness-based, day treatment program for girls between the ages of 12 to 21. Philleo said many of the girls they work with are struggling with the pressures of everyday life. “I think there is a different way to help many of these girls and wanted to make a place that was a respite for them,” she said. At the CWCG, Philleo and her staff focus
The Colorado Wellness Center for Girls’ nutritional manager Christine Straley prepares lunch for the girls who visit the Wheat Ridge organization every day. The CWCG is hosting an event on Dec. 9 to help parents through the stressful season. Photo by Clarke Reader on “six domains of wellness” — nutritional, physical, educational, psychological, relational and emotional. “We want to bring in a lot of community experts and connect with the community,” Philleo said. “I think we can develop
a great coalition around the wellness of girls — the Denver metro community is really receptive to new ideas.” For more information or to RSVP call 303-955-5818 or email carre@coloradocft. com.
Westgate to play Schools wins first of two GOCO grants to fix playground By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com Providing access for outdoor activities is an important aspect of every child’s school day, but when the school’s outdoor area isn’t in the best shape, it makes it hard to get students there. This challenge is one of the first new Westgate Elementary principal David Weiss faced when he came to the school this fall. “The playground’s last update was in 1988 and it really doesn’t meet modern standards at all,” he said. “A group of parents came to me and said we needed to redo the playground and they worked together to get funding.” With the help of parents like Amanda Karger, the school put together a winning grant application to Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) for design services as part of the effort to win a second grant from the organization to get their playground remodeled. The grant they won was for around $5,000. The second grant the school will be competing for will be for up to $114,000. “We’re really happy to award these kinds of grants,” said Jackie Miller, director of programs at GOCO. “One of the most compelling things about Westgate’s playground is that it hasn’t been updated in so long. The state of the playground there could cause some dangerous issues.”
Westgate Elementary is in the process of getting its playground updated, and has applied to grants from GOCO and the City of Lakewood to help fund the project. Photos by Clarke Reader
Westgate Elementary won a GOCO grant to fund the designs for a new playground area. The school will apply for a second grant from the organization in February for construction funds. This is the third year that GOCO has offered grants to transform playgrounds across the state, according to submitted information, into spaces that encourage outdoor play. The 2015 grant cycle is the first time GOCO has also provided design services for applicants. “There is already great momentum at the school, so our designers will be able to harness that,” Miller said. “The design team will work with the students and community to make sure the playground does what they want it to.” The design consultant team
consists of Chris Schooler, a landscape designer with a strong background in playground design, Tony Mazzeo with Plot Project LLC and Mark T. Lang, a construction specialist with Wood Site Design in Evergreen. “Our students will also be working on the project, picking structures they like and helping with the soil samples,” Weiss said. “The people in our neighborhoods and the city have been really supportive so far. We also applied for a $50k NPP grant from the city for the project.” Applications for the second GOCO grant are due in February,
Westgate Elementary’s playground has been updated since 1988 and its age is starting to show. The school recently received a GOCO grant to update the playground. and the school will be working hard until then with the designers and community to come up with the best plan. Westgate is also reaching out to local businesses who may be interested in sponsorship opportunities. If the school is awarded the construction grant, they will find out in April and try to build the new structure in the summer. “A lot of research we’re see-
ing says one to two recesses a day would be good for kids - it increases their brain activity and allows them to get out their energy,” Weiss said. “The community as a whole would benefit from the process… It would be a chance to do something good for everyone.” For more information, including business sponsorship details, visit www.westgateplayground. com.