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Building On Life’s Disappointments (BOLD) is a project designed by several Colorado-based philanthropists which offers hope and opportunity to young people whose lives have been directly impacted by natural disasters. BOLD is a Colorado Based Program specifically designed to offer hope and inspiration to children and young adults residing in the Gulf states of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, whose lives were recently impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Through a unique partnership with the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Program (BOEC), Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN), and the University of Colorado, hundreds of Gulf Coast youths whose lives are in turmoil as a result of the recent hurricanes, will be provided with an enriching experience that will last a lifetime. BOLD will offer Colorado experiential trips to approximately 30 male and female youths selected by FEMA and other pertinent organizations charged with the responsibilities of providing relief, shelter and hope to families impacted by these natural disasters. Each program will take place in Colorado over a five day period and will be designed to empower at-risk teens from the Gulf States to overcome their recent obstacles and visualize and achieve their potential. The pristine setting of Colorado will be used to offer each youth an opportunity to learn infinite amounts about self and interrelationships and to build the potential of working within a community once returning home. BOLD’s primary objective is to touch the lives of these young people in such a way that during their visit to Colorado they are exposed to the possibilities that exist outside of their own difficult environment. Participants will discover new alternatives and strategies for changing their lives for the better based on the experiences they have here in the Rocky Mountains.
The philosophy is simple. Immersed in a totally different atmosphere, far from their current lives, the participants begin to lose the barriers that have restricted their current potentials. Encouraged by the challenge of skiing, they confront fears and obstacles. Through challenging outdoor activities, they realize the strengths and capabilities they always had, but that have been dashed by disaster.
The five day program will include medical screening provided by MCPN for each participant; an afternoon at the University of Colorado, Boulder; a three day Ski Camp in Breckenridge, Colorado; nightly rap sessions and intensive group discussions where young people share the struggles and traumas they face.
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The first three proposed program dates are Feb. 15 –19, March 1–5; and April 12–16.
Selection of participants will be based on meeting the criteria, completion of all pertinent paperwork, recommendations for selection of youth and/or individual by community based partner organization and commitment to perform community service work as a volunteer prior to or after attending the BOLD program. Overall, the selection process will center on building unique partnerships and will involve entities to ensure the strategic development of communities working together to benefit its displaced and traumatized youth. Ages for participants is 13 to 18 years of age.
For more information call John Reid, Director of Development, at 303-761-1977 or fax him at 720-338-1148.
About BOEC
BOEC is the nation’s oldest and most respected outdoor experiential learning centers accessible to people with and without disabilities. Last year the organization served person from 40 states and six countries. The BOEC works with a wide range of participants with special needs, including adults and children with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual and hearing impairments, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, as well as at-risk youth. BOEC is committed to supporting BOLD and the Gulf State youth who attend the program and has set aside dates to accommodate up to 30 participants for each program.
About MCPN
MCPN is a nonprofit organization that has provided medical, dental and community-based services to the underserved since 1989. Its mission is to provide excellent health-related services focusing on the underserved. MCPN is committed to the concept of BOLD and will serve as the fiduciary fiscal agent of all funds donated to this effort; as well as, provide medical screening to each youth participant prior to their departure to Breckenridge to their ski camp.
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