Aspen Community Foundation Releases EMPOWER Report

The sound of laughter and conversation fills the air as you walk through the streets of Aspen, a town that prides itself on its vibrant community and stunning natural beauty, but have you ever stopped to think about what the younger generation is really thinking, what they're struggling with, and what they need to thrive in this picturesque mountain town. It's a question that the Aspen Community Foundation and the Jonathan D + Mark C. Lewis Foundation have been exploring, and the result is EMPOWER, a digital report that sheds light on the insights and needs of local youth. As you delve into the report, you can't help but wonder, what do the young people of Aspen, from Parachute to the Roaring Fork Valley, really need to succeed, and are we, as a community, providing it.

The creation of EMPOWER was no small feat, involving a year-long effort by the Youth Empowerment Alliance, a partnership of 21 nonprofit organizations and young people from the region, who came together to collect data from over 1,200 youth, a number that's roughly the size of the student body at Aspen High School. The alliance, facilitated by the team at Human Service Innovations, used surveys, focus groups, and interviews, all led by youth, to gather information on the barriers to engagement, support systems, and empowerment projects that are most important to young people. As Mark Lewis of The Jonathan D + Mark C. Lewis Foundation noted, "Too often in philanthropy, we move quickly to solutions without fully understanding the problem," but this report takes a different approach, one that prioritizes listening to and amplifying the voices of young people.

As you read through the report, you begin to notice a recurring theme, one that highlights the need for time, communication, transportation, and affordability, issues that may seem straightforward but are, in fact, complex and multifaceted. The report's findings are both striking and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to think critically about how they can support the next generation in their community. John Dougherty, founder of Human Service Innovations, described the report as "exciting and transformational," one that "changes the way we understand youth and their needs," and serves as a model for how to invest in meeting those needs, with and through young people, as the experts of their own experience. You can feel the weight of this statement, the sense that this report is not just a document, but a call to action, a reminder that we, as a community, have a responsibility to listen to and support those growing up in our midst.

Tracy Anderson, director of Community Initiatives at Aspen Community Foundation, added that the report can be used as a tool to deepen conversation and collaboration with youth, to create a sense of connection and understanding that is essential for building a strong and supportive community. As you consider the report's findings, you may ask yourself, what can I do to support the young people in my community, how can I help create a more inclusive and supportive environment, one that allows them to thrive and grow. The Youth Empowerment Alliance, which includes organizations such as the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and the Buddy Program, demonstrates the power of collaboration and community, showing that collective efforts can drive positive change.

The report's release is a significant moment, one that marks a shift in the way we think about and support youth in our community. As you look out at the stunning natural beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley, you can't help but feel a sense of hope and optimism, a sense that, together, we can create a brighter future for all. The sound of laughter and conversation still fills the air, but now, it's accompanied by a sense of purpose and determination, a sense that we, as a community, are committed to supporting and empowering those who will shape the future of our town.