At Eagle Valley Community Foundation we have our ear to the ground on current community issues and the challenges our neighbors face. The month of May brought specific attention to some of our core values and goals including mental health awareness, leaders of color in our community, and women's health. As we wrap up the month we hope you will join us in acknowledging Mental Health Awareness Month and Small Business Month, along with this month's many exciting events including; EVCF's Women's Luncheon, Elevar's Kick Off Meeting, and the MIRA Women's Health Education event. We invite you to read and learn more about our current initiatives and how you can support health, wellness, and equity in our community!
Earlier this month, Eagle Valley Community Foundation hosted our first Women's Lunch. Thank you to the team at Harvest for hosting such a lovely gathering and for Cynthia Helle, EVCF Board Member, for her vision for this group!
Our goal is to build a network of women with a passion for humanity, our community, and a desire to come together to make a lasting impact. We welcome all women and non-binary people - as the membership grows, so does our ability to positively impact our community. Every woman has the opportunity to learn about community needs and hear how Eagle Valley Community Foundation is addressing those needs while building personal connections.
For those interested in joining the group, please contact Eagle Valley Community Foundation Annual Giving Manager, Kaitlyn Collopy at kaitlyn@eaglevalleycf.org
Program Update: Need Remains High At The Community Market
Last week, Eagle Valley Community Foundation Staff presented to the Eagle County Commissioners on the increased demand at The Community Market. Our staff and resources continue to be strained to meet the increasing need but providing our local community members with access to fresh produce and essential grocery items is our continued priority and we need your help!
Steps You Can Take To Ensure The Shelves Stay Stocked:
1. Donate Now- Financial support ensures that we can keep up with the increasing need in our community. Whether a monthly donation of $5 or a gift at the Foundational Family level, everyone plays an important part. For every $1 donated, we are able to leverage $9 in food through partnerships.
2. Volunteer- Volunteers serve a critical need at The Community Market. Sign up today to make a hands on impact. Shifts are available at both locations, Edwards and Gypsum, and start with a 2 hour commitment.
3. Spread Awareness- Follow our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) and let other community members know about this critical need.
As EVCF continues to honor Small Business Month, we celebrate our REcover grocery rescue partners at Knapp Harvest for their commitment to locally sourced goodness, wholesome food, and exceptional quality natural products. We are so grateful for your partnership in helping to bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity, and for bringing hearty, healthy natural grocer options to our Eagle Valley community in need through The Community Market.
Mental Health Awareness Month
In May, the MIRA bus recognized Mental Health Awareness Month and the unique mental health challenges that the hispanic community faces. We must first acknowledge that every day is a challenge when you decide to leave your family, friends, climate, and food far away, to dream for a better future. Not having permits to work, not knowing the language is a great barrier for the first generation of immigrants. The part of acculturation that identifies who I am, where I live, how I look, etc. is a major struggle for first-generation immigrants. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), about 34% of Hispanic/Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment annually, which is less than the average US rate of 45%.
On the MIRA bus our bilingual, bicultural navigators sit next to neighbors in need and walk alongside them through their unique journeys to wellness, both physical and mental. Thank you so much to our partners at Vail Health Behavioral Health for their continued support of our programs.
Breast Cancer Education Event
Thank you Dr. Barone, Vail Health, and the Sonnenalp Breast Center at the Shaw Cancer Health for supporting May's Breast Cancer Education Event at Mountain Recreation. We are so grateful for your compassion and professional expertise. Dr. Barone is Eagle County's first fellowship-trained breast surgeon and oncoplastic (breast-conserving surgery refers to an operation that aims to remove breast cancer while avoiding a mastectomy) specialist. As the Medical Director of the Breast Care Center at Shaw Cancer Center, Dr. Barone leads a robust team of knowledgeable and compassionate care providers, ensuring the highest level of treatment for patients with breast cancer and other breast problems. This event is part of MIRA's reinvigorated focus on Women's Health issues.
Mother's Day Appreciation Events
It’s a story familiar to many moms and their families: Mom focuses her energy on the health and well-being of her family, forgetting about her own health needs. This mother’s day (and every other day), let’s change that narrative! Focusing on mom’s health, and women’s health in general, is one of the most powerful things you can do this Mother’s Day.
Top Women's Health Issues:
1. Heart disease
2. Breast cancer
3. Osteoporosis
4. Depression
5. Autoimmune diseases
In honor of Mother's Day, MIRA celebrated by giving local mothers free bouquets and connecting them with resources like YouthPower 365, Early Head Start, Mountain Youth, SpeakUp ReachOut, Eagle County CCCAP, WIC, etc. . Whether the issues listed above or others, the MIRA team is here to serve as resource connectors to mothers and others who need us!
Elevar Kick Off
Thank you to our local leaders who joined us for the Callout Meeting for Elevar's Advisory Board. We are so grateful for your interest in supporting BIPOC local entrepreneurs dedicated to building sustainable and impactful businesses in our community! Interested in learning more about how YOU can get involved? Please contact Julieta at mjulieta@eaglevalleycf.org.
While the Colorado Health Foundation has provided generous seed funding to cover the program costs, Eagle Valley Community Foundation is seeking donors and partners who would like to invest in leaders of color in our community to support grant making. For more information about making a gift to support this program, please contact Grace Anshutz at grace@eaglevalleycf.org.
While the weather warms up for you to enjoy beautiful hikes and mountain biking at Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts this summer, we want to thank them for their support of The Community Market! Grant funding from Vail Resorts EpicPromise ensures that essential needs like fresh produce and healthy food staples are available to families throughout Eagle County! With the labor shortages and supply chain issues, food costs have increased and our ability to access fresh produce to adequately supply TCM has become increasingly challenging. These grant funds offset these increases in costs, while we continue to support the essential needs of our neighbors in need.
While we continue to see increased need in our community as highlighted by the record high number of customers at The Community Market, we continue to be grateful for all those who support our mission. Thank you to our volunteers, partners, Board, and donors for their steadfast commitment!
