Roaring Fork Valley

Sallie Bernard is the Founder and Board President of Ascendigo, and says that the need for providing services to individuals and their families  on the autism spectrum is growing. Bernard is joined by Ascendigo's Executive Director, Hugh Zuker, and Ascendigo's Adult Program Manager, Carly Knauf. 

Learn more about Ascendigo and their programs in the Roaring Fork Valley at www.Ascendigo.org. 

 Ascendigo Executive Director, Hugh Zuker, discusses the organization's programs and the importance of the organization's work in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Ascendigo is best known for its summer camp.  Through individualized instruction, participants do a host of outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, water skiing, and rock climbing. Ascendigo also offers an adult enrichment program and a winter sports program.

Ascendigo has been operating out of the Roaring Fork Valley since 2004. Founded by Sallie Bernard, who now serves as the Board President, the autism services organization has grown from a summer sports camp to a nationally known group that offers a range of outdoor sports programs. 

Bernard is joined by Ascendigo's Clinical Coordinator, Sami Henry, M. Ed., BCBA, to discuss the organization's history and programs.  

English in Action Executive Director Lara Beaulieu discusses the challenges facing the organization, as well as her goals for the future. English in Action has a waiting list with almost 100 individuals waiting for tutors - the organization will host a fall volunteer tutor drive in hopes of recruiting almost 80 new tutors.

Learn more about the fall recruitment HERE, and find out more information about English in Action at www.EnglishinAction.org.   

Julie Goldstein is the Board Chair of English in Action. She joined the organization in 2009 when she became a volunteer tutor. She shares her personal experiences in education and as a tutor, and examines the changing trends of immigrant communities in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

Visit www.EnglishinAction.org to learn more about how you can become a volunteer tutor. 

In the 1980's, an increasing number of immigrants - predominantly from Mexico and Central America - became a vital part of the Roaring Fork Valley. Some of these new immigrants struggled to learn English and in some cases, cultural divides developed.

The field of candidates to fill a vacant judge post that serves the Roaring Fork Valley, has been narrowed down. 

English in Action was created in 1994 when the Basalt Regional Library launched its Adult Literacy Program - committed to fostering a diverse community. In 2008, the initiative became a fully independent non-profit organization known today as English in Action.  

Executive Director Lara Beaulieu discusses the organization's history and importance in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

Energetics Education is a young non-profit organization based in Carbondale that works to bring energy education programs into high schools. Established in 2014, the organization has one program - Solar Rollers - that gives solar car kits to high schoolers and hosts a competitive race for the school teams in the spring.   

Noah Davis is the executive director of Energetics Education and shares his personal history in energy and education, and what inspired him to start the organization.

Mike Simmons, Chairman of the Aspen Science Center board, and Jackie Francis, Executive Director of the Aspen Science Center, share their vision for the future of the center. The organization hopes to build a science museum where visitors (both locals and tourists) can explore, interact, and discover. 

Learn more about the Aspen Science Center and their summer programs at www.AspenScienceCenter.org. 

Mike Simmons is the Chairman of the Aspen Science Center Board. He explains why hands-on experiments are the best way to educate and inspire people who are interested in science and learning about the world around them. Joining Simmons is Jackie Francis, the center's Executive Director. This week, we discuss the center's multitude of summer events for all ages and interests. 

Learn more about the Aspen Science Center's summer programs and events at www.AspenScienceCenter.org. 

Local veterans in need are utilizing an emergency fund that's new this spring. The Western Slope Veterans Coalition is behind the assistance meant for vets in the Roaring Fork and Eagle valleys. Colonial Dick Merritt is part of the coalition. He says it helps with things like utilities, food, mental health counseling, transportation, employment and housing.

"There are many veterans coming out of military service and housing’s real tight. They have jobs but no place to live, so we’re helping them on a temporary basis to get settled."

 In 1990, the Aspen Science Center was created as a horticultural project at the Aspen Community School. First known as The Verena Project, the idea soon blossomed into a larger, science-focused non-profit organization. George Stranahan is a co-founder and board member of the center, and shares the history and evolution of the organization. 

Learn more about the Aspen Science Center at www.AspenScienceCenter.org. 

Improving access to dental healthcare for communities between Aspen and Parachute is no small feat. So it's safe to say that the Aspen to Parachute Dental Health Alliance has plenty of work ahead of them. Among with their strategies and goals are some challenges. Cristina Gair, Executive Director of the Dental Alliance, and Kelly Keeffe, the Regional Oral Health Consultant for the Dental Alliance, discuss the challenges and future of the organization. 

Learn more about the Dental Alliance and their programs at www.mygreatteeth.org.