Together We Grow - Valley Settlement

Impact and Innovation Rooted in Listening

Twelve years ago, we began a journey together. Guided by a vision to create a more inclusive community and rooted in the value of listening first, we developed a network of programs that honor and respond to families’ dreams and needs. Throughout this journey, many have stepped forward to partner with us in ways that have deepened our connections with the community. Connecting through shared language and culture, we learn together, build deep and trusting relationships, and celebrate each step that has brought us to where we stand today. We are now called forth to innovate and expand our programs throughout the broader region. We have arrived at this moment in time hopeful and excited for what is next for Valley Settlement.

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We Begin By Listening

In 2021, Valley Settlement conducted a community-wide listening tour, knocking on doors up and down the Roaring Fork Valley and western Garfield County, ultimately connecting with over 300 Latina/o community members to understand the most pressing hopes, dreams, and needs of these families. We heard that many families are moving into western Garfield County in search of a more affordable cost of living and that many face systemic, economic, and geographic barriers that directly impact their quality of life.

“We are an organization that will always listen first, and through the listening tour, we learned that there are opportunities to engage more deeply with families in western Garfield County. We also heard that there is room for growth within our current programming to work with more members of the whole family, and continue innovating and strengthening our work in the community.”

– Kenia Pinela, Director of Programs and Innovation at Valley Settlement

Centered In Community

Grounded in this deep listening and building on the strengths of our existing programs, our team of bicultural and bilingual staff and Board members gathered together in an inclusive process to create a strategic plan that guides our work into 2027. This strategic plan lays out the following ambitious goals to meet the growing and evolving needs of Latina/o families:

Broaden our Reach by growing our programs into western Garfield County, and increasing the number of participating families in our programs by almost 50%.
Strengthen our Impact by increasing services and direct contact hours with participants, innovating current programming to connect with the whole family, strengthening new and existing partnerships, and amplifying the voices of the Latina/o community through an emphasis on relevant policy issues.
Build for the Future with a stronger and more sustainable organization by creating a six-month reserve fund and strengthening the organizational structure to better attract, train, and support local staff members and volunteers.

In 2023 and 2024, our community of philanthropists contributed $6.2 million to fuel the growth and expansion outlined in our 2023 – 2027 Strategic Plan. This includes funding to broaden our reach and strengthen our impact and a sustainability fund to raise six months in reserves to build for the future.

Learn More About Our Strategic Plan Goals

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Broaden our Reach

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Strengthen our Impact

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Build for the Future

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Our Community of Philanthropists

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We know that generosity comes in many forms and are deeply grateful to the community of philanthropists who partner with us through their time, treasure, and talent. Together We Grow would not be possible without the donors, volunteers, staff, program participants, and community members who bring our collective resources and energy together to build a more inclusive and equitable community.

“We support Valley Settlement because everyone should have an equal chance to pursue their dreams. But as we know this is often not the case. Valley Settlement helps level the playing field through its outcome-based programs of early childhood and adult education, leadership development, and access to resources that enable families to grow with their community. Programs are developed from the bottom up by listening to those in need, educators, health care providers, and the community at large.”

– Larry and Susan Marx, Together We Grow Lead Gift Donors

Paola Adan Muñoz** • Tina Alvarez* • Anonymous • Reyna Apodaca** • Ascend at the Aspen Institute • Chantel Barajas** • Elaine Gantz Berman • Tracy Bethell** • Jon-Paul Bianchi* & Britni Russell Bianchi • Julie Bomersback** • Sally Boughton** • Lorena Carreno** • Catto Shaw Foundation • CPCQC • Maria Dueñas** • Ellen Freedman & Auden Schendler • Friedman Family Foundation Advised Fund at Aspen Community Foundation • Araceli Gallardo** • Kevin Geiser & Ann Dahmer • Jessie Goff & Marco Salmen • Zulema Gomez* • Diana Gonzalez** • Marlin González** • The Dean and Sherri Goodwin Family Fund • Carolyn Hardin • Carlos A. Herrera** • Dr. Doug Jones* & Dr. Ann Jones • Patricia Juárez** • Mike and Laura Kaplan Advised Fund at Aspen Community Foundation • Katie & Brendon Langenhuizen • Yessica Lasso Ledesma** • Ted Lee & Marc Sekula • Melony and Adam Lewis Advised Fund at Aspen Community Foundation • Teresa Loera Diaz** • Dania Marin** • Olivia Marquez Muñoz** • Larry & Susan Marx • Susie Meraz* • Jamie Montgomery Helzberg* • Mt. Callahan Community Fund at Western Colorado Community Foundation • Marcie & Robert Musser • Paula Losada Nickell* & Jonathan Nickell • Claire Noone* • Karen Oliva** • Nadia Perez** • Kenia Pinela** • Haide Pizarro** • Carina Ramirez** • María Raquel Ramírez** • Sarai M. Ramirez** • Sirlenis Ramirez** • Genesis Ramos** • Karla Reyes** • Richard Rodman & Maria Tarajano Rodman** • Leticia Romero** • Yesenia Rubio** • MacKenzie Scott • Sidney E. Frank Foundation • Ana Soler* • Rob Stein* & Mariah Dickson • Patti Stranahan* • Brad Strong • Sindy Suarez** • Susan Taylor & Robert Pew • Danishia Tellez** • The Giving Network at Aspen Community Foundation • The Louis Calder Foundation • The North Star Foundation • Gloria Torres** • Valley Settlement Parent Mentor Volunteers • Valley Settlement Promotora Volunteers

* Board of Directors
** Staff Member

1901 Grand Avenue, Suite 206
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970.963.0851
info@valleysettlement.org

Language/Idioma

KEY PARTNERS

MANAUS
Our founding organization

Roaring Fork School District
The school district in which we serve

Mountain Family Health Centers
Providing health care for medically underserved families

Colorado Mountain College
Partnering to advance education among adults

Frontiers of Innovation
Building scalable programs

CU Boulder - CREST Lab
Investigating a peer-delivered behavioral health program

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