A few good citizens are needed to serve on the library board of the City of Lafayette. Betsy Stroomer, Community Life and Library Director, chats with host Nikki Kayser about the current agenda and issues before the board. They particularly want to encourage cultural and racial diversity on the board that represents people in the community. Library Board members believe in the importance of literacy and the power of information. They act as advocates for public libraries.

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Working towards social justice and environmental sustainability, a community of activists receives small grants from Global Greengrants Fund. From the neighborhood organizer in Ghana’s mining region to the Chicago donor advocating for global environmental rights, we are a network of passionate change-makers. The reality is that millions of people are denied the right to a healthy environment. Toxic contamination; destruction of natural resources; disappearance of water, food, and work; displacement from traditional lands-environmental degradation is common, and so are the social injustices that accompany it. Greengrants supports local leaders—primarily outside the United States and Western Europe—in fighting these injustices by providing resources that enable grassroots action on the front lines of social change. Host Nikki Kayser chats with Jessica Sherman about their work in Pakistan in the face of the recent massive floods.

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Young readers who are practicing reading fluency find that well trained dogs are patient enough to listen without criticism. Two therapy dogs, Sonia and Magic, are currently volunteering in the Children’s Story Room at the public library in Bloomfield. Twice a month, usually on Thursdays, the popular Afternoon Reading Fun program is from 4:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. Host Nikki Kayser spoke with Sarah Johnson about the dogs, the kids and the reading fun.

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G.R.I.P. is a program of Children And Youth Resources in Longmont. They focus on positive relationships, conflict resolution, self-esteem and personal responsibility to help kids get out of gangs and get on track to a better way of life. Louie Lopez, community coordinator, describes to host Nikki Kayser some of the signs of gang membership and some of the many factors that can attract youth to gangs.

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Aerial fitness and dance is not all they do. They are  serving the community with our outreach programs. Kids Who Fly builds healthy risk-taking behaviors, works constructively on self-esteem issues, and helps youth experience the unique joy of artistic expression through attending low-lying trapeze classes designed specifically for youth-at-risk. Since the program’s inception, Frequent Flyers have served over 800 youth in our community. Host Rachel Sapin gets the details.

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In support of the victims of the Four-Mile Canyon fire this summer, The Hatch Foundation partners with local jazz musicians and artists to bring a Chili Cook-off and concert. Hatch partners with businesses, organizations, and the art community to enhance fund-raising effortd for non-profits. Founder Brandon Hatch chats with host Nikki Kayser about some of the artists and musicians who live in the canyon and are still trying to get back on their feet.

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Advisory boards and commissions help advise the county commissioners and other elected offices and departments on matters concerning public administration, planning, budgeting, and other functions of local governance. Recruitment for board members occurs two times a year, normally in January and July. Once again, they need citizen advisers and volunteers to help form policy recommendations for City of  Boulder. Host Maeve Conran discusses the positions and their agenda with Susan Kohl and Dianne Marshall in the city manager’s office.

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Longmont Community Justice Partnership ,formerly Teaching Peace, focuses services on the community and schools with documented success. Participants rate their satisfaction with our restorative justice processes as 95% or better. An average of 90% complete their agreements to make things right with only 10% re-offending.The national re-offense rate averages 68%. They also provide training in restorative practices. Host Alec Harris finds out more from Deb Witzel, Executive Director.

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Students from Germany and all over the world come to study and volunteer along the Front Range. Holly Running-rabbit helps place them in homes that want to host a guest- high school age and older. For host families the rewards can be a life-time friendship with folks from abroad. Holly reads some letters to host Nikki Kayser from students wanting homes to visit here. SHARE has the details and common questions and answers.

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As the white stuff falls and snow removal rules are considered, volunteer sidewalk shovelers are still in short demand. Program coordinator and Vista Volunteer for Care Connect, Will Duane explains to host Nikki Kayser that inquiries are up this year. The Louisville Snowbusters and the Longmont Snow Chasers also need help. Elderly citizens need help to clear their walkways, so that Meals On Wheels and others can visit.

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