At the Foundation, our community engagement approach thrives through locally focused initiatives. We invest significant time and effort into understanding individual communities. Alamosa County is one of nine such communities.
We aim to cultivate meaningful relationships, forge connections and support long-term efforts that prioritize community-informed, collaborative solutions to health challenges.
Why take a local focus? Ideas generated at the grassroots level are more likely to address the unique needs of the community and bring about lasting change.
Alamosa County presents its own distinctive assets and challenges when it comes to health. Our approach to local work begins with active listening and a genuine commitment to learning from the people of Alamosa.
Monique Johnson, our dedicated program officer for this community, plays a central role in this effort. She immerses herself in the community, identifies opportunities to strengthen local institutions and networks, and actively seeks ways to support local leadership and stimulate broad civic engagement.
Monique’s work takes shape through engaging conversations, networking, authentic partnerships and acting as a thought partner with a diverse range of community members.
Over the past two years, the Foundation has collaborated with institutions such as the Center for Creative Leadership to empower individuals to develop their unique leadership style and collaborate more effectively. We’ve also partnered with KaBOOM!, a nonprofit dedicated to providing children with balanced and active play opportunities. These collaborations are helping local leaders enhance their skills and create safe spaces for children to play.
Additionally, we’ve joined forces with Civic Canopy, which offers a range of services to organizations in Alamosa County, including coaching, advising, coordination, facilitation, resource sharing and capacity building.
During a series of events in 2018, we had the privilege of hearing directly from the residents of Alamosa County. We gathered valuable insights and feedback to guide our collaborative efforts toward a healthier community. You can read about Monique’s experiences during these events.
If you have ideas about creating a healthier community or want to learn more about the Foundation, please email Monique Johnson, program officer, or call her at 303-953-3617.
The Foundation has established partnerships with various organizations in Alamosa County and provided financial support for several key initiatives, including:
- Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation’s Financial Capability: Combining classes and individual financial counseling to help low-income earners achieve their financial goals
- GripTape’s Youth: Seizing and Developing Agency and Resilience Program: Empowering nearly 100 youth to embark on a journey aligned with their interests and visions of success, where they lead local community improvement efforts in the San Luis Valley
- La Puente Home’s Working Together Effort: Aiming to address generational poverty through a parent-driven, two-generation community effort called Working Together
- San Luis Valley Food Coalition’s Rio Grande Farm Park Nature Play Area: Promoting children’s physical activity and connection to the San Luis Valley’s natural and cultural resources through nature-inspired infrastructure
- KaBOOM! Playground Builds: Collaborative efforts to create state-of-the-art playgrounds for children, enhancing their play experiences in the community
- Alamosa County Health Data Infographic: In English | en Español
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