“Colorado Declares State of Emergency for Youth Mental Health.”
JENA HAUSMANN, CEO, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO ON MAY 25, 2021
Evidence-Based Work
We believe that every youth will be strengthened by authentically connecting with people, animals and land. The lack of connection to an adult who will listen is one of the top risk factors cited in the Colorado Attorney General’s Report on Youth Suicide. Mentoring has been shown to be one of the most important factors for improving youth self-esteem, resilience and positive mental health. Our also connects youth with animals who accept them exactly as they are. And in a peaceful, fun ranch environment, these youth connect to the outdoors. They put their phones away, breathe the country air and learn to be present!
Rooted in Youth Resilience.
Take some time to listen to some stories that paint a picture of The Aspen Effect’s incredible potential to impact the lives of our youth.
Program Highlights
RANCH MENTOR CLUB
The Ranch Mentor Club gives youth in our community an opportunity to be around goats and mini horses in a farm setting. Each youth will put in some hard work and bond with a trusted adult mentor who enjoys having fun, engaging in real conversation, and doing creative things.
RANCH RESILIENCE CAMP
During the summer, we offer 2-day morning Ranch Resilience Camps. During each session, youth will be taught to be grounded, connected, protected and nurtured by a faculty of horses and other ranch animals in a very unique classroom of open space, trails and mountain scenery.
TEEN ADVISORY BOARD
Our Teen Advisory Board counsels The Aspen Effect on our programming and youth outreach. They also serve as a youth voice for other organizations in Douglas County and Colorado that support youth mental health such as the Douglas County School Resource Officers (SROs).
YOUTH SERVICE CREW
The Aspen Effect offers a unique volunteer service program for high school students in Douglas County who are looking for ways to earn required community service hours for graduation. This is a unique ranch service experience that involves, hard work, leadership, and lots of fun!
Our Peaceful Home
This is where we invite youth, parents and mentors to join us in our mission of resilience to become more grounded, connected, protected and nurtured. We welcome The Aspen Effect Family to Happy Dog Ranch Horse Sanctuary, just 3.5 miles south of the town of Sedalia, nestled near the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains. Click on this photo to learn more about our peaceful home.