FEBRUARY 2025 EDITION
We Have a New Board Member!
Stephanie Crawford-Goetz, Ph.D., Director of Mental Health at Douglas County School District, has just joined our Board of Directors. We are grateful she is willing to extend her time, passion and connections to help The Aspen Effect grow and maximize the impact we have in Douglas County.
Stephanie is a school psychologist and licensed psychologist. She has been in education for over 20 years and in her current role, she provides oversight for school-based mental health services, psychological safety, crisis prevention and postvention, and behavioral and social/emotional intervention. She also serves as a liaison to district stakeholders, community agencies, and universities. In recognition for her contributions she received the 2022 Ronald M. King Community Service Award (Douglas County Sheriff's Office) and the 2022 Extra Mile Award (West Virginia Children’s Justice Task Force) for her work on behalf of children.
Stephanie is also a wife and mother and loves spending quality time with her family.
Dr. Stephanie in the great outdoors with one of her favorite people.
Founder & Executive Director - Jerry Van Leuven, Treasurer - Michael “Manthos” Anthos, Director at Large - Stephanie Crawford, Director at Large - Mike Hanchett, Board President - Debbie “Deg” Egner, and Secretary - Carrie Wedel.
Our Mentor-Mentee Projects
In our one-on-one mentoring program Animal Lovers Volunteer Club, each mentor and mentee are encouraged to work together on a project over the 12 weeks of meetups at the ranch. Here are some of the amazing results of these projects!
Gabe and Noah spent hours planning and building an adjustable PVC pipe horse jump for the horses at Happy Dog Ranch. Here, they are introducing a beautiful, gentle horse (Luna) to this new object. She was very curious!
Alina and Kristi would practice playing flute and clarinet duets before going out to the ranch to visit the goats. Alina always showed poise and confidence in performing her music.
Grayson and Logan created a beautiful wooden sign post to install The Aspen Effect sign near the front gate of Happy Dog Ranch. Woodwork is Grayson’s thing. Talented young man.