Stepping Stones is a youth mentoring program that operates drop-in centers for youth ages

10 - 21 in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Stepping Stones' Commitment to Racial Justice

Youth have always initiated conversations about race and justice at Stepping Stones, since we are a multicultural setting where diversity, honesty, and vulnerability are valued. These talks have increased in frequency and urgency as recent deaths and protests have demanded our engagement and action. While our staff has always worked to empower youth to thoughtfully explore and bridge the divides between us, we recognize that this is not enough.

We grieve and stand with the Black community against acts of police brutality, racism, and policies and systems that perpetuate inequity. Our commitment to mentoring young people and supporting their families requires us to demand justice and to proclaim that Black lives matter. We acknowledge that there are dynamics of deeply ingrained racism, oppression toward BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), white privilege, and complacency within our community both near and far. We cannot achieve our mission to empower young people to reach self-sufficiency in a world that structurally oppresses 77% of our participants. Stepping Stones is committed to working against unjust policies for the benefit of our youth, their families, and our community.

Recognizing the sharp racial divides that exist within our own community, Stepping Stones is committed to amplifying voices of BIPOC, implementing antiracist practices within our programming, and increasing the diversity of our Board of Directors. We are also committed on a participant, staff, and board level to the active work of listening, speaking truth, building equitable systems, and dismantling oppressive systems. We stand with you, together, for justice, compassion and radical change.

Compromiso de Stepping Stones con la justicia racial:

Los jóvenes siempre han iniciado conversaciones sobre raza y justicia en Stepping Stones, ya que somos una comunidad multicultural donde se valora la diversidad, la honestidad y la vulnerabilidad. Estas conversaciones han aumentado en frecuencia y urgencia a medida que las recientes muertes y protestas han exigido nuestro compromiso y acción. Si bien nuestro personal siempre ha trabajado para capacitar a los jóvenes para que exploren cuidadosamente y superen las divisiones entre nosotros, reconocemos que esto no es suficiente.

Lo lamentamos y apoyamos a la comunidad negra contra actos de brutalidad policial, racismo y políticas y sistemas que perpetúan la inequidad. Nuestro compromiso de guiar a los jóvenes y apoyar a sus familias requiere que exijamos justicia y proclamamos que las vdidas negras importan. Reconocemos que existe una dinámica de racismo profundamente arraigado, opresión hacia BIPOC (Negros, Indígenas y Personas de Color, por sus siglas en Inglés), privilegio blanco y complacencia dentro de nuestra comunidad, tanto de cerca como de lejos. No podemos lograr nuestra misión de empoderar a los jóvenes para alcanzar la autosuficiencia en un mundo que oprime estructuralmente al 77% de nuestros participantes. Stepping Stones se compromete a trabajar contra políticas injustas en beneficio de nuestros jóvenes, sus familias y nuestra comunidad.

Al reconocer las agudas divisiones raciales que existen dentro de nuestra propia comunidad, Stepping Stones se compromete a amplificar las voces de BIPOC, implementar prácticas antirracistas dentro de nuestro programa y aumentar la diversidad en nuestra Junta Directiva. También estamos comprometidos, a niveles de participante, personal general y directivo, con el trabajo activo de escuchar, decir la verdad, construir sistemas equitativos y desmantelar sistemas opresivos. Estamos con ustedes, juntos, por la justicia, la compasión y el cambio radical.

CONTACT US

ENGLISH & ESPANOL

970.340.2100

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

Stepping Stones is a community-based youth mentoring program that operates drop-in centers for young people ages 10 to 21 in the Roaring Fork Valley. Our philosophy is that strong, long-term relationships with positive adult role models are the key to empowering youth and their families within our community. Our drop-in centers are open five days a week, and provide a diverse, bilingual atmosphere where participants feel comfortable sharing meaningful life experiences and challenges. Stepping Stones maintains a 10 to 1 youth to mentor ratio, and each participant works together with staff toward individualized goals. To meet the varied needs of our participants, Stepping Stones offers essential services and programming free of charge, including skill development, nightly meals, basic needs assistance, educational support and advocacy, community engagement, arts programming, and outdoor recreation.

Stepping Stones has been plans to renovate our youth centers in Carbondale. Want to learn more about plans?

Click the button below to check out our capital campaign page.

CAMPAIGN

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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

CONTACT US

ENGLISH & ESPANOL

970.340.2100

STEPPING STONES IS ON THE RADIO

We are the non-profit featured this month on Aspen Public Radios non-profit spotlight. Click the links below to check out our interview on APR. Thank you APR for giving us the opportunity to share our story with the community.