Garfield County has granted another $350,000 to YouthZone, helping the nonprofit youth services organization to meet a fundraising goal that will allow it to open its new facility in downtown Glenwood Springs in March. <\/p>\n
According to a news release from the county, in April 2018 the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) agreed to a $250,000 matching grant for YouthZone’s capital campaign.<\/p>\n
Lori Mueller, YouthZone executive director, told the commissioners that, through donations from the community, the organization has raised $1.4 million \u2014 just short of its $1.7 million goal.<\/p>\n
“Our fund-raising campaign was community driven and heartfelt,” Mueller said. “It was very inspiring.”<\/p>\n
YouthZone, which offers counseling, mentor programs and other services for at-risk youth in the area, is working to provide improved and expanded services from Aspen to Parachute, according to the release. The nonprofit moves into its new home at 413 Ninth St. in Glenwood Springs on March 1.<\/p>\n
The funding came from the county’s Energy Mitigation Fund. The BOCC commended Mueller on the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n
“They have done a wonderful job of collecting funds, and now we need to live up to our word saying that we’d assist if they didn’t quite make it to their goal,” Commissioner John Martin said in the release.<\/p>\n