The Partnership Podcast

Erik get a chance to sit with Charlotte Lin, Sustainability Coordinator with the Town of Avon to talk about everything they are doing around sustainability and hold on because Avon is quickly moving in some very positive directions!  Charlotte shares some stories from her past life as a climate scientist studying tundra ecosystems in the Canadian Artic and how she's taking those lessons and applying them to her work here.  She also speaks directly to the impact that business can have as well as individuals in this work.

"As a mountain and recreation-based community, Avon has a close connection with the environment and understands that nature’s health and well-being is one of the town’s most valuable assets. Therefore, reducing Avon’s carbon footprint is one of the town’s priorities."  Town of Avon Sustainability

Learn more about Avon's plans and goals HERE.

Erik has the honor of sitting down with two of the amazing staff at Your Hope Center, Executive Director Carrie Benway and Clinical Director Dr Teresa Haynes, PsyD. to both celebrate being named the 2023 Vail Valley Partnership Best Non-Profit by their peers in the business community but more importantly to talk about their ongoing and vital work.  Both are quick to point out what a difference an excellent staff makes and how important it is that we as a community care for those who care for us!  Don't worry, they explain it nice and slow for Erik and have fun along the way:)

Please take the time to listen as they discuss what services are available, when to call for yourself or a loved one and other essential needs.  This is information we all need to have and we're thankful for the work they do.

Find more information about Your Hope Center HERE

Your 24/7 Support Line:
(970) 306-4673
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call your 24/7 support line now. Your Hope Center’s team of professionally trained clinicians are available 24/7 to support Eagle County residents during difficult times.

Tu Línea De Apoyo 24/7:
(970) 306-4673
Si usted o alguien que conoce está luchando o teniendo pensamientos suicidas, llame a la Línea De Apoyo 24/7 ahora. El equipo de médicos certificados de Your Hope Center está disponible 24/7 para apoyar a los residentes del Condado de Eagle durante tiempos difíciles.

Erik gets a chance to sit with Marc Brennan, Ph.D. Vice President and Campus Dean of CMC Vail Valley to discuss their latest win in the 2023 Success Awards, Best Place to Work.  Marc discusses not only the reason for the best place to work (hint: it's the people!) but also what CMC means to the people of this valley and how our local community college is meeting our needs in extraordinary ways. 

Learn more about Colorado Mountain College HERE

Learn more about Vail Valley Partnership's Annual Success Awards and watch the awards show HERE

Erik gets a chance to chat with former Vail Police Chief and this year's Vail Valley Partnership Chairman's Award recipient Dwight Henninger.  Dwight reflects on his years in the valley, the importance of a strong team and community partnership and also advocates for more resources dedicated to first responders.

Vail Valley Partnership (and the community!) thank Dwight for his service.

Learn more about Vail Valley Partnership's Annual Success Awards and watch the awards show HERE

Erik gets a chance to sit with Christine Holmberg, Executive Director and have an awesome conversation about where Foresight has come from, where it's going and how you can get involved, particularly in the upcoming summer programs.  Learn more about all of that below!

SUMMER CAMP FOR BLIND YOUTH
​JUNE 19-21 AND JULY 10-12, 2023

Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind is thrilled to offer another opportunity for blind and low vision youth to push through barriers, build confidence and increase self-esteem.  Foresight's Summer Camp for Blind Youth is for any blind or low vision child between the ages of 8-21.  Follow this link to register.

Campers meet in the Vail Valley for three days of fun and outdoor adventure which may include paddle boarding or canoeing on an alpine lake, rock climbing at historic Camp Hale, hiking, horseback riding and more.  Meet new friends or reconnect with old ones.  Foresight's summer camp is a safe place for youth who are blind or experiencing low vision to get outside and empower themselves through goal-oriented adaptive recreation. 

All activities, lodging, lunches and around town transportation are provided by Foresight, at no cost to program participants.  Donations are requested to help offset the cost of camp at whatever level is comfortable for families.  Please consider making a donation so programs like this can continue and thrive for years to come.

For more information or if interested in sponsoring a camp please email Christine or call 303-506-3859.   

Erik gets a tour of the Venture Sports warehouse from Owner/Operator Mike Brumbaugh, meets some of the team and learns about all things spring biking in the valley.  From what you need to get the machine up and running again, to some of the newer technology coming out, best trails, hero dirt, favorite road rides and more, they cover it all.  While Erik struggles to keep up with Mike's wit and and wisdom, all will benefit from the good advice here.
Learn more about Venture Sports HERE

*AUDIO NOTE*  Around minute 6 and again at minute 11 there is some slight audio feedback that is on OUR end, not yours.  Thanks!

Feed neighbors in need and get tax credit and marketing benefits? It’s a win-win!
 
 More than 38 million Americans lack reliable access to nutritious meals. In Eagle County alone, over 8,700 community members are food insecure. Meanwhile, 108 billion pounds of food go uneaten in the U.S. — the equivalent of 40% of the country’s food supply.
 
 REcover, a program of Eagle Valley Community Foundation’s The Community Market, exists to bridge the gap between perfectly good food that goes to waste and the demand for meals that many of our food-insecure neighbors face. We aim to create better connections in our food system by partnering with restaurants, food purveyors, and companies to collect and utilize their excess food to provide meals to the community.
 
 Volunteers and staff from EVCF will pick up your excess food and bring it to the nearest market location while your business receives tax credit and marketing benefits. To get involved and learn more click here.

Erik is joined by Vail Valley Partnership's own Anna Robinson to talk about the LEAD Eagle Certification.  They discuss who this is for, what the programs entail and why the certification came about in the first place.

New in 2023, Vail Valley Works is pleased to introduce the LEAD Eagle Certification (Leadership Education And Development). This certification is awarded to individuals in Eagle County who show a commitment to their leadership journey by completing the four courses on the LEAD Eagle Pathway.

For the local workforce, the LEAD Eagle Certification is an opportunity to understand the stages of leadership from tactical to strategic. Each course features a specific “Leadership Pillar” and every course in the pathway includes content focused on communication, emotional intelligence, and values-based leadership, to establish a common language for leaders across Eagle County. Participants will also make quality connections across industries and agencies to establish a solid professional network. This network will be a crucial support as participants grow and take the next steps in their leadership journeys.

For local employers, the LEAD Eagle Certification is a strong indicator that an employee or candidate has invested in themselves and put down roots in the local community. You can expect someone with emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the tools to lead, who comes with a robust professional network. The LEAD Eagle certification is a tool to move current employees to the next level of leadership or integrate new employees into the community.

While most Eagle County employers strive to hire locally, we know it’s not always possible. A key challenge of recruiting outside talent is ensuring they stay in Eagle County. Establishing a network and community connections are vital components to workforce retention – the LEAD Eagle Certification programs are designed to do just that!

Sign up and learn more HERE

What does it take to make it long term in this valley?  What does it take to put down roots in this place and see them grow?  Erik is joined by Bratzo Horruitiner, Executive Director of My Future Pathways and Seth Ehrlich, Executive Director of SOS Outreach to talk about the idea of BELONGING in this community.  Through the lens of their individual organizations as well as a greater community lens, these gentlemen share experiences, lessons and tangible ideas we can all do to increase the sense of belonging in this community.

Learn more about SOS Outreach HERE
Learn more about My Future Pathways HERE

Erik heads over to Walking Mountains Science Center to learn more about this year's Climate Action Week...or 10 days...c'mon it should be everyday!

He's joined by Elizabeth Baer, Sustainability Fellow and Will Barror, Climate Action Coordinator and they discuss highlights from the upcoming week and how this initiative only works with COMMUNITY behind it.

Find out how you can get involved HERE.

Climate Action Week is an extended week of events to inspire climate action and highlight local climate action partners! Throughout the week, events will be held that encourage increased awareness and action on community-based climate solutions in Eagle County. Climate Action Week is organized by Walking Mountains Science Center and the Climate Action Collaborative. Each event highlights a different sector of the collaborative and emphasizes how partnership and community action is crucial to progress.

Join us as we engage the Eagle County community around climate action and help us meet our Climate Action Plan goals of 50% greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction by 2030 and 80% GHG emission reduction by 2050.