TRUE NORTH
navigating opportunities for teens
~ True North youth have earned over $2.5 million in college scholarships & financial aid since 2014 ~
784 hours of out-of-school group activities and youth development programs throughout the pandemic.
Since March of 2020, and weekly throughout the pandemic, True North teens from three school districts have participated with their peers in academic tutoring, outdoor activities, community service, cooking classes, and more. Loneliness and isolation have been identified by mental health experts as key risk-factors leading to depression, substance abuse and mental health disorders. A recent CTC (Communities that Care coalition) survey of Telluride youth found that 37% of youth felt hopeless at times. These issues have been especially compounded for teenagers by the pandemic and the transition to and from online learning. True North’s programs have directly confronted these risk-factors by providing key protective factors every week throughout the pandemic: hundreds of hours of social activities, group programming, peer and adult mentorship and frequent communication. In the spring of 2020, True North’s board approved a protocol to allow for safe in-person programming. Through community service, outdoor excursions, workshops, art projects, and more, True North positively engaged 150 students from Telluride, Norwood, and Nucla high schools over the last year. True North also offered virtual and in-school programming throughout the year as well as matched students with private academic tutors. Our total combined student engagement hours since March of 2020 is 1,695 and counting.
The Open House on Valentine's Day of our teen drop-in center in Naturita, CO.
This group had a blast volunteering for the Telluride Fire Festival setting up the Transfer Warehouse.
Students supporting riders at the Norwood aid station
The Open House on Valentine's Day of our teen drop-in center in Naturita, CO.
“True North had a major impact on both of my daughters. We moved here four years ago and neither of my girls knew anyone. They quickly became involved in Rising Stars as a way to connect and network. Loren and others immediately hit it off with my girls. My girls have participated in several events since then including Base Camp, Community Clean Ups, and Food drives to name a few. True North has helped enable both of them to become part of the community and give back. I believe their impact will continue to help both my girls into life outside of school. Thanks True North!”
- Mariza Brimhall
Find Your True North
We start building student “resumes” that emphasize work history, community service, and academics when they are in the 8th grade, in order to set them up for success when it comes time to apply for college, trade school, or make a transition into the workforce.