America's Promise Alliance

Montrose County, Colorado

 

Overview

As a first-time 100 Best winner, Montrose County makes young people a priority through its support for disadvantaged youth, after-school programming and community learning opportunities. As Montrose County combats a 19 percent youth poverty rate, the Colorado Homeless and Runaway Youth Leadership Team is making an impact in the lives of these underprivileged youth. The team operates a runaway hotline, helps to coordinate and maintain a suicide hotline and plans fundraisers to help youth move into independent housing. In 2011, Library Journal named Montrose County’s Naturita Community Library the Best Small Library in America, an honor sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The library offers after-school programming four days a week and a summer reading program for preschool aged children through second graders. Montrose County School District’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers and after-school program for elementary school children provide academic support for students and have helped decrease the dropout rate. 

Community Programs

• Montrose’s Colorado Homeless and Runaway Youth Leadership Team is composed of youth aged of 16–24 and operates the area’s runaway switchboard, helps coordinate and maintain a suicide hotline and raises funds for starter kits to support youths moving into their own homes.
• Naturita Community Library Teen Night provides a night of activities and games for local teens. Membership has grown from four to an average of 25 participants in two years.
• Montrose County School District’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers and after-school program for elementary school children provide academic enrichment opportunities for students, particularly those living in poverty and dealing with academic challenges.
• Montrose City Council recently created the The Montrose Youth Council to advise representatives on issues impacting youth.

Youth Voices

Montrose’s sports coaches provide kids with the fundamentals they need to grow as athletes. The community also has a variety of facilities to promote an active lifestyle, such as a BMX park, skate park and climbing wall.

—Anonymous 

The outstanding community support for local sports teams and tenacity of the players and coaches have contributed to local teams’ success. I’ve seen how involvement in sports has enhanced students’ lives. One student who didn’t know if he would graduate decided to play football, and now he starts for the team and earns A’s and B’s in school.

—Anonymous