Southwest Colorado’s community foundation, Onward! A Legacy Foundation, received a $5,000 grant from The Colorado Trust to support the School Community Youth Collaborative.

On top of Onward! A Legacy Foundation, The Colorado Trust granted $5,000 to four other Southwestern Colorado nonprofit organizations, including Archuleta Seniors, Inc., Community Compassion Outreach, Manna Soup Kitchen and Power to Act.

The $5,000 that went to the School Community Youth Collaborative will go toward its efforts to aid youths on their journey to healthy adulthood. Endeavors to achieve this include an impaired-driving prevention program, out-of-school programs, a gear lending library and in-school life skills programs in Montezuma County.

“(The grant allows us) to spend more time supporting our mission and vision to see youth as valued and thriving members of our community and support youth on their path to healthy adulthood,” Christine Brice, SCYC’s Director said in an email.

SCYC provides out-of-school time programs, substance use prevention programs and a gear lending library.

The out-of-school time programs offer tutoring and enrichment programs to support quality educational access. Currently, the organization offers this at Southwest Open School, Cortez Middle School and Mancos Schools.

Although most programs are youth focused, the gear lending library is available to people of all ages.

Additionally, SCYC seeks gently used outdoor gear donations for their upcoming fundraiser to make sure the program continues to benefit young people. They will accept backpacks, camping tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots, headlamps, soccer cleats, basketballs plus other outdoor equipment. Donations can be taken to multiple locations, including SCYC, Wildedge Brewing and Crossfit Cortez, until Oct. 25. A pickup can also be arranged at ktworek@scyclistens.org.

According to a news release, The Colorado Trust has provided $853,000 in grants since 2009 to rural Colorado nonprofit organizations through Rural Philanthropy Days, a statewide program that brings funding opportunities and skill-building to nonprofits and community organizations.

Onward! A Legacy Foundation, also serves youths through scholarships they supply. This year, they awarded $57,000 in new and renewed scholarships to local students.

The Colorado Trust helps ensure healthy opportunities to every Coloradan through organizations that focus on direct services, community building, public education and policy advocacy.