This spring our community suffered an unimaginable loss following the suicides of two high schoolers. Amid COVID-19 Stay at Home Orders, our community was reeling. Remember how important it was for you to see your friends when you were a teenager? Chatting with your friends in the hallways of school or exercising and having fun with your school team after class? Summit Teenagers lost all of these experiences and more when schools closed in March. While trying to understand the pain being experienced by the two teens who took their lives, many leaders in the community sought a way to make teenagers feel less isolated and so The HYPE was born.
The HYPE is an emergent Building Hope youth connection program providing free activities and events for Summit youth ages 12-20. These events are free and fun while providing connection and an opportunity to gain self-confidence and a stronger sense of self.
Since the program began in May, over 90 attendees have enjoyed five events per month. Leveraging partnerships Building Hope has with organizations like Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and BreckCreate, these events run the gamut of Stand Up Paddle Boarding on Lake Dillon, Rock Climbing on Swan Mountain, Ropes Course at BOEC, Expressive Art, and Yoga. Upcoming winter activities will continue with outdoor programs and indoor in-person programs as permitted.
"We want younger and older kids to know that they are not alone and
that there are programs to go to to get help or talk to someone or just be together,
like The HYPE. Having these events gives people a chance to see
what our community is made of."
Summit County youth will continue to struggle as they manage a very different school year in 2020-2021. Programs like The HYPE deserve to continue in order to give these young people an opportunity to connect in a safe and meaningful way.
For more information on the latest HYPE Events,
please see the Events Calendar.
You can help by making a donation of any size or sponsor a HYPE Event
for just a $500 donation. Donate Now to Save a Life and
help us reach our goal of $50,000 in 50 days!
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"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
"No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible"
- George Chakiris
"I have always believed that hope is the stubborn thing inside of us that insists that despite all evidence to the contrary, something better awaits us"
- Barack Obama
" Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all."
- Emily Dickinson
"When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen, there will be something solid for you to stand upon, or you will be given wings to fly."
- Patrick Overton
"The biggest lie to buy into is to think that you’re alone... You’re not. Hope is always closer than you know. You’re more loved than you feel. And you’re stronger than you realize."
- Bethany Morris
"Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting and communicating that incredibly healing message of "you’re not alone".
- Unknown
"Small acts, when multiplied by millons of people, can transform the world."
- Howard Zinn
"Ah, kindness, what a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world."
- Anonymous
"I realized that there are a lot of other people out there who can relate to what I’ve been though. So I’ve become more comfortable with sharing some of my story and letting people know that I have been through hardship too."
- Emily Steingart (Faces of Hope)
"I struggle, but I continue to choose the high road. When I share I feel a little bit lighter because I’m being honest with myself."
- Emily Steingart (Faces of Hope)
"Life is fragile and I now know it is also unpredictable. Glenn’s death has underscored a core belief of mine that we are able to overcome most all of what life throws in our paths by acknowledging it, accepting it, feeling it and knowing that we will, with time, feel the warmth of the sun and another beautiful day."
- Marsha Cooper (Faces of Hope)
"I think the point of ‘normalizing’ it (mental health) is that many many others feel that shadow so we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it. It doesn’t mean that myself or anyone else suffering has done something wrong. It just is."
- Sam Higby (Faces of Hope)
"Nothing missed and no regrets. Live on in peace, health and happiness. Look for meaning where you can and cherish the mystery when you can’t."
- Same Higby (Faces of Hope)
"I have come to terms with the diagnosis and don’t let it affect my self-worth. Its not any different than any other illness that can cause a chemical imbalance such as high blood pressure or diabetes. When it’s our brain, it's just a little harder to understand."
- Marilyn Hogan (Faces of Hope)
"You might feel that nobody can understand what you’re going through, and I believe you are right. Nobody else can really understand what you’re thinking or why you’re feeling a certain way. But I think its important to know that you are loved."
- Marilyn Hogan (Faces of Hope)
"There is help out there – you just need to ask for help first and truly seek and accept the help that is offered, even if you don’t really understand how you are going to get better. But have the faith that you will."
- Marilyn Hogan (Faces of Hope)
Office: 701 Granite St #270, Frisco, CO 80443 Mail: PO Box 1771 Email: info@buildinghopesummit.org Ph: (970) 485-6271 Site by ImagineThat, Inc.