What is The HYPE?
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.
How has it helped our community?
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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