Callies Backyard Foundation Inc

Callie's Backyard Foundation focuses on youth sex trafficking, addiction, homelessness, and suicide. Our programs are currently primarily in the Roaring Fork Valley, serving youth ages 13-21.

Our current primary programs are: 

• A Kindness Project named Secrets - founded in 2020, is a community-driven initiative dedicated to supporting youth aged 13-21 in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. With a mission to provide judgment-free opportunities for young people to improve their life circumstances, Secrets takes proactive steps to address critical needs in the community by fostering trust and creating meaningful connections. The organization aims to reduce rates of drug and alcohol abuse and suicide among young people by providing connections and alternatives for youth in crisis.Secrets creates safe spaces for teens through activities and shared meals, food distribution, social media communication, phone support, and street outreach. Actively engaging with youth in their environments, the team listens attentively to their needs and provides direct assistance while connecting them to vital resources such as caseworkers, job opportunities, mental health services, rehab programs, housing options, and financial aid. This approach ensures that a readily accessible safety net is available at no cost to youth and their families, offering alternatives to addiction, helplessness, and hopelessness.The project collaborates with a diverse range of partners, including Aspen Valley youth organizations, Crossroads Church, Aspen Jewish Center, Snowmass Chapel, Snowmass Recreation Center, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Aspen Police Department, MindSprings, Aspen High School, and local restaurants and businesses. Together, these partnerships strengthen the community’s collective efforts to support youth and create positive, lasting change.

• Club Law - The Callie’s Backyard Youth Advisory Board proudly launched Club Law in 2022 to connect high school students with professionals in the law and enforcement fields, including police officers, judges, and lawyers. The program’s mission is to empower students with knowledge about the legal system, fostering awareness and understanding of civil and constitutional law, legal common sense, and other essential topics. At its core, Club Law is about showing that kids matter—and so does their understanding of the world around them.

  Each October, Club Law kicks off its High School Speaker Series, inviting guest speakers who are experts in various aspects of law and enforcement. Up to sixty-six enthusiastic students participate in these sessions, held during lunchtime at Aspen High School. With support from Big Wrap, students enjoy a delicious meal while engaging in 30 minutes of thought-provoking discussions and interactive Q&A sessions that deepen their understanding of the legal system.

  The program offers a range of benefits for participating students. It provides essential knowledge about their rights and constitutional protections, practical tips for handling police interactions, and insights into navigating legal challenges related to tickets, substance use, and other common issues. Students also gain the opportunity to connect with peers, interact with influential legal professionals, and enhance their resumes with unique experiences that stand out on college or job applications. In addition, participants earn community service hours while learning about important topics like freedom of assembly, protest rights, and Minor in Possession laws. Club Law is a transformative experience designed to educate and inspire, ensuring students feel informed, empowered, and prepared for the challenges of the future.

• Host Homes - a program where state-certified families/adults offer temporary respite for youth in crisis in their “host homes,” providing up to ten days of safe housing and access to appropriate wraparound services.
  This is an unprecedented program in Colorado. We have developed the program based on the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare guidelines.
  This program allows for immediate conflict, de-escalation, and a chance to regroup. It provides safe housing and prevents couch-surfing and runaways. We should keep our youth in Aspen, instead of our only current option, which is to transport troubled youth to a facility in Grand Junction 128 miles away.