Out Boulder County Announces Expansion of Programs and Services into Northern Colorado and Hiring of Northern Colorado Community Manager
Media Contacts:
Mardi Moore, Executive Director
Out Boulder County
Mobile Phone: 720-346-1836
Email: mmoore@outboulder.org
Ash Neufeldt, Northern Colorado Community Manager
Out Boulder County
Mobile Phone: 785-317-2154
Email: aneufeldt@outboulder.org
Out Boulder County Announces Expansion of Programs and Services into Northern Colorado and Hiring of Northern Colorado Community Manager
Offerings for LGBTQ+ Youth and their Families as well as Behavioral Health Services will be among the First Programs and Services offered
Fort Collins, Colorado, September 6, 2023 -
In response to repeated requests and invitations, increasing needs, and a history of successfully serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) communities outside of Boulder County, earlier this week, Out Boulder County announced to their community email list the expansion of some of their signature programs and services into Larimer and Weld counties. Programming for LGBTQ+ youth, voter education and engagement for school board races, vaccine equity work, and behavioral health services will be the first offerings officially launched through the expansion.
“The needs of the LGBTQ+ community don’t stop at the borders of Boulder County, so why should our work? Over the last decade, we have prided ourselves on meeting LGBTQ+ people and communities where they are,” said Mardi Moore, Executive Director of Out Boulder County. “We are excited to work in community with the other organizations already supporting the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Colorado.”
After conversations with community members and leaders in various areas of Northern Colorado, Out Boulder County began efforts to secure funding to make our programs and services more accessible to people outside Boulder County with a focus on Larimer and Weld counties and Northern Colorado. Those efforts were successful. Once funding had been secured, the first priority was to hire a Northern Colorado Community Manager with strong ties to Northern Colorado. Ash Neufeldt began working for Out Boulder County in that role on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Ash most recently served as LGBTQ+ Outreach Coordinator for the Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County. In that role, she built strong relationships with community members and leaders and with other LGBTQ+ serving organizations.
“The robust programs and services that Out Boulder County offers are needed in Northern Colorado, both to support the incredible and lively cross-organizational collaborations already occurring here as well as seeking to identify and fill gaps. I am excited to lead Out Boulder County’s efforts to provide these programs and services here, as it is more important than ever to ensure members of the LGBTQ+ community are having their needs met and are making meaningful connections with the community,” said Ash Neufeldt, Northern Colorado Community Manager of Out Boulder County. “The collaborative and inclusive approach to providing these programs and services, which prioritizes building up long-standing community groups and organizations, will ensure that together we build the strongest supports possible for LGBTQ+ people.”
Details on Initial Offerings
LGBTQ+ Youth in Larimer County - We will be hosting a weekend youth leadership retreat for Northern Colorado Youth in September. This gathering will allow us to hear from youth and their parents about what is going on in their communities, what their needs are, and the highest and best use of OBC’s resources and expertise in Larimer and Weld Counties. This retreat will be entirely free for youth attendees.
Voter Education and Engagement in District School Board Races - District School Board Members have the ability to make meaningful impacts on the educational experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in schools. Recently, the Rose Community Foundation provided OBC with a grant to support voter engagement and education. Out Boulder County will be hosting a candidate forum in Poudre School District (PSD) and Boulder Valley School District (BVSD). Additionally, we will be sending questionnaires to all candidates in BVSD, St. Vrain Valley School District, Poudre School District, and Thompson School District.
Behavioral Health Program - Out Boulder County’s behavioral health program, The Point, which offers short-term individual therapy, case management, and referrals to long-term providers for LGBTQ+ clients at no cost to participants, will also be reaching beyond Boulder County with a focus on Northern Colorado. We are working on preparations and will formally announce more details soon. This program will be supported by a Northern Colorado Case Management Coordinator.
Vaccine Equity Work - Additionally, with funding from the CDC Foundation, Out Boulder County will expand vaccine equity and education work to Larimer, Weld, Jefferson, and Adams counties. This initiative will be coordinated by a Regional Vaccine Associate.
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About Out Boulder County
Working independently and in collaboration, we facilitate connection, advocacy, education, research and programs to ensure LGBTQ people and communities thrive in Boulder County and beyond. www.outboulder.org
