As parents in our community know all too well, Lake County currently has no licensed child care for children under three years old. During the 2020 Health and Happiness Project, Lake County community members chose child care as one of three top issues to address in the coming years (in addition to affordable housing and living wage). In February, Lake County Build a Generation supported the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, the Department of Human Services, and a consultant in holding two strategic planning sessions. Going forward, Lake County Build a Generation will facilitate a child care coalition focused on implementing the short-term and long-term goals that emerged from this strategic planning session–in order to ensure that all families in our community have child care options that meet their needs. To learn more information or join in on this work, contact Hannah Guilford at hannah@lcbag.org.
Coalition Highlight: Childcare Coalition – LCBAG and partners take on childcare
We want to send out a huge thank you to our board member Donna Lee for the amazing sense of humor she brought to fundraising for LCBAG. Donna Lee has been crocheting social justice Amigurumi (think: RBG, Greta Thurnberg–and Bernie and his mittens!). Donors to her GoFundMe campaign for LCBAG won a chance to win each of the Amigurumi (upon completion) in her social justice Amigurumi raffles. She has raised $1,733–and given us all some giggles with her pictures of Bernie and his mittens bopping around Leadville.
Exciting work is underway with the Lake County Food Access Coalition!
The Coalition is excited to announce the launch of a Mobile Food Pantry at St. George Episcopal Church! Once launched, the Mobile Food Pantry will travel weekly to four key neighborhoods: Downtown Leadville, Lake Fork, Mountain Valley Estates, and Mountain View East & West to offer a no-cost grocery program to anyone in the Lake County community. By doing this, the Mobile Food Pantry will make it easier and more affordable for Lake County community members to access fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Coalition is also excited to announce that after being interrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, fundraising for the St. George Community Kitchen remodel is almost complete! The Community Kitchen will become a space where residents can learn to cook nutritious meals and unite all of Lake County’s food resources under one roof. This kitchen will address our community’s long-term food needs while creating a space that prioritizes community relationship-building via food.
Meanwhile, the Coalition’s SNAP Enrollment project team is developing flyers and social media posts to help community members better understand food resources in our community.
With multiple projects underway, the Lake County Food Access Coalition will be busy! If you want to get involved with this work, contact Mara Gwin at mara@lcbag.org.
