HVCC earns $25,000 grant

Adrienne Atencio (left), executive director of the High Valley Community Center in Del Norte, accepts an “Award for Excellence” from the El Pomar Foundation at the group’s statewide meeting in Black Hawk on Monday. Presenting the award are Kyle Hybl, president and CEO for El Pomar, and trustee Andrea Aragon who represents the San Luis Valley counsel for the foundation.

BLACK HAWK — With nearly 90 percent of Upper Rio Grande School District (Del Norte) students involved with the High Valley Community Center’s (HVCC) safe environment for youth development, it stands to reason why the El Pomar Foundation chose to honor them with an Award for Excellence.

“These youth are the solution,” said Adrienne Atencio, HVCC executive director, in a video presented at El Pomar’s statewide meeting here Monday. The award comes with a $25,000 grant to use at HVCC’s discretion.

Founded in 2000, the community center “strengthens positive values and behaviors through responsive programming, community service learning and meaningful opportunities that inspire youth to reach their full potential. HVCC builds and nurtures strong, healthy partnerships with families and within the community to allow participants to develop into productive citizens with skills, ethical values and a drive to reach their own full potential and positively contribute to their peers, families and communities.”

According to the program shared at Monday’s award ceremony, “By providing healthy examples and lessons, HVCC empowers youth to overcome unhealthy cycles and prevent harmful behavior.

“The Community Center is able to create a positive economic impact on the surrounding community through their partnerships and by providing a much needed service for hard working parents.”

Atencio was joined by staff and board members to receive the award. Members of the El Pomar SLV counsel, who nominated HVCC for the honor, were on hand for the presentation.


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