On 155 acres just north of Longmont, Mountain State Children’s Home works to build a brighter future for wayward youth. Looking to continue its mission “to help children through some very rough times,” Mountain State will launch its Day of Giving campaign on Saturday.
In 1960, Elmer L. Richards dreamed of a place in Colorado where wayward children could go to get the help they needed. At the time, he had taken children to homes in other states. Gathering several community members including Bernard A. Byerley, James R. Harris, John C. Lewis, Elmer R. Richards, and James H. Sims, Sr., the group was able to purchase the land to build a home for Colorado children.
The property began with only a small farmhouse on the property that housed the children, food storage and the administration offices for the new home. Over the years, surviving on the contributions of private individuals, churches, businesses and corporations, Mountain State now has five homes for children, with another nearing completion.
Children, typically, between the ages of 12-17 who have had a variety of obstacles placed in their path are eligible for services. The home works to “catch students up on average four grade levels per school year,” said Walter Williams, director of capital advancement at Mountain State Children’s Home.
In addition to dramatic educational progress, Mountain State looks to treat the body, mind and spirit of students participating in the program through counseling, an introduction to faith services and stable and safe housing.
“We supply love. Love is our foundation,” Williams said.
These programs have helped many children go on to live successful and productive lives.
Williams said between 80-85% of children in the program either graduate or transition back to their families. However, Mountain State feels it can do more to help these youth integrate into society.
This year, on Oct. 23, the students attending Mountain State will launch a video to the public in celebration of the home’s Day of Giving.
The Day of Giving in the past has been an in-person event celebrating the accomplishments of the students. Since the pandemic has left several unknowns, Mountain State decided to hold its celebration online.
The video includes student volunteers who speak of their experiences at Mountain State. The video will be featured on the website where donors will have the opportunity to contribute. The Day of Giving is not set to last only for the day, although the name would suggest it, Williams said. The event will last in perpetuity.
Mountain State hopes to raise more than $900,000 to replace and add housing, to replace vehicles in its fleet of cars, to extend its office space providing more counseling areas for students and to support its newest program, the Transitional Living Program, or TLP.
TLP will help youth who graduate from high school while at Mountian State by supporting them while they choose and attend college, trade school or move into the workforce. The program currently cannot house children when they turn 18, Williams said.
While in TLP, youth will be able to continue many of the services provided by Mountain State. Mountain State has already launched the program by helping two students, both of whom are attending college and passing their classes, according to the Mountain State newsletter.
“We are willing to support these young adults for several years as they transition,” Williams said.
Mountain State’s Day of Giving is typically its biggest fundraiser for the year. According to Williams, the nonprofit hopes to once again host it in person next year. But for now, any contributions given to the organization are eligible for the Colorado Childcare Tax Credit, Williams said.
