Heart of the Rockies is collaborating with over thirteen child/youth-centered non-profits to build a "kids campus" on our property. The new nonprofit, SKYhill of Northern Colorado (SKY: Strengthening Children & Youth), will create a completely collaborative environment and develop resources to help child-centered non-profit organizations fulfill their missions.

Current partners exploring the project range from the Larimer County Boys & Girls Clubs to the Larimer County Child Advocacy Center.  A board has been formed, bylaws have been adopted, nonprofit status has been applied for.  The board is seeking to raise $20,000 to complete the feasibility study.  For more information, call Board President Kurt Hoeven (970/214-5224).  The exciting initial site plan, created by local architect Greg Fisher, is available for viewing at Heart of the Rockies.

We've reached a critical point in the journey toward development of the kids campus on our property!  This month, SKYhill's board of directors kicks off the all-important feasibility study.  Dave Condon and Ed Massey from Diversified Nonprofit Services (dnsassociates.com in North Carolina will meet with three groups to tweak and strengthen the study before it's taken into the community-at-large: SKYhill’s directors; Advisory Board members; and partner nonprofit agencies serving children and youth.

The study – comprised of many elements including in-depth research and a large number of strategic community interviews – will analyze a wide range of issues such as: location, transportation and city expectations; the community’s sense of the need for consolidation and collaboration of child- and youth-related services; the commitment of partner nonprofits to truly collaborate; the community’s willingness to financially support the project; the interest of local and national foundations, and more.

Should the study proceed as planned, our congregation and other nonprofits should see the report around Thanksgiving. It is expected that the report will come to one of three conclusions: 1) the project is not well-received and shouldn’t go forward; 2) the project needs to be changed in some ways before going forward; 3) the project is well-received and should go forward as planned.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call one of our congregation’s SKYhill directors: Rachel Chappell, Betsy Davis-Noland,, Becca Hardin-Nieri, ML Johnson, Sue Krueger, Roz Ruppert, Erica Wharton and Jeff Wright.