12 local nonprofits to receive 20K in grants Through a collaboration between the city of Cripple Creek, Community of Caring and the CC-V Schools Pioneers in Public Service program, $20,000 in grant funding has been allocated to assist local nonprofits and civic organizations providing services in Teller County. For the past 24 years, the CC-V Pioneers in Public Services program and the city of Cripple Creek’s Community Allocation Project have partnered community youth with the city to award funds to local nonprofits. This year, the $20,000 total came from the city’s budgeted $12,000 Community Allocation Project fund, plus an additional $8,000 provided by a legacy donation to Community of Caring from the Donna Sawaya estate. In partnership with the Cripple Creek City Council, CC-V students participated in the school’s program directed by Community of Caring Foundation Executive Director Ted Borden, of the Aspen Mine Center. Student participants included Madeleine Gance, Chase Renner, Izzy Hocking, Bailey Haskins and Saya Stillian. The program began as a collaboration between the El Pomar Youth in Community Service Program and Cripple Creek. It has since involved more than 310 high school students and has funded more than $794,000 to 352 programs, projects and nonprofits. Since the beginning of the school year, the contingent of five student volunteers spent their lunch break twice weekly with Borden during their advisory period at school, learning about nonprofits, grants and the community. In deciding funding awards, the selection process criteria centered around services provided and impact on the Teller County community as determined through their research, interviews and community needs assessments. During interviews held on Nov. 18 at the Teller County commissioners chamber, the Pioneers heard stories about individual challenges and community needs, especially in dealing with job losses and food security. According to Borden, participating students “take the role and responsibility of being good stewards of these funds very seriously.” Borden said students see their experience as “a way to give back to the community” as volunteers, and consider their participation as a highlight to their high school career. “Students do not receive credit for their participation but the leadership, philanthropy and civic engagement experience they receive is invaluable. It taught them how to be professional and to work as a team,” Borden said. Following their Dec. 3 council meeting, the city approved grantee recommendations made by the Pioneers with beneficiaries of the 2025 grant cycle to include: $1,210 for Choices (educational programs for new parents and to provide baby items); $1,500 for Community Partnership (to assist teens and adults in receiving GEDs); $790 for Gorman Medical Clinic; $2,500 for Help the Needy HLH; $2,500 for CASA; $1,500 for Teller County Salvation Army; $2,500 for Little Chapel Food Pantry; $2,000 for Open Hearts – Open Doors; $1,250 for Teller Senior Coalition and Independence Center; $1,250 for Faithful Hearts Equine; $1,500 for Community Christmas; and $1,500 for Community of Caring. “Pioneers in Public Service is always one of my favorite programs. Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with dozens of students of all academic abilities, economic backgrounds and diverse personalities. Seeing students’ confidence increase is very cool. They were dedicated, attentive, professional and eager to learn. It was hard work but also fun,” Borden said. ...read more read less