12th December, 2011
Thanks to Culture Cast, KRCC and Rocky Mountain PBS for this amazing video tribute to the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. And, of course, thank you Gay & Lesbian Fund!
7th December, 2011
Citizens Project was a proud participant in Colorado Gives Day on December 6, 2011 – a one-day philanthropic effort designed to help Coloradans give where they live. Thanks to you, our supporters and advocates, we raised over $1,700 through this special opportunity, and $12 million was raised statewide for worthy Colorado nonprofits. THANK YOU!
16th November, 2011
Last week, Citizens Project distributed copies of the Anti-Defamation League’s December Dilemma to nearly 200 local schools, urging educators to respect the First Amendment rights of every student and ensure that no child feels left out of or disrespected by holiday celebrations. The organization also included information prepared by the Safe @ School Coalition about recently-passed HB 1254, an anti-bullying measure to keep young people safe at school.
The mailing is intended to raise awareness around the laws and constitutional protections afforded to all students, during the holiday season and beyond. The accompanying packet of information included best practice recommendations for inclusive holiday celebrations, a broad overview of HB 1254, frequently asked questions about the bill, and info about Citizens Project’s upcoming Citizens’ Religious Freedom Institute.
“We believe that students perform best in safe and inclusive academic environments,” said Kristy Milligan, executive director of Citizens Project. “By providing these resources to local teachers and administrators, we hope to support them in their efforts to comply with the law and help all their students achieve academic excellence.”
11th November, 2011
On November 10, scores of Colorado Springs residents gathered to honor the legacy of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado and to thank the organization and its staff for the positive difference they’ve made in the Pikes Peak region. Below are some photos of the parade and ensuing celebration, courtesy of Glenn.
9th November, 2011
The CoPIRG Foundation will be hosting two public forums this month on affordable health insurance for Colorado Springs and El Paso County residents. The state of Colorado established the Colorado Health Benefits Exchange in June of this year with the goal of providing viable health insurance options for individuals and small businesses. In order to best benefit the needs of the community, CoPIRG is encouraging local residents to voice their opinions and let their healthcare needs be heard at these public forums.
Join the Citizens Project on November 17, 2011 to be a part of two separate discussions regarding this important issue!
Forum #1:
Penrose Library, Carnegie Room
Noon to 1:30PM
Forum #2:
Kaiser Permanente, 1975 Research Parkway, Wayback Room (Second Floor)
5:30-7PM
For more information, visit CoPIRG’s website or call 970-563-4517.
Check out the event flyer!
9th November, 2011
We are delighted to invite you to a volunteer open house at our office. Meet other supporters, hear about opportunities to get involved, and see where much of our work takes place! Please save the date and plan to join us!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
5:00 until 6:30 pm
Citizens Project office at 4360 Montebello Drive, Ste 800
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Map
If you’re interested in volunteering, but are unavailable to attend the open house, please email Kristy Milligan or call the office at (719) 520-9899.
8th November, 2011
We are busy getting ready for the 2nd Annual Colorado Gives Day – December 6, 2011! Our kickoff this week was an amazing success, thanks to the great agencies participating (and thanks to Glenn for photos)!
Coloradans made history last year by donating a stunning $8.4 million online for local charities – all in a 24 hour period. We are thrilled to be able to participate this year in making philanthropic history!
Save the date and plan to join this statewide effort to raise awareness and resources for your favorite charities. For more information about Colorado Gives Day, please visit www.givingfirst.org, or check out the flyer!
2nd November, 2011
More than 116,775 voters in El Paso County, Colorado turned out in the 2011 coordinated election on November 1, 2011, and the votes are in! Below, you’ll find the results for some of the top races in the region.
Colorado Springs School District 11 School Board:
Bob Null
Janet Tanner
Elaine Naleski
Nora Brown
Academy School District 20 School Board:
Glenn Strebe
Tracey Johnson
Falcon School District 49:
Charles Iron
Marie LaVere-Wright
Joan Johnson *2-year term
Proposition 103: This measure, which would have raised taxes to fund public education, failed by 63.9% statewide.
Measure 2B – Memorial Health System: This measure, which revokes Colorado Springs City Council’s ability to levy a tax in the event of a deficit at Memorial Health System, passed with 60.52% of the vote.
Check other election results at the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s website.
No matter how your issues and candidates fared, thank you for taking the time to get educated and make your voice heard at the ballot box, and thank you for supporting Citizens Project’s Election Education Forum, our Voter Guide, and our GOTV work. We’ll see you before the next election!
31st October, 2011
Citizens Project is proud to present the third annual Citizens’ Religious Freedom Institute, a one day seminar on how the First Amendment to the US Constitution protects religious freedom in public schools. For teachers, students, parents, administrators, staff, school board members, and open to the public.
Colorado College, Slocum Commons
Participants will learn:
In-service credit for teachers and graduate credit is available. Lunch, textbook and supplemental materials are provided to all participants.
To receive information about the Citizens’ Religious Freedom Institute, join our email list for Freedom Watch Online, email Kristy Milligan, or call us at (719) 520-9899.
Click here to download the flier
Click here for the REGISTRATION FORM.
Click here to download the 2011 Citizens Religious Freedom Toolkit.
Additional resource: US Department of Education guidelines
Additional resource: US Department of Education letter and primer
24th October, 2011
The Colorado Springs Diversity Forum has honored Citizens Project with a Steady and Strong Award for Diversity and Inclusion. This prestigious award is given to businesses and organizations in the Pikes Peak region that promote diversity and inclusion in both internal operations and external civic engagement. Citizens Project was chosen as a recipient because of its commitment to diversity training, education, and highly inclusive organizational policies and benefits.
“Receiving a Steady and Strong Award for Diversity and Inclusion award is a huge honor for us,” said Kristy Milligan, executive director of Citizens Project. “It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to best practices, public education and outreach. Diversity is more than a box you check. It’s not something you do once and then move on. It’s an ongoing commitment to ensuring that everyone has a voice.”
Citizens Project has been a voice of diversity and inclusion in Colorado Springs for 20 years. Milligan says the organization is dedicated to continuing to champion these values in the community. “No one is more committed to diversity and inclusion than the Citizens Project staff and board members,” she said. “These are the unsung heroes, the silent and steadfast champions who work tirelessly to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table.”
About Citizens Project: Citizens Project is a local grassroots organization dedicated to defending and promoting equality, religious freedom, and respect for diversity – the principles on which our nation was founded. We educate the community through our newsletter Freedom Watch and nonpartisan voter guides, we monitor local government and public schools to ensure that rights and freedoms are upheld, and we mobilize residents to make their voices heard.
