La Plata Family Centers Coalition

Our Family at the Family Center ~

Gaye Weiss ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I began work with the Family Centers in June of 2000! I love my work with the Family Centers because of the mission to build healthy communities by promoting the growth and development of families! What a bold statement of care! I also love the diversity in my position of serving three locations in La Plata County, utilizing my passion for families and children, and working with equally passionate coworkers!

Best family memory:
I grew up on a farm in Iowa. My best memory is of the time spent with my dad! He worked very long and hard hours in the fields to provide for our family, yet he never missed a night of sitting on my bed and reading to me!
I was a fan of Curious George and Dr. Seuss! Still one of my favorite books is Caps for Sale!

Programs responsible for:
I am the cheerleader keeping my coworkers motivated to serve and be their best support! I am the Executive Director of the Coalition.

Jenny McKenzie ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I began August 2008. I enjoy working in a place where so many different people can feel welcome. It has been inspiring to get the opportunity be a part of people’s lives at different stages in their journeys. I get to meet and connect with new, young mothers and fathers who have so many questions, and I get to learn from the wisdom of families who have already raised their children. I get to share information with families in their hard times and support and encourage them as they reach their goals, and I then get to see those same families return to give back to this community. Most of all, I enjoy being part of a community where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their potential!

Best family memory:
One of my most memorable family moments occurred when I was 8 years old. I had two younger siblings at the time, and my mother and father had decided to become foster parents. I remember that summer afternoon so clearly: the doorbell rang, my mom went to answer it, and moments later, in walked a woman carrying a small, smiling little girl. She placed her on a blanket on the floor in the living room while my family crowded around to ooh and ahh over our new baby sister. At that moment, my safe, nuclear little family opened its doors to a world that I hadn’t known existed. I looked upon that beautiful little girl, and I felt the sadness and pain that exist in a world where not all children have parents that can care for them…
Since that moment, my family has continued to foster (and adopt!!) children. I am the oldest of 6 (my youngest 2 sisters were adopted), and I know that my early experiences of living with and caring for children from all kinds of backgrounds has inspired me to continue to reach out and do what I can to make this world a place where a little bit less of that sadness and pain affects the individuals that live here.

Programs responsible for:
Family Support, Latino Outreach and Safe Exchange

Christine Imming ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I started with the Family Center in 2004. Over the past few years I have met a lot of people and have listened to a lot of different stories. I most enjoy hearing about people’s lives and doing what I can to help families set and reach goals. It is so rewarding to see a person make goals happen for themselves. I am grateful to be a part of that process.

Best family memory:
Having two little boys say “love you, Mommy” on a regular basis. This is usually followed by a plastic great white shark trying to bite me.

Programs responsible for:
Family Support

Liza Koepp ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I started working at the FCD in August of 2008. I enjoy working here for many reasons. One of the great reasons is that if I ever start to miss my daughter sometime in the work day, all I have to do is wait for a little while until a baby comes in with mom or dad, so I can get my baby fix right away. Probably the biggest reason I enjoy working at the Family Center is it allows me the opportunity to help those that are in need.

Best family memory:
My favorite memory from growing up in rural Minnesota, what I like to call Horse Country, is of my mom and me. We used to go on horseback rides every weekend, even though she was so busy raising us kids and going to school. We would always ride to the boat landing on Big Marine Lake, and go swimming with our horses. I want someday to be able to have that with my daughter, Ayla.

Programs responsible for:
Healthy Families Program and Supervised Visitation

Sue Ullom ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I started around 17 years ago when I was part of a group writing a grant for Governor Romer’s Family Initiative grants. When we received the grant for La Plata Family Centers Coalition, I became the on-site coordinator for Fort Lewis Mesa. I love working with families – especially children.

Best family memory:
There were 6 children in our family (I was next to oldest). We were all loved, well fed, expected to do our share of the work and last but not least driven the 25 miles to Durango every 2 weeks as young children to go to the public Library. I am really thankful that I had parents who placed so much importance on reading.

Programs responsible for:
Setting up Love and Logic, Hunters safety, First aid –CPR, Spanish Classes, Baby Sitting Classes, Blood Drives and Flu Shot Clinics. Sponsoring activities such as Birthday Parties, Open gym night, skating two Saturdays a month, Tractor Club Meetings, County Meetings, Ditch meetings, and aerobics. The Kindergarten teacher and I do “We are Glad You Live Here Visits” every summer to all the children (0-5years old) that we know of in our attendance area. We take them developmentally appropriate information, books, and other items such as teethers, beach balls, Playdough, crayons, puzzles, pencils, and learning activities.

Heidi Casper ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I started July 2008. As a former elementary and middle school teacher for the last 12 years, coming into this position has been like coming full circle. I’ve been able to work with families just as they are beginning, and help them create a solid foundation for their child’s later success. It is so rewarding to see the understanding dawn on parents’ faces as I talk to them about how their child is developing and the amazing capabilities of the brain even at infancy.

Best family memory:
All of my best family memories involve my parents doing something fun with my brother and me. My dad used to take us trout fishing in a little rubber raft every spring. I looked forward to it every year even though we had to get up at 4am! My family also went skiing every year when I was a little older. My mom and I would always stick together and take our time down the mountain since my dad and brother would go racing down. We liked to take breaks in the lodge and get a hot chocolate. I also remember many great family tent camping trips! Now that I’m a parent, I want to help my children create those great family memories, whether it’s camping, taking long road trips or just playing baseball in the yard.

Programs responsible for:
Early Childhood and Parent Education programs, including:
Tumbling Tots
Playgroups
Colorado Bright Beginnings
Parents as Teachers
Love and Logic

LaDonna Manore ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I started here at the Family Center about 3 years ago. I enjoy the diversity of people, and just knowing I helped someone each day in a positive way is the greatest enjoyment for me.

Best family memory:
My dad worked for the Durango & Silverton Railroad as a patrolman. He used to take us up the canyon on the motor car, feed the chipmunks and tells us stories of the railroad.

Programs responsible for:
I am the Office Manager here at the Family Center. I do a little bit of everything! I do all of the data entry, answering and transferring multiple phone lines and keeping the Family Center clean. I am also trained in Family Support, Safe Exchanges & Bright Beginnings.

Amber Beeson ~

When you started with La Plata Family Centers Coalition and why you enjoy working here:
I started working at the Bayfield Family Center as a volunteer in August of 2007 and then became the Coordinator that November. I love working at the Family Center because I am surrounded by great kids and parents. I also love feeling a connection with the community.

Best family memory:
My best family memory is my wedding day in August of 2008. I was surrounded by the friends and family that I love and who were there to witness the beginning of my new family with Cyler, my husband.

Programs responsible for:
The Bayfield Family Center provides an After School Enrichment Program as well as a Summer Fun Program. We also offer a program titled Jammin’ Juniors for babies/toddlers and their caregivers that is held at the Library on Mondays and Wednesdays. We also provide Bright Beginnings visits in the Bayfield and Ignacio areas. Finally, we serve as resource and referral for the community.

A special thank you to the sketch artist Alexis Manore, age 12