PARTNER'S ROOTS-HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY
The Vision
The Partners program began with a vision of adult volunteer's helping delinquent youth. Our small group of founders envisioned that these youth could be helpful through love and guidance from a caring adult in an ongoing relationship. They acted on that dream and made it to come true. That dream continues to be realized today.
The Early Years
In 1967, Denver was experiencing racial tension as public schools were caught in the throes of desegregation. Young Life, a Christian organization, tried to respond to this situation and achieve reconciliation. A club for teens in the first high school to be integrated was started by Bill Mitchell, a businessman. Bob Moffitt, a young seminarian just out of the Peace Corps joined Mitchell. The problems facing these youth included serious crime, drugs and alcohol, and broken families. The youth had few stable adults for friendship and guidance.
The team began to establish friendships with some of the youth. The relationships were based on guidance and acceptance from a positive adult role model. Bill, Bob and others offered to become one-on-one volunteers with the Juvenile Probation Office. Young Life Probation Outreach, begun in 1968, was one of the first programs of its type in the country.
Bob was first matched with Johnny, a 10 year old who had burglarized a store and had severe family and school problems. The relationship and Johnny's improved behavior surprised the court officials. Bob and Johnny's experience was repeated by other volunteers and youth, earning the program the court's enthusiastic respect.
Bob became the program's first coordinator, continuing as the executive director for twelve years. The program's name came about when Johnny affectionately called Bob, "Partner"- the name we continue to use today.
Including Bob, ten volunteers were matched in the first group. The emphasis of the early program was on activities that were attractive to youth which built confidence and taught them some new skills.
Transition
In 1971, a Law Enforcement Assistance Administration grant was available, but it required that staff and volunteers be selected regardless of religious orientation. As a result Partners left Young Life and became an independent program. This transition represented a change for Partners from a Christian to a secular organization.
Program Development and Change
In April 1987, a decision was made to adopt an association model. This model denotes the mutual agreement of the separately incorporated Partners programs to bond together for common interests and benefit. Existing branches became separately incorporated affiliates and standing bylaws and articles of incorporation were amended to an association model with local programs included as the members of the Partners Association.
Partners has also assisted in the creation of numerous other one-to-one mentoring programs across the country. Many communities have expressed an interest in starting Partners affiliate programs. While each affiliate has considerable local initiate and opportunity for creativity, it continues to be the responsibility of the Partners Association to ensure consistency and quality. The structure of Partners continues to evolve as we respond to the needs of our carious affiliates and communities, and to the youth we serve.
The Montezuma County chapter has been active since 1991.
Claiming Roots, Spreading Wings
A quote by Hodding Carter symbolized our philosophy:
"There are only two lasting bequests
we can hope to give our children.
One of these is roots, the other, wings."
