Tri-Lakes Tribune Articles about FamilyNation: Nonprofit inspires at-risk youth

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Nonprofit inspires at-risk youth

FamilyNation President Patricia Mettler, left, and Founder and Director Mattie Peltier inspire and motivate youth to be part of their communities. The organization plans to focus on Tri-Lakes youth this year. Photo by Lisa Collacott

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 11:10 pm

By Lisa Collacott

When Mattie Peltier saw that her son’s friend needed a push in the right direction she realized there were many more at-risk youth out there who could also benefit from some motivation — so she founded the nonprofit organization FamilyNation.

It all started when Peltier’s son brought a friend home who seemed like a good kid. But when the boy set fire to her lawn for no apparent reason she knew there were problems. Her first instinct was to press charges but something inside told her no. It turned out there were problems at home and the boy just really wanted to play football but his family couldn’t afford it, so Peltier got several people together to pitch in and purchase his football equipment.

That was a few years ago. The boy is currently very involved in football, has improved his grades, has an after-school job and will soon be graduating high school and going on to college.

“I realized it was ridiculous not to do something,” Peltier said. “I realized there are a lot of kids out there like that. We at FamilyNation inspire, motivate and empower youth to be something more in their community.”

The Palmer Lake-based FamilyNation is devoted to investing in the future of youth and young adults to bring positive changes in their lives. They provide grants, leadership opportunities and services to those who might not have the opportunity because of social, economic or environmental changes in their lives. Whether it’s to play sports, play a musical instrument, learn a new skill or join a club the organization assists in making that possible. Their focus is on youth ages 6-24. They get a lot of calls from schools and social services asking them to help.

While they don’t pay college tuition FamilyNation does provide tools needed to go to college.

However, the youth are not receiving charity, but instead crating a full-circle effect. “For every $100 FamilyNation donates to help them we ask them to donate an hour of their time to their school or community,” Peltier said.

Though FamilyNation has been helping at-risk youth around the Pikes Peak region for a few years, they just recently gained nonprofit status and are now planning to turn their focus toward Tri-Lakes youth. Peltier, along with Patricia Mettler, president of the organization, both reside in the Tri-Lakes area and have discovered that there are a lot of at-risk youth in the area.

“We are finding a lot of at-risk kids have a lot of money, ”Peltier said, adding that lack of parental involvement is sometimes a factor.

FamilyNation has several activities coming up in the area. Beginning Jan. 27 the organization will host a dance at the Palmer Lake Town Hall for teens and adults. Palmer Lake After Dark will take place at 8 p.m. on the last Friday of every month until April 27. The cost is $10 with proceeds benefiting FamilyNation. Anyone attending is asked to bring a can of food to benefit Tri-Lakes Cares.

Palmer Lake Mayor Jon Cressman has also designated April 28 as Youth Empowerment Day. He will present the proclamation to FamilyNation at the Mayor’s Dinner on April 28 and several area youth will receive the Youth Empowerment Award that evening. FamilyNation is looking for youth who are exceptional in their communities. They will be chosen from Monument, Palmer Lake, Colorado Springs and Larkspur. Peltier is asking for nominations from members of the community.

“Let social services feed them, let the schools educate them but let us inspire them,” Peltier said.

For more information on FamilyNation, to become a sponsor or submit a nomination go to www.familynation.net.

FamilyNation is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants of our programs and to ensuring that our organizations decisions are based on individual need. Consistent with this principle, it is our policy not to discriminate in offering access to our resources, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This policy ensures that only relevant factors, such as genuine personal need are considered and that consistent standards of conduct and performance are applied when determining who we accept as a program recipient.

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