Our Mission

The mission of The Center for Family Outreach (The Center) is to help Larimer County youth (ages 10-18) and their families achieve and sustain long-term positive changes and healthy relationships. We do this by providing individual assessment, education, and custom designed programs to develop successful and positive citizens.

About The Center

The Center was established in December 2000 as a private, not-for-profit agency offering services and education for Larimer County at-risk youth, ages 10-18, and their families. We provide one-on-one supervision/mentoring, intervention, education and support services for youth and families struggling with substance abuse and high-risk adolescent behavior. Classes at The Center focus on life skills development, drug and alcohol education, building self-esteem and anger management as well as addressing bullying, gang involvement and gender-specific issues. We also offer cognitive group therapy, art enrichment, GED preparation, academic tutoring and workshops designed to improve parenting skills and healthy communication within families.

Many of the young people at The Center are completing diversion programs, mandated by the district attorney, which are intended to discourage future anti-social behavior. The Center is proud to be part of the diversion program, working hand-in-hand with the court system to keep kids out of detention, helping them learn new skills and move in a positive direction with the assistance of the experienced staff and programs at The Center.

Although close to 800 kids and their families are served every year at The Center, class sizes are small, enabling individual attention for every student. These young people and their families are struggling with issues like sobriety, homelessness, anger, out-of-control behavior and diminished life skills. Our referrals come from families, churches, schools, local law enforcement, the probation office, the office of the district attorney and the courts. Self-enrolled youth attend classes distinct from juvenile justice-referred youth, and every student is treated with respect and given equal opportunity to succeed.

The Center provides unique learning modules specifically designed to reinforce positive behaviors and play to the strengths of each young person and family that visits The Center. Programs are designed to span a 7, 12 or 32 week interval, with the length of the program tailored to meet the needs of the individual. Gender-specific experiences are also part of the curriculum, since leadership, coping, and life skills are often dictated by gender.

The programs at The Center employ a broad, comprehensive approach toward youth delinquency and the often-tumultuous behavior of adolescents. The curriculum is designed using scholarly research and literature in the field of child development and family relationships.

Executive Director

The Center for Family Outreach was founded in late 2000 by Laurie Klith, who has served as the executive director since its inception. Initially, Laurie, in partnership with the juvenile court system in Larimer County, recognized a need to help youth and families interface with the justice system. Families needed help to negotiate the trying and often confusing experiences many were facing with at-risk behaviors that resulted in serious societal, familial, and judicial consequences. Laurie's premise was that, by offering education and prevention programs for youth and families residing in Larimer County, The Center could be a proactive part of a positive solution for the community.

Laurie developed The Center with one broad objective: to develop programs and foster support systems for young people and their families who face the challenges of drug and alcohol use, anger management issues, poor life skills and at-risk behaviors. Programs at The Center are unique, strength-based initiatives that build on abilities and attributes already exhibited by youth and their families. Gender-specific classes at The Center focus on developing strong techniques for sound decision making that will help both young men and young women make the best of their particular environment in building positive connections, competence, and coping skills.

Laurie has been involved in the criminal justice system for the last 18 years and brings a wealth of experience in her role as an advocate for youth and families, developing community partnerships and programs. Laurie has been a community builder, leader and youth advocate for more than 20 years. She has the energy, the networks and the commitment to make a real difference in strengthening families in northern Colorado. -- Don Unger, PhD, Retired Superintendent of Schools.

Board of Directors

2012 Officers

David Johnson - President
Beryl McGraw - Vice President
Tory Brown - Treasurer
Laurie Klith - Executive Director
Sue Wagner - Secretary

Board

Bryan Davis
Mark Larkin
Mary Laser
Pam McCracken
Susie Murphree
Joseph Petrone
Susan Schell
Shari Simmons
Dan Soukup
Kate Weinrich

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