Western Skies: May 2012, “Youth Issues”

"Little Wrangler" by Myron Wood, May, 1962. Copyright Pikes Peak Library District, courtesy of Special Collections. Image Number: 002-1233

As George Benson and the late Whitney Houston each sang, the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. But it may seem like our children these days are faced with more challenges than ever before. This month, we’re taking a look at the issues kids face, ranging from living in poverty to chasing dreams.

You can hear the full episode here, or download by right-clicking this link:

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You can also head to the individual segments for full interviews, photos, and other extras by clicking the links below.

Roundtable: “Can’t a Kid Just be a Kid Anymore?”
Pueblo’s Pregnancy Rates: Consistently High with Little Change
Roundtable: Marginalized Youth
Young Olympic Trainees
Growing Up: The Way it Was

Western Skies is a Collaboration between KRCC News and the Big Something.

Roundtable: “Can’t a Kid Just be a Kid Anymore?”

L-R: Julian Flores, Andrea Chalfin, Chris Telk, Stacey Gliniewicz. Photo: Craig Richardson

Joining us this month for our roundtable are Julian Flores, co-founder and managing director of Atlas Preparatory School, a charter school in Harrison District Two; Stacey Gliniewicz, an Education Specialist with AspenPointe; and Chris Telk, the Executive Director of Urban Peak, which helps provide services for homeless and runaway youth.

Listen to the edited version here, which begins with Julian Flores addressing the questions of “Can’t a kid just be a kid anymore?” and, “What is normal for kids these days?” (about 20 minutes)

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You can also listen to the full conversation here (about an hour long):

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Pueblo’s Pregnancy Rates: Consistently High with Little Change

Courtesy: Pueblo City-County Health Department

Earlier this year, the Colorado Children’s Campaign released its annual Kids Count report, which analyzes heath and well-being among the state’s youth in Colorado’s most populated counties. Among the measures is teen birth rates, and in Pueblo County, they’re high, nearly double the state average. And the numbers haven’t changed much for more than 30 years. KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin takes a look at why so many young women are having kids so early, and what it means for health professionals in Pueblo County.

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For more information:

Pueblo City-County Health Department: Adolescent Pregnancy
Pueblo City-County Health Department: Clinic Services
Caring Pregnancy Center
Responsible Sex Education Institute: Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

Roundtable: Marginalized Youth

For many marginalized youth in the Pikes Peak Region, simply finding a place to feel positive about yourself can be an enormous challenge. KRCC’s Noel Black spoke with the directors of two organizations that reach out to youth and offer a safe Haven. George Sheffer is Director of The Dale House Project, a licensed residential treatment facility that deals primarily with older adolescents. Most of them come from the division of youth corrections and are preparing to parole and live on their own. And Shawna Rae Kemppainen directs Inside/Out Youth Services, an organization started by the El Paso County Health Department 21 years ago to serve Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning Youth.

You can listen to the conversation as aired here, which starts with Noel asking why unconditional acceptance is so important (about 9 minutes).

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You can also listen to the full conversation here (about 21 minutes):

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Young Olympic Trainees

With the 2012 Summer Olympics on the horizon, eyes all over the world are focusing on London, ready to see athletes competing for medals and their countries’ pride. Here in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center however, some dedicated teens have their eyes keenly fixed on 2016. KRCC’s Kate Jonuska met a few of these talented youths to talk about their lives, their training, and their Olympic dreams.

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Growing Up: The Way it Was

KRCC’s Craig Richardson invited one local historian and Colorado Springs native to reminisce about his youth spent in the Pikes Peak region.

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