Students from left to right:  Kyland Fuller, Matthew Vanatta, Dally Wilkins, Bree Coxbill, Tyne Stokes, Grace Desmond.

Rotary honored Students of the Month for Goshen County at our December 6, 2021 meeting.  Each student addressed the club speaking of their current activities, accomplishments, and future plans, and was awarded a Student of the Month Certificate and a gift card.  Plus, each will be placed in a pool to be eligible for a future scholarship. 

One goal of our club President, Brett Malm, is to support underpriviledged youth.  Club member, Wayne Gentry came up with the idea to have yard signs printed to honor and thank first responders.  Club member, and Torrington police chief, Matt Johnson jumped on board to promote the fund raiser.  The Yard signs are being sold for $20 each and ALL proceeds will be given to Torrington Youth Alternatives. 

Matt Johnson spoke at a special meeting regarding Youth Alternatives.  According to Johnson, there are five services which have the biggest impact on youth in the county: restorative justice, community service, homework club (academic engagement), mental health resources, and mentor programs. Johnson said mentoring might be the most critical aspects of the program. 

“As we look at some of these kiddos that are struggling, they have no idea what it looks like to function outside of addiction. They have no idea what it looks like to function with someone who cares about them 100% of the time and wants them to be successful,” Johnson said. “I really believe that if we can engage kids with community mentors that can hear about them and help them to be successful long-term… we hope that those relationships will carry on in the future.”

Rotary President, Brett Malm and Rotary Secretary, Kim Evezich present a check for $5,000 to St. Joseph's Children's Home executive director, Ronda Meyer. 

Providing psychiatric residential services for up to 62 youth, St. Joseph's offers a complete Psychiatric Residential Treatment Program on its campus in Torrington, Wyoming.  Both secured and open living units are available, with 24-hour supervision, social skills training, psychotherapy, educational services and chemical dependency services provided by over 120 professional staff members.  St. Joseph's school is a year-round, fully accredited K-12 program.

The children referred to St. Joseph's exhibit a variety of serious concerns including physical and sexual abuse or parental neglect, depression and suicide attempts, oppositional behavior and defiance of authority, runaway and substance abuse problems, excessive fear and anger, aggressive or sexually inappropriate behavior, and involvement with the juvenile court system.  St. Joseph's exists to help residents identify challenges and develop the action plans necessary to assist in resolving problems.  Support for the transformation of our residents into productive adults flows from openness, honesty, encouragement and providing all the tools necessary for this to occur.

In May of 2021, Torrington Rotary formed an Interact Club led by Rotary member Michele Ogburn. 

Pictured from left to right: Michele Ogburn, State Representative Shelly Duncan,  ( Members> Jorey Asmus, Katie Watson, Aidyn Saucedo, Elle Tapia, Kirsten Tucker, Olivia Judkins, Rori Hankins-Masterson) State Senator Cheri Steinmetz. Members not pictured:Alyssa Albaugh, Tony Baringer, Tyler Bennick, Isabel Brott, Allison Brummell, MacKenzie Cole, Adria Derby Carleigh Dugger, Jacob Durrant, Alexis Flanagan, Reece Grubbs, Gabrielle Harris, David Hellus, Kieran Hull, Marissa Moorehouse, Lauren Orr, Hadley Pogue, Jose Prado, Michael Sandusky, McKenzie Schwartzkopf, Michael Tavares, Alyssa Wondercheck, and Jadyn Wunder,

Interact stands for International Action. Interact is Rotary International's service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.

Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. They can draw from the student body of a single high school or from two or more high schools in the same community.

Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interactors develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of - Developing leadership skills and personal integrity - Demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others - Understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work - Advancing international understanding and goodwill.

Torrington Rotary President Bob Taylor and board member L. W. Gentry present a check for #2000 to the Torrington Police Chief Matt Johnson to help purchase body armor for the police officers.