25 Feb San Miguel Resource Center: February News!
Below Executive Director, Lisa Sebree updates info about San Miguel Resource Center’s (SMRC) the Telluride region’s only nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of interpersonal violence.
Go here for more about the SMRC.
A newsletter recently came across my desk with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: “The most reliable way to predict the future is to create it.” Those words of wisdom are particularly on point given the challenging start to 2025. Extreme volatility due to the implementation of the new administration’s fiscal policy. Executive Orders have left many of us in the non-profit and social justice world wondering about our financial future. A federal funding freeze was implemented and then almost immediately halted by a temporary restraining order. We don’t know what the next chapter will hold for our government grants, but we do know that diversifying our income streams must be a top priority for SMRC in 2025.
In this note, we will take a look back at 2024 through our just-released Annual Report and a look forward to exciting new initiatives in 2025. Thank you for being a part of our journey. Your support fuels our mission, and we’re excited to continue working together to support and advocate for those in our community who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence and to educate our youth in prevention education.
ANNUAL REPORT IS LIVE!
SMRC supports individuals who need to heal from trauma and reclaim their lives. We provide prevention education to youth that empowers them to identify healthy versus risky relationships and to develop the skills that keep themselves and their peers safe. In 2024, SMRC made a world of difference. Explore how SMRC-supported initiatives drive meaningful change, build resilient communities, and rebuild lives by clicking here: https://smrcco.org/annual-report-2024.
You’ll find examples of how our unified approach blending trauma-informed service provision, engagement, and education elevates the field and creates lasting change. As we look back at our accomplishments in 2024, significantly increasing in the number of clients served, strengthening the team with new advocate and Executive Director hires, and growing our community collaborations and outreach, we feel a sense of pride for the impact SMRC has achieved.
THE YEAR AHEAD
This year, 2025, will bring exciting new initiatives for SMRC. We have recently welcomed two new team members: Ruth Rivas, an experienced advocate who will serve our Spanish-speaking community, and Max Hammel, our brilliant new Administrative Assistant.
In February and March, don’t be surprised to see SMRC Advocates and Volunteers passing out SMRC lip balm and stickers to raise awareness about our services during Gay Ski Week and Spring Break with a theme of “BE SAFE–On and Off the Mountain.”
This summer, SMRC will bring a Safe Bars program to Telluride and the West End in collaboration with the hospitality industry. Safe Bars certification has been proven to reduce the incidence of unwanted alcohol-related sexual aggression and benefits the hospitality industry by ensuring that patrons have a safe night out. SMRC will train hospitality staff on bystander intervention and will provide ongoing training and education to reduce the incidence of sexual violence in our restaurants and bars.
With the uncertainty in government funding, we are doubling our efforts on private donor funding with the creation of multi-year giving plans and an endowment program for donors to ensure that these critical services continue. Every dollar you give helps provide safety, support, and healing for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Please contact Lisa Sebree, SMRC Executive Director on Lisa@smrcco.org or Ana Bowling, SMRC President on ana.bowling@gmail.com, for more information. And visit our website at www.smrcco.org.
KALI REIS: ACTOR, ATHLETE, ACTIVIST
Kali Reis, courtesy SMRC.
In December, SMRC was thrilled to host actor, boxer and activist Kali Reis for two free-to-the-community events in Telluride. Kali, who many will recognize from her starring role opposite Jodie Foster in “True Detective: Night Country,” was nominated this year for Critic’s Choice and Golden Globe awards. We were inspired by Kali’s personal story. A survivor of sexual violence, Kali navigated pain, addiction, and ultimately found the inner strength to rise up and become the warrior that she is today. Over 40 Telluride high school students and 90 community members participated in our afternoon and evening events. A true friend of SMRC, Kali inspired us all with her compassion and wisdom.
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