May 13, 2020
We apologize for the delay in updates, as we have been forced to make some very difficult decisions this summer. We are still planning on running the program with additional safety protocols following local, state and CDC guidelines, but have had to make significant cuts to crews this season. The plan for 2020 was to run 6, 12 person crews, in total employing 72 crew members under the age of 21. As a result of 10 person group limitations, transportation logistics, and decreased funding from project partners, we only have the capacity to run 5 – 8 person crews this summer, cutting the crew member positions nearly in half.
The crew member season will begin on June 22 and run through July 31. Please reach out if you have any questions about the measures we are putting in place to help manage risks. Thank you for your patience during this difficult time.
April 21, 2020
The TEENS, Inc. Team is continuing to monitor situation, and we are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to run crews in some capacity this summer. We are waiting to make a final decision about what the month of June will look like by May 1st, so we can make as informed of a decision as possible with the most up-to-date information. All crew leaders, crew members and applicants will be notified via email once a decision has been made. We are working hard to develop best practices to keep everyone safe and healthy this summer! Please reach out if you have any questions, comments or concerns during this difficult time. We also encourage you to check out this amazing resource if you need any further support:
https://coloradocrisisservices.org/
April 7, 2020
As many of you may have heard, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced last night that the stay at home order in Colorado will be extended through the end of April. We recognize that this will most likely have an impact on our ability to run crew leader training beginning May 18th as planned, and are currently exploring other training options including a virtual training and/or a later start date. That being said, we will continue to follow the guidelines and restrictions put in place by the state and public health agencies, and are waiting to make a final decision until we have more information.
This crisis has put an immense amount of stress on all of us, and we feel that it is incredibly important for us to offer TW programming in some capacity this summer. The community and the youth we work with will need, like never before, the chance to spend time outside and form in-person connections with others this summer. Mel and I remain hopeful that with a little creativity and flexibility we can make this happen, even if it doesn’t look like a typical TeamWorks season. We will continue to keep you all updated as anything progresses on our end. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns during this difficult time.
April 2, 2020
We understand this is a scary, challenging, and unprecedented time for everyone, and want to keep you up to date on how TeamWorks is moving forward during these ever changing times. The Program Directors are continually monitoring and assessing the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the TeamWorks season. Because there are still quite a few unknowns at this time, we are holding off on making any final decisions until late April. We are still hopeful that TW will run crews this summer, and have put several contingency plans in place in order to adapt the season to this fluid situation, while still managing risks inherent in running crews. Ultimately, our final decisions will be in line with CDC recommendations, industry standards, and our ability to access the public lands that crews work on. Based on the complex logistics of this program, TeamWorks admin will work hard to decide if we are able to work within the confines of the current situation to deliver a program that is safe for youth, the organization, and our greater community.
At this point, we are hoping to know more about what the future holds by late April. We recognize that this waiting pattern is not ideal for anyone involved. That said, most organizations and businesses are in a similar holding pattern until we get closer to the summer and have more information.
We encourage interested crew members to continue to apply and move through the hiring process! It is a great opportunity to practice job application and interview skills. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns,
Best,
Ariel and Mel
Resources for more up-to-date information:
US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
World Health Organization
Colorado Department of Public Health and Enviornment
Colorado Public Radio COVID-19 Updates
teamworkscolorado.org 