The Monarch Center To Open Again

In the summer of 2010, having worked since the mid '90's with over 900 youth and families, facilitating over 50,000 client days in the backcountry and working alongside some incredibly talented and supportive co workers, Lori and I decided with a great deal of sadness that it was time to close the Monarch Center -- a result largely of the Great Recession. I had been offered a position as the Director of an outdoor program in the Aspen area and the appeal of a steady income, a regular workweek, new challenges and a move to an incredible part of the state lured us out West.

We closed down our Georgetown offices, moved out of the only town and community that our children had known, loaded up the trailers, and headed to the Roaring Fork valley. Our new life had begun. However, it was quickly to take an odd but fortuitous turn as the job did not work out -- We knew immediately that Monarch was still very much alive in both of us and ready to metamorphose once again. Therefore, Monarch is again open for business and Lori and I are energized by the experiences created over the past 14 plus years with many of you.

You will see some changes in the new/old Monarch Center:

A non-profit arm that will partner with - and support - many of the unique and remarkable organizations that we have visited and worked with over the years.

Shorter programs

Greater variety of programs

Headquarters in the Aspen/Carbondale area

And you will recognize many similarities:

A passionate belief that health and happiness are dependent on our willingness and ability to deepen our contact and relationships with those around us.

A focus on working with youth, families, and communities.

A belief that finding our connection with the natural world is paramount to our emotional and spiritual health.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that you will see some familiar veteran staff working alongside us again!

Over the next several weeks, we will be launching our new website and sending out information on our new programs and offerings. We will also begin building our non-profits' Board of Directors and request that those of you who are interested in moving the Monarch mission forward consider joining the Monarch Center's Board of Directors.

In the meantime, we look forward to hearing from many of you and catching up on your lives and journeys.

Sincerely,

Dave and Lori Ventimiglia