Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring An Executive Assistant!

Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring An Executive Assistant!

by | Sep 21, 2023 | General, Join the Team

Join our team and support Illuminate’s Executive Director’s calendar, travel, correspondence, reports, and presentations.

The Executive Assistant provides support to the Executive Director and, as capacity allows, the Executive Team. In this role, the Executive Assistant will coordinate a wide range of responsibilities associated with the Executive Director’s calendar, travel, correspondence, reports, and presentations. This position will handle details of a confidential and critical nature and must function efficiently and effectively in a primarily remote, mission-driven environment.

Duties of the Executive Assistant include:

    • Provide administrative support and coordination for the Executive Director and, as capacity allows, the Executive Team.
    • Coordinate Board of Directors meetings and logistics.
    • Support document organization, processes for staff to receive executive approval when needed, execution of documents, creation of reports, presentations, and speaking engagements (including events and conferences).
    • Manage projects as assigned, including leading design, planning, and execution of activities and tactics.
    • Identify, engage, and oversee relationships with external consultants, as needed.
       

Click Here for the Full Job Description

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications

  • At least 3 years of administrative or project management experience
  • Commitment to Illuminate’s mission, vision, values, and foundations
  • Strong attention to detail, superior task management and organizational skills
    • Proven ability to develop and manage systems and processes, as well as organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills – must be able to communicate and represent information for executive level consideration internally, externally, and with Board leadership
  • Capable of exercising the highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain highly collaborative working relationships with individuals of diverse professional backgrounds, technical expertise, and lived experience
  • Ability to balance multiple projects with shared deadlines while being responsive to emergent needs
  • Proficiency or ability to become proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint); Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides); Adobe Acrobat; Docusign; Zoom; SmartSheet; Monday.com; and other platforms as needed

Compensation and Schedule:

Flexible part-time or full-time, salaried, exempt position eligible for benefits. Starting salary is negotiable and commensurate with skills and experience and schedule in the range of $25,000 – $60,000. 

Illuminate Colorado offers health and dental benefits as well as participation in a 401K and Life Insurance benefits. In addition, Illuminate Colorado has a generous paid time off policy and offers both flexible scheduling and remote work. If part time, this position will be eligible for benefits at a prorated amount. Residency in Colorado, or anticipated relocation to Colorado in the near future (at your own expense), is a condition of employment with Illuminate. 

Click Here to View the Complete Job Posting!

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references via email with “Executive Assistant” in the subject line to hiring@illuminatecolorado.org.

Application Deadline:

Wednesday, October 4th, at 12pm

 

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

Check out these other job postings!

Make a Connection: Supportive Networks of Community Raise Thriving, Happy Children

Make a Connection: Supportive Networks of Community Raise Thriving, Happy Children

by | Aug 23, 2023 | General

Colorado Connected is a campaign designed to inspire parents to build a network to turn to when they need “back up” and to encourage friends, families, and neighbors to become a “village” of support. The goal is to empower parents to ask for support, offer support to one another, and to normalize supportive parenting networks to create strong families.

There’s a reason they say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s because it’s true! Every parent needs a network of community support to raise thriving, happy children. Having a network of people we trust gives us a sense of community and is strongly linked with physical and mental health, happiness, and longevity. Not just for us, but for our kids, too! A supportive network surrounding parents and families helps to reduce stress, fosters nurturing parenting habits so we can be at our best, and builds atmospheres where children flourish.

“Colorado Connected is more than just a campaign; it’s a movement to redefine the way we approach parenthood. We’re not just promoting support networks; we’re championing a culture of empathy and togetherness. By normalizing the idea of parents asking for help and communities coming together, we’re shaping a brighter future for Colorado families.”

-Ryan Kistler, Director of Communications at Illuminate Colorado

Support Parents In Your Community
By Building Connections

Making friends can be tough as an adult. Even though we all know we need support, sometimes saying so is easier said than done. Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, a friend, or a neighbor, Colorado Connected has tips and tools to help you connect with your community. 

Tip for parents: You can create your village

Family doesn’t just mean blood relatives. Family is an idea and a feeling that can be expanded to include friends, neighbors, and co-workers around you. You have the power to build your support system and create the village you need.

  • Reach out. Taking the first step to make a connection is as simple as sending a message.
  • Say what you need. Be specific about how people can support you. Most people want to be helpful, and appreciate knowing how.

It’s okay to be vulnerable. Remember the song Lean On Me? “No one can fill, those of your needs, that you don’t let show.” (If you are too young, google it, and watch the movie! It’s a classic.)

Find more tips!

Tip for community members: Offer practical support

Practical support means we are offering the kind of support that a family needs. Dropping off dinner, offering a childcare break, coming over and listening, or offering emotional support and reassurance. Sometimes, offering a shoulder to cry on is the most helpful thing. Being clear to families in our circles that we are here and willing to do any of these things is the best way to build connected communities.

  • Reach out. Taking the first step to make a connection is as simple as sending a message.
  • Say what you need. Be specific about how people can support you. Most people want to be helpful, and appreciate knowing how.

It’s okay to be vulnerable. Remember the song Lean On Me? “No one can fill, those of your needs, that you don’t let show.” (If you are too young, google it, and watch the movie! It’s a classic.)

Find more tips!

Find more tips for parents and villagers!

Head to COConnected.com to find more tips on building connections in your community.

Find More Tools for Connecting

Colorado Connected has numerous tools to help you connect with your community!

Click here

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Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

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Tip Colorado brings together communities to reach a tipping point where children grow up happy, healthy, and safe in communities that prevent children from experiencing sexual abuse. Reaching the tipping point is so important, we updated the Tip Colorado website to better connect you with trainings!

Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Communications Manager: Web & Design!

Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Communications Manager: Web & Design!

by | Aug 22, 2023 | General, Join the Team

Are you looking for a role where you can flex your website management and graphic design skills?

This position is for you!

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Communications Manager: Web & Design position is responsible for managing Illuminate Colorado’s websites, focusing on creating visually appealing and user-friendly web experiences that align with Illuminate’s mission and goals. Additionally, this position will work on various graphic design projects, both digital and print, to support Illuminate’s initiatives and outreach efforts.

Duties of the Communications Manager: Web & Deisgn include:

    • Website Management
    • Front-End Web Design
    • Graphic Design for Digital and Print Projects

Click Here for the Full Job Description

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications:

    • 3-5 years of proven experience with web and graphic design work, with a portfolio showcasing web design projects and a diverse range of graphic design work.
    • Solid understanding of user-centered design principles and UX/UI best practices.
    • Familiarity with content management systems (preferably WordPress) and website analytics tools (preferably Google Analytics).
    • Proficiency in managing and configuring plugins within content management systems to extend website capabilities and meet specific project requirements.
    • Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other graphic design tools.
    • Creative thinking and strong problem-solving skills to overcome design challenges.
    • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
    • Passion for Illuminate’s mission and a desire to contribute to positive social change through design.

    Desireable: 

    • Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other relevant web development technologies. 
    • Knowledge of website domain registration, management, and DNS settings. 
    • Experience with integrating third-party APIs to enhance website functionality and streamline data exchange. 
    • Experience managing print design projects.

    • Spanish language proficiency.

    Compensation and Schedule:

    Full-time, salaried, exempt position eligible for benefits. Starting salary is negotiable and commensurate with skills and experience in the range of $50,000 – $60,000. 

    Illuminate Colorado offers health and dental benefits as well as participation in a 401K and Life Insurance benefits. In addition, Illuminate Colorado has an unlimited paid time off policy and offers both flexible scheduling and remote work. Residency in Colorado, or anticipated relocation to Colorado in the near future (at your own expense), is a condition of employment with Illuminate.

    Click Here to View the Complete Job Posting!

    To Apply:

    Please submit a cover letter, resume with portfolio or link to portfolio, and three references via email with “Communications Manager: Web & Design” in the subject line to hiring@illuminatecolorado.org.

    Application Deadline:

    September 8, 2023 at 5pm

     

    We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

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    “It’s just as important to feel like you belong at 6 as it is at 14”: Bringing HOPE to the Classroom

    “It’s just as important to feel like you belong at 6 as it is at 14”: Bringing HOPE to the Classroom

    by | Aug 16, 2023 | Education, General

    It’s back to school in Colorado, and that means a chance to make sure all children have access to positive childhood experiences that will help them grow into resilient and healthy adults. We can do this by encouraging all educators to take the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) training, which provides helpful information on how to build connections and a sense of belonging for students in the classroom.

    Recently, we had the chance to talk with Senior Education Program Manager Missy Berglund about how HOPE can be used in the classroom and why everyone who works with children should take the training. 

    Fostering a sense of belonging leads to long-term well-being for children.

    Teachers have the power to create a sense of “I matter” in students, simply by the way they structure their classroom community. Even for kids as young as preschool or kindergarten, having assigned roles and jobs like being the door holder or line leader help children to feel important and needed by those around them. When kids feel like they belong in their environment and are connected to their community, kids stay engaged in the activities that lead to academic success and long-term well-being.

    Any type of educator can be a meaningful connection for a child.

    For a child to develop into a healthy, resilient adult, it is important for them to have at least two adults who are invested in their lives who are not their parents. That means that anyone who works with children can practice HOPE, not just classroom teachers. When teachers are focused on academic content, other adults in the classroom can create meaningful, long-lasting relationships with the students that will benefit them as they grow and develop.

    HOPE has a place in the classroom at all ages.

    Not only are there ways to center HOPE in the classroom at all ages, it is critical that a sense of connection and belonging are maintained throughout the school years. 

    In elementary school, when students make connections with adults who see them for who they are, they are more likely to stay engaged in activities that will promote long-term well-being. 

    In middle school, a time of turbulent transition for many kids, it is important that students have spaces where they can share emotions in a healthy way. None of us were born knowing how to do this, however, so it’s up to adults to model healthy relationships so kids can practice engaging in the same way with their peers.

    In high school, it is critical for youth to feel connected to their friends. This is when what kids learn from adults about healthy relationships in middle school becomes essential. When youth know how to engage in healthy and lasting relationships, friendships can solidify in a positive way.

    “It’s just as important to feel like you belong at 6 as it is at 14.”

    – Missy Berglund, Senior Education Program Manager

    HOPE builds safe and equitable environments where students can thrive.

    Creating schools that are safe, equitable, stable environments for children to learn and play is essential if we are to support kids in developing into healthy, resilient adults. To build these environments, we need to develop an awareness among educators that all students have different needs that they need met in order to succeed academically.

    Biased decision making around discipline is a major barrier to creating safe, equitable, and stable school environments. During the 2017-2018 school year, K-12 schools suspended 7.8% of Black students and 8.5% of students with disabilities, compared to 3.8% and 4.0% of White students and students without disabilities, respectively.¹ When schools are safe, equitable, and stable environments, we see a reduction in such disparities in discipline.

    Biased decision making around discipline can be the result from a lack of full connection between students and adults. When kids are in meaningful relationships with adults and their peers at school, the adults are better able to advocate for student needs, and children are emotionally regulated because they have someone to process emotions with. We all need another person to co-regulate with. When children have adults they can work through emotions with, discipline is less reactive.

    Additionally, when students feel a sense of belonging and like their community is counting on them, they are more likely to have the support they need to be emotionally regulated and able to fully engage in learning. Therefore, when adults build meaningful relationships with students, they can minimize behavior disruptions in their classrooms.

    Environment matters; this is why it’s important for all educators to take the HOPE training so they can consciously create HOPE-focused spaces.

    Teaching has been difficult for educators the past few years. HOPE provides renewed excitement.

    We all know that it hasn’t been easy for those who work in education throughout the pandemic. Missy has seen a renewed passion from educators in her trainings who are excited to build HOPE-ful connections with their students this year. Through HOPE, educators can rediscover that teaching isn’t just about academics and that they are playing a critical role in the lives and long-term well-being of their students. 

    Register for the Training Today

    202306Sept11:00 am12:50 pmCommunity HOPE Training11:00 am - 12:50 pm(GMT-06:00) View in my timeEvent OverVirtual Event2 Guests are attending

    202302Oct12:00 pm1:50 pmCommunity HOPE Training12:00 pm - 1:50 pm(GMT-06:00) View in my timeVirtual Event10 Guests are attendingSpaces Still Available

    Check Out These HOPE Resources

    The Four Building Blocks for Educators

    IEP Simulation Videos With and Without HOPE

    Blog: Bring HOPE to the Classroom

    Citations
    1. Ryberg, R. Her, S., Temkin, D., Harper, K. (2021). Despite reductions since 2011-12, black students and students with disabilities remain more likely to experience suspension. Child Trends. Available at https://cms.childtrends.org/publications/despite-reductions-black-students-and-students-with-disabilities-remain-more-likely-to-experience-suspension

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    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

    Tip Colorado brings together communities to reach a tipping point where children grow up happy, healthy, and safe in communities that prevent children from experiencing sexual abuse. Reaching the tipping point is so important, we updated the Tip Colorado website to better connect you with trainings!

    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

    by | Aug 2, 2023 | Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, General

    Tip Colorado empowers adults to help their community—and Colorado—reach a tipping point where children grow up happy, healthy, and safe in communities that prevent children from experiencing sexual abuse.

    If enough adults in a community take a free live, interactive training, then, together, we can create a new standard of child safety throughout Colorado.

    Reaching the tipping point is so important, we updated the Tip Colorado website to better connect you with trainings!

    The new website features an interactive map showcasing how far each county is in their journey to reach their tipping point, information to help you decide which training to take first, and a calendar where you can view and sign up for trainings that work for your learning goals and schedule!

    In order to prevent child sexual abuse, adults need to take greater responsibility to educate themselves on how to create safer communities where everyone is actively thinking about how to prevent children from experiencing sexual abuse.

    At TipColorado.org, you can find more information on the simple, effective strategies adults can use to protect children from child sexual abuse.  

    Choose from three free trainings!

    All three trainings are currently provided for free to all Coloradans thanks in large part to support from the Colorado Children’s Abuse Prevention Trust Fund in the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

    Lines in the Sand

    Lines in the Sand: Indentifying and Addressing Boundary Violations provides important context about setting boundaries and identifying behaviors that have been identified within the sexual grooming model.

    What to Expect When Talking the "Talk"

    What to Expect When Talking the “Talk”: Preparing for Conversations about Sexual Development throughout Childhood provides important information about apporaching conversations that impact positive sexual development.

    Stewards of Children®

    Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning two-hour training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. 

    Anne Auld, Illuminate Colorado Deputy Director

     

    “There are multiple ways adults can prevent child sexual abuse. Having a spectrum of training opportunities that can be taken together, or individually, provides more tools and a better understanding of how child sexual abuse can be prevented in all kinds of settings, like youth serving organizations, schools, and at home.

    For anyone working with children and youth, having a solid foundation of what healthy sexual development can look like, and how to talk about that development with other professionals or parents is vital in creating safe spaces, and recognizing when there may be problematic behaviors.”

    “Each training is strength-based, discussion focused, and aims to increase confidence and knowledge on how we each play a role in preventing child sexual abuse.” 

    Visit TipColorado.org
    Sign Up for a Training

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    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

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    Illuminate Staff Share How They Put the Five Protective Factors into Practice

    Illuminate Staff Share How They Put the Five Protective Factors into Practice

    by | Jul 26, 2023 | General

    Here at Illuminate Colorado, the five protective factors are the foundation for our work.

    Protective factors are conditions or attributes in individuals, families, and communities that help people deal more effectively with stressful events, reducing the risk for child maltreatment.

    The Five Protective Factors Are:

    • Build Parental Resilience

    • Build Social Connections

    • Build Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

    • Build Concrete Support in Times of Need

    • Build Social and Emotional Competence of Children

    When parents, family, friends, neighbors, and employers increase the five protective factors in families’ lives, that is when we strengthen families, we prevent child abuse, and build brighter childhoods. 

    Learn More

    What does it mean to put the protective factors into practice?

     

    We asked Illuminate Colorado staff to tell us what the protective factors look like in their work:

    Sadie Rose Pace, Education Program Manager

     

    “By talking about the scary topic of Child Sexual Abuse and working together to come up with solutions, professionals and community members build social connections and learn new skills and knowledge about child development. Growing together as a community supports us all in providing safe and healthy spaces for our kids to grow.” 

    Sign up for a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

    Lex Loutzenhiser, Policy Manager

     

    “Our policy team advocates for policies that promote protective factors by providing our federal and state decision makers with information, evidence, and recommendations on how real life promotion of these factors through policy change strengthens families.”

    “We also elevate the voices and perspectives of community members with lived experience in policy spaces to ensure policy change effectively promotes protective factors for Colorado families.”

    Learn More About Illuminate’s Policy Priorities

    Dawn Newby, Strategic Initiatives Manager

     

    “What’s exciting about the work of the CO-ECCS Project, and all the work that the Strategic Initiatives team supports, is that we are working with state agencies, community organizations, and families to transform systems together.“

    “Part of changing systems is that we shift the mental models upon which systems are built to value protective factors and practice seeing what families can be, instead of focusing on what they’re not.“

    Learn More About the CO-ECCS Project

    Patsy Bruce, Child Care Manager

     

    “The protective factors serve as a foundational starting point to build relationships and to get to know parents and caregivers. Through daily engagement; staff partners with families to increase parenting knowledge, child development, and build social and emotional knowledge. Extending these services beyond the classroom, navigation services are also offered and connects families to community support in the time of need.”  

    Learn More About Illuminating Child Care

    Missy Berglund, Senior Education Program Manager

     

    “Healthy Outcomes from Positive Expereinces (HOPE) and the Protective Factors go hand in hand.  When we strengthen communities by ensuring opportunities for families to harness their exsisting protective factors, we are inherently creating greater access to positive childhood experiences. You can see the impact in the smiles on the faces of parents when they feel supported and connected. And when a parents stress is reduced, they are able to focus on creating moments of greater connection and joy with their child.“

    “When a parent is able to access the concrete supports they need, or talk to a friend about what they are struggling with, or even have access to information about what to expect at their child’s developments stage, you feel less isolated and better able to manage the challenges of parenting. Knowing you have a community around you that cares, that will support you, that has been there– that allows parents to breath a little easier.”

    Sign Up for a HOPE Training Today

    Angelica Fox, Director of Home Visitation

     

    “A visit from Family Connects to a parent of a newborn is intended to support the parent during the first three weeks, which is a time where families are very vulnerable. A Family Connects nurse home visitor provides concrete support in times of need to parents while focusing on their parenting knowledge, their child’s well being, child development, and the importance of positive interactions and expectations appropriate to their age.”

    “Babies don’t come with a manual and having a home visit from Family Connects provides concrete support in times of need as the parents receive parent education and information to access existing resources and services that can support their families as a whole.”

    Learn More About Family Connects Colorado

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    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

    Introducing the Updated Tip Colorado Website!

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