Connection, community, mentorship, basic needs assistance and mental health support — you name it, Stepping Stones of the Roaring Fork Valley provides it all, free of charge, to local youths.

“Through trusted relationships, we offer comprehensive wraparound support, depending on each young person’s needs,” said Emily Greener, Stepping Stones development director. “From daily meals to mentoring to recreational outings to on-site mental health support and crisis response, we meet young people where they are.

“Whether a young person comes looking for a safe place to make friends or they’re in the midst of a mental health crisis, our compassionate and competent staff walk alongside them,” she said.

Based in Carbondale, the organization focuses on positive youth development, providing a range of services to youths ages 10 to 24. Its programming includes mentorship, safe spaces at drop-in centers, basic needs services such as meals, laundry and showers, as well as tutoring, skill development, mental health services, experiential activities and more.

In 2024 alone, the nonprofit recorded more than 8,500 drop-in visits, 2,300 mentoring sessions and 400 on-site therapy sessions. Among the nearly 400 youths served, 51% had a disability, 29% identified as LGBTQ+ and 32% had experienced homelessness.

On Friday, Sept. 19, Stepping Stones will usher in a new school year and celebrate its accomplishments with its third annual fundraiser, Stepping Up for Youth.

“The vibe of our organization is very community-engaged, so a gala wasn’t really the kind of environment that we were trying to create, but we wanted to build a community-building opportunity for our youth and our staff and our families to come together with community partners and donors,” Greener said. “So we came up with this idea three years ago to have a taco truck and a really beautiful, vibrant, multigenerational community-building event. That’s really what Stepping Up for Youth is.”

Attendees can test their luck with bingo and a raffle, play Lotería, enjoy live performances by Stepping Stones participants, bid in a silent auction and munch on youth-made desserts and tacos from Taqueria El Yaqui.

“If you want an opportunity to build cross-cultural and intergenerational connections, this is a great event for you,” Greener said. “If you just want to come out to support and empower youth, that’s what we’re all about.”

Auction items include packages from Aspen Snowmass, a night at the Limelight Hotel and passes from Glenwood and Iron Mountain hot springs. The grand raffle prize is a paddleboard from High Society Freeride. For those unable to attend in person, the auction will also be available online.

Attendees will also hear firsthand how the organization has impacted the lives of youths involved in its programs.

“I am looking forward to the sense of community that this generates. It is a really fun and vibrant event and everyone who comes has a great time,” Greener said. “It’s a very cross-cultural event, so everything is bilingual.

“Maybe you’ve never played Lotería before — you’ll get a chance to try that game, and it’s really fun,” she said. “I’m looking forward to enjoying that community-building atmosphere and environment.”