Building Youth Resilience at The Aspen Effect

“We’ve seen so many stories of youth finally feeling connected, validated, and accepted.”

— Jerry Van Leuven, Founder & Executive Director, The Aspen Effect

Some kids just need a place where the world slows down. At The Aspen Effect, that place is a quiet Colorado ranch where horses graze, mentors listen, and young people remember what it feels like to breathe again. Founder Jerry Van Leuven created the program to give kids the grounding and confidence they often struggle to find in a digital, high-pressure world — and tools like SignUpGenius help make that mission possible.

Jerry Van Leuven, Founder and Executive Director

Meeting the Needs of Today’s Youth

Kids today face pressures that follow them everywhere — from online conflict to constant comparison. Jerry, a father of five and now a grandparent, saw the shift firsthand. His mission: help youth feel grounded, confident, and ready for adulthood in a world that doesn’t slow down.

A Ranch That Builds Connection and Confidence

The Aspen Effect operates on a 117-acre ranch filled with horses, alpacas, donkeys, goats, mini horses, and more. Each young person is paired with a mentor, building trust through shared projects, service work, and time with the animals. The program uses a strength-based approach — mentors meet youth where they are, offering acceptance and consistency rather than instruction.

Additional programs include:

• Ranch Resilience Summer Camp
• Teen Advisory Board
• Youth Service Crew for monthly service hours
• Horse-Bond Therapy for deeper therapeutic support
• Strong partnerships with the local school district and sheriff’s department

Scaling Impact With Simple Tools

As the organization grows — increasing from 180 youth served last year to a projected 240 this year — streamlining operations is essential. SignUpGenius supports two critical needs: managing mentor certification sign-ups and scheduling mentor–youth time on the ranch.

These tools help the team stay organized and ensure every mentor and child gets the time they need. Jerry shared, "We really could not do what we do today without SignUpGenius!"