Acknowledgements
Conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of individuals who reside in Colorado’s Weld County required the assistance of numerous individuals. I wish to thank the individuals who worked behind the scenes to make this project a reality. First, I wish to acknowledge the support from the businesses and organizations that provided the funding that made this assessment possible.
- Aims Community College
- Banner Health System
- City of Greeley
- The Community Foundation of Greeley & Weld County
- Greeley Tribune
- Kodak – Colorado Division
- Monfort Family Foundation
- United Way of Weld County
- Weld County School District 6
- Weld County Government
Next, I want to thank the Compass Steering Committee and the Data and Media Subcommittees of the Compass Steering Committee for their support and input through out the entire process. These committees consisted of community members who participated in numerous meetings and assisted me in the selection of respondents, refinement of the questionnaires used in this study, and worked to inform the community about the Compass process and results. These individuals include:
- Compass Steering Committee Members
- Randy Bangert – Greeley Tribune
- Gary Boehler – Kodak – Colorado Division
- Alvina Derrera – Rocky Mountain SER
- Mike Geile – Weld County Commissioner
- Julianne Haefeli – Community Volunteer
- Gene Haffner – North Colorado Medical Center
- Jean Hoshiko – The Community Foundation of Greeley & Weld
- Frank Lakin – Community Volunteer
- May Martinez Hendershot – State Farm Insurance
- Michael Muskin – United Way of Weld County
- Keith Rangel – Family Physicians of Windsor
- Walt Richter – Aims Community College
- Linda Roberts – Anderson and Whitney
- Becky Safarik – City of Greeley
- Don Sandoval – State of Colorado, Local Affairs
- Kevin Schwindt – RR Donnelley Norwest
- Jeannine Truswell – United Way of Weld County
- Cheryl Wangeman – Weld School District 6
- Compass Data Collection Subcommittee
- Alvina Derrera – Rocky Mountain SER
- Julie Givan – Union Colony Civic Center
- Betsy Holder – City of Greeley
- Frank Lakin – Community Volunteer
- Monica Mika – Weld County Government
- Michael Muskin – United Way of Weld County
- Keith Rangel – Family Physicians of Windsor
- Walt Richter – Aims Community College
- Becky Safarik – City of Greeley
- Don Sandoval – State of Colorado, Local Affairs
- Robbyn Wacker – University Of Northern Colorado
- Cheryl Wangeman – Weld School District 6
- Compass Media Subcommittee
- Randy Bangert – Greeley Tribune
- Bruce Bormann – North Weld Herald
- Juan Cruz – Greeley Police Department
- Julianne Haefeli – Community Volunteer
- Gene Haffner – North Colorado Medical Center
- Karen Height – United Way of Weld County
- May Martinez Hendershot – State Farm Insurance
- Michael Muskin – United Way of Weld County
- Gloria Reynolds – University of Northern Colorado
- Robbyn Wacker – University of Northern Colorado
Next, I could not have completed the research without the efforts of two research assistants, Sonja Rizzolo and Richard Dougherty. Both Sonja and Richard worked on the research team from the beginning, helping to identify randomly-selected respondents, coding and entering the data, and generally being available when their assistance was needed. I also want to thank Dr. Susan Collins, Dr. Faye Hummel, and April Hummel who assisted me in the survey process. Also aiding us in the comprehensive assessment process were RSVP volunteers. They folded, stuffed, labeled, and stamped hundreds of questionnaires for mailing. We couldn’t have done this project without them!
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I want to thank the individuals in all aspects of data collection who graciously consented to participate in the study by returning the completed mail survey and participating in focus groups. Without their input and responses, this project could not have been completed. All of these individuals contributed to the collection of invaluable data that will assist community leaders in developing programs and resources to help address the needs of Weld County residents.
