What is Sozo?
Sozo is a Greek word, meaning to make whole, to protect, to heal, to restore. We know that trauma recovery for children and youth makes the already difficult process of growing up an even greater challenge. A wealth of data and research has proven that traumatic life events affect human development and functioning.
True damage from trauma does not just “go away,” though there may be periods of high functioning in the life of the trauma survivor. The key is not simply in addressing difficult behaviors; the key is in helping children find healing and wholeness.
Sozo Youth Sanctuary Foundation offers help to severely impacted youth in Western Colorado whose therapeutic and positive intervention needs are critical, and for whom other funding is unavailable or inadequate. Please look through our website and learn more about us.
We serve kids at risk of failure
Sanctuary is a retreat, a safe place. Our long-term goal is to build an onsite therapeutic community. In the meantime, we provide therapy and intervention in order to create a sense of sanctuary – safety, security, acceptance, and success – in whatever way works for an individual child or teen.
Why we use the word Sanctuary
Helping youth by funding therapy
We bring holistic (the whole person, not just their mental health, but physical, social, emotional, and spiritual) healing to traumatized youth, for whom other funding is inadequate or does not exist.
The traumatized child’s needs (based on qualitative research)
fresh air.
to let their bodies heal from traumas both suppressed and remembered, shocks to the nervous system that are never forgotten.
to be able to sit by the flowing water and look at the sky.
safe connections, experience caring for others, feeling productive and successful.
wholeness in stable relationships with safe and trusted adults.
access to understanding their strengths and gifts, and knowledge in how to apply them in real life opportunities.
healing physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.
How we support youth at risk of failure right now.
We provide services on a case by case basis, contracting with local agencies, businesses, mentors, and professional counselors. ALL MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS ARE CONFIDENTIAL BY LAW. YOUTH 12 AND UP MAY LEGALLY SEEK MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITHOUT A PARENT CONSENT, HOWEVER, WE LIKE TO INVOLVE AND SUPPORT PARENTS AND FAMILIES AS WELL WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
Our directors assess the needs of referred youth who qualify on an individual basis, and make available through contracted services appropriate psychosocial and/or therapeutic interventions at minimal or no cost to the recipient. Referrals will be screened as to their applicability for other types of payment to ensure that duplication of services does not occur or that the needs cannot be met through other means.
Our Sanctuary Property, 27760 Highway 141, Unaweep Canyon, CO is the future site of a retreat center and therapeutic community space. If you are an interested donor in this aspect of our foundation, please contact Frederick Bolton at 970-260-8233.
COVID-19 has created additional impacts to youth, teens, families, schools and community. When we cannot see youth or teens in person now, we are utilizing teletherapy. Please call or text us at 970-314-1578 for help and more info.