Because the health and wellbeing of our community is important to us, Grand River Health is hosting its first-ever Community Resource Summit.

The Community Resource Summit showcases numerous local organizations that offer support to members of our community. Visit with  local groups that can help make your life a little easier and learn from our keynote speakers.

The Summit will be held in our Grand River Conference Center at 501 Airport Drive, Rifle, CO 81650.

Keynote Speakers

David Pruett

Veterans Services Officer: Garfield County

Colorado native David Pruett has served in the role of Garfield County Veterans Services officer since 2020. He served in the Navy in special ops for several years prior to returning to his hometown of Rifle CO.

“When I returned I needed some assistance filing for benefits and enlisted the help of VSO Joe Carpenter to help me navigate the systems. I knew someday I wanted to give back to other veterans since Joe helped me so much when I returned home” says Pruett.  He adds “I enjoy helping veterans, especially our aging veterans who never knew what was available to them, and now find themselves needing a helping hand.“

Pruett has been instrumental in helping veterans of all ages obtain and secure the benefits they may be eligible for after completing their service in the military. These benefits may include medical, disability, pension and a number of other services.

S. Nichole Feeney, MD

Pediatric Medicine, Emergency Services & Internal Medicine: Grand River Health

Dr. Feeney moved to the area with her husband Ryan, an attorney, and four children. She adores horses and owns four Tennessee Walkers. She calls them her “therapy.” The Feeney family loves acting and theater.

When asked what drew her to rural medicine, Dr. Feeney says, “Rural health care allows me to give total patient care and the opportunity to be more involved in the community. It makes it more personal. I grew up in the country…I love this area and all it has to offer. I love the wonderful medical community in Rifle, helping my patients and living a more balanced lifestyle for myself and my family.” 

 

Brisa Isela Chávez

Educator in the WIC program and Hispanic Outreach coordinator for Garfield County Public Health.

Brisa was born in Chihuahua Mexico and raised in Colorado. As a daughter of immigrants, Brisa is proud of all her community work as she dedicates to help communities build individual and collective leadership.

Brisa has worked in the public health for more than 20 years. She graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Communication, Literature and English.  In 2020 she received a Humanitarian Service Award from Garfield County for empowering the community. Brisa is committed to elevating marginalized voices and sharing her time as a volunteer for different committees.

Brisa was appointed to the State Board of Human Services in 2021 to better the programs and the services for the state.

Brisa has lived in Garfield County with her husband and 2 kids for 23 years and loves to spend time with her family in the outdoors.

Gabe Cohen

Executive Director/Peer Support Specialist: Discovery Cafe

I am no stranger to despair. I’ve been in and out of the criminal justice system since I was 15 years old. Addicted to drugs, alcohol, and a life of violence, I was repeatedly kicked out of various treatment centers just when I needed help the most. It wasn’t until I was released from prison for the last time at 41, broke and homeless, that I found my pathway to recovery.

Since then, I have reconnected with my family, and moved to the Western Slope of Colorado where I began training in martial arts and founded American Krav Maga. In 2020 I became an Approved Treatment Provider for the Colorado Department of Corrections, providing outpatient substance use disorder classes for the parole department. I also volunteer with two Sheriff’s departments providing Bible study in the jails with inmates, sharing my story and motivating individuals to make positive changes in their lives through my non-profit charitable organization, Kings and Priests Ministry.

Local Organizations Attending:

Alcohol/Substance

• Discovery Café
• A Way Out

Mental Health/Therapy

• Ride
• Smiling Goat Ranch
• Aspen Hope
• Mind Springs
• Suicide Prevention Council of GarCo

State/VA/County 

• Garco Vet Services
• Public Health
• APS
• DHS

Financial

• Manaus

Transportation

• PATS

Education

• Family Visitor Program
• Great Expectations
• Colorado Heart and Healthy Solutions
• Raising a Reader
• Literary Outreach

Food/Housing

• Meals on Wheels
• Garfield County Housing Authority
• Lift Up
• The River Center
• Advocate Safehouse

Community Infrastructure

• Journey Home Animal Shelter
• Grand River Table of Information
• Rifle Library
• Mountain Family
• Alpine Legal
• Grand Valley Fire
• Abode
• Home Care and Hospice of the Valley
• YouthZone
• Rifle Senior Center