Who We Are
The Center for a Vital Community is a nonprofit dedicated to fostering leadership, supporting nonprofits, & driving community initiatives in Sheridan County.
Our Origin Story
Thanks to the vision and continuing investment of the Homer A. and Mildred S. Scott Foundation, the Center for a Vital Community began in 2001 when it found a home as a program at Sheridan College.
The CVC is a nonprofit organization whose fiscal agent is the Sheridan College Foundation. That means we raise all our funds for programming and support while helping serve as the community engagement arm for Sheridan College.
Meet Our Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board members hold up signs showing the core values that inspire their work and fuel their commitment to the CVC’s mission.
Christina Schmidt, Chair
Information and Education Specialist, Wyoming Game and Fish Dept.
Jenny Tribley, Vice Chair
Program Director, The Food Group
Jim Barth
Pastor, First United Methodist Church
Mitch Craft
Curriculum Consultant
Dylan Crouse
President, Security State Bank
Levi Dominguez
Sheriff, Sheridan County
Michele Fritz
Licensed Counselor
Jeff Garrelts
Manager, Controller, Craftco Manufacturing Solutions
Jeriann Jacobson
Design Consultant
Ryan Koltiska
Development Director, The Hub on Smith
David Peterson
Retired High School Teacher
Hung To
Sheridan High School Freshman, CVC Youth Advisory Board Member
Ashleigh Snoozy
Editor, The Sheridan Press
Jen Crouse, Ex officio
Executive Director, Sheridan College Foundation
Amy’s Blog
As a contributor to a weekly column in the Sheridan Press, Community Perspectives, Amy has been writing and submitting pieces since she began at the CVC in 2010.
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Capybara for adoption?
I’ve often thought that other than my dogs, if given a choice, my emotional support animal would be a capybara,… -
Once a triathlete
Several adjectives could be used to describe me. Loud comes to mind immediately. Also, chatty, inquisitive, and boisterous. Descriptors you… -
Mastadons looking in the rearview mirror
I am writing this column in the wilds of CampFIRE, our annual youth leadership camp above Buffalo at the YMCA’s… -
Harvesting the experience of your years
Here’s an interesting tidbit I’ve recently learned – the term, legacy, is a loaded word. And there is an invisible… -
From words to action – middle schoolers for the win
Middle schoolers! What a revelation they are! Over the last five weeks, I’ve spent quality time with several of them,… -
Middle school is hard. Can we make it better?
No one ever says that middle school years are the best years of life. Absolutely no one. It is a… -
MIL and more
I have big and exciting news! We’re getting a girl! I can’t say we’re having a girl because that would… -
Generosity is infectious here and now
I’m writing this as rain finally falls on the Bighorns. I speak for everyone who has watched the mountains burn;… -
AI Is here – now what?
Just because Pumpkin Spiced Everything is inescapable (and mostly gross – Pumpkin Spiced Frosted Flakes? Sick.) and we’d all like… -
The travel bug has returned
I’m pretty sure I’ve packed more travel into my life in the last two months than in the last several… -
Cleaning out – the gift that keeps giving
My niece and I made another pilgrimage to the homeland, Peoria, IL, to visit my dad this week. Not unexpectedly,… -
Leadership training for the ages
This was a big week for the Center for a Vital Community. On Tuesday, we graduated our seventh class of… -
Legacy – it’s not just for the rich and famous
The term ‘legacy’ is intimidating. Defined as the long-lasting impact of a person’s life, it’s usually used to describe political… -
My way is best – just ask me
Welcome back to my column, dear reader! You know that I’ve been covering end of life if you’ve read my… -
Nonprofits and baseball metaphors unite
Brace yourself, readers! For a change, I will utilize this column for its original purpose – to promote the Center… -
Don’t wait. Just do it.
I was just in Peoria, IL, right after my niece’s extraordinary wedding because my dad had another major stroke in… -
Going to the chapel
As a practice, I try to craft my Community Perspectives columns focusing on the CVC’s work. After all, we are… -
This could be you
My first involvement of being involved with a nonprofit was somewhat unconventional. About a year after I moved to Sheridan,… -
Who are you, really?
Ah, personality quizzes. In bygone days, one took these in magazines. My favorite story about magazine quizzes was when a… -
The mountains are calling
The first summer I worked at the CVC, I contemplated the prospect of CampFIRE (it was then called CiViC Leadership… -
Sheridan, it’s time for your close-up
A picture is worth a thousand words. I’ve always credited Kodak for that, but perhaps I should dig deeper for… -
Wake up and smell the aging
I was not an early adopter of exercise. When I say not an early adopter, I was more of an… -
Civity – the gift that keeps giving
Did everyone survive Thanksgiving a few pounds heavier but with familial relationships mostly intact? ‘Tis the season for ugly political… -
Who’s the smart one here?
Over a drink with some friends the other night, I asked for ideas for this week’s column. One suggested the… -
Back-to-School Realities
If you missed the ads in between the political spots, it’s back-to-school time. I have no idea why January, February,… -
A rude awakening
I’ve recently returned from our youth leadership camp, CampFIRE. Thirty-six incoming high school freshmen from Sheridan and Johnson counties kept… -
Building Bridges
I find it mind-blowing that we hosted Thrive vs. Survive Study Circles on Poverty ten years ago. Ten years! My… -
Reflecting on retirement
March 31 was a big day for my friend, Sandra. When you read this, she will be one of the… -
Despite terror, still writing on
How many of you are still having dreams, decades later, about classes you didn’t attend until the day of finals… -
Mississippi is coming to me
I just counted them up, and I’ve written around 100 columns since 2011. They started as updates about the CVC’s… -
Live on the edge (of something, maybe not a cliff or bridge)
I’m telling you right now, I am not a risk-taker. I am a fraidy cat, a wuss, a straight arrow. … -
Make a difference
Believe it or not, I can actually focus and finish a project within a specific timeline, all my procrastination and… -
Mental Health Matters
I’m just going to put it right out there. Partially because many people don’t, won’t, or can’t, and partially because… -
What were you thinking?!
It will come as no surprise to anyone that every argument I’ve ever been in, especially with family members, was… -
Learning to let go
Last weekend, I had the not unfamiliar feeling of losing control. Of fearing for my reputation as a good mother. … -
How time flies
“The trouble is you think you’ll have time.” This was a recent quote from my friend and superior columnist, Mandy… -
What’s your origin story?
When Ashleigh Snoozy, esteemed Sheridan Press editor, asked if she could write a series of articles on the CVC, I… -
What’s your sign?
Last night on my Leadership Wyoming call, one of my classmates was explaining astrology. I am a Pisces which I… -
Puppies: a cautionary (and stubby) tail
I have a bold statement to make right here, right now. This column is not about COVID or anything related… -
We can be and do better
(Author’s note: The CVC website has been down for awhile so the blog posts have been piling up. This was… -
There’s a word for that
(Author’s note: The CVC website has been down for awhile so the blog posts have been delayed. This was originally… -
The bandit look is all the rage
(Author’s Note: The CVC website has been down for awhile so the blog posts have been delayed. This was written… -
The view from the dining room table – week 9
(Author’s Note: The CVC website has been down for awhile so the blog posts have been delayed. This was written… -
Cheers to gratitude and generosity
A song I have on continuous loop in my head these last few weeks has been “Strange Days Indeed,” by… -
Everyone leaves a legacy – what’s yours?
[Author’s note: For all those who missed the mea culpa column I wrote the week after the Moving to Mississippi… -
No moving boxes needed
Wow. I am nearly speechless, which you know is a rare occurrence for me. When I wrote the post last week… -
Home Town
I have some big news and you are the first to find out. I haven’t even broken it to Mike,… -
Make 2020 the year you go for it
It’s the end of a decade. Isn’t that amazing? I am not in the camp that says 2021 is actually… -
More turkey, less talk
I’ve written past columns about civility, divisiveness, throwing babies out with bathwater, and the pure vitriol being spewed about all… -
Word of the day: unique
Dear Readers, today’s Word of the Day is unique. Or as my mom would pronounce it, you-nih-kew. Unique, no matter… -
Reading is (my) life
From my earliest memories, I’ve wanted to read. At a very young age, I remember standing with my mom at… -
Stoicism admirable, just not me
When you attempt to describe a person, adjectives usually come easily. Take me for example. (I’m sure my family often… -
Expressing gratitude with an old fashioned note
Hello, everyone! I’m just back from a riotous time in Huron, South Dakota, at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. … -
Deep breath: make (summer) time last
Please help me out here. I’m having anxiety and need coping skills. It’s now June. June is my favorite month… -
Make new, different memories now
My, how time flies. I just returned from a trip home and was stunned that it’s been nearly 14 months… -
How will you get involved in the community?
I am a proud graduate of the Leadership Sheridan County (LSC) Class of 2018, the 25th class, and clearly the… -
Embarrassment of riches seen at Chamber luncheon
I’ve had a rather huge week. I was nominated for the Chamber’s Spirit of Sheridan award a few months ago… -
Don’t throw it all away. Talk about it.
I’ll tell you right now – writing this particular column petrifies me. Unlike my past columns, which are mostly non-controversial,… -
Civility can and should reign
I’m proud and deeply grateful to live in a democracy. It’s a privilege and most times a pleasure. That is,… -
Why we need each other
I was casting about for a subject for today’s column when, in a fit of procrastination, I decided to clean… -
No covered wagons, bonnets for me
I write this from the center of South Dakota on the road home from Illinois. Yep, Cuz-o-Rama Road Trip 2018… -
Treasure troves of knowledge, advice
Next month, I’m taking the McDougal and Albrecht kids to Peoria to see their grandparents. I hope it will be… -
Looking for hope? Look to our future leaders
Another year, another CampFIRE in the books. The CVC’s youth leadership camp is the official start of summer for us.… -
Celebrating my dad
I’ve been wanting to write this column for awhile but have been waiting for the right time. I think this… -
We want YOU (and your input)
Perhaps you’ll remember my last column – the civility and kindness-themed one where I illustrated the lack of both these… -
Let ‘kind and civil’ describe us
Kindness and civility. Has anyone ever used those two terms to describe their children’s relationship with each other? I doubt… -
Double happy endings
I’m a feline evangelist. I was a little late to the party, but now that I’m here, I think everyone… -
Who’s the turkey now?
Thanksgiving is almost upon us. It is a time to give thanks, gather friends and family together, watch football and,… -
Back it all up
My week was rocked by a cataclysmic event. No, not a natural disaster, although I think we’re about the only… -
Family road trip disaster? No! Epic story!
I recently returned from a road trip to my hometown in Illinois with my niece. It’s about an 18-hour drive… -
This sale’s for you
I am a dude. Not a dude in the surfer sense or as a Big Lebowski reference. Specifically, a city-dweller, especially… -
Laughter, carbonated
Before I begin today’s column, I’d like to add a postscript to the column I wrote a couple months ago. … -
Digging in to my summer reading list
I like to think of myself as a voracious reader. Isn’t that a great word? Voracious. Rolls off the tongue. … -
Digging in to my summer reading list
I like to think of myself as a voracious reader. Isn’t that a great word? Voracious. Rolls off the tongue. … -
Parents – teenager training
Parenting a teenager is not for weenies. Those of you who have undertaken it know the struggle is real. Those… -
Birthdays and funfests
I love March. It means so many things. Daffodils (my all-time fave flower) from the American Cancer Society. The chance… -
Take time to be kind
I’m back! Four pounds lighter, perhaps a few inches smaller and feeling very pleased with self for surviving the Whole30. … -
Wholly30, here we go
Happy New Year! Yep, 2017 has entered at full throttle, complete with hideous cold and deeply unfortunate wind. We’ve all… -
Bring on the tacky tidings
It’s the Christmas season! Yippee! You know how I know this? Not because the decorations are up in stores. That… -
Super Fandom
I’m a big fan. Whether it’s pigs, chocolate, Chardonnay, Jane Austen novels or Chicago-style deep dish pizza, I am all… -
Join the support staff for our community’s children
I am the parent of two boys, ages 11 and 14. I came to the parenting gig late so I… -
Adventures at the Fair – dog shows, taxidermy
I’ve recently returned from a trip down south. Douglas, to be specific. It’s Wyoming State Fair time and my boys… -
‘What’s the salt on that caramel?’ and other useful phrases
There are some who think I have my own language. This is probably because I make up words to suit… -
We don’t just sound the alarm
I just saw a very funny commercial. Almost as funny as the one from Geico with the mom calling the… -
Resources in sunny climes
Have I mentioned that I just returned from sunny California? It was a huge sacrifice to leave Wyoming in March… -
Call me Polly
I have been called a Pollyanna. And not always in a kind, supportive way. More in the, “Open your eyes,… -
Weather – it’s not just for meteorologists
Editor’s Note: We are publishing some favorite past posts (unfortunate but necessary alliteration) so the time references might be confusing. Forge… -
Kevin Bacon’s got nothing on Wyoming
Editor’s Note: We are publishing some favorite past posts (unfortunate but necessary alliteration) so the time references might be confusing. Forge… -
Let’s call it a syndrome
Editor’s Note: We are publishing some favorite past posts (unfortunate but necessary alliteration) so the time references might be confusing. Forge… -
Winter illness – a gentle reminder of our mortality
Ah, the sweet sounds of January at the Albrecht house: “cough, cough, hack, sneeze, cough, hack.” Yes, the crud has… -
CVC website is live despite my epic procrastination
I have always maintained that I work better under pressure. It’s one of those little lies one tells oneself when… -
Lean and focused
I was just in a great meeting that gave me the seed for my column. The words lean and focused… -
You’d look darling in purple
I like to have a signature color. One that when I wear it seems to make people say, “Wow! That… -
Namaste
I’m a lapsed yoga aficionado. That means I love yoga. Unfortunately, I don’t make it to class nearly as often as… -
Spreading awareness to make Sheridan County dementia friendly
When I was in my 20s, anyone 60 or older was irredeemably ancient. Clearly, one foot in the grave and the…