In Durango, gratitude often shows in simple yet impactful ways — a neighbor lending a hand, a friend sharing a meal, or a community coming together around what matters most. This spirit of thankfulness lies at the heart of three nonprofits whose work touches lives every day: Community Connections, The Hive, and Maria’s Literary Foundation. Though each addresses different needs, they collectively represent the best of living in a place where people truly care for one another.
For over thirty years, Community Connections has been a vital resource for families navigating the challenges of disability services. Whether parents are seeking support for a child with developmental delays or adults are working through the complexities of Medicaid waivers to achieve independence, the organization offers both expertise and compassion. Its case managers guide families through confusing systems, ensuring no one faces these challenges alone. Community Connections provides early intervention for toddlers, family support programs that build resilience, and coordination services that help people focus on living rather than paperwork.
When state policy changes required the organization to restructure, Community Connections embraced the challenge. They established a partner organization, Our Own Lives, to handle direct services, while refocusing their mission as the region’s primary case management agency. This transition has sharpened their purpose and strengthened their commitment to supporting families with dignity and choice. “We are excited to announce these important advances as we begin this new chapter for Community Connections,” said President and CEO Tara Kiene. Her leadership is guided by the belief that people deserve not just services, but respect, independence, and opportunity. In a season of gratitude, it’s hard not to feel thankful for the countless unseen ways this organization stands beside people at their most vulnerable.
Across town, gratitude sounds like skateboards hitting ramps and laughter spilling out from a building along the Animas River. This is The Hive, Durango’s youth-focused community center. Inside its 7,800-square-foot space, you’ll find an indoor skatepark, a music venue, and colorful art rooms where young people from all walks of life gather each afternoon after school. For them, The Hive isn’t just a place to hang out — it’s a place to belong.
Every day, kids as young as five participate in skate lessons, while others dive into art classes or join expression sessions where poetry, music, and stories flow freely. During summer, the programs expand to include outdoor trips and workshops that challenge youth to test their confidence and creativity in new ways. Executive Director and co-founder Kelsie Borland often shares how, growing up in Durango, she longed for a space like this. “In the ’90s, we didn’t really have anywhere to go,” she recalled. That memory fuels her passion to ensure today’s youth have not only a safe space but one filled with mentors, opportunity, and joy. Parents express their gratitude, knowing their children are in a place that nurtures confidence and responsibility. The Hive is more than a skatepark — it’s a community investment in the future.
And in the heart of downtown, gratitude finds quieter expression in the turning of pages. Maria’s Literary Foundation, the newest of the three organizations, was born from the beloved Maria’s Bookshop with a vision to expand access to books and storytelling. Still in its early stages, the foundation is already uniting the community through author talks, book clubs, and storytelling events. Its most ambitious goal is the creation of a Reading Room — a warm, welcoming space where anyone can gather to discover stories, ideas, and one another.
Fundraising campaigns are underway, and already the response shows how much Durango values the written word. The foundation is committed to removing barriers — whether financial or social — that prevent people from accessing books, ensuring that stories remain a shared treasure for all. In a world so often dominated by screens, Maria’s Literary Foundation serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder that books are still gateways to empathy, curiosity, and imagination. It’s hard not to feel grateful for such a gift taking root in our community.