Forge Evolution

05/27/2026

STAFF HIGHLIGHT 💫

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Mackenzie Wagner began with Forge Evolution in March 2025 as a recent graduate from Colorado College's Feminist and Gender Studies and Education departments. She has a background in volunteer coordination from her three seasons with Brothers Redevelopment's Paint-A-Thon program in Denver and Colorado Springs, as well as program development through her work with Colorado College's Bonner Fellowship, grassroots community organizing, and over a decade of youth literacy tutoring.

Community engagement has always been a core part of her life, as well as advocating for youth and social justice. In this role, she is excited to be making interventions in the carceral system through Forge's restorative justice programming and expanding Forge's impact through increasing community engagement opportunities and strengthening our storytelling.

05/25/2026

Mental Health Monday: Connection Is a Powerful Form of Care🧠💕

Did you know...
▪️When someone you love is living with a serious mental illness, steady presence and compassion matter most.
▪️Understanding serious mental illness helps you respond with empathy and confidence.
▪️Maintaining healthy, clear boundaries protects both you and your loved one.

05/20/2026

🧑‍💻We're Hiring!

Become our Behavioral Health Case Manager and join our team. This full-time role supports Coloradan youth and families participating in Forge Evolution programs through case management, behavioral health support, individualized intervention, and family advocacy. The ideal candidate holds an advanced degree in Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Health, Criminal Justice, or a related field; is a licensed or unlicensed clinician (LPC, LPCC, LSW, LCSW); and has hands-on experience working with underserved youth and families.

To apply and see the full job description on our LinkedIn or at forgeevolution.org 🎉

We encourage early applications as we will review them on a rolling basis.

05/18/2026

Mental Health Monday: Words Matter and Words Can Heal 🧠💕

Did you know...
▪️Respectful communication is especially important during times of transition, including housing instability or reentry into the community.
▪️Language that recognizes the whole person helps people feel respected and valued.
▪️Trust grows through clear and thoughtful conversation.

05/17/2026

05/16/2026

📆EVENT ALERT!

Catch us at the inaugural Springs Fest, a free, family-friendly community festival. Come for live entertainment, guest speakers, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and to learn about us and other community engagement organizations.

📆Saturday May 30th, 2026
⏰12:00pm - 6:00pm
📍Springs Journey Church: 1250 Vondelpark Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

05/13/2026

🔁EVENT RECAP🔁

Law Day 2026 with the El Paso County Bar Associate was a success! Enjoy a taste of from our awesome Q+A session. Thank you to our attendees for their thoughtful questions and to those who presented for their time and wisdom.

📰Sign up for our quarterly newsletter in our bio to keep up to date with future events!

05/11/2026

Mental Health Monday: Recognizing Signs in Children and Youth 🧠💕

Did you know...
▪️Changes in mood, sleep, appetite, thinking, or behavior may signal the need for support.
▪️Most serious mental illnesses begin in young adulthood.
▪️Community awareness strengthens early identification and support.

05/10/2026

STAFF HIGHLIGHT 💫

Randee Thomas, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor with Forge Evolution. She has been a licensed clinician since March 2021 and holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Since joining Forge Evolution in 2023, she has played a key role in developing and leading the organization’s behavioral health program. In her role as Clinical Supervisor, she provides clinical oversight, supervision, and support to counseling staff and interns, ensuring ethical, evidence-based, and client-centered care.

Randee has experience working with crisis situations and trauma-related concerns, and she is committed to supporting adolescents, young adults, and families through a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. She focuses on building clinical capacity within her team while promoting accountability, professional growth, and high-quality behavioral health and prevention services.

05/07/2026

Meet the Grimes Family 👋

While Volunteer Appreciation Month has come to an end, our volunteers continue to contribute meaningfully and deserve to be celebrated! This Volunteer Highlight shouts out the Grimes family—Cody, Selenda, and Caleb. Check out the rest of their testimonial below!

"Our family found Forge through the Young Men’s Service League, and it immediately meant something special to us. As a mom, seeing youth given a second chance while learning accountability is incredibly powerful. Caleb loves working with his peers to find the best outcomes for each case, and Cody couldn’t wait to join once he was eligible—especially with his passion for law which he gets to enjoy by serving on the Defense and Persecution teams.

Watching both of my boys grow as leaders through Forge, and seeing them both care so deeply about the same meaningful work, has truly filled my heart."

Thank you Cody, Selenda, and Caleb for all the ways you support our Teen Court Program!

Interested in volunteering? 🤝
Find our Teen Court and general volunteer applications in the link in our bio!