
A message from the Executive Director Heather Evans
Serving the community, promoting collaboration, making connections—this is what we do at the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments. We help make our community, our four-county region, a better place to live and work. We do this by providing high-quality community services, services that impact people from birth to death, and everywhere in between. We also do this by working closely with the business sector, other nonprofits, and local governments, finding out what the people in our region need, then working together to meet those needs.
The challenges that each community faces are unique, and as part of the COG, no community has to face those challenges alone. Issues such as poverty, unemployment, housing shortages, struggling businesses, and a growing senior population, are too complex, too expensive, and too daunting to address in isolation. For our rural communities, this is even more true. Together, we can meet the needs of our communities; together, we can find real solutions to regional problems; together, we can make a difference.
The Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments—because we’re better together.

Can you believe it??? We get to live and work here!
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Programs
Our programs are designed to further our mission and provide much needed services for our constituents.
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Fundraisers and events help us raise awareness and generate crucial resources to serve our community. Join us at our next event and see how you can get involved.
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Improve your community by joining our cause. You'd be surprised at what a huge difference a little bit of your time can make.
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The Area Agency on Aging is seeking a volunteer to serve as advocate for residents in long-term care. Nursing home residents and assisted living residents retain all of their legal rights when they enter a home. Volunteer Ombudsmen are trained to protect residents’ rights.
The Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging is recruiting a volunteer who wants to make a difference in the lives of the residents in nursing homes and assisted living. Fremont County is in need of a Volunteer Ombudsman to be a voice for the residents, to assess problems, and to come to a resolution. If you have free time, please consider helping maintain or improve the quality of life for residents in long-term care facilities.
Once trained, volunteers are asked to spend just a few hours a month in this important and life-changing program. Mileage is reimbursed and letters of recommendation are available to those who qualify. To obtain more information on the Volunteer Ombudsman program or request a volunteer application, please contact Terri Gerstmeyer, Regional Ombudsman, at 719-539-3341.

Our Impact This Year
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People Helped
8359
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Volunteer Hours
34,553
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Investment Returns!
$6,686,941
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Early Childhood Education
175 children & families served

Summer is the perfect time to show your kids that giving back can be fun. Choose an organization that has a shared interest among your family and ask about volunteer opportunities.
All work and no giving back makes for a dull workplace! Talk to your employer about already existing programs such as matching gifts or time off to volunteer.
Use the power you have to make the world a brighter, better place, and you’re sure to also experience some of that kindness. Together, we have the power to change the world!
Website is still being transformed. Please bear with us while as we continue to build out this site. Check back regularly for updated content, events and resources! Thank you