DENVER — Soul Players of the Valley (SPV) has been selected by the Community Resource Center (CRC), Colorado Nonprofit Association, and Philanthropy Colorado planning committee as one of the two esteemed recipients of this year’s Trailblazer Award. 

SPV Executive Director Jamie Dominquez accepted the award on behalf of Soul Players.  SPV Alamosa member Cristalray Dominquez, SPV San Luis members Ronda Lobato and SPV grant writer Dana Maestas also attended the State of the Sector celebration in Denver.  

Jamie Dominquez participated in a panel discussion where he shared SPV successes, challenges, and insights into creating a more resilient and collaborative nonprofit community. 

“This incredible recognition is a testament to your unwavering commitment to serving your community and your remarkable ability to collaborate with a diverse array of partners”, said the planning committee in a statement.  

As described by the planning committee that made the award, the Community Trailblazer Award presented by CRC recognizes outstanding achievements of organizations that exemplify this year's theme of collaboration. The award recipients promote and lead innovative, grassroots social change in Colorado’s nonprofit sector.  Recipients of this award demonstrate the following traits: Collaborative: generous in sharing experience and knowledge with partners, understanding the importance of relationship, and have able to build effective collaborations for meaningful change; Community centric: constituent led, centered in community, partners with community; and Effective change agents: making a felt impact in their community. 

“I was introduced to this organization during our time in the San Luis Valley this September for Philanthropy Days. I'm in awe of how they have worked collaboratively to establish chapters across counties,” said Story Elder, Communications and Events Coordinator at CRC/Community Resource Center. 

Here is an excerpt from an article [written by San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council about Soul Players of the Valley]: "The Soul Players of the Valley came into existence because our communities made the choice to unite as one force for change. Having witnessed revitalization efforts fail in the past, we were determined to take a different approach. 

Grounded in our traditional communal ways of life inherited from our Hispano ancestors, we lead our communities in identifying ways to address our needs and building on our strengths to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future." 

Soul Players of the Valley (SPV) is an inclusive group of family minded individuals coming together with a shared vision to help all communities of the San Luis Valley. 

The group practices community democracy principles as they built trust, awareness and explore common issues. They foster collaborative problem-solving techniques for envisioning new opportunities in each community as well as having a regional approach to addressing economic, health, educational, and other inequities. A collective team of four communities in the San Luis Valley, Alamosa, Antonito, Capulin and San Luis is Soul Players of the Valley.