From our friends at Rainbow Alley, the youth drop-in center at the GLBTQ center in Denver

On Thursday, July 17, Angie Zapata, an 18-year old Latina transwoman was murdered in her home in Greeley, CO. She suffered two severe fractures in her skull. Her family believes that she was murdered by her boyfriend or members of her boyfriend’s gang because of her gender identity.

The Greeley Tribune, a local newspaper reporting on this case, continues to use an incorrect name and pronouns for Angie. Her family has been very supportive of her and are both angry and upset at this lack of accuracy and sensitivity in reporting. Please let the Greeley Tribune know that this is not acceptable and their lack of appropriate reporting is contributing to an environment where violence against transgender people is continuing. Contact information for the newspaper, editor and reporter is below.

The perpetrator has stolen Angie’s sister’s car, a very dark forest green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with the Colorado license plate number 441ORN. There is a hubcap missing on the front passenger-side tire and there is paint missing on the front bumper on the driver-side, under the headlight. Anyone with information about the car is asked to call the Greeley police through the communications center, 970-350-9600. In addition, Angie’s cell phone and wallet were also stolen.

All media contacts should be directed to Kelly Costello, Director of Victim Services at the Colorado Anti-Violence Program (CAVP) at either kelly@coavp.org or 303-839-5204. CAVP works to eliminate violence within and against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities in Colorado.

Kelly CostelloDirector of Victim Services Colorado Anti-Violence ProgramP.O. Box 181085Denver, CO 80218www.coavp.org (303)839-5204(888)557-4441 toll-free

Greeley Tribune
Write a letter to the editor: http://apps.greeleytribune.com/utils/forms/lettertoeditor/

Randy Bangert, EditorPhone Number: (970) 392-4435E-Mail: rbangert@greeleytribune.com

Mike Peters, ReporterPhone Number: (970) 392-4433E-Mail: mpeters@greeleytribune.com

Wanna go the extra mile for kids? How 'bout 5000 extra miles?

Although I can't use names, or give you too many details, I thought that this story might help lift you up today. Who can't use a bit of inspiration?
I have been working with two volunteers, a husband and wife team, for nearly three years. They were originally assigned to advocate for a sibling group of 5 kiddos. These kids had been abused, neglected, isolated and exposed to a home life where they witnessed chronic domestic violence. After multiple moves to different foster homes, these CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers followed these kids everywhere, to every foster home and eventually to their adoptive home. These volunteers coordinated sibling visits when the kids were placed in different homes. They consistently saw these children, and these children adore their "CASAs" because throughout this whole process, the CASAs have been there for them.
These CASAs went the "extra mile" for these kids by being a regular part of their lives. So even if their foster home changed, their school changed, their friends changed, the CASA volunteers did not change. Their presence was a given. But these volunteers also went the "extra mile" for these kids in the literal sense as well. These CASA volunteers have driven over 5000 miles since being assigned to this case back in August of 2005. I look at these volunteers and I can't help but smile when I think of all of the wonderful things they have done for these children.
You can do it too! Find out how at our website: www.adv4children.org Or call Advocates for Children at 303-695-1882.