Parents Are The Key

PEN believes parents desire to raise healthy youth and deserve guidance in successfully navigating this complex role.

Adults and kids sitting on the grass in a garden

Our Mission

PEN is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to support parents in raising healthy, happy humans.

Our Vision

Our vision is for all parents to feel supported and empowered throughout their parenting journey.

Our Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion

To fulfill our mission, PEN must be an organization for all parents PEN prioritizes the recruitment of board members, staff, expert consultants, trainers, and volunteers who reflect the diversity of our community, with an intentional effort to foster and cultivate an environment in which all who are involved with the organization feel welcomed, accepted and appreciated.

PEN strives to provide a safe environment that facilitates and promotes open and honest expression, without fear of reproach, as well as encourages individuality amongst all who are involved.

Acknowledging the potential for unintentional shortcomings, PEN welcomes candid and constructive feedback about how the organization can do better. To attract and retain a diverse population of engaged community members, PEN incorporates intentional diversity, equity, an inclusion practices into the parent educational programming and resources.

LEARN MORE

Our Values

Our work is guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to these values

1. Relevance

PEN delivers high quality information, tools and strategies that are responsive to the ever- changing needs of parents. PEN staff and volunteers:

Stay informed of local, national, and international trends impacting families and communities.
Develop and curate content in collaboration with experts in the field.
Acknowledge parents as experts on their children and integrating their experience and wisdom.

2. Empathy

You can’t judge a person even when you have walked in their shoes. But, you can seek to understand and share in another’s experiences. PEN staff and volunteers:

Meet parents where they are, no matter what.
Authentically care and are deeply connected to the love a parent has for their child and the challenges they face raising them.
Are vulnerable and normalize parenting by sharing their own experiences, challenges and successes.

3. Passion

PEN eats, breathes and sleeps their commitment to serving parents. This passion shows up when staff and volunteers:

Express their love for parents in the way they live their day-to-day lives.
Go above and beyond to help a parent who is scared and/or hurting.
Access every personal and professional resource to help.

4. Tenacity

PEN’s commitment to helping parents has persisted throughout uncountable social, environmental, school, and community-based changes. PEN staff and volunteers:

Strive to be their best at all times.
Push the mission forward regardless of challenges and setbacks.
Find the best ways to reach, support, and serve parents.

5. Respect

PEN accepts people for who they are and values their unique differences. PEN staff and volunteers:

Honor people’s right to dignity.
Strive to provide an environment where people feel safe and welcome
Embrace conversations with openness and a goal of deeper understanding and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who We Serve

Parents

PEN provides a community of support, a place to build your parenting toolbox, and a touch stone for dealing with challenging issues.

Parents of children from kindergarten to graduation come to us for:

general parenting information
prevention strategies
ways to manage risky behaviors
information to prepare their child for the future

“The presenter gave a fair, unbiased, unflinching look at the hard truths. It made me feel liberated to face reality and not be afraid to talk about such an awkward, painful, worrisome subject.”

— One parent after attending an event

“We work with students, PEN works with parents, together we work with families”

— Administrator

School Staff, Administrators & Other Professionals

While our main constituents are parents, individuals working with youth and families also benefit from our programming. Our offerings help them stay on top the most current information and build a professional network where they can learn from others. Professional development credits are available.

Businesses

PEN’s Lunch & Learn Program is designed to bring virtual or in-person parent education to the workplace. The impact of bringing work stress home has been known for years. Less widely recognized is that parenting stress impacts a person’s ability to concentrate and be productive at work. Bringing cutting-edge information to them at a time that is convenient will leave them empowered and resourced so that they can bring their best self to their job.

Interest Form

PEN’s Lunch & Learn program has 10 hour-long sessions that will give parents at your business relevant information and hands-on strategies to support them in navigating this complex role.

Our Team

Our trusted team makes it possible for us to do our work.

Board Member

Matt Bliss

Executive Director

Stacy Cornay

Stacy Cornay founded Communication Concepts Public Relations & Advertising in 1994. Since then she has assisted hundreds of businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations strategize, engage and succeed. She has served on numerous Boards of Directors focusing primarily on the areas of children, education and business.

In her role as the part-time Executive Director of the Parent Engagement Network (PEN), Cornay will work to expand and enhance programming, increase awareness of programs and services, and provide oversight for fund development to ensure that the organization succeeds moving into the future.

“I’m so pleased to be joining this group,” said Cornay. “My passion is helping others. Working with parents, educators, and other key partners to ensure that we are raising happy, healthy, educated humans will be so rewarding. It’s a fantastic mission. This position fits well efforts I’ve been engaged in for over 25 years.”

When not working with PEN or clients through Communication Concepts, Cornay enjoys the outdoors, reading, laughing and spending time with family and friends. She is married and has one son.

Email:stacy.cornay@penbv.org

Program Director

Paula Nelson

she/her/hers

Paula’s vision is to address the underlying issues impacting the health and well-being of youth and families, rather than employing a band-aid approach to problems. As a co-founder and a member of the initial task force addressing increased substance use issues in Boulder, Paula led efforts to establish PEN as a strength-based organization that capitalizes on family strengths and builds protective factors. To Paula, this is at the core of PEN’s work. Paula is also a co-founder and member of the HOPE Coalition of Boulder. As the mother of 3 grown children and a new grandmother she hopes that PEN’s legacy will continue to build healthy families in the future.

Email:paula.nelson@penbv.org

Advisory Board Chair

Sandy Hay

she/her/hers

Sandy highly values the personal connections and many learning opportunities PEN provides, not only as a parent of young adults, but as a board member. She has participated in the Parent Engagement Network since 2004. She has been a PEN School Team leader at both middle and high schools, board secretary and committee member. Professionally, Sandy is retired from a 25 year career as a registered nurse, specializing in cardiac intensive care. In addition, as the sole staff nurse in 3 new hospital based cardiac rehabilitation programs she has experience in team management, program and protocol development, and patient education. She personally attributes PEN to being a dependable and necessary support during many parenting challenges, especially durizng the teenage years. Sandy is a married mother of 2 grown sons.

Email:sandy.hay@penbv.org

Board Chair

Kathy Valentine

she/her/hers

Kathy is a retired school counselor who has been excited about PEN since she first got involved. Working to help parents navigate all the issues that present themselves is an extremely important part of our mission. She also volunteers with the HOPE Coalition of Boulder County and Colie’s Closet. In her spare time she enjoys biking and dancing.

Email:kathy.valentine@penbv.org

Board Secretary

Artamis Parsi

she/her/hers

At six years old and a first generation immigrant, Artamis and family settled in Boulder and
have enjoyed Colorado since. Over the years of undergraduate, graduate, and career
achievements, her most meaningful experiences continue to be in raising her wonderful
daughter in her hometown. A single, neurodivergent, and full time software/tech professional,
Artamis enjoyed volunteering for organizations such as Hospice and Meals on Wheels. From
the start of the pandemic lockdown and asynchronous school and work, to the return of in
person life, she observed stresses and anxieties continued to increase for families. In searching
for supportive resources, Artamis found the PEN website and the lightbulb instantly lit up to
join and serve this wonderful community.

Email:Artamis.Parsi@penbv.org

Board Member

Matt Bliss

Matt is a long-time Coloradan, living here since he was one. He is the proud father of two teenage
daughters. Seeing his kids and their friends go through the COVID school shutdowns and the impact
that had on students and parents is one of the key factors driving Matt’s involvement in PEN. Matt is
excited to contribute to an organization that helps parents navigate the relationships with their kids,
their schools, and all the new challenges kids face today.

Matt is a small business owner and water resources engineer in Boulder, Colorado where helps
deliver innovative water supply solutions where water is scarce. He has been involved in Engineers
Without Borders, including trips to rural Ecuador to help design, build, and maintain small community
water supply systems. Matt enjoys being outside skiing, biking and hiking with his friends and family.

:matt.bliss@penbv.org

Board Member

Norma Fuentes

she/her/hers

I am originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, and have lived in the United States for over 25 years. I am a mother of three daughters and have one granddaughter named Izabella. I am currently working for Intercambio Uniting Community as Director of the Boulder County Program. I worked with Head Start and the Family Literacy Program as well. My passion and dedication contribute to helping, connecting, and providing the best service to our community.

Board Member

Pamela Kemp

she/her/hers

My name is Pamela Kemp. I am the owner and director of My Second Home Bilingual Nursery Preschool in Lafayette Colorado. I have degrees in Early Childhood Education, Spanish and a certificate as an Assistant Speech Pathologist. I am married and have two children, Nico a junior at Niwot High School and Sofia a 7th grader attending Sacred Heart middle school. I enjoy traveling, dancing and connecting with people in the community.

Board Member

Monty Meduna

Originally from North Dakota, Monty has been in Colorado for 35 years. He’s worked at FNBO for 30 years, and as a commercial banker, he currently helps businesses along the Front Range. He has served various non-profit organizations over the years, including Habitat For Humanity, I have a Dream Foundation, Children First of the Rockies, the Optimist Club, among others.

Monty’s motivation to contribute to PEN stems from his belief that parents play an absolutely vital role in developing children into people who are able to successfully navigate their way through this ever-changing, unpredictable and wonderful world.

Monty enjoys being with family and friends, physical activity, and being outdoors in the four seasons. He and his wife have three young adult sons.

Board Member

Lindsey Warren

she/her/hers

I have over a decade of working with children and youth from various backgrounds. For the past five years I have been working as in the Children’s Program with EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance Program) that works with the families at the housing sites. I have helped expand the reach of the Children’s Program by expanding the offered enrichment activities, creating and implementing the homework coaching program, and advocating for PYD trainings. I oversee up to 30 volunteers. I am a part of the Peer Education Strength Based team.

Email:lindsey.warren@penbv.org

Board Member

Matt Eldred

Matt Eldred is the President/CEO of TLC Learning Center. Matt has worked with a variety of for-profit and non-profit organizations, both in Early Childhood education as well as other human service organizations.

Matt has two adult children that are his biggest accomplishments and his pride and joy. He is also married to his childhood next door neighbor, but she would never have considered him a high school sweetheart. He enjoys recreational outdoor sports and plays on an adult basketball and softball league.

This is probably enough for the website, but below is additional information if it’s helpful.

Matt is a past president of nearly every early childhood or non-profit association and organization in Boulder County including the Boulder County Association for the Education of Young Children (BCAEYC), St. Vrain Valley School District and Boulder Valley School District Early Childhood Councils, The Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, Front Range Community College Boulder Campus Early Childhood Council, Human Services Alliance for Boulder County (HSA), and currently the Secretary/Treasurer for the St. Vrain Community Council (SVCC). He is active in the Mile High United and on the board of directors for the Longmont Chamber of Commerce.

Matt is an American Red Cross volunteer, serving as a community first aid and CPR instructor (some say he does this because he is cheap and doesn’t want to pay more for his staff to be trained, but he will argue that.).

:Email: meldred@learningwithtlc.org

Board Member

Victoria Olson

With over 30 years dedicated to supporting others, my professional journey has spanned various roles, including residential treatment, transitional living programs, and mentoring adolescents and young adults. I also maintain a private practice focused on adult substance users and individuals navigating high conflict transitions or parenting challenges.I hold a Masters degree in Counseling from Adams State University, and I am licensed as a Professional Counselor and Addiction Counselor. Additionally, I am certified as a High Conflict Divorce Coach, committed to guiding clients through difficult times with empathy and practical support. Most recently, I have added guiding families in Interventions when their beloved has fallen to substance use/addiction. I am excited to be part of PEN in engagements parents and families on their journey with their children.

:Email: meldred@learningwithtlc.org

Staff

Nancy Davis

As PEN’s part-time Program Assistant, Nancy Davis provides support to the Program Director and Executive Director so they can focus on their transformative work. She is so proud to be part of an organization that empowers parents and youth to live their best lives through inspiring and effective programs and events. Nancy is married with three beautiful children. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, biking, traveling, and riding horses.

Staff

Anna Taylor

Anna has lived in Colorado since 1989 and has called Lafayette home since 2007 with her 3 Mexican-American sons. She studied at the University of Guadalajara and later received her Bachelors in Fine Arts and Graphic Design from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. She has filled her life with human service volunteering and work including working for Boulder County Human Services, as a paraeducator for Pioneer Elementary and Adams County Head Start volunteer. She did various outreach projects for Boulder County to ensure folks get much needed public assistance. Anna is currently studying at Naropa University to obtain a Masters in Transpersonal Contemplative Art Therapy. As PEN’s Community Outreach Assistant, she strives to bridge the gap between the community and their needs.