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Meet Janet Wilson-Smith of Pueblo House and KOYC Radio

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Wilson-Smith.

Janet, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
OTR Foundation dba Pueblo House and KOYC Radio. Presently we have three beautiful historic houses (all of which were donated after a little luck and one chance meeting while I was driving through Pueblo asking questions. The area was taken over by drugs, prostitutes and crime and all were very run down, requiring plenty of renovations but now (and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, each one is providing creative space for music, the arts/maker space and media. Since 2012 I have worked tirelessly to get the houses up and running with very little funding. But now eight years later, we have 1/2 a block of creative space and our own community radio station, which provides a perfect venue for being the VOICE & Rhythm of Pueblo. In 2020, we look forward to bringing new and exciting programs to Pueblo House(s) and KOYC Radio 98.5FM.

With all the renovations completed and behind us, we are fully equipped to give vital training to youth interested in any component of music, art, media and radio. We’ve had plenty of musical equipment and instruments donated and volunteer music and art instructors willing to help by donating their time for youth. With our own recording studio in our media house and six computers ready to capture all the youth talent and begin exploring, editing, programming, building, creating.

In the past, we have collaborated with CSU-P for internship and had a very successful year working with Dr. Yescavage & Trish Orman. Last fall, we aligned ourselves with Brenda Figueroa (Gear-Up Program-our 2nd year) and Risley Middle School teachers to help promote the “community school model.” This year we hope to be working with Gunnison Pagnotta (of Goal Academy). We aligned with the Health Department this year and, with their help, was able to put in fencing around our large garden and a drip watering system. We are excited to be pursuing and providing extended opportunities for youth to discover their passions in life. We engage kids creatively so they have a more positive outlet, which in turn, will keep them out of gangs and drugs.

Strong and Resilient Families. We offer roundtable discussions and interactions, both through group discussion and one on one, on topics such as suicide prevention, bullying, healthy eating, finance and other vital needs that young people need but may not be getting in schools. Our aim is to educate youth on the importance of using their words or media to express (anger, frustrations, etc.) as opposed to physical violence, to alleviate bullying in schools. We help kids (in group sessions) by talking through some of the issues and bringing them resources to occupy their free time more constructively.

At Pueblo House, we are pleased to be working with Cathy Sanchez from the Pueblo Health Dept. A group called “Eastside Foodies” was formed to express the importance of healthy eating and the basics of gardening in our community. The crop will be available to the community, which is especially important, given the lack of healthy food choices on the Eastside. We’ll focus on the value of healthy eating and how food affects learning ability and children’s ability to focus in class.

Our intended outcome is to have a more informed citizenry on the Eastside with regard to eating, reading labels, growing food and using our resources to get the message across in a positive and fun way through videos created by the youth.

We offer all our programs free, so every child has the ability to participate regardless of their resources, age, gender, race. We are all-inclusive and keep our focus on tolerance and acceptance. There is also an outlet, via our radio station, for youth to discuss issues they feel are important, whether it’s about the city where they live, the environment in the school and activities that promote or cause angst. Talking about issues gives them a sense of belonging and helps to make them feel like a productive member of society, regardless of age. Youth who are struggling in school will have a new chance to find their passion, thereby providing career preparation in a number of areas that may not be available in schools.

We’re thrilled to report that the area has improved 100% since 2012 and the crime is down substantially as neighbors have started fixing, gardening and feeling better about themselves and their community. While we were not entirely responsible, we were instrumental in helping to revitalize a very rundown part of Pueblo and build it back, so our kids have a chance to be successful.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Having three houses over 100 years old left plenty of obstacles, not only the structure issues but then having to deal with new codes through Regional Building Dept. The area is mostly Latino and without speaking Spanish, that was somewhat of a challenge but luckily, two of our volunteers spoke the language and narrowed the hurdles.

Most of our issues involved getting funds or supplies to do the renovations and with each house, new businesses stepped in to help and volunteers appeared as needed.

Please tell us about Pueblo House and KOYC Radio.
We offer many programs that most don’t carry and we give them for free, so everyone can participate. With my extensive years in finance (five years as a bank manager, three years as a financial planner, two as a district manager and few months as CEO of minor league baseball and now a bookkeeper for a Swiss Clean Energy CO I new how to be creative, stretch a dollar and find the resources needed to make things happen. That, along with some very lucky moments and meeting the right people, helped bring all of this to fruition. Our board is small, with only four directors. Me, my husband (guitar player and music writer), Pat Grubb (retired art teacher) and Stan Clark who did most of the renovations of the last house (which was condemned) and now does our maintenance we are equipped for most of our needs but do require some tech-savvy students to help with our electronics and media center. That’s where the schools play a big part.

I’m most proud of the fact that we are changing lives by giving youth a chance to turn bad behaviors into more positive actions through creativity.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Dr. Anne Courtright, Glen Burke (now deceased), Cheryl Moore, who were all part of the occupy movement, helped immensely in the first house. Glen Burke put up $10,000 to get the supplies. They brought food, water, household items and more and were a huge part of the success of our first renovated house. Businesses like Lowe’s who took us under their Hero’s Program for our second house and put in a stage, lawn sprinkler system and donated doors and a hot water system. Over 100 volunteers participate at different times to make their mark on a house under renovations. Painters, drywallers, tilers, mortar guys, and more. We required much more for our 3rd house, which was condemned. Randy Kurtz dug up and fixed our main water line, Chief Reno did some ductwork and got our old furnace working, Grace Life Church brought a whole crew out to paint the house once the brickwork was repaired. It really was an entire community that came together to make this happen. I’m including a list of all the donations and help we received so you can see the extensive help we had along the way.

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