The Gunnison Valley Cares Coalition meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at noon at Gunnison City Hall. Chaired by Colleen Ogden and facilitated by Jocie Rojas, it’s the southernmost of Sanpete County’s three Cares Coalitions and consistently draws strong attendance. Three meetings happened between October 2025 and January 2026, and the January session brought the SHARP Survey data to Gunnison Valley for the first time.
The Headlines
A new wellness facility opened in Ephraim. Gunnison is building a 30-home subdivision and pursuing infrastructure grants. The Teen Center serves around 80 students per day but faces funding uncertainty. Head Start expanded eligibility for small-community families. The Sanpete Pantry is serving more families and more seniors. And the SHARP Survey landed in Gunnison Valley with the same mix of good news and concern that the other coalitions saw.
October: Rest Recovery Wellness and City Growth
Nineteen people attended the October 28 meeting. Colleen Ogden welcomed Jocie Rojas and introduced Cassie and Jake Johnson of Rest Recovery Wellness, a new facility in Ephraim offering a hyperbaric chamber, cold plunges, infrared saunas, red light therapy, a salt cave, float spa, and PEMF therapy. Both monthly subscriptions and single-session options are available.
Gunnison city updates included a new subdivision with more than 30 homes in progress, grant applications for road and infrastructure expansion and well and water improvements, and funding allocated for a new pickleball park near the skating park. Fundraising continues for a new Catholic church serving the Gunnison and Ephraim communities.
The Teen Center reported approximately 80 students per day. Gunnison Valley Hospital announced breast cancer awareness events and a Santa Fun Run 5K. The Lions Club shared plans for Sub for Santa, a Christmas Tree event, a light parade, and Santa visits. A public health representative shared updates on the Teachers Home Visiting Program and the Central Smiles dental program for uninsured children. The Wellness Hub continues hosting mental health and connection programming on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings.
November: Prevention Framework and Community Needs
Seventeen attendees gathered on November 25. Jocie shared the coalition’s prevention framework, including the “Communities That Care: The Prevention Paradox” video. The hospital announced its 2026 prenatal class schedule and shared details on the Memory Tree event and monthly grief support groups.
Teen centers reported ongoing support for students needing backpacks, clothing, hygiene items, and supplies, alongside strong participation in food drives. Community members discussed creating a shared list of frequently needed items to coordinate donations. The migrant and 504 coordinator shared insights on rising ELL populations, family literacy nights, and the need for accessible English classes and transportation support.
The Foster Care liaison described the Check and Connect mentoring program for foster youth and encouraged referrals. Financial partners emphasized fraud prevention during the holidays. Law enforcement and city representatives shared upcoming events including the holiday parade and Santa visits, plus opportunities to serve on the Gunnison city council.
January: SHARP Data Arrives, Demand Grows
Nineteen attendees were back on January 27 for the SHARP Survey presentation. Jocie walked the coalition through the regional results: overall improvement in youth well-being, decreases in substance use (some categories down 60% or more), improved mental health indicators, and stronger school climate. Screen time remained the persistent concern.
The roundtable updates told a story of increasing demand alongside shifting resources. The Teachers Home Visiting Program reported being at full capacity in Manti and Centerfield with a waiting list. Coalition members discussed sustaining local teen centers now that initial grant funding has ended, emphasizing the need for community donations and supplemental grants.
Head Start representatives shared updated eligibility guidelines: families in communities under 1,000 residents (Sterling, Mayfield, Fayette, Axtell, Redmond) can now qualify based on residence alone, regardless of income. Transportation is available and the service area has expanded.
The Sanpete Pantry reported a significant increase in families served, including more seniors, and emphasized that services are confidential and available regardless of immigration status. Gunnison Valley Hospital noted increased influenza activity and announced a CPR training event. The mountain bike team shared plans for a fundraising dinner on February 20.
Why It Matters
Gunnison Valley is growing. New housing, infrastructure grants, and city improvements are reshaping the area. At the same time, the coalition is tracking how that growth intersects with community needs: 80 students a day at the Teen Center, a food pantry seeing more families, a home visiting program at capacity with a wait list, and rising ELL populations needing language access. These meetings are where those threads connect and where the people doing the work coordinate.
The Head Start eligibility change is worth highlighting on its own. Families in Sterling, Mayfield, Fayette, Axtell, and Redmond can now qualify for Head Start based on where they live, not just what they earn. That’s a meaningful shift for small communities that might not have heard about it yet.
What Comes Next
Volunteers are needed for the Community Assessment and Resource Assessment workgroups. The coalition meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at noon, Gunnison City Hall. Open to the public. Contact Jocie Rojas (jocelyner@cucc.us) to get involved.
Sourcing: This recap is based on official coalition meeting minutes from October 28, 2025, November 25, 2025, and January 27, 2026, taken by Jocie Rojas, Behavioral Health Prevention Specialist at Central Utah Counseling Center. For corrections, email info@sanpeteserves.com.
