I serve as President of the Western Colorado Writers' Forum in Grand Junction, CO. The Western Colorado Writers’ Forum is committed to fostering a rich and diverse writing community on Colorado’s Western Slope that invites participation from diverse cultures, customs, and life experiences. Our non-profit operates through grants, donations, and the sweat equity of our Board of Directors and other volunteers.My role is diverse. I am directly responsible for writing and administering… Show more I serve as President of the Western Colorado Writers' Forum in Grand Junction, CO. The Western Colorado Writers’ Forum is committed to fostering a rich and diverse writing community on Colorado’s Western Slope that invites participation from diverse cultures, customs, and life experiences. Our non-profit operates through grants, donations, and the sweat equity of our Board of Directors and other volunteers.My role is diverse. I am directly responsible for writing and administering grants, writing our robust newsletter, managing projects including workshops, events, and other in-person endeavors, fundraising efforts, community relations including a number of collaborations, social media and other publicity efforts, website management, and leading an active board that includes our podcast producer and interviewer as well as the standard board roles. As president of the WCWF, I greatly enjoy my role as radio show co-host of LIT Radio at KAFM in Grand Junction. I collaborate with the Western Slope Poet Laureate Wendy Videlock to host LIT Radio, where we explore all things language, books, poetry, storytelling, and literature in the Grand Valley [Grand Junction area]. Our show is live on the third Wednesday of every month starting at 12:30 p.m. Perhaps if I’d known how fun radio is, it would’ve been another possible career path! Show less

Do you remember your original inspiration for writing?You are a creative being, and you paint with words, but even the most dedicated writer can run out of that paint, lose that spark, even forget the joy and pleasure that comes from creating with words.We sometimes forget that childhood ease and ability to create through play and fun and laughter, and as adults, we can’t always see the creative spark in our everyday world – from cooking to gardening to, yes, being able to add a… Show more Do you remember your original inspiration for writing?You are a creative being, and you paint with words, but even the most dedicated writer can run out of that paint, lose that spark, even forget the joy and pleasure that comes from creating with words.We sometimes forget that childhood ease and ability to create through play and fun and laughter, and as adults, we can’t always see the creative spark in our everyday world – from cooking to gardening to, yes, being able to add a column of ten numbers in our heads (seriously, that takes a certain creativity!).I help writers recapture that writing spark.A few endeavors: Creativity Retreats for Writers (currently planning for 2025); weekly group Writer Chicks Coffee Club in Grand Junction, CO; and online Butt in Seat Writing groups (new sessions planned for January 2025).I’m particularly fond of the neophyte writers, the hesitant scribblers, the hidden wordsmiths who “only want to write the family Christmas letter” or know they want to blog but freeze at the blank screen. We all started right there.I am also blessed to have many writer, author, and poet connections many of whom are published in multiple genres and publications.I have a diverse background. It makes life fun and makes me uniquely equipped to inspire writers to embrace creativity, fun, and playfulness, and renew that creative passion. Check out the About section on my website to see what I’ve been up to over the years. (melodyjonesauthor.com/about/) Show less

I'm your Social Media Aspirin - I take the pain away!I offer a range of social media services including social media consultation, social media education, mentoring and coaching, and workshop and seminar presentations. I save you time and headache by coaching you, or your group, on how to manage your social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. More testimonials: http://socialmediamelody.com/testimonials-for-melody-jones/

From June 2019-May 2021, I served as 1st Vice President and Communications Committee Chair for the Denver Woman's Press Club. I oversee a fantastic group of women committed to ensuring the community is aware of the various programs we offer and the benefits of membership. The DWPC was established in 1898!

In 2014 I was inspired to create a group where I could connect with other women working in the social media arena in Colorado. I felt that I needed stronger connection and support than the standard networking groups I'd attended where it was all about referrals. I wanted to be somewhere where I could 'talk shop' and also have a fun, working camaraderie. Thus CWSM was born.This experience was more fulfilling and rewarding than I ever thought possible. I am so proud to know the women who… Show more In 2014 I was inspired to create a group where I could connect with other women working in the social media arena in Colorado. I felt that I needed stronger connection and support than the standard networking groups I'd attended where it was all about referrals. I wanted to be somewhere where I could 'talk shop' and also have a fun, working camaraderie. Thus CWSM was born.This experience was more fulfilling and rewarding than I ever thought possible. I am so proud to know the women who were CWSM, all highly accomplished, professional go-getters. Without them, CWSM would not have been the successful, well-respected, and accomplished group that it was.CWSM worked on the basis of collaboration, a concept I've not seen in action anywhere else. My job was to provide foundation, structure, and inspiration, and to drive the collaborative spirit in constructive and positive ways. Our group has concluded, but our connections remaing strong. Show less

MelodyEssence is an online shop featuring professionally designed handmade goods with a focus on fun and simple. Featuring bead and wire jewelry and paper arts such as cards, scrapbook pages, albums, and embellishments, MelodyEssence focuses on superior customer service and excellent handmade goods.

Responsible for written and verbal communications for the Douglas County 4-H program including newsletters, press releases, brochure design, blog design and updates, website information, and various reports. Presentations to boards, community members, school groups, and internal customers. Program recruitment and retention. Recommendation from colleague Joe Julian, June 2010: "I worked with Melody Jones for 4 years both as her Director and Co-Worker at the CSU Extension Office in… Show more Responsible for written and verbal communications for the Douglas County 4-H program including newsletters, press releases, brochure design, blog design and updates, website information, and various reports. Presentations to boards, community members, school groups, and internal customers. Program recruitment and retention. Recommendation from colleague Joe Julian, June 2010: "I worked with Melody Jones for 4 years both as her Director and Co-Worker at the CSU Extension Office in Douglas County. Melody is a very creative and technically sound writer and exhibited those talents in several ways at CSU. She changed the 4-H newsletter from a bland, uninteresting document to a fun, exciting, and interactive publication that went out to over 400 4-H residents in Douglas County. She also took on the project of upgrading and managing the CSU Extension website and was able to created a website that was dynamic to look through, with great information and graphics that was a huge improvement from what had been there previously. Now that she has ventured out on her own, she is no longer handcuffed by the restrictions that are placed on government and private organizations such we can look forward to those creative juices developing outstanding writing materials for the whole world to appreciate!" Show less

Community-based Examiner for Parker, Colorado. Writer focusing on community neighborhood and culture news, events, reviews, interviews, how-to's, profiles, advice and commentaries.

Writer of various types of articles including humor, how-to's, researched information, community news and events, expert advice regarding foster care, and entertaining top ten lists.

While I worked at the same department for both roles described below, they were different jobs within human services.Social Caseworker/Independent Living Unit - July 1991-September 1994 • Assessed adolescent cases for transfer to the Independent Living Unit• Provided intensive emancipation services to adolescents preparing to leave foster care which included individual and group therapy, skills classes, employment coaching, and a wide variety of support services• Wrote… Show more While I worked at the same department for both roles described below, they were different jobs within human services.Social Caseworker/Independent Living Unit - July 1991-September 1994 • Assessed adolescent cases for transfer to the Independent Living Unit• Provided intensive emancipation services to adolescents preparing to leave foster care which included individual and group therapy, skills classes, employment coaching, and a wide variety of support services• Wrote court reports and provided recommendations to dependency and neglect as well as juvenile delinquency courts• Served on placement review team, case flow committee, and youth award programSocial Caseworker and Foster Care Independence Program Coordinator 1994-2006• Administered three-county emancipation program to assist foster care youth in leaving placement successfully• Managed substantial budget per program guidelines to best support client emancipation• Conducted formal evaluations/assessments of client functioning and knowledge/skill base• Facilitated group therapy and individual therapy sessions as needed for adolescent clients ages 16-21• Created curriculums for adolescent independent living skills groups and workshops• Trained caseworkers, foster parents, placement staff and community members on adolescent development, emancipation issues, independent living skill development, and transition planning• Researched and prepared written annual program strategy and planning to address specific services, fiscal planning, outreach, and collaborative efforts• Planned, facilitated and implemented multiple conferences and job fairs• Collaborated with various committees to complete event planning, resource development, job development, and state program development and refinement• Maintained accurate and complete case records, detailed monthly and annual statistics, and financial records• Co-wrote and edited program newsletter Show less

In this role, I worked with adolescents ages 13-18 in a day treatment program designed to provide a more structured environment for foster care teens experiencing disruptions in a regular school setting.Duties included:• Assessed adolescent cases for entry into day treatment program• Provided individual and group counseling to adolescents in foster placement• Researched, planned, and implemented group activities• Supervised visitation between children in foster care and… Show more In this role, I worked with adolescents ages 13-18 in a day treatment program designed to provide a more structured environment for foster care teens experiencing disruptions in a regular school setting.Duties included:• Assessed adolescent cases for entry into day treatment program• Provided individual and group counseling to adolescents in foster placement• Researched, planned, and implemented group activities• Supervised visitation between children in foster care and siblings/parents Show less

In this position, I worked with adolescents in a locked psychiatric ward in St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, CO.My duties:• Facilitated group therapy with patients in locked psychiatric center• Provided individual sessions to facilitate self awareness and behavior modification• Charted all observed behaviors, actions, and conversations with patients