On Friday, Oct. 7 the Southern Ute Community Action Program, Inc. (SUCAP) will be celebrating 50 years of serving the families of Ignacio and southwest Colorado.

SUCAP has been continuously dedicated to providing programs and services to all community members for the past 50 years since it was created by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe on October 10, 1966. SUCAP then received its non-profit status as an independent entity in 1967.

“[Since the beginning] SUCAP has been available to meet community needs,” SUCAP Executive Director Eileen Wasserbach said.

She expressed appreciation for tribal and Ignacio community members for their allegiance and commitment to SUCAP’s mission to “empower community members of all ages to recognize and reach their full potential by providing select programs and services in order to create better communities.”

Over the years SUCAP has backed numerous programs aimed at supporting all community members. Wasserbach told of some of the early programs including the Head Start program, providing man power jobs, and providing a program to address alcoholism in the community.

Today SUCAP is organized into six program divisions: Southern Ute Montessori Head Start and Early Head Start, Peaceful Spirit Substance Abuse Treatment Center, Ignacio Senior Center, The Training Advantage, Youth Services Division, and the Road Runner Transit.

Although programs come and go, Wasserbach envisions another 50 years of growth and success for SUCAP and the community.

The public is invited to celebrate the community-wide milestone with SUCAP from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the SUCAP Central Administration.