Difference Maker: Mauricio "Mo" Bolivar

By Nick Krishnan: Marketing & Events Manager

Serving the community is about more than providing resources to those in need, it’s also about building relationships and connecting with community members.  Few people embody this principle more than Mauricio “Mo” Bolivar, the Community Resource Coordinator for Building Futures at Habitat.  Having spent the majority of his career working in the hospitality industry, Mo has been able to develop his natural people skills in a way that allows him to relate to the community and approach his work with empathy.

Mo chose to move on from his hospitality career as he felt motivated to help youth and families succeed in realizing positive changes in their lives.  This motivation led Mo to Habitat Vail Valley, where his ability to bring people together to solve problems has allowed him to make a real difference in the community. 

For decades, Habitat Vail Valley has connected local families with vital resources and strong partnerships to meet the growing need for support across Eagle County, in addition to building homes.  The program is grounded in the understanding that each family has a unique background, set of needs, and way of thriving.  Habitat Vail Valley strives to walk alongside families and community partners to help create the conditions in which families can not only meet their basic needs but truly thrive.

Through his role as the Building Futures Coordinator, Mo knows how important housing is for the community.  “I’ve seen firsthand that challenges like mental and physical health disorders, domestic violence, employment struggles, and financial instability often stem from the lack of safe and stable housing, whether owned or rented.” 

Mo’s role allows him to do something that he’s great at, connect with people.  By working closely with families, community partners and volunteers, Mo is able to personalize the support each individual family receives. 

In Eagle County, Mo sees stable housing, along with education, employment, mental health resources and financial education as integral resources for all youth to thrive.  Living in a community with such a high-cost housing market makes the transition to adulthood even more difficult, strengthening Mo’s belief that skills such as budgeting and saving empower youth and young adults to achieve long-term stability and independence.

Mo envisions an Eagle County where fairly priced housing will be one of many resources young people will have that allows the move towards independence and home ownership.  It only makes sense that when people have secure housing, they are much more equipped to focus on their goals, build strong relationship and help to build a vibrant community.

Moving forward, Mo emphasizes the need for organizations, individuals and partners to build a unified network of collaboration.  We all should do our best to ensure people feel seen, “Be present, listen, and walk the talk, show up for families and youth, see their needs, and be seen as a trusted partner…when families and youth know you’re there for them, everyone benefits.