At InnerQuest Collective, we provide trauma-informed wilderness therapy, neurofeedback, and reentry support for youth and adults in Colorado Springs. Our unique approach blends EEG biofeedback, restorative justice practices, nature-based mindfulness (Mindful Miles), and creative healing arts to foster emotional regulation, resilience, and long-term recovery.
We specialize in helping individuals transition from incarceration back into the community through brain-based therapy, CPT testing, and vocational guidance. Whether you’re seeking support for trauma, addiction, attention challenges, or stress management, InnerQuest offers a safe, empowering space to heal and grow.
Financial Literacy
At InnerQuest, we believe that financial literacy is not just a skill—it's a survival tool. For justice-involved youth, understanding how to manage money isn’t a luxury or elective—it’s a foundational need, critical to rebuilding a life rooted in stability, self-respect, and freedom.
A Basic Need: Financial Literacy & Maslow’s Hierarchy
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs reminds us that basic physiological and safety needs must be met before an individual can truly begin to heal, grow, and reach their potential.
For youth navigating life after incarceration, these foundational needs include food, housing, safety, and financial security. Without knowledge of budgeting, saving, credit, and responsible spending, the ability to meet these essential needs is compromised—fueling cycles of instability, dependency, and recidivism.
Our Financial Literacy Program helps meet these survival-level needs, creating a springboard for youth to move upward—toward belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
The Phoenix Fund: Real Pay, Real Purpose.
Participants in our Phoenix Fund Scholarship Program earn above minimum wage and are eligible for up to 32 hours of paid work per week through our transitional employment pathways, including culinary, music, performance arts, and wilderness therapy initiatives.
But earning money is only part of the story. What truly sets InnerQuest apart is our commitment to financial empowerment. Our curriculum includes:
-
Budgeting basics (and budgeting for instability)
-
Navigating banking systems and avoiding predatory financial practices
-
Understanding credit, debt, and savings
-
Preparing for taxes, rent, and long-term planning
-
Using income to build, not just survive
We meet youth where they are—with empathy, real-world tools, and culturally relevant instruction that aligns with their lived experience.
Why This Matters.
We listen to the youth we serve. In repeated feedback, financial literacy has emerged as one of the top-requested areas of concern. Many express frustration and fear when it comes to managing money—especially after earning their first real paychecks or trying to reestablish themselves in society.
Their message is clear: "Teach us how to survive. Teach us how to not go back."
