COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM - 2023 RECIPIENT OVERVIEWS

Alameda International High School: Alameda High School has the highest rates of Free Reduced Lunch and English Language Learners in the Jefferson County School District. Funds will be used to support the Alameda football team.

Arvada High School: Around 73% of families from Arvada High School are at or below the poverty level. Funds will be used to support the Arvada football team.

Berthoud Football Backers: Berthoud Football Backers works with athletes, primarily in the high school program, to assist their pursuit of academic and personal excellence. Funds will be used to support football players in Berthoud.

Blue Sky Bridge: Blue Sky Bridge's Child Abuse Intervention Program supports victims of child abuse and child sexual abuse in a safe, child-focused environment. The Program provides non-duplicative, legally sound, neutral forensic interviews to children who are reported victims of abuse, sexual abuse, or witnesses to violence. As the only Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Boulder County, Blue Sky Bridge provides forensic interviewing services to children for whom abuse or neglect is reported, ensuring that this process is as comfortable and trauma-free as possible for all participants.

BookGive: BookGive sparks the lifelong love of reading by fueling metro Denver with free books. They aim to distribute new and gently used books featuring LGBTQ inclusivity and Spanish language at the Denver SAFE Center, Denver Detention Center, and We Don't Waste Mobile Food Markets.

Boulder Community Housing Corporation: The Esperanza Scholars program serves and directly benefits at-risk students that participate in the Casa de la Esperanza Learning Center. The grant will be used to fund the Casa de la Esperanza Robotics Academy, a program aimed at fostering students' engagement in their own education as they work with professional mentors in preparation for the robotics competitions.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado (BHGHCO): In collaboration with partner schools, the year-round Academy Program provides academic support and character development opportunities for children (ages 14-18) growing up in poverty in metro-Denver. To date, every scholar who has graduated high school with us has gone on to college or to military service, having a tremendous ripple effect within families and communities.

Careers in Construction Colorado: Careers in Construction Colorado helps address the construction industry's labor shortage issue by providing construction vocational training in high schools and by encouraging allies in the industry to aid in creating a pipeline of well-paying career opportunities. Students receive instruction in various pre apprenticeship trades, as well as the professional skills needed to obtain employment.

Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc. (CEO): CEO's core program consists of activities designed to engage individuals (ages 18 - 24) who are recently released from incarceration and facing significant barriers to immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services. Funds will be used to support the economic mobility pathways for justice-impacted Coloradans programming.

Centro de La Familia: The Peace for Children and Healing Through Finding Cultural Identity program help primarily uninsured, Latinx youth who have experienced trauma or violence gain access to counseling, group therapy and more social services.

Colorado AeroLab, Inc.: Colorado AeroLab is a network of blended education centers in partnership with Colorado school districts. Each site is a unique laboratory-based learning environment driven by multidisciplinary engineering design and team problem-solving that prepares students for college, career, and community pathways in the Colorado aeronautics industry.

The Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists: Through the Junior Engineers, Tomorrow's Scientists program, CABPES helps underrepresented minority youth in the metro Denver area prepare for careers in STEM professions.

Colorado FriendShip: The goal of the Colorado FriendShip IncrEdibles program is to provide 600 students with bags of healthy, non-perishable food every Friday to help fill the nutritional gap that exists over the weekend. Students benefiting from this program have been selected by the school administration as coming from the most food-insecure families.

Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy, & Research Organization (CLLARO): The CLLARO Capitol Fellowship Program (CFP) is a paid internship that helps college students concerned about social justice develop leadership skills and first-hand knowledge of how proposed legislation can become law. Fellows work part-time and earn a monthly stipend, academic credit and extensive support from CLLARO staff throughout the program to ensure success.

Colorado Springs Vikings Youth Football and Cheer: Colorado Springs Vikings believe that at-risk youth flourish when they are able to focus on collective goals. Funds will be used to support the Colorado Vikings football team.

Denver Kids, Inc. (DK): DK empowers students to positively shape their lives, successfully complete high school and pursue post-secondary options. A long-term, year-round program, DK implements a case management model that utilizes a strengths-based, trauma-informed and positive youth development lens.

Doherty High School: The Doherty High School Football program strives to develop young men to have high character traits, responsibility, accountability and acts of service through the game of football. Funds will be used to support the Doherty football team.

Edgewater Collective: Acting as a booster club, Jefferson Supporters has helped raise funds and support partnerships for the athletic programs, to in turn build morale on the team.

Elbert County Wranglers: The mission of the Elbert County Wranglers is to work with young athletes in assisting them to become productive and respectful members of society, and within their own community. Funds will be used to support the Elbert County football team.

Englewood Quarterback Club: Englewood High School is 75% Free Reduced Lunch school. Funds will be used to support the Englewood football team.

The Family Resource Center: The Game Plan For Success program includes a Monday program for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade, a Tuesday Teen Club for youth in 6th through 12th grade, and Summer Club for Kindergarten through 12th grade. This is essential for Northeastern school districts, as they do not have school on Mondays.

Full Circle Restorative Justice: The Restorative Schools program works with students and schools to prevent conflict, suspensions, expulsions and truancy by facilitating restorative practices. The Full Circle model of restorative justice involves bringing together the person who was harmed, the youth who caused harm and community members in a facilitated community group conference.

Green Valley Ranch Youth Sports: Our mission is to offer the children of Green Valley Ranch and its surrounding communities a safe, wholesome environment through participation in sports, which provides an alternative to the many perils of the streets such as drug abuse, gang violence and crime.

Greenhouse Scholars: The Greenhouse 2023 Summer Symposium is a component of Greenhouse's Whole Person College Program and is considered the most important annual program event, bringing together all current Scholars for four days of workshops, speaker presentations, panel discussions, group projects and team-building activities.

Hinkley High School Football: Students will demonstrate positive character and will be academically and socially prepared to successfully participate in the community and the ever-changing world. Funds will be used to support the Hinkley football team.

Hope Communities: Hope Communities Youth Development Programming includes boys and girls groups, and after-school sessions that aim to provide healthy outlets for the youth in the community. The Boyz in the Gardens program provides a safe haven and coaching environment for young men of color from the NE Park Hill neighborhood.

IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education: IN!'s education and outreach programming guides inclusive practices for school administrators and educators at K-12 schools and wraparound support to individuals with intellectual disabilities to foster academic growth, social development, career advancement, and independence. Funds will be used to support education and outreach programming.

INSPiRE: INSPiRE provides wrap around college and career services to students attending their partner schools through peer-to-peer trainings and influence. Funds from the grant will be focused on the Change Agent Institute summer program.

Judi's House: Judi's House helps prevent complications of unaddressed grief and trauma and its impact on youth development through three core strategic initiatives: Direct Service, Training, Education, Evaluation and Research.

Juntos: Juntos helps recent high school graduates, college students and recent college graduates learn how to accurately renew and submit their work permit and remove the fear and uncertainty during the renewal process. Juntos is a bilingual, immigrant-led organization, with 50% or more of our team having been DACA-recipients (Dreamers).

Justice High School: With roughly 90% of their student population on Free Reduced Lunch, Justice High School serves the most underrepresented communities in the area, providing an in-depth educational, athletic and social experience for underserved students and their families. Funds will be used to support the Justice football team.

Karis, Inc.: The Wildly Integrated Mental Health Program (WIMHP) provides mental and behavioral health services in non-institutional settings where youth feel safe and supported, lowering barriers to care. Fund will be used to support the WIMHP program.

KidsPak: KidsPak provides weekend meals to food-insecure students, allowing them to reach their full potential. This is achieved with the support of over 850 volunteers and through partnerships with the Thompson School District, other local non-profits and donors.

Lake Middle School: Lake Middle School is working towards becoming an exemplary Career Technical Education (CTE) Middle School. Funds will be used to support stipends to teachers for before and after-school programming.

Lamar High School: Lamar Thunder Football will support the complete development of student-athletes at Lamar High School. Funds will be used to support the Lamar football team.

Loveland Youth Athletic Association (LYAA): LYAA wants every kid to have an opportunity to play football, by providing low-cost rentals for shoulder pads and helmets. LYAA also has partnerships with Every Kid Sports, as well as their own scholarship fund, to allow each kid to have a chance to play.

LuBird's Light Foundation: LuBird's Light Foundation recognizes that playgrounds are essential cornerstones of all inviting communities. The long-term outcomes of creating more adaptive, inclusive spaces for the whole community to access is a strategy that will promote tolerance and inclusion, foster love for play and create a space where all children can access and enjoy the beauty that our state of Colorado offers.

Marion Downs Center: The Campus Connections for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teenagers program is a two-day experience at CU Boulder where students learn useful tools to be successful as self-sufficient college students.

Metro DEEP: Metro DEEP's mission is to build generational wealth by creating an ecosystem within Colorado's African-descended targeted subgroups. Funds will be used to support youth programming.

Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC): MHYC provides youth ages 18-24 with on-the-job training and career readiness support leading to the obtainment of industry-recognized certifications, an education scholarship and leadership opportunities to help them achieve their educational and employment goals. These youth, called Corpsmembers, serve on community-based projects related to land conservation, energy and water conservation, healthcare or construction.

Minds Matter Colorado: The College Access Mentoring Program is an evidence- and best practices-based model that provides every student with 1) three full academic years of structured mentoring delivered by dedicated community volunteers, 2) one-on-one college and career coaching, 3) weekly college readiness, career exploration, and life skills curriculum, 4) enrollment in pre-collegiate summer programs at top-tier postsecondary institutions, 5) guaranteed acceptance into college through strategic higher education partnerships, and 6) scholarship support.

Monarch High School Football: The coaching staff will direct and serve so that our players will be productive members of society and will understand that true success is measured by one's ability to serve humanity. Funds will be used to support the Monarch football team.

Montbello HS Football Touchdown Club: Montbello Football TD Club has created the Extra Edge Program which provides student athletes in our community with an opportunity to stay engaged in positive enriching activities, located in a safe and productive school environment.

Northridge High School & Grizzly Football Club: The Grizzly Football Club strives to provide financial resources to the Northridge Football Program to ensure all students have equitable access to a safe and competitive high school football program. Funds will be used to purchase new shoulder pads.

Out Boulder County (OBC): OBC's LGBTQ+ Youth Program, Out Youth, offers LGBTQ+ services designed to identify and prioritize the social emotional, health and mental health needs of individuals 11-18 years old. Youth-focused and directed, Out Youth provides a safe, culturally responsive and affirming space where LGBTQ+ youth can socialize, learn and be supported by LGBTQ+ adult staff.

Peak Education: The Impact Service Project (ISP) is a semester-long service-learning project where middle and high school students, with the support of a coach, work in small teams with local businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions to help them identify root causes of local area problems and find solutions.

Poudre High School: Nearly 50% of the student body at Poudre High School is on Free Reduced Lunch. Funds will be used to support the Pueblo East football team.

Project Diakonia: In 2020, Project Diakonia began providing access to the training and skills necessary for young adults to succeed in the workplace, targeting those exiting or aging out of foster care, enrolled in alternative high schools and youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Funds will be used to increase the number of Career Navigators, to better meet the needs of clients and the community.

Project Helping: Project Helping's Kynd Schools program provides access to volunteer projects (called Kynd Kits) within partnering middle and high schools for students to engage with on their own or with their peers. Kiosks containing these kits are located in a supervised area, often in a resource center or administration office. Students utilizing mental health services or meeting with counselors can be directed to the Kiosk, if recommended.

Pueblo Police Activities League: The Pueblo Police Activities League's mission is to provide a top-quality program for the youth of our community with constructive influences and responsible role models who not only teach the fundamentals of a variety of sports but also provide life skills and valuable lessons through maintaining a high standard of integrity, values and sportsmanship. Funds will be used to purchase new shoulder pads.

Pueblo East Football: At Pueblo East Football, inclusion and equity for all are valued most of all. Funds will be used to support the Pueblo East football team.

Rise Against Suicide: Rise Against Suicide helps youth at risk of suicide by removing the financial and social barriers to treatment, enabling them to find hope and healing.

Salida High School Football Team & Salida Youth Football: The mission of Salida High School is to foster a culture and community in which ALL students' academic, social, emotional and physical well-being is supported. Funds will be used to support the Salida football team and youth football program.

Sierra Grande High School: The values Sierra Grande High School are to teach respect and pride within the team, which filters out to our community. Funds will be used to support the Sierra Grande football team.

The Center on Colfax: The Center's Rainbow Alley program is Denver's drop-in center for LGBTQ+ youth aged 10-17, providing a safe, brave space where they can connect with peers, receive support from caring adults and get referrals to helpful resources and services for themselves and their families. Funds will be used to provide transportation for participants and help pilot a new wellness program.

Thomas Jefferson High School: Over 70% of students at Thomas Jefferson High School identify as people of color. Funds will be used to support the Thomas Jefferson football team.

Village Exchange Center (VEC): VEC's existing youth program, Youth Natural Leaders, trains high school students in cultural understanding, skills for success and leadership. This program strengthens the community by integrating youth into a strong, culturally competent peer network that values cultural differences and promotes cross-cultural understanding.

Wapiyapi: Camp Wapiyapi is an exceptional summer camp for children facing childhood cancer. Patients and siblings ages 6-17 can enjoy the natural freedoms of childhood at no cost to their families.

Weld Central High School: Weld Central High School is dedicated to creating opportunities for student success through a safe learning environment, engaging instruction, diverse activities and a supportive community.

Young Americans Center for Financial Education: With a mission to empower youth to create their own successful futures through hands-on programs and real-life experiences in entrepreneurship, YouthBiz includes the core programs StartUp and Out of the Box, specialized workshops, youth marketplaces and the annual YouthBiz Stars business competition. The programs introduce youth to the entrepreneurial process and inspire collaboration, critical thinking and self-direction.

YouthRoots: The YouthBoard program is grounded in the belief that young people have powerful insight into the injustices of our world and therefore have the ability to create profound change. The uniquely student-led after school program demonstrates YouthRoots' belief that youth are the key to our future and can become great leaders and changemakers using the power of philanthropy.