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Monthly e-news from Mi Casa                                                          Vol. 27 August 2011 


What's Inside
Back to School Starts Strong
Supporter: Denver Community Credit Union
News & Events

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Mi Casa Resource Center logo Strong Start to the School Year!
 

photo of child at school

The new school year has gotten off to a great start, and considering strong improvement in student achievement in northwest Denver middle schools, the year promises to get even better!

Mi Casa operates afterschool programs for students who attend the three co-located schools on the Lake Middle School campus at 1800 Lowell Blvd. And we are delighted to report that according to the latest CSAP test results, schools in northwest Denver are leading the charge in terms of improvements in student achievement.

Last year at this time, sixth-graders in northwest Denver posted CSAP scores of 39% proficient or better in reading, 34% in math and 26% in writing. This year, among sixth-graders in the new schools in northwest Denver - including the schools on the Lake campus - those scores rose to 45% in reading, 45% in math and 43% in writing. WOW!

The credit for these impressive gains in student achievement is well-deserved by the hardworking teachers, administrators, students and families in northwest Denver, and we tip our hats to your incredible accomplishments!

But we would be remiss to not toot our own horn (just a bit) for the role Mi Casa's Youth and Family Development programs played in supporting students' success at Lake. Studies have indicated that while education is a critical pathway out of poverty for students, the school day is not sufficient to provide youth with tools they need to be successful. In short, a coordinated effort is required to address the holistic needs of youth and families, and an integral part of this work is providing quality afterschool programs - like those offered through Mi Casa - that provide enrichment during out-of-school time.

Here are a few of Mi Casa's 2010-11 outcomes: 

  • 544 youth served in out-of-school time programs
  • Core participants (who attend programs 30+ days per year) increased to 156*
  • 22 youth and their families received intensive case management services
  • 62% of case-managed youth increased their GPA and 100% advanced to the next grade
  • 17 youth completed the rigorous Digital Connectors technology and career program and performed 700 hours of service to bridge the digital divide  

* Among Mi Casa's 156 core youth participants: 

  • 60% increased GPA over the course of the school year
  • 97% advanced to next grade level
  • 66% achieved 90% or better school-day attendance  
  • 78% decreased or maintained zero suspensions  
Mi Casa Resource Center logo Featured Supporter: Denver Community Credit Union

 DCCU logoEstablished in 1934 by employees from the City and County of Denver who joined forces to provide fair financial services, Denver Community Credit Union has a rich, 76-year history of serving the people of Denver as a not-for-profit cooperative.  

 

Today, with its commitment to the community stronger than ever, Denver Community continues to make a difference in people's lives by expanding financial opportunity through products, services and financial education. 


For the past five years, Denver Community Credit Union has supported Mi Casa Resource Center by offering free, bilingual financial literacy instruction during Mi Casa's 13-week entrepreneurial training classes. Denver Community also participates in Mi Casa's quarterly business resource fairs and other events to educate emerging businesses about financial products and services and the consumer advantages of banking with a credit union. 


Denver Community can provide bilingual financial education for your organization, too. Just email education@denvercommunity for more information.  


Denver Community is committed to increasing its support for Mi Casa. Anytime a person opens a membership with a checking account or an auto loan, or adds checking, an auto loan, or an auto loan refinance to an existing membership, Denver Community will donate $25 to Mi Casa!* 


If you need financial services and want to help Mi Casa at the same time, just print the coupon (in English and Spanish) found at the links below.

Visit www.denvercommunity.coop for locations and hours.   

*See the details of this offer printed on the coupon.

   

Click here to download the coupon in English

Haga clic aquí para descargar el cupón en español  

Mi Casa Resource Center logo News and Events
 

Save the Dates

Mi Casa has two great events planned, and we would love to see you there!  

The 2nd Annual Spirit of Success Luncheon  

will take place in Pueblo on Wednesday, Sept. 28  

 

The 3rd Annual Path to Prosperity Breakfast will take place in Denver on Thursday, November 3 

 

Contact Nancy for more information at nfreimuth@MiCasaResourceCenter.org or 303-539-5609 

 

Social Media for Business 

This free workshop covers how to incorporate social media without losing productivity and how others use these low-cost tools to gain visibility, develop relationships and drive sales and response.   

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Friday, September 9 - Denver 

 RSVP to Claudia at 303-539-5606 or cyanez@MiCasaResourceCenter.org

 

Considering a Business?

Free info sessions on the risks and rewards of owning a business in DENVER, PUEBLO, and COLORADO SPRINGS 

September 7 - Pueblo

September 9 - Colorado Springs 

October 4 - Denver
11 octubre - Denver
(en español)   

 

For Denver sessions, RSVP to Claudia at 303-539-5606 or cyanez@MiCasaResourceCenter.org   

 

For Pueblo or COS sessions, RSVP to Liz at 719-542-0091 ext. 3 or lcandelario@MiCasaResourceCenter.org 

 

 

Want to learn more about Mi Casa?

Come to CAFE CON MI CASA, a one-hour free info session (includes breakfast) at 8:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month.

 

RSVP for the September 8 session to Nancy

nfreimuth@MiCasaResourceCenter.org
303-539-5609

(Cheryl Balchunas is on maternity leave until November)

 

Mi Casa Resource Center - Headquarters 

360 Acoma Street | Denver, CO 80223 | 303-573-1302

 

Mi Casa Denver Women's Business Center 

360 Acoma Street | Denver, CO 80223 | 303-539-5606

 

Mi Casa Neighborhood Center at Lake Middle School 

1820 Lowell Boulevard | Denver, CO 80204 | 303-571-1881

 

Mi Casa Southern Colorado Women's Business Center 

1249 E. Routt Avenue | Pueblo, CO 81004 | 719-542-0091