 CYC's New Executive Director, Chris Telk!
Chris Telk has been named Executive Director for Colorado Youth for a Change as of July 1, 2013. A fourth generation native of Colorado, Chris has 25 years of experience serving at-risk youth and has an in-depth organizational knowledge and experience in the field. He most recently held the position of Executive Director of Urban Peak Colorado Springs. Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame and he has served youth in the community as a Special Needs Teacher, Outdoor Education Specialist, Inner-City Youth Counselor, and Board Member. "I'm very proud to continue my service to young people at Colorado Youth for a Change and I'm looking forward to helping lead this incredible organization into the future." CYC Board Chair Herb Quintana says, "The Colorado Youth for a Change Board of Directors and I are pleased to have Chris Telk on staff. With Chris' extensive experience and long-term relationship with CYC, we look forward to strong leadership and continued positive momentum for the organization and the vital services it provides to our youth." Chris Telk succeeds Steve Dobo who recently has moved on from CYC after founding the organization in 2005. Steve will continue his relationship with CYC through a strong partnership with his new organization Zero Dropouts.
Chris is actively interested in meeting each and every one of you to learn more about what you do in the community and discuss our mutual interest in helping Colorado's youth to be successful. Please contact Chris at 303.292.2779 to schedule a meeting over coffee or lunch and to meet our staff and students and see our work first hand.
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2013 Back to School Night
Comedy Works South 5354 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Thursday, October 3, 2013
5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
The fall is the best time to laugh together for a GREAT cause! Mark your calendar and plan to attend the 7th Annual Back to School Comedy Benefit to be held at Comedy Works South on October 3, 2013 featuring the comedy of Henry Cho. Join us as we honor CYC Founder, Steve Dobo, and Comedy Works Owner, Wende Curtis for the amazing work they have contributed to CYC over the past eight years.
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 Eat, Laugh, and Support CYC on 9/25/13 Mark your calendars for September 25 - we're partnering with Patxi's Pizza and 10% of all orders will come back to CYC! Dine-in or order-out! 185 Steel Street Denver, CO 80206 303.331.1000
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 CYC Volunteer Spotlight: Thomas Pyne
CYC launched the 2013 Colorado Youth Leadership Institute in June. Selected students participated in an intensive leadership training and college and career-readiness program for six weeks this summer. Students participated in activities that included team building, explorations of personal, community and global leadership, as well as developing skills such as public speaking, self-advocacy, and critical thinking.
Thomas Pyne (a Colorado native) is an undergraduate at the University of Colorado, majoring in International Affairs. He seriously considering teaching as career after graduation and thought volunteering with CYC would be a great experience for him. He volunteered weekly with the Youth Leadership Institute working directly with the youth.
Thomas thought volunteering with CYC was a great opportunity and gave him the chance to work with individuals that he usually wouldn't run into. He also thought that this was a great opportunity youth to discuss real life issues and events outside of academics, for example, the Egypt Revolution. Thomas believes that the program helped the kids to shape what they're doing, learn how to get involve in their communities, and evaluate their choices about their futures and careers. CYC Youth Leadership Intern, Amy Austin, felt that he did job connecting with the youth and helping them learn and try different things.Thomas hopes the one thing that the kids take from him is that education isn't something to be ashamed of.
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 CYC Youth Success: Meet Amanda
Amanda dropped out of school at the age of 15. At this time, she was struggling with behavioral issues and choosing friends over school. A year later, she decided to reengage back into school and tried the online learning route. However, she did not feel very successful in this type of program so she dropped out of school again. In August of 2012, Amanda saw a Drop in Denver campaign poster at Elitch Gardens and texted in her information. Steve Dobo and CYC Educational Specialist, Christen Brackett, reached out to her.
Christen helped Amanda enroll into the GED program at Launch in Boulder Valley School District. Amanda worked hard in the GED preparation classes from September to January. She received her GED in April 2013 at the age of 17. Amanda is the first out of her three siblings to receive her diploma. She is currently participating in the CYC Colorado Youth Leadership Institute and plans to attend the cosmetology program at Red Rocks Community College this fall. Amanda's ultimate goal is to attend a prestigious make-up school in Canada so she can become a professional stylist and make-up artist.
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