Happy New Year!

Dear Friends of CYC,

We are very excited to start 2014 with so many things happening! At the halfway mark in our fiscal year, we continue to stay on track as a healthy organization dedicated to helping Colorado youth through education and being positive stewards of our supporters' investments. CYC continues to add to its partnerships in Colorado with Adams 14 and Brighton 27J school districts. Our Futures recognition ceremony earlier this month was moving and inspiring - we are so proud of our GED graduates as they start a new stage in their life. We have several fun events coming up this year, along with many other ways to engage our community more with CYC. And there's always more - join our mailing list to keep up to date or contact us to get involved.

Thanks for taking the time to see what we're up to, and for your ongoing support.

Here's to a productive and prosperous 2014!

Chris Telk

Executive Director, Colorado Youth for a Change

CYC Partners with Adams 14 and Brighton 27J School Districts

CYC is expanding the Educational Intervention Program to Adams 14 and Brighton 27J in Colorado! Two Educational Intervention Specialists will be place at Prairie View High School and Brighton High School and one is currently placed at Adams City High School. CYC is now partnered with nine school districts in Colorado.

CYC Futures Academy Recognizes 72 GED Graduates

On January 9, 2014, with nearly 300 friends, family members, students, community members, and CYC staff, Futures Academy celebrated the 72 students who attained GEDs between June 1 and December 31, 2013. Graduates Ashante Hunt and Rebbecka Jackson hosted the program as our master and mistress of ceremonies. Diane Johnson, Chief GED Examiner for Aurora Public Schools, who has gotten to know many of our graduates personally during the previous semester, offered congratulatory remarks in her address to the students and acknowledged the dedication and passion of the Futures staff. Jose Villa, a GED graduate who will begin his fourth semester at Community College of Aurora, provided the keynote address in which he expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by Futures and explained that "the people here at Futures opened up my eyes to a world of endless possibilities." It was an incredibly successful and inspiring event. Thanks to all who attend in support of our graduates!

See Graduation Photos Online!

Youth Success: Meet Alan

Alan was brought to Futures Academy through another student. He was working to overcome a past that included run-ins with the law. He had a hard time focusing in school so he dropped out his junior year and began working at a car wash. He enrolled at Futures Academy in the fall of 2013. He has been an amazing student at Futures. He has a bright, dynamic personality and a smile that is contagious among staff and peers. Alan has been selected to attend Pickens Technical College this January and also qualifies to take select courses at the Community College of Aurora.

"It has totally changed me. They really help here. I have the opportunity to go to college in January. Futures also enrolled me in a reading tutoring program, which gave me a computer. I have never been given anything like that. I'm happy for the opportunities I have here." Alan, 17 year old Futures Academy Student.

Run to Overcome the Dropout Crisis in Colorado

CYC is an official charity partner for the 2014 Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon. The marathon will take place at Denver City Park on May 17th and 18th. CYC's goal is to raise $10K and have over 35 runners participate in one of the following races; the full marathon, the half marathon, the Urban 10 Mile, the marathon relay, or the 5K race.

If you are interested in running for CYC, please click here to register and select CYC as your charity partner. Early prices end January 29,2014! CYC is also accepting sponsorships for this event. Please contact Sharla Williams at 303.292.2779 ext. 118 and/or sharlaw@youthforachange.org to learn more about CYC's participation in the 2014 Colfax Marathon.

Save The Date - Back to School Night Comedy Benefit

CYC's Annual Back to School Night Comedy Benefit is October 2, 2014. More information to come. This event welcomes more than 300 guests to Comedy Works South in support of CYC.

Interested in sponsoring Back to School Night? Please contact Robert at roberth@youthforachange.org for more information.

To learn more or get involved with CYC, visit www.youthforachange.org.

STAY CONNECTED