February: Short Month, Major Impact

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Dear Friends of CYC,

February was another amazing month when we gave some love to our board chair and to our MVP (Most Vulnerable Populations) LGBTQ Program with our "For the Love of -" event.  We are so grateful for the support of our donors and those who experienced CYC for the first time at the event.  The interest in our cause continues to grow!

 

We were honored to host the Mayor of Denver, we are excited about positive reports on the dropout/graduation rates in Colorado, and we are happy to welcome new CYC staff as our programs continue to grow. We also have several fundraising efforts coming up - I'm currently training for my first Colfax Half-Marathon in May!

 

And as our efforts and knowledge in the leading-edge topics of Theory of Change and Opportunity Youth continue to expand, so does our ongoing work to better serve the students.  Expect much more to come on these and other exciting happenings at CYC.

 

Thank you so much for your support and interest and happy reading!

 

  

Chris Telk 

Executive Director, Colorado Youth for a Change

 

For the Love of LGBTQ Youth!

 

On February 15, Herb Quintana, CYC Board Chair, celebrated his birthday with a special fundraiser at CYC's main office. The night included live music, special guests, food & drink, and cupcakes! The highlight of the evening was raising more than $3K to support our LGBTQ youth. Special thanks to Herb Quintana, Mike Giglio, musical guests Darci Paige and The Crooked Veins, youth guests, and our CYC staff volunteers.  
 
For more information on our LGBTQ program, visit CYC's News & Events Page (our blog). 
  

Denver's Mayor Hancock Visits Futures Academy

 

On February 19, 2014, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock made a special trip to see CYC's Futures Academy in Aurora. Mayor Hancock entertained the students with personal stories and anecdotes, encouraged them to discover the true potential within themselves, and inspired them to never give up on their dreams. The students challenge the Mayor with questions of public policy and current affairs.  For more on CYC's Future Academy, visit www.futuresacademy.info.

 

Youth Success: Meet Noemy

  

CYC Educational Outreach Specialist Julissa Torrez reached out to Noemy in the summer of 2012. Noemy recently dropped out of school, was seven months pregnant with her first child, and living on her own. Julissa helped Noemy enroll into an alternative high school, but a year later, she was dropped from school due to lack of attendance. She became pregnant with her second child and was also supporting her father in becoming a United States citizen. 

 

After Noemy's father received citizenship, she was ready to focus back on school. Julissa helped her into Compassion Road Academy for the 2013-2014 school year. With CYC's continued support, Noemy will receive her diploma in May 2014 and is currently looking for full-time employment.
 

Dropout Rates Lowered in Colorado

 

In January 2014, the Colorado Department of Education released the high school dropout and graduation rates for the 2012-2013 school year. The dropout rate lowered to 2.5% in the 2012-2013 school year, down from 2.9% in the 2011-2012 school year. 

 

Click here to learn more about the dropout rates in Colorado. Check out the Interactive Dropout Data.
Running to Reduce the High School Dropout Rate

 

CYC is an official charity partner for the 2014 Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon this May! Help us reach our goal of $10,000 by donating on our fundraising page -  CLICK HERE!

 

If you are interested in running for CYC, please click here to register and select CYC as your charity partner.

 
Pizza, NCAA Finals, and CYC!

 

SAVE THE DATE - All day Monday, April 7: Patxi's Pizza in Cherry Creek located at 185 Steele Street, Denver, will donate 10% of all purchases made on this day to Colorado Youth for a Change. Dine in, to go, delivery, or catering.  It's also the NCAA Final Four Championship night! 

 

In This Issue

CYC Continues to Grow: New Staff Hires

 

CYC welcomes our newest employees who join us in solving the dropout crisis in Colorado.

 

Sinead Maguire, Student Advocate at Colorado High School Charter

 

Carmen Jimenez, Centennial BOCES Educational Outreach Specialist

 

Alexis Gutierrez, Educational Intervention Specialist at Brighton High School

 

Christina Mijares, Student Advisor at Futures Academy

 

Rachel Pater, College Prep Reading & Writing Tutor at Futures Academy

 

Katie Regan, Educational Intervention Specialist at Prairie View High School

 

CYC is very excited to have these individuals bring their experience and knowledge to the organization!

 

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

 Volunteer Tutors Needed!

CYC's Educational Intervention Program is in need of volunteer tutors at the following sites:

Adams City High School in Adams 14

West High School in Denver Public Schools

Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver Public Schools

North High School in Denver Public Schools

Please click here to learn more.



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