Denver Kids

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Denver Kids empowers Denver Public Schools students to positively shape their lives, successfully complete high school, and pursue post-secondary options.

10/12/2026

This month, we’re partnering with the to make lasting positive change on the future of youth mental health!

Will you take on the Be There Challenge with us? This free, self-paced, online course will teach you how to recognize when someone might be struggling, understand your role in supporting that person, and connect them to the help they need and deserve. The course takes only about 1.5 - 2 hours to complete.

Between today, October 12, and November 8, Denver Kids will receive a donation each time a community member completes the certificate using our unique link. If 200 people complete the course by November 8, we'll receive $7,000 in funding!

This funding goes towards the Denver Kids mission, including providing continual social-emotional learning tools, such as this one, to our students.

Are you ready to take on the challenge, gain valuable skills, and fundraise for Denver Kids? Use this link to get started: certificate.bethere.org/DenverKids.

10/09/2026

Save the date!

Unmask the future at the Denver Kids Changemakers Masquerade Gala! Join us in celebrating and supporting our students as they discover their potential, pursue their dreams, and transform their communities.

This spectacular evening includes a cocktail reception and dinner, an inspiring program featuring alumni, staff, and students, a paddle raise, and a high-energy after party with music, dancing, and more! Adorn yourself in an exquisite mask and elegant semi-formal attire for an unforgettable evening.

To learn more about the event, visit DenverKids.org/gala.

10/08/2026

History Break!

In honor of our 80th anniversary, we've spent the year sharing stories and highlights from each decade of our history. Now, we're excited to share programmatic updates of today.

As hard as we all might try, few people will forget where they were in March of 2020, when the world was suddenly shutdown by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout the first 2 years of the 2020s, Denver Kids stood by students navigating remote learning, technology access needs, and restricted social practices. In addition, students weathered continual shifts in educational funding and resources.

We're proud of our staff and students, who leaned into the long-term trust and connection we have built with our families to serve these new needs and create a bridge between school and home, providing resources and support through the pandemic.

The early 2020s were also defined by national political instability and conversations surrounding police brutality, the politics of identity, and the safety of communities of color. Denver Kids stood alongside students as they spoke at rallies and used their voices.

In order to continue serving students more effectively, Denver Kids once again made program model shifts to specifically serve the students of the 2020s. The Denver Kids merger with Denver Urban Scholars in 2019 served as a catalyst to transition into a deep-school program model. This way, Denver Kids is better able to maintain and deepen relationships with students as well as school partners.

The 2019 merger with Denver Urban Scholars also revived the vision of serving students post graduation. After multiple iterations of this new program, Denver Kids launched the Youth Pathways Postsecondary Program (YP3) in 2024, which provides students with one year of additional support after high school graduation.

Through the rollercoaster ride of the last 6 years, Denver Kids once again saw the importance of a continued commitment to social-emotional learning (SEL) with our students through the creation and use of the THRIVES Framework. Within this framework, Denver Kids also developed the Social-Emotional Learning Focus Areas (SELFA) snapshot, a tool to better measure SEL growth in students. This model has provided the organization not only with more tangible evidence of program success, but also aids Advisors and students with a common language for identifying key areas for growth.

In 2025, we launched an Alumni Program to keep past students connected to the work of Denver Kids. This program aims to bridge our history with the present day, further connect community members, and serve as a resource for current students.

Be on the lookout next month as we highlight the Denver Kids vision for the future!

10/05/2026

Denver Kids is excited to highlight the hard work of Wedbush Securities, SDR Ventures, Gallagher, Redstone Bank, Taft Law, and LCG Advisors for organizing their 3rd annual Rocky Mountain M&A Poker Tournament benefiting Denver Kids!

Business professionals came together for a high stakes night of networking and play. Participants were also able to learn a bit more about Denver Kids, and ⅓ of the buy in went directly to supporting our program!

This event is another example of how you can turn your event into a 3rd party fundraiser. 3rd party fundraisers are events or activities organized and executed by individuals or organizations in the community to help raise awareness and funds to further our mission.

Ready to get started with your own fundraiser? Click the link in our bio to learn more.

10/02/2026

Ready for a family night out that gives back?

This October, Acova Restaurant, is donating $2 from every kids meal purchased to Denver Kids! Grab your friends and family and have a kids meal for a cause!

09/29/2026

Celebrating back to school in style! ✨️

Last week, Denver Kids supporters, including Staff, Board, Young Professionals Council, Donors, Mentors, and Alumni, came together to celebrate the start of the new school year.

Supporters networked, learned more about the history of Denver Kids, and heard speeches from Denver Kids proud CEO, Jay Grimm, and Volunteer Mentor, Hannah Kojm.

Thanks for everyone in attendance, we’re looking forward to another successful school year!

09/25/2026

Curious what our Volunteer Mentors and their mentees have been up to since the start of the school year?

Pairs have been soaking up the last moments of summer outside, seeing new movies, going to museums, and painting pottery.

Multiple of our pairs were also able to attend Denver Broncos preseason games thanks to the generosity of Denver Kids donors. One Mentor shared that their student, “was the loudest voice in our section - all were relying on her to keep the energy alive!”

Ready to get involved with our mentoring program? Visit DenverKids.org to learn more. ➡️

09/23/2026

Fundraising with Denver Kids, this time comes with a side of Broncos spirit! 🏈

Meet Dennis Buelow, Denver Kids board member and long time Broncos football fan. Dennis has been involved with Denver Kids for 15 years and has served on the Denver Kids finance committee.

When Dennis, along with 3 of his friends, created a Broncos tailgate experience full of food, community, and fun, he also saw a simple and easy opportunity to give back to Denver Kids. Folks in attendance can make a donation to participate in their tailgate “shotski” and all proceeds go to Denver Kids. Dennis is pictured with Denver Kids Alum, Gil Fernandez.

By combining his love for Denver football and desire to invest back into his community, Dennis raised over $1,100 last year in support of our students.Thank you Dennis, for your longtime generosity and for thinking of such an easy and creative way to contribute to our programs!

Looking for a way to combine your interests while giving back to Denver Kids? Host a 3rd party fundraiser with us! For more information, contact Madeline Crea at [email protected].

09/21/2026

🌟 Meet Denver Kids student, Yosimer.

Yosimer started working with his Denver Kids Advisor, Veronica, in 6th grade. He had just moved to the United States and he was struggling because he didn’t want to be in school. Veronica taught him the routines and norms of his new school and country.

Yosimer had a difficult time adjusting and would become upset with his teachers when they provided him with feedback. Veronica worked with him to take a step back, look at the situation, and see the whole story, including his teachers’ perspectives. Over time, Yosimer found new ways to self-regulate when feeling chaotic.

By the time Yosimer advanced to 7th grade, he was truly thriving. He started putting more effort into his academics, striving to improve in his classes. He also grew more comfortable expressing himself, opening up emotionally, and showing his care for his friends and family, something that prior was not normal for him.

He found a good group of friends. Together, they like to visit Veronica’s room, play Uno, and talk about whatever is on their minds. This has provided moments for social learning, including addressing cultural differences and showing respect and care for each other. Yosimer was also recently matched with his Denver Kids Volunteer Mentor, Clay, pictured here.

Yosimer’s story is an example of how all things in students’ lives are interconnected. For a student to succeed academically, it helps if they also have the social-emotional skills to navigate the school system, process their emotions, and address conflict. A strong support system of loving friends makes an impact, too. This is why the Denver Kids approach is holistic. Advisors don’t just help students with their credit accumulation and grades, they also guide the practice of essential life skills, encourage robust community, and inspire intrinsic motivation.

Ready to support students like Yosimer? Go to DenverKids.org to learn how you can get involved today.

09/17/2026

The path to a meaningful life and career can be winding. It can require backtracking or wandering, seemingly lost but open and curious to all. 🛣️

Xavier, a Denver Kids alum in his second postsecondary year, started on the path he thought looked right: higher education. After graduating high school, he enrolled in college. He dreamed of one day opening his own coffee shop. While the classroom experience proved valuable in ways, Xavier questioned whether, at this point in his journey, the traditional school path would lead him closer to his ideal destination.

With the guidance of DK Youth Postsecondary Pathways Advisor, Kandace, Xavier re-evaluated. They reflected together on the skills he needed to develop, the outcomes he hoped to achieve, and the options available. He decided to pause classes and instead focus his energy on workplace training, a decision that required courage and intention.

Xavier started a job at Starbucks in September 2025, aiming to learn all that he could about the craft of coffee. Kandace reports that Xavier is thriving since the change. He absorbs as much knowledge that he can. Through his time with the company, Xavier expanded his customer service knowledge, gleaned the finer details of running a cafe, and learned to communicate respectfully in a work environment. His hard work did not go unnoticed.

Within seven months of working at Starbucks, Xavier was offered a managerial position in the pick up and online shopping department at King Soopers. Xavier took advantage of this new opportunity, excited to grow in leadership skills. With the new role’s pay increase, Xavier continues to save for his future coffee shop: Xenial Cafe And Bakery.

The name “Xenial” stems from the Greek word xenos, which is used to describe a warm and welcoming behavior to guests. This word encapsulates who Xavier is as a person, and the environment he will no doubt create in his cafe. Xavier plans to continue his education, pursuing a degree in Business Management with the goal of opening Xenial by the age of 25.

Xavier says, "Denver Kids have kept their promise of supporting youth and uplifting the community. I am so grateful to be part of such a beautiful community. It has helped shape me into the confident man I am today.”

Denver Kids is proud to support students and alum like Xavier as they discover the path towards their dreams!

Address

780 Grant Street
Denver, CO
80203

Website

http://www.denverkids.org/

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