In celebration of fitness, children from all eight branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver participated in a “Fun Walk” at INVESCO Field at Mile High Tuesday, October 14th, as part of the NFL Hometown Huddle program, an annual partnership between the Denver Broncos and Mile High United Way.

Mile High United Way partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs under its Youth Success Initiative, which provides after-school activities and other programs geared toward helping youth graduate from high school.

Thank you Broncos! Please click here for a great article and video by DenverBroncos.com.   

Twenty youth in the Bridging the Gap Project at Mile High United Way gathered for “Youth Infusion: Purchasing a Vehicle” last week at the University of Denver. The event was facilitated by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Farmers Insurance Group, and the former foster youth learned about everything from how to buy a car to why you need auto insurance.Enterprise employees gave a dynamic presentation on how to purchase a car, which included: purchasing new versus used cars, how to finance a car, what a buyer’s agreement looks like, tips on getting service warrantees, basic car maintenance and more. The presenters also provided helpful examples to the youth about what could go wrong and how they’ve seen buyers get scammed. 

The participants in attendance were very engaged in the discussion and asked question after question, some based on personal experiences and some to help guide decisions in the future.

Representatives from Farmers Insurance Group spoke about the importance of getting car insurance, and what happens if you don’t get insurance, in addition to an overview of the different types of insurance available.

“Youth Infusions give young people without the traditional supports of families the opportunity to gain an understanding of basic skills that every young adult needs to become a self-sufficient adult,” said Kippi Clausen, project director, Bridging the Gap. “By using community mentors who have expertise, young people not only build important life skills they are also able to build connections within the community.”

Everyone who attended received gift bags with goodies to help them with their cars:

• Fix-a-Tire or Freeze Away
• Tire Gauge
• Ice Scraper
• Flashlight
• Air Freshener
• Cleaning Wipes
• Tissues

“Enterprise Rent-A-Car was proud to take part in this Youth Infusion event as we continue to look for ways to give back to the communities with which we do business, said David Pearson, group human resources manager, Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

A BIG thank you to Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Farmers Insurance Group!

If you are a business that would like to give back to the community through this type of format, please contact your donor relations representative or call 303.433.8383.

Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency, nearly 700 women throughout the metro Denver community joined together for the 2008 Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon.  

Women are a powerful force in philanthropy.  Mile High United Way’s Women’s Leadership donors gave over $8 million dollars last year alone, impacting the lives of thousands of people.

“As women, there is something powerful that happens when we come together to speak up and work together on behalf of other women,” said Mile High United Way president and CEO Christine Benero. “One half of all single mothers in Colorado do not have enough income to afford even the most basic living expenses. We also know that 60 percent of Mile High United Way recipients are women and girls and in August of this year, 80 percent of callers to United Way’s 2-1-1 were women. We have an opportunity to make a difference.”

At the Luncheon, Mavis Leno delivered the keynote address. Leno is the chair of the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Campaign to help Afghan Women and Girls, and has been the United States’ most outspoken critic of the Taliban’s horrific treatment of women.  Mavis is the wife of late-night talk show king Jay Leno.

Leno addressed the crowd with a moving account of how she was a catalyst for change in making women’s rights in Afghanistan non-negotiable before 9/11.   She also encouraged women to seek out their own individual cause to fight for.

“Activism is the greatest gift you can give yourself,” said Leno. “The biggest misconception is that one person can’t change the world.  In my experience, it’s the exact opposite that is true. You don’t have to have a lot of money; all you need is a voice and inner drive to change things.”

An anonymous gift of $1,104 was made in Mavis Leno’s name directly after her keynote address.

Susan Kiely received the 2008 Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award. The Award is given annually to the woman who has the greatest impact on the community and women’s philanthropy through Mile High United Way.

Click here to view a Mavis Leno media interview.

Mile High United Way’s Women’s Leadership is an opportunity to share a common thread, network and work together to accomplish more than one woman can do alone. We invite you to get involved. Please click here for more information.

It’s that time of year again!  Join us for Mile High United Way’s Turkey Trot, an annual four-mile run/walk fundraiser in Washington Park on Thanksgiving morning.  Turkey Trot has become a holiday tradition for metro Denver residents and their out of town guests.  Running or walking in the race is not only a great way to work up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner, but also help more people in our community than you can imagine. 

Mile High United Way focuses on three life-changing initiatives: School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self Sufficiency.  Our mission is achieved when young children from low-income families are prepared to succeed when they begin school, at-risk youth graduate from high school and individuals and families achieve financial stability and independence.   

Last year, nearly 7,500 people participated in the 34th annual Turkey Trot, making a difference in the community by raising approximately $150,000. 

This year, there are more ways to make an even BIGGER impact in our community:

• NEW: Gather your family, friends or co-workers to run or walk as a team
• Register as an individual to run or walk in the Turkey Trot (adults and children.)
• NEW: For individuals and teams that would like to make a bigger impact by joining Mile High United Way in raising money to create a stronger community, we invite you to become a fundraiser. You, or your team, can set up your own fundraising webpage and collect pledges to support our School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self Sufficiency initiatives.
• NEW: Turkey Baster’s Club: for those who prefer to stay home and take care of dinner but would like to support Mile High United Way by making an online donation. Click here to Donate Now.

Register online for one or more of the above options now by following the links, or click here for the registration page.

Click here for everything you need to know about the 35th Annual Turkey Trot

PS – Stay tuned for “name our turkey” – Coming soon!

Join us on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 for the annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Colorado Convention Center from 12 to 1:30 p.m. as Mavis Leno delivers the keynote address.  Susan Kiely will also receive the 2008 Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award at the event.

Mavis Leno (wife of late-night talk show host, Jay Leno) is the chair of the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Campaign to help Afghan Women and Girls, and has been the United States’ most outspoken critic of the Taliban’s horrific treatment of women.

Proceeds from the luncheon will be donated to Mile High United Way’s transformational housing project.  Click here to check out our first, life-changing transformational housing project, Brunetti Lofts.

Click here to register online now!