Lights On After School (LOAS) and the Waldenbooks® store at Cherry Creek Mall are teaming up to inspire a love of reading in young people throughout Denver.  For the month of August, Waldenbooks’ customers are encouraged to purchase new books that will be donated to youth participating in LOAS, which provides quality after-school activities to youth in Denver Public Schools.

A list of recommended titles customers are encouraged to purchase to benefit LOAS is available at the Waldenbooks store.

Lights On After School is a partnership between Mile High United Way, the Denver Public Schools Foundation and the City and County of Denver, who work closely with Denver Public Schools (DPS.)  The partnership provides funding and program support for enriching after-school activities that can include technology, arts, academics, athletics or youth development in a positive, safe environment for elementary and middle school students in DPS.

“Students who regularly participate in LOAS have better school attendance records and higher academic achievement,” said Art Rimando, director of Youth Success at Mile High United Way.  “We’re excited that Waldenbooks is supporting this critical program that is an effective strategy for motivating and empowering youth to graduate from high school.”

Cherry Creek Mall is the official retailer of the Democratic National Convention.  Traffic to the mall is expected to increase dramatically during the convention so Waldenbooks and LOAS will have a unique opportunity to engage shoppers with this cause and give to the community.

“We have many very caring customers who truly understand that books have the power to change the lives of children,” said Waldenbooks Sales Manager Scott Spineto. ”With this book drive, we are giving our customers an easy way to join with us to help the youth of LOAS experience the power of books and give back to our community.”

By Nicole Harr and Annie Bacci, Volunteers of America

Since Morgan moved into Brunetti Lofts with her mom and younger sister three years ago, things have changed.  She hasn’t moved homes or schools — which has enabled her to flourish as a student and athlete at Thomas Jefferson High School.

Morgan and her family relocated often before moving into Brunetti Lofts Transformational Housing Program with Volunteers of America.  They were homeless and often stayed in short term transitional housing or with friends and family.  Now at Brunetti, their family works towards saving for their own home.

While Morgan has lived at Brunetti Lofts, she maintained a 3.0 GPA, is a varsity member of the track team, volunteers in the community, and works a part-time job after school.  It’s not unusual to see Morgan leave for the bus stop before the sun comes up, and not return until late in the evening. 

Morgan was recently accepted into Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia.  Morgan happily looks forward to going away to school in Atlanta, where many of her extended family members live. 

While Volunteers of America has had the pleasure to see many children flourish in the past three years, Morgan is certainly an exceptional member of our Brunetti Lofts community.  We look forward to seeing Morgan continue to grow and be successful, and look forward to seeing her come home from college to visit her mom in a home of their own someday.

Building Hope, Changing Lives, Strengthening Community 

Jefferson Center for Mental Health (Jefferson Center) was one of the first nonprofit agencies on the scene after the Columbine School Shootings in 1999.  As part of coordinated relief efforts, Jefferson Center provided crisis response services as well as trauma treatment to the community for five years following the tragedy.

“We were there in times of crisis and mobilized community support after the shootings,” said Jeanne Oliver, chief communications and development officer at Jefferson Center. “We didn’t just help at Columbine High School, but also helped kids in other schools who were afraid, acting out, and suffering from trauma.”

Jefferson Center for Mental Health remembers the time when they first opened their doors in 1958 –when 75 percent of those diagnosed with a mental illness were sent to hospitals, and those remaining were kept in their homes as embarrassing family secrets.  Now, 50 years later, Jefferson Center is the leading provider of mental health services in Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties for over 6,000 people each year.

“We envision a community in which there is no stigma, no lack of resources and no barriers to mental health care, where recovery from mental illnesses is not only possible, but probable,” said Dr. Elissa Stein, deputy chief operating officer.  “Individuals with mental health challenges must be accepted and supported — just as we accept and support those with physical health problems.”

Jefferson Center’s School Based Counseling Program is supported by Mile High United Way’s Youth Success initiative, which empowers at-risk youth to overcome obstacles and graduate from high school.

School Based Counseling has brought treatment to public schools in Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties that would otherwise not be able to provide mental health services to their students.  When a child is experiencing an emotional or mental health issue, they are not able to learn or be successful - it impacts all areas of their lives.  Students are able to access free treatment in a comfortable school setting where they receive expert counseling one-on-one, in a group setting, or with their family.

“We’ve found that when counselors are on site in the school, both the children and their parents are more likely to seek services,” said Mindy Klowden, Jefferson Center’s development director.  “This also eliminates transportation, child care and other cost barriers to prevention and treatment.  Mile High United Way has been such a valuable partner with Jefferson Center since 1991 in making a difference for children and their families.”

The School Based Counseling Program currently serves 16 high-needs schools and reaches out to nearly 10,000 children and families every year - many of whom are struggling with some of life’s toughest issues.  Children receive access to anger management and problem solving techniques, how to identify and appropriately express feelings, self esteem and interpersonal relationship building, and more.  The majority of individuals served live at or below the Federal Poverty Line.

The School Based Counseling Program has led to students with better attendance, grades, and ultimately, higher graduation rates.  Currently, demand for school-based mental health services exceeds the resources.  Donate, volunteer or advocate for Mile High United Way’s Youth Success initiative and become part of the collective generosity of metro Denver. 

One fourth of Colorado’s 9th graders drop out of high school.  This shocking fact results in a staggering loss in human potential.  The lost earning potential due to students not graduating high school costs Colorado $3.4 billion per year.  (Colorado Children’s Campaign)

Want to help?  Donate your time, talent or treasure to Mile High United Way’s Youth Success initiative and empower at-risk youth to overcome obstacles and graduate from high school. 

 
It’s the kind of synchronization that gives you goose bumps. Walking into Jefferson High School in Edgewater, you hear T.R.O.O.P. long before you can see them. These girls have serious rhythm. They keep time in a dynamic step team that focuses on the Total Respect of Other People.

Click here to read Steppin’ With Initiative, a Mile High United Way Youth Success initiative success story that highlights an after school program for at risk youth.