The DAA Collective newsletter keeps Denver's afterschool community connected to resources, professional learning and networking opportunities. Learn more about us.
December Coffee and Conversation Art From Ashes Experience
Art from Ashes (AfA) is a Colorado nonprofit that encourages creative empowerment through artistic expression for struggling youth age 9 to 24.
All of AfA’s programs provide a safe, non-judgmental space with caring adults and community artists for youth to share their dreams, hopes, fears and pain, as well as the opportunity to connect with their community, and transform their stories from trauma to self-empowerment.
Save the Date for our December Coffee and Conversation event on Tuesday, December 10th from 9am-11am where we will get to experience what Art from Ashes offers to the Denver community! Join us to learn more about their organization, explore their programming space and meet their team!
Space is limited for this event, so please sign up ASAP!
We totally get it: Being asked to take surveys all the time can be exhausting....AND, surveys are a vital source of information, and provide an opportunity for the Out-of-School Time community to tell powerful stories and express the impact of your work to policy makers, funders, stakeholders and more. They are also a great chance for you to have your voice heard. The OST field relies on the voices of those of you at the front lines of youth service! Please take a moment to participate in the following surveys. Your experiences and opinions are vitally important to the growth and success of our community!
It's time for Every Hour Counts' November Resource Roundup, and they want to spotlight YOUR achievements and innovations!
Did you:
- Launch a groundbreaking program?
- Overcome a significant challenge?
- Develop a new resource that others could benefit from?
Please take 5 minutes to complete this RESOURCE ROUNDUP google surveywith your resource or highlight by next week Monday, November 25, 2024.
Your contributions make the Resource Roundup valuable and inspiring for the entire network!
This summer/fall, the Denver Afterschool Alliance team conducted 3 in-person focus groups on language access needs, successes and gaps. Based on their thoughts/feedback, we created a survey to gather additional information so we can best advocate for and allocate resources based on what providers and communities need.
We want people in ALL positions in your organizations to fill out the survey and offer their thoughts/ideas. Please feel free to forward on to others in or outside your organization. The more voices the better!
Thank you in advance for taking the time to offer your thoughts and ideas. Deadline to complete the survey is Tuesday, November 26th!
Take the survey HERE!
The Latino Community Foundation of Colorado (LCFC) has embarked on an important project, the Community Connections Mapping Project, to document and highlight the response from nonprofits and the philanthropic community to the recent influx of newcomers to the State of Colorado (as of December 2022). A survey was developed to collect information in the most efficient way possible. Please complete the survey no later than Wednesday, November 27!
The survey takes approximately 10 minutes and can be accessed here.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
We are so excited to see all of you at the upcoming professional learning sessions this fall! Check out the full Fall 2024 slate HERE. Please note:
If you are unable to attend after having signed up, please cancel your registration in Eventbrite or email Erma Cerda so that we can open seats up to other interested parties!
All sessions are slated to take place at the locations, times and dates listed. However, the details are subject to change if necessary (ie: inclement weather, facilitator illness, etc), so make sure that you register to attend so that you will receive important updates and correspondence!
Planning is underway for Future Fest 2025, hosted by the City and County of Denver in partnership with DPS! This event will provide our city’s youth with opportunities to connect their passions with career pathways right here in their own backyard! Youth will have the chance to showcase their talents through a business pitch competition, performing arts showcase, step competition, and an opening parade. We will open community partner registration at the beginning of 2025 and will reach out with more information at that time.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact futurefestinfo@denvergov.org and check out the event website here to review all of the details for the upcoming event.
PATCH For Teens: Peer-to-Peer Workshops
Providers And Teens Communicating for Health (PATCH) is now scheduling peer-to-peer workshops all about helping teens get the health care they need and deserve. Workshops are in-person, FREE, and can take place on a day and time that is best for your youth.
This 60-minute, interactive session is led by high school students from Denver Public High Schools. The content is designed for teens ages 14-18 and the workshop is intended to be delivered wherever youth are - health fairs, community centers, teen groups, conferences, youth group meetings, student organizations/clubs, and other places young people gather to learn from one another. The main goal is to empower young people to begin managing their own health care experiences and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and advocate for youth-friendly services.
Example of a data report that can be pulled in DAAconnect
Did you know you can pull DPS data reports for youth enrolled in your program? You can view aggregate-level data and monitor trends in youths’ attendance rates, absenteeism, ethnicity, and zip codes. If you need assistance pulling this report, please reach out to our DAAconnect team at daaconnect@denvergov.org.
Note: You must have a DPS Data Protection Addendum up to date with DPS. Contact Robin Kiggins for more info at robin_kiggins@dpsk12.net
Job Opportunities
The City and County of Denver has an exciting new opportunity available! The Program Administrator of Youth Violence Prevention role is pivotal in advancing efforts to reduce youth violence, build safer communities, and collaborate with key stakeholders to create impactful change.
This position offers the chance to oversee strategic initiatives, foster cross-sector partnerships, and lead innovative approaches to address youth violence in Denver. Ideal candidates will bring experience in community safety, program administration, and youth development.
Calling all Metro Denver leaders with 10+ years of experience!With a strong focus on justice, racial equity and inclusion, the Mid-Career Cohort of the Piton Fellowship is a 8-month fellowship predominantly for leaders of color that creates a path-changing experience for those who are 10+ years into their careers and work.
Applications and nominations will be accepted through December 13th.
For more information and to apply or nominate a fellow, click HERE.
The Colorado Department of Education is pleased to announce that the grant competition for Colorado Nonprofits Out-of-School Time grant program is now open and will close on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 4 pm. The Colorado Nonprofits Out-of-School Time Grant Program is authorized through the “Out-of-School Time Program Grant Program” Act (C.R.S. 22-105.5-104). Approximately $3.3 million in state funds is available to award through this funding opportunity for each year of the three-year grant.
To be eligible to receive a grant, an entity:
must be a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation pursuant to section 501 (c)(3) of the federal "internal revenue code of 1986", as amended, and
have at least five years’ experience providing affordable and comprehensive academic enrichment and related services to students in the state.
Application materials along with grant updates will be posted on this webpage.
The Colorado Health Foundation’sNonprofit Sabbatical Programgives nonprofit leaders the opportunity to step away from their professional responsibilities. The sabbatical award is a grant that provides nonprofit executives with funds for a salary subsidy, hiatus activities, and support for their organization’s interim leadership needs and capacity building.
If you’re a Colorado nonprofit executive who has served at least three years in your current executive role, has seven or more years of experience leading within the nonprofit sector, and has a demonstrated record of community contribution, you might be eligible for The Colorado Health Foundation 2025 Nonprofit Sabbatical Program.
Sabbatical applications are now open and close on 12/16/2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Hoops for Hope is an annual youth basketball camp that takes place on the court of the Denver Nuggets! The goal behind the camp is to raise awareness for youth violence in our city and to be able to offer programs that combat violence to the youth of Denver! This year the 2 session camp will take place on Sunday, November 24th from 5:00pm-7:10pm.There is a a maximum of 60 spots per session, so interested 5th-12th graders are encouraged to claim their spot ASAP!
Transform Education Now invites you to their upcoming Parent Voices Gathering! This event provides a valuable opportunity for families to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about their children's education!
Date: Thursday, December 5th
Time: 9:00 to 10:30 am Location: Westwood Community Center, 1000 S. Lowell Blvd, Denver, CO 80219. Room Marigold
Help spread the word about this event with these program flyers: English Spanish
10 Mentors Needed!
Minds Matter Colorado connects driven and determined students from low-income families with the people, preparation, and possibilities to succeed in college, create their future, and change the world.
As a 98% volunteer run organization, our mentors are at the heart of what we do! We believe every student deserves the support and guidance of someone who can help them dream bigger, aim higher, and navigate the journey to college. While we have many amazing adults committed to our sophomore class already, we currently have 10 incredible, motivated young people embarking their three-year journey with us who need mentors to guide them along the way. Are you ready to impact a young person's life, broaden your own network, and join our amazing community? Apply directly here
As part of their fall programming, The Mizel Institute is offering no-cost tours of the recently renovated Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL) Exhibit, which reopened this May after a major update. This is a fantastic chance for your students to engage with expert-driven content on global and national security issues in a way that is both educational and empowering.
Tour Details:
Location: CELL Exhibit (99 West 12th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204)
Grades: Best for ages 14 and up
Tour Days: Tuesdays 10 AM – 5 PM and Thursdays 1 PM – 5 PM
Cost: Free for the first 25 schools/programs to book, plus they have limited bus funding available.
They also have supplemental programming that can address specific conversations that you are hoping to have with your youth and community. Feel free to reach out to Hayley Reynolds for more information.
Calling all writers! The Colorado State Library has launched a new program called CVL Vox to highlight local writers on the Colorado Virtual Library website. Submissions can be about any topic, but writers must be based in Colorado. For the first round, all submissions must be received by November 30, 2024. For more information, click HERE.
Community Resources
Denver Parks and Recreation's annual membership sale is in full swing! Enjoy 40% off all individual annual memberships now through November 30, 2024. Take advantage of this limited-time offer to get active and explore Denver's recreation facilities at a great price!
In partnership with Jefferson County Public Health, RecoveryWorks is hosting a Vaccination Clinic on Thursday, November 21st from 11am - 2pm. Jeffco Public Health is offering FREE Flu Shots to those in need, and FREE COVID Shots to those with Insurance!
WHERE:
RecoveryWorks - Navigation Center
8000 West Colfax Ave
Lakewood, CO 80214
EQurious Miranda’s musings on all things SEAL
Tell Me Something Good
Hello Qurious Readers!
Several years ago, I had the opportunity as part of the Partnerships for Social Emotional Learning Initiative (SEAL Grant) to travel to various schools and programs that were using the Capturing Kids Hearts curriculum, as well as participate in an intensive leadership training using the program. It focuses on social emotional wellbeing, relationship-driven cultures and connection. One engagement strategy they encourage to engage youth (and adults) is Tell Me Something Good. This is a quick and easy way to engage youth and staff to set a tone and mindset of positivity and connection. Don’t get me wrong…it is not ignoring the tough stuff happening around us or promoting “toxic positivity,” but rather gives all youth an opportunity to share and reflect on even the smallest things that are good. I have used this as both welcoming rituals and optimistic closures in meetings and workshops. I decided to use it this evening with my two children, here’s how it went:
Me: Hey Uzo (my 11 year-old daughter), tell me something good. Uzo: I pulled a flag today in my flag football game. Me: I saw that, it was pretty awesome. (Then we talked more about the game.) Me: Hey Ibe (my 15 year-old son), tell me something good. Ibe: It’s my 6th month anniversary with my girlfriend. Me: Sounds like it was a special day (Then we talked more about that.)
Tell Me Something Good is a way to connect, deepen relationships and is an activity everyone can engage in. I would not have guessed that Uzo’s good thing would have been the one flag she pulled, and when I asked follow up questions, she shared that it was that flag that stopped a girl from scoring a winning touchdown, and although she didn’t play much, she felt like her contribution was meaningful. Ibe and I talked a bit about his relationship and it cracked open the door for him to share in a way that does not happen often.
You can ask yourself this as well: Me: Tell me something good. Me: People who work with youth directly or on behalf of youth. It’s tough, fun, rewarding and essential work. I am grateful for you reading to the end of this newsletter. 🙂
I invite you to give this a try in the next couple weeks…see what you learn about youth, staff, your family and yourself!
