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 (there are only 5 spots left!), so please sign up ASAP!
The holiday season is upon us, and Denver Parks & Recreation has a wonderful lineup of activities for all ages! Whether you’re looking to spread holiday cheer, make festive crafts, or enjoy fun outings, they have something for everyone—free and affordable events designed to make this season special!
Here are just a few holiday highlights happening this December:
Donuts with the Grinch
When: December 7th, 9:00 – 10:30 AM
Where: Eisenhower Recreation Center
Cost: Free (registration required)
Description: Enjoy free donuts, crafts, and fun photos with the Grinch!
Holiday Hang Out at Twentieth Street
When: December 10th, 6:30 PM
Where: Twentieth Street Recreation Center
Cost: Free (Ages 18+)
Description: Spread holiday cheer and get to know your community while crafting holiday cards. We'll provide all supplies and take them to the post office for you!
Breakfast with Santa
When: December 14th, 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am
Where: Cook Park Recreation Center
Cost: Free (registration required)
Description: Enjoy breakfast with Santa and make lasting memories!
Out of School Winter Break Activities
When: December 23rd-27th & December 30th-January 3rd
Where: College View & Eisenhower Recreation Centers
Cost: $80
Description: Fun-filled days for kids during winter break with games, arts, and crafts!
To sign up for these exciting events and more, click 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!
The Baby S.T.E.P.S. Lab at the DU Graduate School of Professional Psychology, in partnership with University Libraries, is thrilled to announce the return of FamFair this winter! This family-friendly event is designed to engage caregivers, children (birth to age seven), and community professionals through interactive read-alouds, playful activities, and dance sessions. Older siblings are welcome!
This event is open to the public, with light food and refreshments provided at no cost. There will be a virtual option available via Zoom Link as well. Complimentary parking passes will be available for in-person attendance.
Get Ready for Winter Break with Tasty Food!
We’ve got you covered with FREE meals all winter break (12/23/24 – 1/3/25)! No registration or ID needed, just come enjoy a fresh meal at any Tasty Food site. Don’t miss out—fuel your holiday break with Tasty Food!
Find more info:https://denvergov.org/tastyfood
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
¡Prepárate para las vacaciones de invierno con Tasty Food!
¡Te ofrecemos COMIDAS GRATIS durante todo el receso (12/23/24 – 1/3/25)! No necesitas registro ni identificación, solo ven y disfruta de una comida fresca en cualquier sitio de Tasty Food. ¡No te lo pierdas—recarga energías estas vacaciones con Tasty Food!
Más info: https://denvergov.org/tastyfood
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Holiday Resources for Families
The holiday season can be a very trying time for youth and families. Here are a few resources available in the Denver area to hopefully help alleviate some of the strain this year.
The Christmas Tree Project offers fully decorated Christmas trees at no cost to families in need. To request a tree, please visit the website and fill out the Request-A-Tree form HERE.
Bienvenidos Food Bank will open its doors on the first three Thursdays of December (December 5,12,19) to distribute fresh and nonperishable food items to low-income seniors, individuals, and families. No appointment necessary. The hours of operation are 10 am – noon and 3:30 - 5:30 pm.
On the first and second Saturdays of December, children at Kenzi’s Causes Holiday Toy Drive locations throughout Colorado will receive a large toy, small toy, and wooden toy car. To participate, birth certificates are required for each child, and a photo ID is needed for the parent or legal guardian. Parents are also encouraged to bring large bags to carry the toys home. Registration is required and varies by location, so please visit the website for more details HERE.
FutureFest 2025
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.
The city is interested in identifying partners to participate in several ways. Click on the links below for more information: Sponsorship (Sponsor interest form) Parade March Pitch Competition Performing Arts Showcase Community Partner Registration Step Competition
If you have any questions, please contact futurefestinfo@denvergov.org and check out the event website here to review all of the details for the upcoming event.
DAAconnect Updates
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.
The word “why” is showing up for me a lot lately. I hear this daily from my 11 and 15 year olds. It is used in a variety of tones and situations. Some have me responding (or really wanting to) with, “Because I said so. End of discussion. Just do it.” (You get the point.) When my children were toddlers and started asking “why” constantly, it was exciting at first; they were reaching a developmental milestone. I could see their little minds working to try and understand what was happening around them. They were curious. They were trying to make sense of their world. Yes, it was exhausting and frustrating at times, particularly when I had a large task list, didn’t know the answer, or was just annoyed. Making sense of the world around us is natural and important; understanding the “why” when decisions and changes are made, helps us to feel psychologically safe--it builds trust. And, we don’t have to know all the answers. Our job as leaders, youth serving providers, parents, friends, etc. is to listen, validate and create spaces where people (of all ages) trust that you are in it with them and you will figure it out together.
Here are two scenarios to consider:
CEO: As of January 1st, 2025, kids cannot bring cell phones into programming for safety reasons. Staff (thought bubble response): Did something happen? What will this mean for communication? They didn’t even talk to us about it, they don’t know what happens on-site, etc., etc. Alternative: CEO: In January 2025, we are going to implement a new policy where youth cannot bring cell phones into programming. We know this may bring up a lot of questions and feelings, which makes sense. There was an incident of cyber bullying that was happening during programming and we decided for the safety of all youth, no cell phones will be permitted. Safety is a core value of the organization and we will work with everyone to craft messaging to parents and youth and be available to support you all as needed with this transition. Staff (thought bubble response): Oh that’s scary. I hope the kid it happened to is ok. This is going to be a pain, but it makes sense and I’m glad they are going to help us with messaging this to parents and families. Do you feel the difference?
Youth: Why can’t we just play games? Why do we have to do a stupid lesson? Staff: The lessons aren’t stupid. That’s what we have to do. Put the games away now. Please. (You can imagine the tone. I know I’ve said a version of this when I ran programs) Alternative: Staff: Sounds like you are really enjoying playing the game. I like playing games too and it’s hard to stop doing something we are enjoying so it makes sense that you don’t want to stop. We do lessons in group so we can learn and practice skills that will make us better listeners and friends. My friends are important to me so the lessons help me too. I see how much you like being with your friends so we want to learn together how we can be the best friends possible. I would love for you to help me plan some of the lessons so they aren’t stupid…no one wants that. 🙂
Bottom line: We all want to know why decisions are made and how it will impact us. We are curious and want to understand our environment, it helps us feel safe and connected. Get EQurious the next time you feel the “urge” to say “because I said so” (or some version of that) in your life and consider the alternative impact if you pause and take time to explain the “why.”
