Youth Mentoring
The core of our model is strong, long-term relationships with positive adults. These supportive mentoring relationships act as a protective factor. Youth with strong mentoring relationships have reduced risk of substance use and suicide, improved mental health outcomes, educational achievement, and physical health. (Bruce et al., 2014; Herrera et al., 2013; CDHE 2017)
Safe Space
Our drop-in centers are open year round, five days per week. We also run extended hours on holidays and when school is not in session. We anticipate serving 360 youth participants and offering over 6,000 meals in 2023.
Crisis Response
In collaboration with our youth and families, we develop asset-based plans to ensure participants’ needs are met, from housing security to immigration support. Our staff supported youth through 118 crisis response sessions in 2022.
Basic Needs Services
We provide daily meals, transportation, laundry, showers, clothing, emergency housing assistance, and more. In 2022, we distributed $30,000+ worth of food, and $19,581 in emergency family assistance to cover rent, medical bills, therapy, or scholarships.
Educational Support
We help at-risk youth remain engaged, collaborate closely with local schools, and offer tutoring to participants. Last year, we ran support groups in local schools for substance use prevention, LGBTQ+ support, and more 5 days per week.
Skill Development
Our staff works with each participant to identify & pursue goals, like securing stable employment or reducing substance use. Last year, our youth successfully completed 295 self-identified goals in the areas of housing, employment, education, social-emotional skills, resiliency, health/wellness, substance use, justice system, and family engagement. These goals help youth feel a sense of self-efficacy, and serve to develop consequential thinking.
Community Connections
We forge linkages with employment, therapy, athletics, and more to help youth thrive. In 2022, we facilitated 349 connections to supportive services.
Experiential Learning
We anticipate offering over 100 experiential learning outings in 2023, including yoga, trail maintenance, skiing, rock climbing, paddleboarding, arts activities, museum visits, service learning, and more. Our staff uses these outings to empower youth with challenging but supported experiences through which they build self-confidence, resilience, and pro-social skills.
