2008 - Colorado Youth At Risk

annual report
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c o n n e c t ~ m e n t o r ~ t ra n s f o r m
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letter from the board
Transition is the movement, development or evolution from one stage to another. We experience transition everyday through the seasons and leadership changes in our
companies, communities and nation. We all know Colorado’s weather can transition quickly in the span of only a few days. The most powerful and amazing transition
we observe is the transformation our youth experience when they become aware of the possibility of their future. For our youth this journey begins with a trip to the
mountains where the ropes course and other group activities challenge them to take risks and step outside of their comfort zone. The many stops along the rest of the
journey may include a better relationship with a parent, greater self esteem and for many the cap and gown of graduation.
For Colorado Youth at Risk, 2008 was a year of transition. Patti Bennett, one of the founders of our agency settled into the Executive Director role. Her passion for our
youth and our mission is as strong today as it was 15 years ago when she helped form CYAR. Additionally, we transitioned from a non-profit struggling to match revenue
and expenses, to a financially stable agency with a keen eye on our community’s investment. We moved our staff office from a downtown location to the former science
labs of Manual High School. In addition to fostering a stronger relationship with Manual and its students, this move cut our rent by 75 percent.
Looking back at 2008, the willingness to forge ahead in the face of adversity – not unlike the commitment we ask of our youth – came at a crucial time. The obvious
challenges that face the global economy and the ability of non-profit agencies to raise money in trying times are not lost on us. Prior to the economic downturn, we
were reducing staff headcount, lowering fixed expenses and actively seeking out partners in the community. As the economy continued to slump we were lucky enough
to be in a solid position so we were not forced to cut programs as the demand continued to rise. While there is hope for an economic recovery near term, we know that
fundraising will continue to be a challenge.
Whether you are a bold leader, a volunteer, a mentor or just trying to learn more about our agency, I thank you for your time and interest. Please take a moment to review this report to gain an understanding of how your investment is being cared for, along with the amazing results we continue to have with our youth. Now more than
ever, our programs are critically important to the lives of our youth and our community. I hope you will see the value of supporting Colorado Youth at Risk.
CONNECT ~ MENTOR ~ TRANSFORM
Thank you,
Michael V. Brown
2009 Chair, Board of Directors
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mission statement
Colorado Youth at Risk empowers teenage
students to make life choices that positively
impact their future through community-based
mentoring and intensive training.
We aim to reduce the number of high school
dropouts, match students with an adult mentor and provide students with a sense of the
future and their place in that future.
history of CYAR
CYAR began in 1993 during Denver’s “Summer
of Violence.” Determined to do something to stop
the senseless youth violence that was making
drive-by shootings weekly occurrences, a group of
Denver residents came together to form Colorado
Youth At Risk. The group started a mentoring
program called Steps Ahead for Youth to work
with teens through a justice system diversion
program. In the first group, rival gang members
were thrust together to identify their life goals
and take action towards achieving their dreams.
Surprisingly, these youth started working together
to have a positive influence on the community.
In 1996, in response to the changing needs of the
community, Colorado Youth At Risk redesigned
their programs. In partnership with Denver Public
Schools, Colorado Youth At Risk turned their focus
to working with high school students.
2
CYAR has been a viable agency in the Denver
community for 16 years and collaborates with
15 other mentoring agencies in the Denver
area through the Youth Mentoring Collaborative
(YMC). YMC was created as an initiative of the
city of Denver’s Office of Strategic Partnerships
(DOSP) with the purpose of discovering “best
practices” for mentoring along with collaborative
funding opportunities and centralized volunteer
recruitment.
programs
Steps Ahead for Youth
Steps Ahead for Youth is a one-year intensive dropout prevention program for ninth grade students
featuring three components: a four-day residential mountain retreat, called the Launch Course; an
adult mentor for each youth in the program; and monthly community workshops throughout the entire
year. The Launch Course is the foundation of Steps Ahead for Youth and is where 40 youth paired with
40 mentors begin their mentoring relationships. It is designed to create a community between students
and mentors through intensive small and large group discussions, teambuilding activities and outdoor
pursuits. Both youth and mentors work together in examining their perspectives, learning new tools,
being challenged at a high ropes course and setting up powerful mentoring relationships. The Launch
course allows students to discover barriers to success in school. Youth and mentors report the Launch
Course significantly impacted their lives. Within weeks of the Launch Course, youth and mentors are
paired, one-to-one, and meet for two hours a week all year long. The mentors serve as coaches for
youth, helping them to stay in school. Both youth and mentors participate monthly in three to five
hour community workshops furthering the curriculum and supportive nature of the Launch Course.
CYAR has a proven track record over the last four years with 95% of youth participating in CYAR
programs staying in school and 60% improving their grade point average and attendance.
Touchstone Leadership
Touchstone Leadership provides the “next step” for youth graduating from Steps Ahead by creating
a continuum of service to youth. After successfully completing the one-year Steps Ahead for
Youth, students and mentors have the opportunity to continue their participation in the Touchstone
Leadership program. In Touchstone, the structure of mentors as coaches continues along with the
monthly community workshops. Youth and mentors participate in service learning projects and other
volunteer opportunities. Touchstone focuses on personal development, leadership training, college
preparation, tutoring, and career development. CYAR evaluations have shown that 97% of the youth
who remain in the Touchstone program graduate from high school with a post-graduation plan in
place.
Leadership Training Program
The Leadership Training Program trains adults who have been mentors and volunteers to take on
leadership roles in both the Steps Ahead and Touchstone programs. Now in its third year, the
Leadership Training Program has trained 27 dedicated volunteers who are willing to commit 20 hours
a month to becoming leaders for Colorado Youth at Risk. The graduates of this intensive program
become trainers and facilitators in CYAR programs and play a key role in training mentors, leading
retreats, and coaching students, as well as interacting with teachers and parents. Because of the
Leadership Training Program, CYAR has been able to reduce program costs significantly.
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why is mentoring needed?
• A recent study shows that only 43% of 5,633 students who entered the ninth grade at a Denver Public School high school later graduated. i
• Latino dropouts from eighth grade on outnumbered graduates, 1,167 to 759; African-American students had a graduation rate of 38%; and 45% of
Caucasian students graduated. ii
• The three most important indicators of whether a student graduated were a student’s grade point average, school attendance, and family income. i
• Children from low-income families are clearly disproportionately represented among Colorado’s high school dropouts, which in turn perpetuates Colorado’s
rate of poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Colorado has the largest rate of growth of impoverished children in the nation. iii
• The number of children in poverty in the state increased from roughly 104,000 in 2000, to approximately 180,000 in 2006. This is an increase of
approximately 76,000 poor children or a 73% increase in the number of children in poverty. Our ability to educate children living in poverty will not only
decrease the negative impact of poverty on their lives, but it will decrease the number of children born into poverty in the future. Clearly, to reduce poverty
in Colorado and to lessen its negative impacts on children, one of the most powerful things we can do is reduce the state’s dropout rate so that youth living
in poverty can break the pattern that has occurred over generations.
• Leaving school has devastating effects on the young person and on society as a whole. Youth who drop out of high school will earn on average 35% less per
year than graduates. iv
• The transition period from 8th to 9th grade
is an especially critical time for youth; many
experience a decline in grades and attendance,
they view themselves more negatively and
experience an increased need for friendships. v
• In the Denver Public School system, 64% do not
receive enough credit to proceed to 10th grade. vi
• Studies show that students who dropout of high
school cost society an average of $200,000
over their lives as they access needed services
through the social services system. vii
i
Rocky Mountain News, June 2005
Rocky Mountain News, June 2005
iii Rocky Mountain News, June 2005
iv Colorado Children’s Campaign, 2003 KidsCount in Colorado.
v Barone, C., Aguirre-Deandreis, A. I., & Trickett, E. J. (1991). Mean-ends
problem-solving skills, life stress, and social support as mediators of adjustment in the normative transition to high school. American Journal of Community Psychology 19(2), 207-225.
vi Hertzog, C. J., Morgan, P. L., Diamond, P. A., & Walker, M. J. (1996). Transition to high school: A look at student perceptions. Becoming, 7(2), 6-8.
viiNumber of “Repeater” shocks DPS Reformer, Rocky Mountain News, June
19th, 2004
ii
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According to the
U.S. Census Bureau,
Colorado has the
largest rate of growth
of impoverished
children in the
nation.
How effective is Colorado Youth at Risk in
making a difference with high school students?
it’s simple...
When almost 50% of Denver’s youth are not graduating, 91% of youth in Colorado Youth at
Risk programs are graduating.
95% of youth in our programs stay in school while in the program.
95% of mentors report using our training in their own professional lives and relationships.
CYAR is the only community-based mentoring organization devoted exclusively to public
high school students at risk of dropping out.
CYAR provides innovative group opportunities in which mentors and youth both participate
with other mentors and youth. In this way, mentors and youth have the opportunity to
connect on their own as well as in addition to the many activities CYAR hosts. These activities
help set the mentoring relationship in motion and gives mentors and youth a forum for
interacting with each other as they start the year.
CYAR mentors receive 24 hours of training prior to meeting the youth, along with additional
training over the course of their involvement with the organization. Our volunteers commonly
tell us that the training and experience they have received from CYAR has changed their lives.
Our intentional creation of community among cohorts of youth and mentors promotes
teamwork and unity. This sense of community is maintained over the course of the programs
through monthly community workshops where youth and mentors continue to support each
other.
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2008
accomplishments
• Supported 197 youth total with one-to-one
mentors.
• Graduated 37 students from high school
who were in our Touchstone program.
• We moved our offices into Manual High
School which provided room to grow, an
on-site training space and better access
to the youth we serve. We save nearly
$20,000 a year on rent which allows more
money to go directly to our programs.
• Our financial and accounting systems have
been updated so we can better track our
income and provide more transparency to
the community.
• We continue to increase the number of
Touchstone youth. In the 2008-2009 school
year, we are serving 107 youth in the
Touchstone program.
• We successfully launched our 4th Steps
Ahead for Youth program at Manual High
School with 46 youth, serving a total of 82
youth in Manual.
• We were awarded a grant by Social
Venture Partners. SVP Denver works in
partnership with innovative, local, youthfocused nonprofits. The SVP mission is
to improve the operations and long-term
success of their chosen partner non-profits
through financial and business support.
We are thrilled that we were one of two
chosen recipients from a pool of 60 local
applicants.
• Hosted a successful fundraising breakfast
event in the midst of an announcement of
the nation’s recession.
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When I met Bradley in the fall of 2007, I saw a passionate and caring young man without any direction or
focus. He was so distracted by his everyday struggles that he wasn’t able to realize his potential. It took
some time to gain Bradley’s trust and to start building the foundation for the productive relationship that
we have today.
In just a year and a half, Bradley has gone from a frustrated and tempermental freshman to a confident and
accomplished sophomore. He has transformed into a leader at his school and taken on the responsibility
that comes with that role. He has helped organize an open mic club, spoken in front of the entire school,
become a mentor for the new freshman class, spoken to potential CYAR mentors, appeared in the annual
CYAR video and applied for a chance to go to Europe for a month with a leadership program. I can see
the snowball effect happening. The more he accomplishes, the more he wants to challenge himself. The
sky is the limit.
I always knew that I wanted to be involved in some kind of mentoring program, but I had no idea how
rewarding it would be. Bradley and I were talking to a group of potential mentors and he said that our
relationship was a lot like a father/son relationship. I can’t put into words how special it feels to know that
I am making a difference in his life just by simply being there for him. Mentoring has been a rewarding
experience for both of us and has enriched my life more than I could have imagined.
adult
Dan
youth
Bradley
I joined Colorado Youth at Risk for two very important reasons: to better my education and for a promising
future. I felt like these things weren’t possible because of certain things going on in my life including my
parents divorce and not doing well in school. At the time, my GPA was a 1.3. I was also being kicked out
of class a lot, acting like the class clown, and was someone who didn’t care about my future. But then I
heard about Steps Ahead and CYAR providing me with a chance to have a role model – someone to look
up to, envy, trust, and love. When I first started with my mentor, Dan, we had a false start because my dad
wasn’t happy that I had a mentor. For two weeks it was a battle with my father to make him understand
that I wanted a mentor. After the problems I was having with my dad passed, Dan and I sat down and
talked about what we both wanted from our relationship. We both wanted the same things: trust, loyalty,
friendship, and a healthy relationship.
Shortly afterwards we began focusing on school, including my behavior towards school and my grades.
For a month straight we spent a lot of time together trying to get me caught up. We did it! Dan then asked
me if I was happy with all Cs and encouraged me to get a 3.0, which I ended up doing. For the first time
in my life I made the Honor Roll!
After one year had passed we both agreed to go into Touchstone together because we knew we didn’t
want our relationship to end. In my eyes Dan is like the father I never had. Now when I look back on the
decision to join CYAR and get a mentor it was probably the best decision of my life. If I hadn’t, I don’t
know where I would be right now.
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adult
Leslie
I’m glad I became a mentor with CYAR in April ‘08.
After I retired from education, I needed to become part of a niche that had meaning and importance beyond
my daily life, and I wanted to give back. Importantly, I wanted to try to have a one to one interaction with a
teen that was significantly different from that of teacher/pupil.
The extensive training that began in Jan. 08 reassured me because it was part of a program that has been
successful for 15 years. I liked CYAR’s organization, its sensitively to teen and mentor needs, and the legal
and psychological supports.
Shannon and I connected during the Touchstone Launch at the Tivoli in April ‘08, and it has been fun to get
to know her. Significantly, she had completed Steps Ahead, and was ready for another mentor experience.
Because she is highly motivated to go to college, win a scholarship, and become a neurosurgeon, the basic
CYAR goal of graduating from high school is a given for her. Thus, I’ve seen my role as that of a ‘ MINICATALYST’. We explore and discuss colleges, scholarships, job opportunities and cultural / community
activities. Both of us have acknowledged that we so appreciate all the programs and people that CYAR brings
to us. Specifically, she has networked with Dr. Jason Heine, one of our mentor leaders, and observed his office
and hospital procedures..
An intelligent, independent and articulate person, Shannon is a self -starter who has participated in many CYAR
activities on her own (backpacking). She gets very good grades, and is completing the tasks to enable her to
participate in the April ‘ 09 Launch in Buena Vista. It has been fun to realize we have many things in common.
Among them are trying new experiences, reading, and analyzing things. Delightfully, she is flexible and open to
new ideas.
Our communication has been two ways. For example, she introduced me to the author Chris Moore, and
the musical groups My Chemical Romance and Tickle Me Pink. I’ve learned about teen life, issues at George
Washington High School and her job as an Air Brush Artist at Elitch Gardens. It has been gratifying to meet some
of her teachers after school, because I’ve met young enthusiastic educators who are obviously interested in her
and her future.
8
I feel very fortunate to have become part of the CYAR program, and to have been paired with such a bright,
mature, and interested youth. Her family is supportive of her current activities and career goals, and I’m
looking forward to connecting with Shannon through her senior year and hopefully beyond. I think both of us
are enriched by our mutual interactions and participation in future planning and cultural activities. I definitely
feel part of something that is larger than my own insular world.
As a freshman in high school I was the girl that could have disappeared off the face of the planet and no one
would even notice… or that’s what it felt like to me. My middle school had left with me with only the worst
examples of human nature and not prepare in any way for high school. I had maybe three or four friends to
speak of and I spent the majority of time by myself. I ate lunch alone and if I talked to anyone three out five
times it was one of my imaginary friends that, rather than get rid of, I just talk to more discreetly. I was so weird
and spent a lot of time trying to fit in with a crowd that didn’t really know that I was there.
The group of freshman that I was with arrived at the three day launch course to a lot of snow and ice and
slipped and slid to where they told us to go. We were assigned cabins and groups with people we didn’t know.
It a way it was beautiful. No one knew anyone. If they someone did something that would ruin their reputation
no one noticed or cared and it took a very short time for a person to neglect their reputation entirely. I went to
the mountains to get away from my parents and miss a day of school and left with friends I’m still amazed to
find understand so much about things I thought I was alone in, as well as, of course, my first mentor Tanya.
Tanya dropped out of the program after a year and Leslie has been my mentor for almost a year now and
is the best mentor in the program in my completely non-biased opinion. She’s around the same age as my
grandmother but can relate to me in so many ways. She helps me with college and finding jobs and volunteer
opportunities at hospitals, since I want to become a surgeon. She likes to meet with my teachers every so often
and check on how I’m doing in class and see about any problems that she can help with.
I’m a junior now, and two years later I’m completely different from who I was. My perspective on things has
changed dramatically. I’m still weird but now it doesn’t bother me, I used to want to be normal and now I can’t
understand why anyone would want to be. Being a freak is just too much fun! I don’t have a large quantity of
friends but I do have quality friends that I love dearly. And I’m going to graduate and go to college, and then
medical school, and then do my fellowship and become a doctor and probably come back to CYAR mentor a
teenager to see if the other side is just as cool as this one.
youth
Shannon
quotes
from youth
“They helped me believe that I can
accomplish anything.”
“CYAR gave me more self control and focus.”
“If it wasn’t for CYAR... I would probably not
be here.”
I wouldn’t have graduated from high school.”
I would be sad and depressed.”
I would be a statistic, a negative one. Perhaps
a dropout, I don’t know.”
quotes
from mentors
“Participating with CYAR totally changed my
life. It provided healing from the past and
growth and leadership opportunities.”
“CYAR is great in so many ways. It is an
amazing community of wonderful people.”
“CYAR has dramatically changed my life. I
would not be the person I am today without
CYAR.”
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sources of income
Revenue (from Audited Financials)
Government Grants
3%
Government Contracts
Foundations
Business
Events
14%
16%
2%
11%
Individual Contributions
Fees/Earned Income
12%
1%
Workplace Giving Programs
In-Kind Contributions
“I don’t have to be afraid
to be who I am, and I can
just be me…” Marcus
2%
39%
Expenses (from Audited Financials)
Program
74%
General & Admin 12%
Fundraising
10
14%
statements of financial position
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash
Contributions receivable, current portion
Pledges receivable, current portion
Deposits and prepaid expenses
Total current assets Property and Equipment
Furniture and equipment
Less accumulated depreciation
Net property and equipment
183,849
2,400
113,850
8,685
308,784
11,941
-4,613
7,328
Other assets Contributions receivable, net of current portion
Pledges receivable, net of current portion
2,810
250,090
Total other assets 252,900
Total assets
569,012
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Deferred income, current portion
Total current liabilities
8,323
116,150
124,473
Long Term Liabilities Deferred income, net of current portion
253,000
Net Assets Unrestricted
Permanently restricted Temporarily restricted Total net assets 188,239
3,300
191,539
Total Liabilities and net assets 569,012
2
0
0
8
11
$15,000-$1001
donors
Keith Ambuhl *
Yuko Aoyagi *
Joan and Larry Brennan
Carol Cameron
Bob and Melinda Coleman
Marsha and Mark Giordano *
Karen & William Hammel
Daniel Klowden *
Chris Lynn *
Jenifer Madson *
Jason Maples *
Rick and Deidra Meyer *
Fred & Barb Pyle *
Alec and Riley Rhodes *
Sandra Rhodes *
David Rolfe *
Len Silverston and Annette Quintana
James Tomonto
Lucy Vento *
Melissa Ward *
David Williams *
Kathryn Wilson *
Scott and Amy Zirbel *
$1000-$501
* Bold Leaders
** 2008 Bold Leaders
12
Michael J. & Marcia Anziano
Patti Bennett and Dave Luker
Brad Buchanan *
Don Cameron
Frank Corbin *
Michael Delzer *
Kevin Duncan *
Brett Ford *
Denise Garcia
Mietra Ghaffari
Doris Gray *
Dan Grooters *
Doug Haeussner *
Chris Jacobson *
Michelle Klein
Kevin Ladd *
Lori and Jon Lantz
David Luebke *
Charlie and Kim Malek
Dan McMahon *
Maureen McNamara
Grant Merrill *
Glenn Morey *
Andrzej Moseley
Glenn Packard *
Paul Radosevich
Liz Richards
Johanna Rowan *
Hanna Steplewska *
Claudia Van Orden *
Terrie Viarrial
Katrina Wallingford *
Cary Weatherford and Julie
Hendricksen*
Scott Wolf *
Bryan Wright *
Tom Zeiler
$500-$251
Tracy Aiello
Tom Benigni
Bonnie Benda
Alan DeLollis and Deb Brennan
Lisa Breytspraak
Teri Fotheringham
Ronnie Galang
Sandi Ghaffari
Terry Granger
Shane Griffon
Anne Kern
Dale and Jane Ann Lake
Marc Levine
Erin Autrey Neren
Glenna Norvelle and Michael
Donahue *
Justin O’Connor
Robert Patten
Scott Reardon
Bob Rhodes
Jon Roberts
Robert Rubey
Orville Sherrod
Eve Treschitta Squibb
Vicki Voth
Robert Winn
$250 -
Betsy Abrams
Rick Acosta
Bev Adams
Devra Altman
Jana Anderson
Shelly Anderson
Deborah Ardila
Bonnie Audrihopaukes
Jennifer Autz
Doug and Barbara Bacon
Natasha Badillo
Jonathan Bailey
Bo and Leigh Ann Baize
Jeff Bangert
Joe Batchelder
Marcia Batchelder
Jason Bauer
Scott Beach
Megan Beard
Paul Benigni
Grant Bennett
Steven and Linda Bennett
Jeri Berquist
Ruth Beuchler
Rajat and Stefanie Bhargava
Matthew Bidwell
Anne Blackburn
Lee Bley
Matt Bliss **
Jody Blomberg
Carl Bloom
Ellen Bothner
Anna Branton
David and Jean Bretzlauf
Kimberly Brown
Michael Brown **
Stephanie Brown
Cody Buchanan
Martha Buchanan
Eric Burger
Linda Burris
David Burros
Cindy Busch
Julie Bussey
Scott Byrne
Andy Cagle
Ryan Callaghan
Traci Camilli
Peggy Campbell
Ryan and Tami Canaday
David Card
Jean Carpenter
Susannah Carroll
Jessica Cavett
Lena Cazeaux
Jessica Centers
Nicole Ceranna
Emily Cervantes
Kevin Chadwick
Lisa Chapman
Kelly Cherry
Krista Leah Chism
Cori and Kathy Christensen
Dana Clarrett
Arnie and Deidre Clarke
Stephen Claycomb
Valerie Clausen
Patricia Coan
Fran Coet
Don and Jamie Coleman
Daniel Combs
Elizabeth Conti
Cassie Coppersmith
Elizabeth Corley
Darren Corso
Catherine Coucoules
Chris Cowan
Denise Cox
Lisa Crary
Jennifer Crawford
Desiree Daniels
Larry Davis
Julie DeHague
Brianna Deidel
Dean and Kristen Delcalzo
Kimber DeLoia
Shivaugn DeMarrais
Chad Dickson
Linda Diefendorf
Glen and Delores Dilworth
Patrick and Eleanor Dowdle
Michael Driscoll
Keith and Nicola Dudek
Lawrence and Sue Dunn
Jeremy Dupont
Craig Ebel
Cindy Ecker
Stephen Edmonds
Dr. Gordon and Michele Ehlers
Barbara Englert
Jim Escalante
Anne Esson
Giles and Tammy Everist
Josh Farmer
Anthony and Jennifer Favela
Daniel and Megan Fearnow
Elyse Feldman
Courtney Ferer
Derek Fessler
Tony and Hollen Ferrendelli
Jennifer Fischer
Catherine Flowers
Shannon Foley
Erin Foley
John Forbes
Ruba Forno
Victor Frandsen
Rondi Frieder
Greg Friedman
Alexandra Friedman
Steve Galante
Sarah Garratt
Beverly Garren
Daniel Garrett
Al and Kathy Geiger
Michael Gerhard
Jessica George
Homayoun Ghaffari
Megan Gilchrist
Joe Giordano
Dan Glaser
Chad and Lisa Glauser
Mike Goebel
Terra Goeres
Francisco Gonima
Mari Gottlieb
Tim Graham
Jessica Graham
Lawrence and Christine Grant
Mary Elizabeth Graziano
Steve Grimes
Thomas Grimshaw
Ellen Grosso
Frederick Guerin
Dan Gullickson
Josh Haakinson
Garrett Hacking
Johanne Hakey
Steven and Carolyn Hammack
Alexis Hammack
Douglas and Nina Hargrave
Laura Ann Harper
James Harvey
Richard Hayes
Jennifer Hazheer
David and Jillene Heap
Nancy Hegele
Jason Heine
Christian Henderson
Lindsay Herron
Jody Heyroth
Christine Hill
Donald and Mary Hoagland
Mark and Alane Hoffman
Heather Holden
Lydia Holzman
George and Elizabeth Holland
Michael Hollingsed
Justin and Julie Hopson
A. Lee Hovey-King
Mandy Hughes
Chris Hunt
Trisha Hussian
Stuart Hutchins
Carlos Hwa
Laurie Ivey
Jeremy Jackson **
Jody Jaffe
Judith Johnson
Kate Johnson
Kristen Johnson
Ryan Johnson
Tucker Johnson
Wayne Johnson
Jennifer Jones
Pamela Jordan
Lukasz Jozefkowicz
Pawel and Wiktoria Jozefkowicz
Sylvia Josefkowicz
Jennifer Judd
Jim Kaiser
Mike Katz **
Brook Kaufman
Rosanna Kelly
Susan Kenfield
Melissa Kerin
Aaron Kerwin
Lisa Keys
Jack and Jeanne Kim
Jeeun Kim
Tom Kimball
Mike and Jennifer Kimbel
Bill King
Susan and Ross Kinney
Charles and Barbara Kline
Paul Kluck
Dave Knochel and Lilia
Cervantes
Dan Kobler
Christine Kovacs
Mike and Valerie Krajicek
Jay Kratz
Philip and Katherine Kubat
Miranda Ku
Karen Kusak
Victoria Labs
Jeanne Labuda
Mark Larson
Daniel Lassen
James Laurie
Christopher Leach
Lora Ledermann
Dan Lewandowski
Laryn Litchfield
Joel and Kathleen Locke
K.L. Lohman
Marcia Louise Lotito
Leon and Joan Loughridge
Victoria Lovato
Laura Love
Carol and Tim Lovseth
David Lubchenco
Jennifer Lucero
Oliver Luker
Kerry Lupher
Janet Lutz
Daniel and Marci Machuga
Thomas and Brenda Mahoney
Brian and Meredith Mankwitz
Virter Marcelo
Christy Markley
Christopher Marks
Amy Marolf
Jan Marquardt
Robert Marsh
Launi Martin
Steve Mast
Michelle Mattie
Joe Mauro
Mary Kay Mauro
Martin May
Anne Cashman Mayer
Linda McCashion
Cormack McCarthy
Marcus McCaskin
Carol McClanahan
Casey McClurkin
Katherine McClure
Stephen McCullough
Laura McDonald
Graham and Debbie McDonald
Drew McDowell
Lisa McDowell
Anne McGihon
Kathleen McGinnis
Todd and Natalie McGuire
James and Tracy McInnes
Randy and Marie McKay
Amy McLachlin
Matt McNeill
Teresa Marie Meehan
Susan Meeske and Brady
Rhodes
Ann Mellencamp
Naomi Merz
Bradley Michael
Colleen Miller
Joshua and Heather Moffatt
Drew Moldane
Alice Montoya
Jaime Moody
Helen Morgan
Leysa Morris-Noone
Marisa Murgolo
Andrea Murphy
Robert Musgraves
Craig Myles
Bradley Nathan
Stacy Neir
Eric Netting
Audrey Newman
Meredith Newman
Rebecca Newson **
Trinh Nguyen
Michelle Nikolayevsky
Greg Nikolayevsky
Kathleen O’Brien
Brian O’Connor
Dennis O’Connor
Sam Okner
Alie Olsen
Chris Onan
Dr Christopher Ott
Lynn Otto
Jeanne Panuczak
Jerry Papara
Leonard and Earnestine Parker
Molly Parrish
Vik Patel
Trent Peaker
Steven Peckar
T.K. Pena
Devra Perch
Mark Pergola
Darrell and Melinda Perry
Robert Peterson
Vicki and Ray Phillips
Ryan Picard
Ann Pidgeon
Jan Podoll
Casey Powers
Surai Quimby
Jancy Quinn
Max & Maryjane Raabe
Dush and Kay Ramachandran
Paul and Sarah Ramsey
Heather Rasmussen
Christopher Reed
Leslie Ann Reingold
Leilani Renteria
Jaxon Repp
Curtis Reynolds
Kecia Roberg
Jim Roberts
Josh Roberts
Keith Roberts
Paula Robbins
Greg Robinson
Marla Rodriguez
Regina Rodriguez
Nick Ross
Cathy Rossano
Martha Runnette
Kathy Rutledge
Jeff Ryan
Robin Sadker
Robin Sadler
FloraJane Schaller
John Scherer
Kristen Schick
Taylor Schierburg
Suzie Schnell
George and Jacqueline Schott
Nicole Schuenke
Chris Seahorn
Greg and Dorothy Seal
Tim Seastedt
Patricia Semans
Jimmy Shanfeld
Bill Shelden
Arthur and Georgina Sheldon
Joann Shernoff
Emily Shull
Jonathan Siegel
Richard and Melanie Sisson
13
donors continued
14
Ellie Skriletz
Stanford and Laura Slifer
Elvin and Irmgard Smith
Hadley Smith
Brenda Smith
Doug Smith
Patricia Smith
Mary and Dennis Sovick
Eric Sovick
Karen Spaziani
Lindsey Spraker
Laurie Stansberry
Rob Stein
Melinda Stevens
Mary and Dan Strizek
Jean Stracy
Annie Sugar
Chris Sullivan
Stephen Sumner
Toby Sutherland
Scott Takeda
Andrew Tatum
Amy Beth Taublieb
Seth Terry
Fred Thesing
Julie Thomas
Michelle Tuttle
Steven Tuttle
Bethany Urban
Michael Valenta
Michael and Sallie Vanasdale
Nicole Vette
Rene Vinicombe
Jennie Virgilio
Charles and Brenda Vitaska
James Vogel
Jack and Joleen Vollmuth
Natasha Vollmuth
Chelsea Vurciaga
JJ Wagner
Christopher Walker
Marquis Wallace-Averyhart
Sean Waters
Deb Weed
Jennifer Wendling
Thomas and Christine Wenzel
Katie Whitman
Barbara Wilkinson
Richard and Patricia Williams
Samantha Williams
Jason Wine
Adam and Katie Winterhof
Debbie Wilson
Kathryn Wilson
Jimmy and Tawny Wilson
Matthew Willson
Lisa Yee
Angela Yost
Katie Zeller
The Kenney Group
TINAA, LLC
Trans America
Tuesday Downtown
Organization
United Airlines
Wells Fargo Community Support
Western Union
Corporate Partners
Foundations
Aaron Ferer & Company
Alesso Modern Source
Agilutions Consulting
American National Bank
AMG
Anderson Steel Erectors
ARC Thrift Stores
Byrne Urban Scholars
CF Construction
Charles Schwab Corporation
Child Health Connection
Colorado Capital Bank
Community Shares of Colorado
Data Protection Group
Denver Autos, Inc
DeProductions
EnCana
General Missionary Baptist
Convention
George Washington High School
Good Search
Great-West Life
Grimshaw & Harring
Hi Country Sign Service
IBM Employee Service
Icon Gala Awards
Kriya Yoga Center
Laser Technology
Liberty Mutual
Major League Baseball Properties
Mile High United Way
Oppenheimer Funds Inc.
Oracle Corp Matching Gifts
Program
Otten Johnson Robinson Neff &
Ragonetti
Performance Packaging
Pioneer North America
Qwest Foundation
REI Charitable Action Campaign
Swedish Family Medicine
AMG
Anschutz Family Foundation
Anschutz Foundation
Burt Foundation
Citigroup Foundation
Denver Foundation
DTC Rotary Club
Duncan Foundation
ECA Foundation, Inc.
Fox Family Foundation
Gay and Lesbian Fund
Great-West Life
Petrie-Bowen Fmly Trust
Reinsch Pierce Family
Foundation
Saint John’s Cathedral
TCF Foundation
U.S. Bank Foundation
William G. McGowan Charitable
Fund
Youth Opportunity Foundation
In-kind Donations
24 Hour Fitness
Aaron Ney
Ace Hardware
Alchemy of Order
Alix Peterson
Amore Fiore
Anderson Steel Erectors, Inc.
Andrea Viarrial
Anna & Paul Fallico
Arvada Center
Aveda Institute Denver
Babooshka
Baby Power and Forever Kids
Bang Salon
Barbara and Company
Bart Levy Photography
Bella Bistro
Betsy Abrams
Bill Pomerey
Blackberries Ice Cream and
Coffee Lounge
Body Basics-Hair Basics
Bonnie Brae Flowers
Bonnie Brae Tavern
Bonnie Brae Wine & Liquor Mart
Book Buffs, Ltd.
Buffini & CO
Buoyant Life, LLC
Caffe Sanora
Cara Cantarella
Carlos Smith
Casey’s Bistro & Pub
Cherry Creek Optical
Christy Sports
Cinthia Cable
City Floral
City, O’City
Clear Channel Communications
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Rockies
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Comedy Works
Connie’s Pizza
Cook Street School of Fine
Cooking
Corona Research, Inc.
Craig Ebel
Danielle Dunne
Dave and Busters
Deborah Currier
Denver Broncos
Denver Center Attractions
Denver Center for the Performing
Arts
Denver Dahn Yoga Tai-Chi
Denver Divers
Denver Nuggets
Dinner by the Dozen
Do You Want to Travel, LLC
Dougherty’s Neighborhood Pub
Einstein Bros. Bagels (9th & Co)
Einstein Bros. Bagels (Tamarac)
Elements
Emage Skate & Snowboard Shop
Enstrom’s Candies
Erin & David Butler
Extreme Pizza
Fisher Clark Urban Delicatessen
Fitness Together
Flying Dog Brewery
Forest City
Forza Fitness and Performance
Club
Fred Viarrial
French 250
Garden Country
Goodfriends
Hanson’s Grill and Tavern
Heidi McEntire
Hooked on Colfax
Ian McKowan
Ian Rumley
Impulse Productions
Inner Guidance Institute
Irish Snug
Iselin Chiropratic
Jay Kratz
Jeff Leavitt
Jo Meyers
John Scherer
Johnston Wells Public Relations
Joshua Wrede
Kathryn O’Connell
Kenny Electric
Kinetic Fitness Studio
Kristina Taylor
Lauren Ross Wellness
Leslie Reingold
Liks Ice Cream
Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and
Grill
Lisa Keys
Little Pub Company
Lorinn Rhodes
Lovely Confections Bakery
MAD Greens Inspired Eats
Manuel Viarrial
Marriott Vacation Club
Marsha Giordano
Martha Rodriguez
Matt Glass
Matthew Hammel
Max Gill and Grill
McNeil Designer Portraits
Melissa Ward
Mickey Mangold
MoonDance Botanicals
MotoPhoto (Cherry Creek)
Natasha Vollmuth
Noodles & Company (6th &
Broadway)
Noodles &Co (550 Grant St.)
Northwest Eye Center, PC
Ocean Restaurant
Old Chicago
Old Chicago-Market St
Olde Town Acupuncture &
Wellness Center
Palace Construction
Pandora Jewelry
Paula Robbins
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
Planet Laboratories
Pulcinella Ristorante
Pure Puppy
Qwest
RBC Daniels. L.P.
RoCo Custom Jewelry
Rodney’s
Rosey’s at Tamarac
Ruji-Thai Cooking
Salon Tobie Urban Spa
Sandra Rhodes
Sanitas Skincare
Savory Spice Shop
Schlotzsky’s
Serioz Denver Style Pizzeria
Sheila Peloso
Silver Mine Subs Franchise, Inc.
Simon Says Read
Skin Spa
Sona Seaton
Spirit Song Massage
SpiritWays
Sputnik
St. John’s Cathedral
Starbucks Coffee Co. (3rd &
Clayton)
Starbucks Coffee Co. (Glendale)
Starcreek
Starz Entertainment
Steele Street Bank & Trust
Strings
Studio Vitality
Success Foundation
Susan Bell Gallery
Tasha Sparks
Tattered Cover Book Store
Teaologi
Temple Emanuel Preschool
TGI Friday’s
The Caterers
The Elegant Bead
The Hornet
The Little Flower Market
The Palm
The Vineyard
The Wild Foundation
The Wildlife Experience
Tokyo Joe’s
Toni Sanders
Trudy Fowler
Twist & Shout
United Airlines Flight Training
Center
Unity Boutique
Vista Ridge Golf Club
Wahoo’s Fish Taco
Washington Park Grille
Watermark
Whole Foods Market (Boulder)
Woodhouse Day Spa
Yia Yia’s Euro Bistro
Annual Report Design
Stacey Lane Design
The Board of Directors and
staff of Colorado Youth at
Risk are profoundly grateful
for the loyal, committed
and passionate volunteers
that support our work. We
are clear that without the
generous volunteer hours
of our mentors, committee
members, Leadership
volunteers and Event/
Production volunteers
we would not be able to
provide the quality mentor
programs associated with
our agency. A community
has been created within the
larger Denver community to
support youth in achieving
their future aspirations
and for that we are deeply
appreciative. Thank you.
15
board of directors
Alec Rhodes, President/Chairman of the Board
Broker, Fuller & Company-Denver, CO • Funding
Chair/Camp Counselor, Children’s Hospital Burn
Camp; Volunteer Leader, Young Life; Leadership
Denver
Michael V. Brown, President/Chairman of the Board - elect
Second Vice President - Wealth Management,
Investment Management Specialist - The Cherry Creek
Group at Smith Barney • BA, Williams College,
Political economics. Previous volunteer/active
supporter at Children’s Hospital
Charles Malek, Vice President/Vice Chairman of the
Board
National Sales Director, Wine Master Cellars-Denver, CO
• President, Friends of Manual, Co-President Jerry
McCracken Scholarship Fund; Leadership Denver
Kathryn Wilson, Secretary
Cigna Healthcare of Colorado, Public Relations
Manager – Denver, CO • Tutor, Cole Middle School,
Mentor Colorado Youth at Risk, PR Committee
YouthBiz
Brett Ford, Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair
Regional Vice President, Transamerica Capital, Inc.
– Denver, CO • Mentor, Colorado Youth at Risk
Dr. Sandra Rhodes
Doctor of Psychology, Private Practice and Clinical
Supervisor at the University of Denver School of
Professional Psychology-Denver, CO • Board Member,
Denver Children’s Home; Board Member & Pro-Bono
Volunteers, Mental Health Association of Colorado;
Member, Association for Conflict Resolution
Susan Meeske
Director of Client Relationships, The Leadership
Difference • Mentor-Colorado Youth at Risk, Alumni
Board-Rollins College
Liz Richards
Broker Associate, Kentwood City Properties, Denver, CO
• Member, Denver Board of Realtors
Michael Anziano
Retired • Strong financial background with expertise in
Budgeting, Accounting, and Tax including Corporate,
Partnership, Fiduciary and Individual tax returns.
Jon R. Roberts
Associate Broker, Apartment Realtor Advisors, Denver, CO
• Mentor & Certified Facilitator, Colorado Youth at
Risk; Member, Denver Board of Realtors; Impact
Denver
Martha Rodriguez, Program Manager Steps Ahead
Martha started with CYAR in 2005 as an Administrative
Assistant and then became Program Manager in
2006. Martha’s native speaking Spanish language has
been essential in developing our relationship with
the Manual High School community. While working
full time at CYAR, Martha completed her Bachelors’
degree in Psychology at Regis University.
Sarah McGill, Program Manager/Contractor
Sarah came to CYAR as an Intern from the University
of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work in 2007.
After graduation Sarah stayed with CYAR first writing
grants, then doing evaluation work and eventually
becoming a Program Manager in late 2008.
Andrea Viarrial, Volunteer Recruiter/Manager
Andrea began working temporarily at CYAR in 2006
managing our Silent Auction. As a fulltime Volunteer
Recruiter Andrea’s networking talent created an
abundance of mentors and volunteers at CYAR. Since
2006 Andrea has recruited over 200 mentors for youth
in our community.
Yuko Aoyagi
Director of Finance - Level (3) Communications LLC,
Broomfield, CO, MBA/BS Regis University; BA Seijo
University (Tokyo Japan); • Mentor, Group Leader, LTP
Barb Pyle, Administrative Assistant
- Colorado Youth at Risk
Barb started part time with CYAR January 2008.
Coming from the corporate sector Barb has supported
the financial infrastructure of the organization. She
maintains our financial accounting records, oversees
Human Resource functions and works directly office
support vendors.
2008 staff
Patti Bennett, Executive Director/Co-Founder
Working along side a group of dedicated community
members, Patti was instrumental in CYAR delivering its
first program in 1994. She has her Master’s Degree in
Social Work and worked with over 1000 youth before
becoming Executive Director in late 2007.
Natasha Vollmulth, Program Manager Touchstone
Youth
Rick Meyer
Financial Services Representative, RTMeyer Consulting- Natasha joined CYAR in 2005 as an Americorps
Member while completing her Bachelors’ degree in
Denver, CO • Youth Opportunity Foundation, Kempe
Human Services from Metro State College. Natasha
Foundation, Membership-Colorado Plan Givings
has been a valuable asset in building our relationship
Roundtable
with students and staff at George Washington High
16
School.
Patrick Kraus, Program Facilitator
Patrick joined CYAR in 1999 as a mentor. Patrick
worked diligently over time to become a part
time Program Facilitator and has worked with
approximately 750 youth in the last 8 years. Patrick
was the driving force to developing our Leadership
Training Program for adults.
Brady Rhodes, Program Facilitator/Trainer
Brady was first a community partner as a teacher with
PS1 Charter school and became a part time Program
Manager in 2001 and has developed his skills with
youth eventually becoming a Program Facilitator and
trainer of adults in the Leadership Training Program. In
2008 Brady worked directly with Touchstone youth.
1
P.O. Box 13410
Denver, CO 80201
303.623.9140
www.coloradoyouthatrisk.org