For Immediate Release

Oct. 1, 2008

For more information contact:
Jamie Glennon, Denver Human Services, (720) 944-2405 or Jamie.Glennon@denvergov.org

AmeriCorps program at Denver Human Services receives a boost

Mentoring and life skills will be provided to over 600 at-risk youth

Denver, Colo. — Over $600,000 will be poured into the AmeriCorps program at Denver Human Services in the next three years to help at-risk youth, many of whom are foster children, developmentally delayed or have mental health issues, develop life skills thanks to a grant awarded by the Governor’s Commission on Community Service beginning today.

The program, Community Building Partnership for Youth in Transition, teaches at-risk youth practical life skills that can prevent them from using drugs and alcohol, entering the juvenile or adult justice system, relying on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, avoiding unwanted pregnancies and preventing youth from dropping out of school.

“Many of the youth involved with Human Services come to us because their parents are unable to provide the support they need to be successful,” says Pearl Lopez, program director for AmeriCorps members at Denver Human Services. “Our caseworkers reach out to our AmeriCorps members and ask them to step up and bridge the gap by mentoring and teaching these youth life skills that they haven’t learned.” 

The Community Building Partnership for Youth Transition has existed for the past six years and has several community partners. The grant will enable the program to continue providing mentoring, skill building and team trainings.

“The success of this program has been overwhelming, and I get to see the pride in the faces of the youth we mentor” said Lopez.  “Grants have enabled us to build new collaborations with nonprofits and other human services agencies to provide a full menu of services to help youth transition from a transitional living situation to lead healthy adult lives.”

The program partners with the following agencies, Denver Human Services, Community Reach Center, Boulder County Social Services, Denver Office of Economic Development, Pueblo County Social Services, The Conflict Center, Family Crisis Center, Volunteers of America: Bannock Youth Center, Southwest Family to Family Denver, Northwest Family to Family Denver, Five Points Family to Family Denver, East Denver Family to Family Denver and Residential Care Services Group Center for Developmentally Delayed Boys. 

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