Dear friends,

This past school year, all of us at Colorado Youth for a Change embarked on a journey to redefine our mission and vision in the wake of the inspiring growth we have experienced over the last few years, and as a part of our development of a new three-year strategic plan. This was truly a collective process where we received input and feedback from staff, board, students, AmeriCorps members, external stakeholders, and more at every step of the way. Our new mission, announced this past January, not only demonstrates where we are going but also provides a framework for where we have been. It is exciting and humbling to reflect on shifting student needs and the ways we have continued to evolve as an organization to better serve Colorado students.

Barriers to learning are more complex than ever before, as students grapple with learning disruption due to the pandemic and schools explore how to support students who are all at different levels in their learning. Paul’s story is an example of how the turmoil of young people’s lives over the past several years has caused some of them to slip through the cracks. Together with his Corps for a Change member Quinn, Paul worked hard to catch up in school and is poised to graduate this upcoming year. At CYC, we believe that addressing barriers to learning means increasing access to resources, so that students can have the tools they need to maximize their own learning and growth.

Our four AmeriCorps programs continue to intervene at pivotal stages of the educational continuum, where research has identified critical turning points that can forecast a student’s opportunity for success. On last year’s state-level CMAS tests, 59 percent of Colorado third graders did not meet grade-level standards in reading and 68 percent of Colorado eighth graders did not meet grade-level standards in math. The returns on the individualized interventions provided by our programs are undeniable—this year, eighth graders who participated in Math Corps achieved nearly double the growth rate of their peers who did not participate.

While all of our programs demonstrate customized interventions, our Reengagement program is an especially poignant testament to the power of individualized supports. As Stephanie’s story demonstrates, students are often unaware of their options when it comes to reenrolling in school. We are proud to witness how much these students can thrive when they find the right school fit.

Thank you for all the ways you support Colorado Youth for a Change and our mission. Together with our 30 school district partners and 200 schools, we are supporting over 6,000 students at every stage to maximize their learning and growth.

Our Mission: Colorado Youth for a Change addresses barriers to learning by providing individualized supports throughout pivotal stages of students’ education journeys.