The DAA Collective newsletter keeps Denver's afterschool community connected to resources, professional learning and networking opportunities. Learn more about us.
National Lights on Afterschool
Artwork created by Lydia from Folks Art program in San Antonio, TX. Read more about her and her program HERE.
Join more than 8,000 communities and 1 million Americans in celebrating afterschool programs for this year's 24th annual Lights On Afterschool (October 23rd - 27th)!
Too many children—25 million—are missing out on afterschool opportunities! Help us shine a light on the impact afterschool programs are making – inspiring learning and supporting the wellbeing of youth and families nationwide.
This year, the Denver Afterschool Alliance is having a photo contest to encourage you and your organizations to participate in Lights On Afterschool and help call attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep the lights on and the doors open!
To participate:
1. Print this Lights on Afterschool light bulb coloring page for youth in your organizations to color and decorate.
2. Take pictures of youth holding their decorated lightbulb.
3. Email photos and photo releases to Erma Cerda
* You may also drop the documents into a Google Drive and share it with Erma.
The photos will be compiled into a collage to be displayed on daalearn.org and an upcoming DAA Collective Newsletter. Every organization that submits at least ten pictures will be entered into a raffle. One organization will be randomly selected to receive a prize!
We will also be celebrating National Lights on Afterschool (NLOAS) all week on our DAA Collective Facebook and Instagram pages, so make sure you are following us!!
To learn more about Lights On Afterschool, register an event, access event planning tools, or find out what’s going on in your area during NLOAS Week visit afterschoolalliance.org.
Cyber Safety- "Into the Cloud"
This National Hispanic Heritage Month, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Childrenreleased their animated series on cyber safety, “Into the Cloud”, in Spanish! Check it out HERE.
Families and educators can look forward to:
Comprehensive Content: Just like the original version, the Spanish version covers essential topics such as cyberbullying, online privacy, social media, and more.
Interactive Learning: Engaging activities and videos make learning about online safety both informative and fun for children and adolescents.
Educator Resources: Teachers and parents can access supplemental materials, lesson plans, and discussion guides to facilitate meaningful conversations about online safety.
Parental Guidance: A dedicated section for parents provides tips, advice, and resources to help them navigate the digital world alongside their children.
Customizable Workshops: The Spanish version offers the flexibility to organize workshops and presentations for schools, community centers, and other organizations focused on Spanish-speaking audiences.
To view the English version of the "Into the Cloud" series, click HERE.
The Denver School Board Election is Right Around the Corner!
On November 7th, Denver residents will be asked to cast their votes for the three Denver Public School Board seats up for election this year. Do you need more information about the eight candidates before Election Day?
Check out this article released by Chalkbeat Colorado which takes a look at the candidates as they answer six questions about their priorities.
You can also visit the Denver Public Schools 2023 Board of Education Election webpage for additional candidate information, including links to their individual websites.
Donnell-Kay Foundation continues to support community forums that create an opportunity for you to hear from the School Board candidates.There are still two forums available for you to attend in October! RSVP HERE! Please reach out to admin@dkfoundation.orgwith any questions.
Free After-School Meals Available for Denver's Youth
Out-of-School Time Community, please let youth in your programs know about the FREE after-school meal program!
The Office of Children’s Affairs warmly welcomes all youth aged 5 to 18 to receive a nutritious after-school supper and/or snack at various Tasty Food sites across the city. No ID or registration required – just come on over and enjoy!
To find a Tasty Food site near you, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/Tasty-Foods This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Comunidad de tiempo fuera de la escuela, ¡infórmeles a los jóvenes en sus programas sobre el programa de comidas GRATUITAS después de la escuela!
La Oficina de Asuntos Infantiles da la bienvenida a todos los jóvenes de 5 a 18 años para que reciban una cena y/o un refrigerio nutritivo después de la escuela en varios sitios de Tasty Food en toda la ciudad. No se requiere identificación ni registro, ¡solo ven y disfruta!
Para encontrar un sitio de Tasty Food cerca de usted, visite: https://tinyurl.com/Tasty-Foods Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades.
DAAconnect Updates
We encourage you to share the Youth Program Locator tool with families and other youth serving professionals, so Denver families can find quality programs and services. The DAA can even provide bookmarks and other give away items for community events or swag bags that promote the Youth Program Locator. Please contact us for details.
Don't fall off of the Locator! Take a moment to visit our Youth Program Locator and make sure your program schedules are up to date, so that families can easily find you! If you need to update your information, pleaselogin to DAAconnect today!
We are so excited to see all of you at the upcoming professional learning sessions this fall! 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 in-person at the 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 Colorado Health Foundation is now accepting applications for their Nonprofit Sabbatical Program! The Nonprofit Sabbatical Program aims to recognize and reward long-term and respected nonprofit leaders in Colorado and strengthen the organizations they lead by offering funds for interim leadership and staff capacity building. The program offers nonprofit executives the opportunity to step away from professional responsibilities and take time for themselves for rejuvenation. Ideally, the executive returns to their professional life with new ideas and a fresh sense of commitment to their work, the nonprofit sector as well as the health and health equity of all Coloradans.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. (MT) on Dec. 15. and will be reviewed after the deadline. Applicants will be notified of the status of their applications in late spring/early summer 2024.
For more information about the Nonprofit Sabbatical program and to apply, click HERE.
Direct questions about the program or application process to Carolyn Love, Kebaya Consulting, byemail or by phone at 303-438-0953.
Community Opportunities
The YouthBiz Marketplaceis the ultimate buy local experience. Young business owners sell their unique products–all handmade by them. You will find beaded jewelry, greeting cards, bath products, home baked goodies, artwork, and more–unique gifts for everyone on your shopping list!
The marketplace event will take place on Saturday, December 2nd from 10am - 2pm at Young Americans Center for Financial Education- Cherry Creek Location ONLY (3550 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206). It is open to the public and admission is FREE!
Do you know a young entrepreneur that would like to be a vendor at the YouthBiz Marketplace?
$25 Booth Fee
Limited vendor capacity for safety consideration
All youth vendors ages 6-21 eligible
All products must be made by youth; no retail sales
Registration will open Monday, October 16, 2023
Call for Proposals: Access Opportunity invites you to be part of their Winter Workshop!
Do you have knowledge or expertise that you would be willing to share with local first-generation, low-income students? If so, please consider submitting a proposal to facilitate a session at Access Opportunity's Winter Workshop on January 6th in Westminster, CO. This is one of two times each year that Access Opportunity brings all six cohorts together – from juniors in high school to seniors in college! Students are particularly interested in learning about mental health, financial health, college/career success, community, and leadership. To learn more, please click here. You must complete the form by November 7 in order to be considered.
Cherokee Federal is coordinating with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and local Service Providers to set up an Afghan Support Center event in Denver. The Afghan Support Center will be held from October 18 - October 21.
Afghan Support Centers act as a “one-stop-shop” with a wide variety of information, service connection, and direct services with the goal of supporting Afghans in your community who are in the second stage of their resettlement and integration experience. Services available at the events may include public health, education, legal assistance, employment, social services, and housing. These Support Centers are a follow-up to the Welcome Centers created during the initial phase of Operations Allies Welcome (OAW).
If your organization would like to participate in the Afghan Support Center event, please contact Sheyla Ramirez for more information.
Emotional Intelligence Corner:
Proactive Self-Care Series
The DAA Collective released a Special Edition Newsletter dedicated to providing self-care tips, tools, resources and workshop opportunities designed to support the well-being of you and your staff. As we wrap up our Self-Care EI Corner series, we invite you to do the following:
Re-read the October 5th special edition newsletter
Commit to practicing one activity (e.g. meditation walk, Zen tangle or make a sugar scrub) in the next week
