The DAA Collective newsletter keeps Denver's afterschool community connected to resources,
professional learning and networking opportunities. Learn more about us.
New OCA Funding Opportunity: 2023 Youth Programs RFP
Denver’s Office of Children’s Affairs (OCA), is combining two (2) evidenced-based strategies for supporting young people (Out-of-School Time Programs and Youth Violence Prevention Programs) into a single proposal and contracting process for the period of January 1-December 31, 2023.
Submissions are due by 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
Information sessions will be held in-person and virtually. Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in one of the information sessions being offered. A recorded version will be posted on-line for potential partners that are unable to attend either session. It is highly recommended that you thoroughly review the RFP guidelines to determine if you may be eligible to apply for this RFP before attending the information session. Information Session Dates: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 - VIRTUAL 10:00am – 11:00am Register to attend HERE
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 – IN-PERSON Youth Empowerment Center (1240 W. Bayaud Ave, Denver CO) 10:00am – 11:30am Register to attend HERE
All questions to be answered at the information sessions must be submitted byOctober 31, 2022. All additional questions must be submitted in writing via BidNet by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Please submit via this link:https://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/cityandcountyofdenver Tentative RFP Timeline (subject to change):
Monday, October 24, 2022: RFP released
Monday, October 31, 2022: Questions to be answered at information sessions due by 12:00pm MST
Tuesday, November 1, 2022: Virtual Information Session (10:00am – 11:00am MST)
Wednesday, November 2, 2022: In-person information session (10:00am – 11:30am MST)
Tuesday, November 8, 2022: DAAconnect Trainings (9:00am and 1:00pm MST)
Wednesday, November 9, 2022: Additional Questions due by 5:00pm MST
Friday, November 11, 2022: Q/A posted on-line
Wednesday, November 16, 2022: DAAconnect Trainings (9:00am and 1:00pm MST)
Wednesday, November 30, 2022: Proposals due in Bidnet by 3:00pm MST
Friday, December 16, 2022: Anticipated announcement of funding
Thank you to everyone that stopped by to "Fall Into Networking" with us on Tuesday, October 25th! Attendees made connections through interactive games and activities while enjoying warm drinks and yummy breakfast treats. Participants learned about the various programs offered by Gold Crown Clubhouse at Edgewater and explored the gorgeous space full of projects and art created by youth. An extra special thanks to Tamera, Galen, Brittany, Seth, Fran and the rest of the team from Gold Crown Foundationfor hosting us!
The DAA Collective leadership team is committed to making these "pop-up" networking events a more regular occurrence! We want to bring the opportunity to connect with the OST community to you by "popping up" in to different areas around the city of Denver. If your organization would like to host a DAA Collective networking event in the future, please contact Erma Cerda or Miranda Cook!
National Lights on Afterschool
Last week, the Denver Afterschool Alliance led the National Lights On Afterschool celebration in the City and County of Denver!
Monday, October 17th we kicked off a week of activities aimed at raising awareness about the need for comprehensive afterschool programming. Youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver, Vive Wellness and the YMCA of Metro Denver lined the steps leading to the City and County building with decorated luminaries. The youth then attended the City Council meeting and orally presented the positive impact afterschool programs have had on them to the Council members; their words were powerful and moving.
The DAA hosted site visits with stakeholders, funders, and supporters at ViVe Wellness, Colorado “I Have a Dream” Foundation, Scholars Unlimited, and Struggle of Love Foundation throughout the week to showcase the high quality OST programming offered to youth across Denver. Many youth reported during the visits that, “if it wasn’t for these programs, they would be home alone afterschool.” Thursday, October 20, 2022 was officially proclaimed as National Lights On Afterschool Day in Denver! That evening, the Colorado Afterschool Partnership lit up the State Capitol along with 200 family, youth and staff from Adams 12 Five Star Schools PEAK Learning Center to celebrate.
All in all, Lights On Afterschool 2022 was a great success with communities all over the United States coming together in an effort to keep the lights shining strong for afterschool! Click HEREto see how Lights On Afterschool week was celebrated across the nation!
Take the Power of Us Workforce Survey Today!
Millions of staff and volunteers work with young people every day in the many settings where youth play, learn, and grow outside of the school day. On athletic fields, in afterschool programs, in libraries, in faith-based institutions, youth-serving staff and volunteers are making a difference every day. Through the Power of Us Workforce Survey, youth-serving staff and volunteers can contribute to a national effort to explore, define, and elevate youth fields workforce and their essential work with youth.
If we know more, we can do more to support the youth fields workforce to thrive. Take the survey today! www.powerofussurvey.org
Wallace Foundation Funding Opportunity
The Wallace Foundation is proud to announce a one-year grant opportunity that’s available to innovative partnerships focused on supporting adolescents who face systemic barriers such as poverty, homelessness, or disability. They want to support your work and learn from your experiences!
Don't let your programs FALL off the Youth Program Locator! Make sure to update your Program Schedule in DAAconnect to be seen by thousands of Denver families looking for quality programs! Our marketing campaign is all across Denver on bus shelters, streaming radio and social media…make sure your program is included on the Locator, so parents can find you!
Also, take a minute to log in to DAAconnect and make sure your organization has current contact info for your staff in your organization, focus area and site forms.
Did you know DAAconnect and the Youth Program Locator are also for organizations that support youth and families in other ways outside of youth programming? Other services, such as counseling, food banks, clothing resources, etc. can be included on the Locator under “Family Support Services.” If you know of any organizations that should be listed, please let us know!
As part of Mayor Hancock’s Emergency Inflation Relief Package, the distribution of 8,000 free, healthy, and culturally relevant food boxes has been going on throughout the month of October at three different community events. The final event will take place this Saturday, October 29th from 8am - 12pm at the National Western Complex (4655 Humboldt Street) with the distribution of 4,000 boxes. Thanks to partnerships with Food Bank of the Rockies, Re:Vision, Westwood Unidos, Southwest Denver Coalition, and Denver Indian Services, residents will not only receive these free food boxes to provide assistance with food insecurity, but they will also be connected to other much needed resources available at this last event.
Emotional Intelligence Corner Practicing Self-Compassion: An Activity for Adults and Youth
“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.”
–Christopher Germer
Actively practicing self-compassion activities can help us productively manage stress, anxiety and big emotions. Below is the link to a Science of Happiness video with a 5 step self-compassion practice. Try it yourself and with your team!
https://youtu.be/AyQdeYjXUhE Here is a guide from the Greater Good on Education on planning, implementing and the research behind the self-compassion activity.
