The DAA Collective newsletter keeps Denver's afterschool community connected to resources,
professional learning and networking opportunities. Learn more about us.
Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week!
The Denver Afterschool Alliance (DAA) would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to the Out-of-School Time professionals that work so hard to ensure that youth in Denver (and beyond) receive quality programming that supports positive development and keeps them safe and engaged. Your influence and care are integral to the realization of more equitable outcomes for Denver youth and families. We appreciate and value each and every one of you! And, we thank you for your continued support and commitment.
In honor of Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, 30 Second Dance Party is offering a 20% discount on one dance party button!
Visit 30sdp.com to order and use promo code HEARTOFAFTERSCHOOL.
2023 Best of Colorado Afterschool Award Nominations Are Now Open!
Nominations are NOW OPEN for the Best of Colorado Afterschool Award! Join Colorado Afterschool Partnerships (CAP) in recognizing individuals who make positive contributions to the youth and families they serve!
To nominate an OST professional in your life, click HERE.
Deadline for Nominations is TOMORROW, April 28th at 5pm MST
We Want To Hear From YOU!
The Denver Afterschool Alliance (DAA) has been partnering with Vanderbilt University, Research for Action and the Wallace Foundation on a study for the last year and a half on understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Out-of-School Time (OST) ecosystem. Denver is one of 5 cities participating in this process, which will provide data from across the country to help inform how to support recovery as communities start rebuilding.
WHO is eligible to participate?
All organizations that have worked with the DAA since 2018. The DAA has provided a main contact (what is in our DAAconnect database) to Research for Action. Main contacts should have received their first survey email from Research for Action the week of April 3rd. At least ONE person from each organization is being asked to complete the 20-30 minute survey, but multiple people can complete it! Simply forward the link to the appropriate individuals, or use the QR link below to take the survey TODAY!
How will data be used?
All survey responses will be confidential, and will go directly to Research for Action. A summary of findings for Denver will be shared with OST providers and will inform the DAA on how to best advocate for and support OST providers and strengthen the Denver network. This is particularly critical as we in the process of experiencing our first mayoral transition in 12 years. Help us tell and share the magnificent impact of OST programming for youth and families in this great city!
We know your time is valuable and so is your voice. We appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey and for all you do to support youth and families in Denver. As a small token of our appreciation, we will send you a Starbucks gift card upon survey completion.
Attention OCA Award Recipients! OCA award report training dates are now open for registration! This is a mandatory training for all new award recipients in 2023. Please sign up for one virtual training below.
Award reports require that you collect data on your participants: first name, last name, date of birth, DPS ID, gender and race/ethnicity, plus each participant’s summary attendance for the spring term (Jan 1-June 2). If you are missing any required data, please work on collecting that now and do not wait until it is time to submit reports!
Summer is just around the corner!
Now is a great time to visit our Youth Program Locator and make sure your summer programs are listed, so that families can easily find you! If you are not on the Youth Program Locator or need to update your information, please login to DAAconnect today and update your profile and program schedule.
Denver youth, ages 5 - 18, can enjoy supper and snack combos at Tasty Food sites across the city! Youth can grab-n-go, and parents/caregivers can pick up a supper and snack combo on behalf of their children. No ID or registration is required.
Certifiably Green Denver's Equity Funding helps women and minority-owned small businesses fund their sustainability projects. The 2023 application for funding is now open! Funding will be distributed on a rolling basis beginning in July 2023. Please note, only businesses located in the City and County of Denver can apply, and the maximum amount of funding a business can apply for is $10,000.
For more information and to apply for funding, click HERE.
Denver Arts & Venues has announced the availability of $800,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to offer a reduction in program costs to organizations and individuals who hold performances or events in a Denver Arts & Venues facility between June 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. At least 20% of the funding will be reserved for small businesses, organizations, or individuals with annual revenues of $1,000,000 or less during 2021.
YouthRootsis a local nonprofit that teaches high school students how to make the world a better place while developing their leadership and life skills. They are currently looking for high schoolers to join their FREE Youthboard Leadership Program for the fall. For more information, check out the recruitment flyer.
The deadline for students to apply is April 30th!Apply HERE.
You can also nominate a student HERE.
Please contact the Program Coordinator, Isaac Winchester, at isaac@youthroots.org with any questions.
The University of Denver (DU) has created an opportunity for employers to meet with students from historically underrepresented populations at their University.On Friday, May 19th, (from 3:00pm - 4:30pm), DU will host a Reverse Networking Fair, where employers will be able to build relationships and community with some of the school's student affinity groups, in a comfortable way.
Denver Parks and Recreation's Summer 2023 activity registration begins on May 2nd at NOON, online or in-person! To view the Summer 2023 Activity Guide, click HERE.
Upcoming Professional Learning Sessions
We are so excited to see all of you at the upcoming professional learning sessions this spring!
Space may be limited to some of the sessions. 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!
Emotional Intelligence Corner: How will you make someone feel today?
This quote from Maya Angelou is the “Quote of the Day” in the APA Toolkit. We invite you to pause and reflect on the small moments today. The ones that you create for others and the ones you receive. How will you show up and in your sphere of influence today? How do you want others to feel in your presence and in your programs and organizations today?
