The DAA Collective newsletter keeps Denver's afterschool community connected to resources, professional learning and networking opportunities. Learn more about us.
July Create and Conversate Event
We are changing things up a bit to accommodate summer programming schedules, and the likely need for providers to kick back, connect and get your artistic juices flowing in July. Join us for our July "Create and Conversate" Event on July 11th from 3p-5p! Let's combat the mid-summer burn out together!
At the event, we will be offering an opportunity for attendees to "get creative" and participate in the Denver Afterschool Alliance's National Summer Learning Week painting activity: "Why I Love My Summer Program". The canvas paintings will be displayed alongside youth artwork in the Wellington E. Webb Atrium during National Summer Learning Week (July 15-19).
National Summer Learning Week (July 15-19) is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of summer learning! To celebrate this year, the Denver Afterschool Alliance will be working with youth to create paintings expressing “Why I love My Summer Program”. The canvas paintings will be showcased in the Wellington E. Webb Atrium during the entire week, and will later be given to a City Council Member! We are currently looking for some organizations that want to participate- we will supply canvases and paint! If you’re organization is interested in participating, please e-mail Kim Schulz at kim.schulz@denvergov.org.
For more information on National Summer Learning week (including summer learning resources for families, check out the National Summer Learning Associations website HERE.
2024 Spring Award Reports are DUE on June 25th!
Attention 2024 Award Recipients: Spring (1/1/24-6/5/24) Award Reports are due on June 25and must be completed in DAAconnect!
If you need help with your report, please reach out to the DAAconnect team as soon as possible!
Below are some helpful reminders when completing your award report:
Plan ahead! Do not wait until the due date to complete your report. Our team is small, so if you call or email us on or just before the due date, it is unlikely we will be able to assist you in time and your report may be late!
Download the template from DAAconnect and start filling out your roster now. Be sure to include the required fields: participant first name, last name, DOB, DPS ID, gender, ethnicity, and total number of times each participant attended (summary attendance) for the spring 2024 term.
Make sure the correct Sites are appearing in the Program Data form of the OCA Award Report. If you do not see all of your award-funded sites listed, please reach out to our DAAconnect team at DAAconnect@denvergov.org for assistance.
Please let the DAAconnect team know if you have any questions or need assistance!
Tasty Food Expands Meal Program to Serve Youth Ages 3-18!
The following press release was announced on June 10th:
Tasty Food is thrilled to announce the expansion of its meal program, now serving youth ages 3-18 across the City and County of Denver. In years past, Tasty Food served youth ages 5-18; however, this expansion aims to provide access to quality nutrition for younger children in the 3-5 age range so they can learn and grow.
Starting June 10, Tasty Food will offer FREE meals and snacks at various sites across Denver during the summer break. The summer meal program runs until August 16, 2024, and no registration or identification is required for youth to access meals. All youth are encouraged to visit any Tasty Food site to enjoy fresh and wholesome meals throughout their summer break.
"While older children and teens can rely on school for meals, younger children cannot. Access to childcare is a huge challenge for Denver families, and by default, access to nutritious food. Many young children live in food deserts, and families need access to healthy and nutritious food so that children are healthy and happy,” said Jenna Augustine, Early Childhood Program Coordinator. "We are committed to supporting the well-being of all youth and hope that all young children in Denver have access to healthy and nutritious food. This is especially the case for families facing socio-economic challenges."
The Flourish Lab’s Facilitator Training program, Train-the-Trainer, offers an in-depth, transformative experience focused on personal development of the establishment of a unique facilitation approach. This program promises a deep, engaging experience designed to cultivate skilled and mindful facilitators. The 2024 Train-the-Trainer program will take place from October 15-18 (9:00am–4:30pm Tuesday; 8:30–4:30 Wednesday and Thursday; 8:30–1:00 Friday)
For more information, check out the program flyer HERE.
Register HERE
If you are interested in participating, reach out toAmy Brady to learn about how you can access your DAA discount today!
DAAconnect Updates
Even though summer has just begun, it is never too early to enter your fall afterschool program offerings in DAAconnect, so that they are visible on the Youth Program Locator!! You can enter any future program start date and the program schedule to appear on the Locator. If you do not yet know the exact times, you can select “To Be Determined” for the program schedule, and the listing will still be visible.
We encourage you to list your afterschool programs as soon as possible bylogging-in to DAAconnect! If you have questions or need assistance in updating your program schedules, please reach out to our DAAconnect team at DAAconnect@denvergov.org.
Summer Employment Opportunities for Teens
Is your organization looking to hire teens for the summer? Does your organization serve teens that will be looking for summer employment/internship opportunities? Let's bridge the divide in our DAA Collective newsletter! If you would like to spread the word about employment opportunities to youth serving organizations in Denver, please send a flyer or posting to Erma Cerda. We will post it in the newsletter for programs to share with youth!
Check out the Summer Opportunities for Youth website for youth employment opportunities (including details about the Mayor's YouthWorks Initiative) HERE.
The deadline to apply for the Mayor's YouthWorks Initiative program is June 30th! Apply HERE.
Job Opportunities
Denver Public Safety Youth Programs (DPSYP) is hiring for a couple of positions! Interested applicants can apply online following the links below:
Warren Village is recruiting for a Youth Program Coordinator for their afterschool and summer program at their Ivy Crossing location. Check out the job description HERE
Community Opportunities
New Cottage Arts is spearheading Clayton Community Days, a free 1st Saturday event with live music, art workshops, vendors, food and giveaways!
The events are located behind 3840 York Street in the Clayton neighborhood. The last three event dates are July 6, August 3 and September 7- make sure you check it out!
The 2-hour training will cover an array of topics integral to understanding and addressing the social determinants of health, including, but not limited to:
Defining Social Determinants of Health: An overview of what they are, why they matter, and how they disproportionately impact historically underserved communities.
The Impact on Mental Health: Examining how social factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and environment influence mental well-being.
Strategies for Improvement: Practical approaches and organizational changes that can mitigate adverse effects.
Creating Pathways for Advocacy: Addressing systemic inequalities and empowering employees to become advocates for change.
Call to Action: Concluding with actionable steps and resources to promote health equity in our most underserved communities.
All Trainings will be held virtually on the following dates:
Tuesday August 13th 1-3pm
Thursday August 29th 10a-12pm
Tuesday September 10th 1-3pm
Thursday September 19th 10a-12pm
Please contact Program Administrator, Cristina Valadez, with the date you are interested in attending, and she will send you a Zoom invite.
The History Colorado Center is always looking for volunteers to help tell Colorado's story! Volunteers are vitally important to their operations, and there are a lot of cool opportunities available! Check out the volunteer opportunities available at the History Colorado Center HERE.
HealthOne has opened a brand-new mental health clinic in the Southwest Denver/Littleton area that offers individual, family, and group therapy for both adolescents and adults (we accept all major insurances including Medicaid). The HealthOne Mental Health Therapy Center (MHTC) is open Monday-Friday 9:00PM-4:00PM, with evening appointments available during the school year. Please find an informational flyer about the Mental Health Therapy Center HERE.
EQurious Miranda’s musings on all things SEAL
Welcome to a new section of the newsletter that I am calling “EQurious: Miranda’s Musings on all things SEAL”! It seems like there should be some really cool logo to represent this “fancy” name, and who knows, maybe there will be one day! This section will replace the EI Corner. It will be a more personal, focused space where I share my thoughts, ideas, wonderings and stay CURIOUS about all things SEAL and Emotional Intelligence. I will share my perspective, personal stories, and offer invitations for tools and resources for you to try and explore. I am going to start this first post as a mini “self-interview.”
ME: Will you please share with readers who you are and why you decided to start this? ME: My name is Miranda Cook and I’ve been with the DAA almost 7 years and before that for nearly 10 with an OST organization here in Denver. I came to the job when the DAA was awarded a national grant to integrate social emotional learning in partnership with Denver Public Schools across the day school and afterschool (SEAL Initiative). I’ve worked with youth and families in various ways throughout my 25 year career and rather than list all my “credentials” (feel free to ask me if you are curious!), I want to share with you that I lead from the values of authenticity, connection and curiosity. The quote that is ever present in my personal and professional life is one by Maya Angelou:
ME: What’s the story behind the name of this section? ME: I am finding my voice as a writer, storyteller and “sharer” of knowledge. I believe so deeply that the process of developing our social, emotional and academic learning (SEAL) skills is so critical to continuing to build our emotional intelligence (EQ). It is a clever way of inviting readers on a journey of curiosity, exploration and growth as we continue developing our EQ.
ME: What feelings are you experiencing as you start this new project? Me: SO many! I am feeling excited, anticipatory and invigorated! I am also nervous, apprehensive and a bit scared. Being vulnerable is tough, even for those of us who are experienced in the SEAL work. I also am feeling immense gratitude that you all are walking alongside me.
