The DAA Collective newsletter keeps Denver's afterschool community connected to resources, professional learning and networking opportunities. Learn more about us.
2024 National Summer Learning Week!
National Summer Learning Week is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of summer learning, and the work being done to keep kids healthy and safe during the summer, ensuring that they return to school ready to succeed! This year, the Denver Afterschool Alliance partnered with Community-Based Organizations and asked the question…”What Do You Love About Your Summer Program?” Youth got the opportunity to answer that question on large canvases in their own creative way! Before they go to City Council members on Monday, the canvases are on display in the Office of Children's Affairs at the Webb Building.Shout out to the young people and staff from DPS Extended Learning and Community Schools (ELCS), Vive Wellness, Colorado Dream Foundation and Sun Valley Youth Center for creating the most incredible art work!! You can view photos of the youth artwork on daalearn.org by the end of this week! And make sure that you check out our Facebook and Instagram accounts (@daacollective) where we have been posting summer programming pictures all week!
In celebration of National Summer Learning Week, Scholar's Unlimited hosted a special event featuring, Jolene Gutierrez, the acclaimed author of the children's book "Too Much! An Overwhelming Day". Attendees were treated to a book reading session, interactive activities, and a Q&A segment where students were able to engage directly with the author!
2024 CAP Fall Conference Call For Exhibitors and Presenters!
The 2024 Colorado Afterschool Partnerships (CAP) Fall Conference will take place on October 28th and 29th at the Arvada Center of Arts and Humanities: are you interested in tabling as an exhibitor or presenting at the conference? For more information and to submit an interest form, please click on the links below: Exhibitor Interest Form Presenter Interest Form
Fall Conference Early Bird Registration will open soon! To receive registration information as soon as it is available, please sign up to receive the CAP newsletter HERE.
Nominations Open for Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture
Denver Arts & Venues is accepting applications for the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture to recognize programs, individuals and organizations that make significant and lasting contributions to the artistic, cultural and creative landscape in Denver. Individuals and groups may apply for an award directly HERE. Applications accepted through Sunday, July 28, 2024
Denver Days: July 27th-August 3rd
From July 27th through August 3rd, hundreds of Denverites will gather with neighbors, family, colleagues at community picnics, neighborhood block party, and service projects to celebrate our Vibrant Denver at Denver Days! The Denver Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnershipsinvites you to the 2024 Denver Days Community Kick-Off Event on Saturday, July 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fire Station 39 (9150 E. 50th Avenue). This FREE event offers a Back-To-School Giveaway, a pancake breakfast (prepared and served to the community by the Denver Fire Department), live music, face painting, fire truck bucket rides, community resources and more! No registration required!
DDPHE Request for Public Comment
In May, the Denver Dept. of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) hosted a Rapid Health Impact Assessment event where youth and adults met to discuss issues related to youth mental health distress and how to address this critical situation most effectively. The event culminated a long process that included dialogue between youth, community-based organizations, and city agencies. Now, the next step is to ask the wider community for feedback! To review the recommended proposals of possible future projects to support youth with their mental health needs and provide your insights and perspectives, clickHERE.
DAAconnect Updates
It's not too early to enter your program schedules for fall! Take a moment to visit our Youth Program Locator and make sure your fall programs are listed, so that families can easily find you! If you need to update your information, pleaselogin to DAAconnect today!
Opportunities for Teens
Does your organization have employment/internship and/or programming opportunities available to teens beyond the summer months? Send a flyer or posting to Erma Cerda, and we will post it in the newsletter for programs to share with youth!
Groundwork Denver’s Adams County Climate Justice Team is looking for Team Members (ages 14-18)! The Adams County Climate Justice Team is an environmental justice focused part-time temporary employment program for youth and young adults. Participants are expected to work approximately 72 hours between approximately August, 2024 – June 2025 and will work on projects focused on improving the physical environment in the Commerce City and South Thornton area. Job Description Application
Job Opportunities
Groundwork Denveris hiring! Please click on the links below for detailed job descriptions: Home Energy Efficiency Internship (ages 18+)
This is a part-time temporary intern position that will assist in energy audits, energy efficiency improvements and air sealing. Please note: This intern will be working during the day throughout the school year. Adams County Climate Justice Team Supervisor (ages 18-25)
The Adams County Climate Justice Team Supervisor will supervise, mentor and coordinate a team of youth and young adults.
This fall, Warren Village is opening a new supportive housing campus in Southwest Denver. They are hiring for a variety of positions at this location, as well as their other sites!
The Lead Resident Navigator – Alameda Campus will provide trauma-informed individualized support and crisis management support in English and Spanish for residents of Warren Village’s new supportive housing project in Southwest Denver.
The Resident Engagement Lead – Alameda Campus will be responsible for fostering a vibrant and inclusive community atmosphere within Warren Village’s new supportive housing project in Southwest Denver.
The Alumni Navigator will provide case management, resource navigation, and coaching services for families moving out of and formerly residing in one of Warren Village’s campuses.
The Youth Program Coordinator-Ivy Crossing Locations plans, designs, and implements comprehensive programs for elementary and middle school-age children to feel safe, have fun, and engage in enriching activities in a structured, supportive group setting.
To view the full postings and apply to these positions, click HERE.
Denver Public Safety Youth Programs (DPSYP) is hiring for a couple of positions! Interested applicants can apply online following the links below:
Teen Science Cafes (TSC) are free out of school time programs where teens and STEM experts collaborate on presentations and hands-on activities which explore science topics in-depth. The TSC Fellows initiative is a ten-month training program designed to help informal educators implement Teen Science Cafes in their community. Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend to sup port their work!
Applications are now open! Apply Here by August 1st, 2024!
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 final two event dates are August 3 and September 7- make sure you check it out!
EQurious Miranda’s musings on all things SEAL
“Can’t Push a Button You Don’t Have”
Hello Qurious Readers!
I was in a workshop a couple years ago and the facilitator dropped a nugget that really stuck as we talked about developing our leadership skills: “No one can push a button that you don’t have.” How many of you have said (or thought), “that person just really pushes my buttons,” or “that kid (possibly my own) just knows exactly how to push my buttons.” Recently, this came roaring up after I received an email from a colleague…here is what happened:
I sent out a group invitation to attend an event my team is hosting. I eagerly awaited responses from the various invitees. One person did not respond to me, but rather to a colleague and questioned the intent of the event, why they were receiving the communication, etc. When my colleague passed on the information, I was instantly frustrated, annoyed, etc. etc. and vented to several of my colleagues. Why didn’t they just reach out to me? How do you not see how important this is? (You get the idea…has anyone ever done this???) While those I vented to, rallied behind me like the awesome coworkers they are, I left work feeling a bit icky about my response. I took a step back and got curious about my reaction, and while all the things I was frustrated about may have been valid and my feelings certainly were, I didn’t realize my inner buttons were being pushed (You are not enough; You don’t do your job well enough; You need to communicate better, etc.).Here is the process that I am working on and invite you to try:
I reflected back to what my bodily response was reading the email response (e.g., my chest is tightening, my shoulders stiffen, my breathing shifts, etc.) and going forward I will work on noticing it in the moment when a button is being (or about to be) touched.
My default response was to vent and “gather my troops” to rally behind me and not just validate my experience, but to agree with me. Going forward, when I notice myself defaulting to this strategy (which has served me over the years!), pause and see it as an invitation to go deeper in understanding and identifying the button that is being touched/pushed/stomped on.
Once I created that space and the button was released, my body returned to a regulated state and I was able to respond from a place of authenticity and curiosity: two of my core values.
We all have buttons (which totally make sense based on our backgrounds and experiences) AND we have the ability to manage if they are “pushed” (and the intensity). I don’t think the goal is to “eliminate” buttons as they are a part of us, but rather explore and be curious about them. The next time you are at work, running programming or at home and notice a button is being pushed, see what happens when you choose curiosity before responding OR reflect and grow on a post button-pushing response, like me! .
