The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards celebrate organizations from across the region who are leading in their field and making an impact in the community – writing our next chapter as a great community to live and do business.
Meet the 2018 Large Nonprofit Organization of the Year finalists: Denver Urban Scholars, Emily Griffith Foundation and STRIVE Preparatory Schools. The winner will be announced live on April 27.
Denver Urban Scholars Driven by Deep Connections
For the past 20 years, Denver Urban Scholars has been partnering with high poverty, high performing schools to unlock the potential of students facing added challenges by creating individual pathways to career and college.
Denver Urban Scholars was founded by the family of now President and CEO Patrick Byrne in 1995. “We’re working to improve the lives of Coloradans,” Byrne said.
Serving over 500 youth – from middle school through post-secondary – their student graduation rate is 94 percent, compared to Denver’s 67 percent rate overall.
“Last school year, 95 percent of our students moved on to the next grade level on time, 94 percent of students graduated,” Denver Urban Scholars Chief Operating Officer Susan Duncombe said. “And 88 percent of students went on to post-secondary.”
The deep relationships that are developed through mentoring is one nod to their success. With about 100 mentors a year, these relationships often last up to 10 years and verge on becoming a part of the family. Relationships matter to Denver Urban Scholars. Their mission to build trust and accountability with a personalized program, experienced staff and deeply committed volunteers.
Working across all sectors and partnering with schools and community organizations, they have built an intervention model that meets youth where they are.
“I am really excited about the future of Denver Urban Scholars,” Byrne said. “I think it is so important that within Denver, we're working with the nonprofit sector, with the corporate sector, public sector, together in partnership to create change in people's lives.”
With a bright future ahead, Denver Urban Scholars’ vision is to continue to increase graduation rates, while also bringing communities together.
Emily Griffith Foundation Keeps Students Debt-Free
“Emily Griffith was a woman who couldn’t vote for president but could change education forever.”
Her vision was one of education for all who want to learn, said Alby Segall, president of the Emily Griffith Foundation. Just as important is getting that education with no debt.
Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC) was founded on three principals: open admission for all, changing curriculum based on workforce needs and to be 100 percent debt-free for all students. The Emily Griffith Foundation was founded in 1991 to provide scholarships, capital improvements, classroom equipment and new programs seed money, for what has become one of the most successful technical colleges.
Through partnerships with individuals, foundations, corporations and government organizations, the Foundation can provide scholarship opportunities for students who are in most need of extra support. EGTC’s programs are focused on keeping tuition rates as affordable as possible while insuring instruction, classroom equipment and student supports remain exceptional.
In addition, the Foundation’s 360 Degree Fund, students may receive up to $500 for immediate assistance with crises that interfere with their schooling. They may apply for 360 Degree funds three times in a year before receiving financial counseling.
Emily Griffith Foundation has a wide net of community partners who provide funds to the foundation. They work closely to get a pulse on the workforce needs and work together on how to help fill gaps with specialized training. The workforce pipeline is beneficial to the students, the school, the companies and the overall economic health in the metro Denver region.
“We train our students to meet the needs of the new economy,” Segall said. “We are really a model for the workforce education for the future.”
STRIVE Preparatory Schools Grows Access to Education for All
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it,” reads one quote by Marian Wright Edelman on the wall of STRIVE Preparatory Schools’ RISE Campus.
STRIVE Preparatory Schools (STRIVE Prep) is a Denver-based free, open enrollment, public charter school. Founded in 2006 under the belief that students from all backgrounds deserve a quality college preparatory education regardless of race, economic circumstance or previous academic achievement, STRIVE Prep has now grown to 11 schools and serves 3,700 students.
“Education is the most powerful way to change communities,” Founder and CEO Chris Gibbons said.
School locations were based on getting quality schools into under-served neighborhoods, allowing kids down the street or around the block to have a place to go.
Historically, one of 10 students graduate from college in the neighborhoods that STRIVE Prep serves – which is a community of 91 percent free and reduced lunch and 97 percent of color. Today, 94 percent of graduates have been accepted to a four-year college – many of whom are first-generation college students.
Gibbons belief was one that all students, no matter the challenge, could and should receive a good education. “We're always seeking to build an empowering, joyful school community that also has really high expectations for our students,” Gibbons said.
When you walk into a STRIVE Prep school, you can feel that the environment is centered around inclusivity and the students. The energy trickles down to the staff and the families.
Knowledge, skills and mindsets to get to and through college to career. “Think, know, do and go” is one of many motto’s around STRIVE Prep, encouraging success for all.
Maggie McEntee is the digital communications and brand manager for the Denver Metro Chamber.
