7th Annual Back to School Night

The 7^th Annual Back to School Night Comedy Benefit attracted 277 guests at Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village which provided a bustling reception, cocktail hour, live and silent acutions and laughter. The event benefits Colorado Youth for a Change (CYC), a non-profit established in 2005 with a primary goal of reducing the state’s high school dropout rate.

The event honored two Denver leaders– Wende Curtis and Steve Dobo— for their commitment and contributions to curb the dropout rate.  The event featured a cocktail hour, live and silent auctions, a description of programs and services, an awards presentation, and the comedy show featuring Henry Cho. Comedy Club founder Wende Curtis donates $800,000 annually in benefit tickets to local and national charities and CYC founder Steve Dobo serves as President/CEO of Zero Dropouts, an organization with national scope addressing the high school dropout crisis using technology, social media and marketing to reduce dropout figures nationwide.

CYC’s 40-member staff represents teachers, principals, and specialists who help with intervention and transitions involved in programs to slow the dropout rate. Students who participate in mentoring programs are 90% more likely to advance to the next grade and 75% more likely to graduate from high school.

Over the past six years, the CYC programs have helped reduce the state’s dropout rate by an estimated 29%. Staying in school and graduating remains a key goal because of the impact on those who do not earn a high school diploma.

According to CYC, the unemployment rate for those individuals without a high school diploma is nearly double that of the general public and high school dropouts are more likely to live in poverty, commit crimes, and become teenage parents.

Curtis’ French bulldog Lucy kept guests entertained with his curious stare and random walks around the reception area. Emcee / comedian Chuck Roy kept the audience off balance while auctioneer Don Martin provided an enthusiastic and comical take on the live auction process. Roque Robles described his transformation from dropout to valedictorian and now four-year college student, pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Headliner Henry Cho, a Korean American raised in the south, described growing up in Arkansas, various cultural encounters, relationships and family.

For more information on how to support CYC visit youthforachange.org or call 303-292-2779.