The Colorado Construction Institute may well turn into the best program for high school students who need direction. Listening to the student ambassadors, seeing their confident smiles and enthusiasm gave clear thumbs-ups for this amazing organization.

The CCI  essentially works an incubator for students who need a job, skills and direction in life. The students go out in the field and help build houses, structures and landscapes. What they gain is invaluable.

One student said, “I needed a job. But I discovered I am good at math and I love it.” A teenage girl said the work is so diverse she has honed her skills at taking directions and understanding plans, but, still, she let it be known, after her introduction to the work place at CCI she gained enough confidence to move on her dreams: “I’m going to be a fashion desiger.” Girls.

This fundraising celebration was their most important celebration as it was the first fundraising event for the organization.  Guests had the opportunity to meet the staff at CCI and current students and graduates, as well as hear how beneficial Colorado Construction Institute is to the students and graduates. Colorado Construction Institute is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 workforce development organization dedicated to providing disadvantaged youth between the ages of 16 – 24 with the tools to build their future.

Their program combines residential construction education along with life skills training to ensure that students will have both the knowledge and the capacity to excel in the construction industry.

The month of April represents the start of spring and renewed hope for many children. April has also been designated as national Child Abuse Prevention Month by Congress since 1983. More than 400 guests of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center annual Reach for the Stars dinner gathered Friday, April 11 in support at the Westin Denver Downtown.

The Center is a non-profit law firm that provides much-needed services for abused and neglected kids so that they have hope for a successful future. Founded in 1981, the Center provides legal advocacy for victims of child abuse and neglect with the goal of securing a permanent, nurturing environment for every child made possible with support from social work professionals and attorneys.

In 2012, an estimated 1,640 children in the U.S. died from abuse and neglect, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services And that same year, children’s advocacy centers around the country served more than 286,000 child victims of abuse, providing victim advocacy and support to these children and their families. In 2013, this number was estimated to be more than 294,000, according to the National Children’s Alliance.

Thanks to generous support from individuals, small business, corporations and professional firms throughout Denver and Colorado, the Center serves more than 1,500 children each year through a wide variety of programs including support for guardianship, domestic violence and education programs, caregiver advocacy, community education, and a helpline. Staff attorneys serve as court-appointed guardians who represent and protect the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in open Colorado Department of Human Services cases.

Executive Director Stephanie Villafuerte, Esq. joined the Children’s Law Center four years ago as Executive Director succeeding Director and Founder Shari Shank, Esq. who started the organization more than 30 years ago.

Emcee Gloria Neal kept the program on track and auctioneer duties were performed by Debbie Stafford with live entertainment provided by members of the SOAR! Youth and Adult Choir. Executive Director Villafuerte and Board Chair Carla Dore thanked sponsors, volunteers and board leadership for their service and many contributions. This year’s board members include Stacy Carpenter, Kelly Condon, Randy Fons, John Hallin, Judy Laspada, Jane Michaels, Heather Purcell-Leja, Shellie Rosser. A special thanks went to volunteers and supporters Justin Breland, Katherine Hudson, Ernie Santella, Paul Trantow and Jenifer Woods.

Super Star sponsors this year included Noble Energy, Colleen Abdoulah Family Fund of the Denver Foundation, and Santella Productions while Shooting Star supporters were Holland & Hart LLP, Judy Laspada, Markus Williams Young & Zimmermann LLC.

The motto of the Center is to Prevent, Protect and Prepare. The Center works year-round to prevent abuse, to protect children who have suffered devastating maltreatment and to prepare children for a future that is abuse free — a life full of promise and hope. For more information visit www.rockymountainchildrenslawcenter.org or call 303-692-1165.

The Roaring ’20s was an appropriate theme for the Colorado Youth at Risk 20th Anniversary celebration at the Glendale Events Center, Saturday, November 2. Some 300 guests attended the event dressed as 1920s-era flappers, Gibson girls with feather boas and Panama and boater hats and colorful postwar three-piece suits.

Emcee Denise Plante described the work of the organization and introduced several CYAR successful alumni and a video of student alumni including Kennisha Ayers, Sanai Fennel, Bradley James, Samantha Perez-Leftwich, Chris Smith, Kassandra Perez, Theron Harrison and others.

Board Chair Tarek Saad described the continuing mission of the organization and its success against critics who said it couldn’t be done. CYAR staff members Caroline Meyers and Elizabeth Same, Troy Bowman, Lori Dougherty, Sarah McGill, and various other interns and volunteers ensured a festive event.

Exuberant auctioneer Jim Berz of Wow Events managed the live auction with auction cards flying throughout the night. Meanwhile, Executive Director Mary Hanewell and Chair Tarek Saad mingled with the crowd. Erin and Dan Kobler were dressed to the nines along with board members Julie Ziemer, Tanja Smith and Erin Autrey Neren. Upbeat jazz favorites were performed by Kim Dawson and her quartet.

A lot happened in Denver in 1993: Labor leader Cesar Chavez passed away; Pope John Paul II visited for World Youth Day; the Rockies became the 27th Major League baseball team; and the October opening of the Denver International Airport was delayed after  baggage system problems. Also, that year the so-called Summer of Violence gave rise to solutions for rescuing teens stuck in a cycle of violence in poor economic and family circumstances and lack of educational opportunities and advancement.

Also in 1993 Theron Harrison was born. A lanky young man with a quick smile, Harrison is perhaps best known as one of Denver’s finest high school debaters. As teens at Manual High, he and sister Teague competed in national debating championships in New York, not once but twice–in 2011 and 2012. Theron, now 20, represents CYARs success over the past two decades and has become a symbol of what is possible with the right mentors and opportunities.

Reaching at-risk or troubled teens from struggling unhealthy or impoverished environments presents a challenge for human service organizations and stay-in-school non-profits dedicated to youth education and mentoring.  CYAR’s strategy is fourfold and includes community and one-on-one training, a mountain retreat, high ropes course and a year-long series of workshops with mentors.

After 20 years, Colorado Youth at Risk (CYAR) may have found the secret of success for reaching teens and continues to advocate for educational opportunities. For more information visit: www.coyar.org or call 623-9140.