November Pathfinder 2023

PathFinder

The newsletter for volunteers, supporters, and friends of Florence Crittenton Services November 2023

Florence Crittenton Services

Educating, preparing, and empowering teen mothers and their children.

Comprehensive, Wraparound Services for Teen Families Empowering Dreams: Juliana’s Story When Juliana realized she was pregnant, she felt like she would have to give up on her passions and dreams to become a mom. “A lot was going through my head,” she explains, “When I first found out, I didn’t want to go through with it because I was scared for my whole future, but after finding this place, it’s been everything.”

Juliana’s journey highlights the transformative power of the comprehensive wraparound resources available at Florence Crittenton Services. Her experience shows that with access to these resources, determined students like her can turn adversity into opportunity, empowering both themselves and their children. In this special edition of the Pathfinder, we’ll follow Juliana and her one-year-old son, Brandon, throughout the Florence Crittenton campus. The next few pages detail impactful FloCrit experiences like friendship, staff support, the Summer Workforce Program, as well as the Early Childhood Education Center.

Beyond these stories, Juliana has shown her ambition by utilizing additional FloCrit services such as: Student and Family Support Services • • • • • • • • • •

-Legal Clinic -Food Boxes/Mobile Food Pantry -After school activities with Frank -Workforce Development -Vital Documents Support with her Family Advocate -Therapy with Denver Children’s Advocacy Center, a FloCrit Partner -Financial Advisement -Housing Support -Baby Bucks Basic Needs Store

A LETTER PRESIDENT & CEO, DESTA TAYE-CHANNELL My journey at FloCrit began in 2012, and since then, I’ve witnessed remarkable growth take place because of our community’s investment in this organization. We expanded the Florence Crittenton High School and established the Alethia E. Morgan, MD School-Based Health Clinic. Our Early Childhood Education Center also saw remarkable development, doubling from five classrooms to ten, and achieving a 4-Star Colorado Shines rating. This year, we’ve renewed that 4-Star rating and completed our first Teaching Strategies GOLD checkpoint, supporting children in need of early interventions.

Our ECE program not only addresses the primary obstacle for teen parents – childcare – but also lays a strong foundation for children to enter kindergarten ready and embrace a lifelong love of learning. In this newsletter, you’ll meet Nathan, an ECE graduate, and hear how the ECE program prepared him for school.

Additionally, I’ve been part of the journey in creating a Transitions and Workforce Development Program within our Student and Family Support team, along with the development of a Housing Program. In this newsletter, you’ll meet Juliana and gain insights into the depth of her engagement with our services, including the Summer Workforce Development pilot program [page 4] generously funded by DaVita, and housing support that also benefited her friend, Annika.

Our programs comprehensively educate, prepare and empower teen families, always driven by their voices and needs. I am deeply grateful for your role in our community, supporting us as we address the challenges faced by FloCrit teen moms and their children. Together, let’s continue to champion solutions and envision a future where educated, healthy, self-sufficient teen families become leaders in our community. Thank you for the role you play in making this mission a reality!

Florence Crittenton High School •

-Student President of HOSA, Future Health Click here to watch a video of Juliana and Professionals through the MedConnect Brandon’s FloCrit Program morning routine!

In This Issue Empowering Dreams: Juliana’s Story.............1 A Message From Desta...................................1 Together Towards Success..............................2 Thank you,Frank Knappe!................................2 Juliana and Brandon’s ECE Experience.........3 Workforce Development with Davita.........4

Kindergarten Readiness at FloCrit................5 Alumni Spotlight...............................................6 Donor Profile....................................................6 Miles for Moms Recap.......................................7 Colorado Gives Day........................................8 Pathways to Empowerment 2024..................8

DESTA TAYE-CHANNELL, MA, LPC, PRESIDENT AND CEO

Together Toward Success

Juliana and Annika during “Day at the Capitol” field trip

Juliana and Annika Work Together for Bright Futures Do you remember your best friend from high school? You might have even met in math class like Juliana and Annika! Their friendship began by sharing the same taste in music and sitting together at lunch, and they soon became each other’s biggest advocates. “It felt nice to be able to compare stories and understand each other,” Juliana says, “I would always pick her up and bring her to school because she never had a ride, and we’d push each other to be here.”

During the summer, Juliana, her partner, and her son, secured a safe and affordable apartment with the assistance of FloCrit’s Housing Department, who covered the first month’s rent and deposit. Shortly after, Annika moved in with her son, and together they have turned challenges into opportunities, raising their children and working side-by-side to create a path toward a successful future.

Juliana’s former Family Advocate, Lucia Barton-Diaz, describes their incredible journey, saying, “I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the growth of Julianna and Annika’s friendship over the past year...They have consistently held each other accountable and frequently reached out to me to support each other. They have attended various career development events, always making an effort to include each other and provide mutual encouragement.”

At Florence Crittenton Services, we consider the development of social capital and the formation of empowering friendships like Juliana and Annika’s as a part of the work we do to educate, prepare, and empower teen moms.

Make It A Great Day: Thank you, Frank!

For over a decade, Frank has served FloCrit as transportation support, a P.E. teacher, and most recently, the Family Engagement Manager. Throughout his tenure, Frank’s focus has always been on building relationships and providing a safe space for students to learn and access resources.

“I am very proud to be part of the Florence Crittenton organization,” Frank shares, “I enjoy walking alongside the students as they make their way through obstacles they may face in their journey as a mom. As the Family Engagement Manager, there is such fulfillment in working with my colleagues to honor, respect and support these amazing young moms.”

As Frank prepares to transition from his role at FloCrit and move across the country, his positive spirit and dedication to the Florence Crittenton Services mission will continue to have a lasting impact on both staff and students. His influence is exemplified through the words of Juliana, who was able to continue pursuing her passion for high school softball after having a baby, thanks to Frank’s support. “I felt like I should keep doing something that I love...(Frank) helped me get into softball last year, he talked to the director at North High School because it was too late for me to sign up...He went to most of my games. I honestly look at him like a father, because he treated me like his own kid.”

Thank you, Frank, for your dedicated service and the significant impact you’ve had on multiple generations of teen families, guiding them toward the resources needed to pave their unique paths to success! In Juliana’s words, “We miss you a lot, come back and tell me to go to class!”

Juliana receives her first varsity letter after her last season playing softball.

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Behind the Window

Juliana and Brandon’s ECE Experience In the early hours of a typical weekday morning at the Florence Crittenton Services, teen moms like Juliana make their way over to the Early Childhood Education Center (ECE) with their little ones in tow. By the time their child is one year old (like Brandon), they eagerly toddle toward their ECE teachers, brimming with anticipation for a healthy breakfast and a day filled with exciting activities. After singing a cheerful welcome song and moving their child’s picture to a board proudly proclaiming, ‘I’m here!,’ FloCrit teen moms can walk right next door to their first class of the day.

However, for new teen moms, dropping their child off can be a difficult experience. “I was so nervous to bring him here because I didn’t know how they were going to treat him,” Juliana explains. “ I kept coming back to look through the window to check on him because I didn’t know anybody here.”

Many FloCrit teen moms find themselves in front of the exact same window, peering into the ECE infant classroom as they witness their child’s joy and comfort, a reassuring sign that their precious treasure is in capable hands. Juliana recalls that she “ended up trusting them after a couple of weeks because my son was always happy when he saw his teachers. That brought a lot of joy to me, and that made me understand that they have to be treating him well if he’s that excited to see them.”

As trust blossoms, visits to the window become less frequent, replaced by a growing sense of security in the quality of care provided by the ECE staff. “My favorite part about the ECE is the teachers and how they treat all the babies. They really build a relationship with the babies and that’s really special; I love to see it.”

FloCrit ECE teachers are more than babysitters; they are educators who undergo rigorous training and engage in continuous education. They meticulously craft Photos provided by Juliana lesson plans, tailored to meet the unique developmental needs of each child. For example, Brandon’s teachers Ms. Sherry and Ms. Analysia just completed a lesson where children practiced fine motor skills and spatial reasoning using sticky contact Did You Know? paper and felt jack-o-lanterns! They also measure the growth of each student using assessments like GOLD by Teaching Strategies, an authentic, observation-based way for monitoring a child’s developmental skills.

Click here to watch of video of Brandon’s teacher, Ms. Sherry, explaining in-class assessments.

Through Brandon’s eyes, every day is an exciting blend of play and learning.

What he doesn’t know is that even at one year old, this early experience is paving the way for his success in kindergarten (see page 5).

The two-generation approach at Florence Crittenton Services is not only shaping Brandon’s educational foundation but also providing the essential support he and his mother need to embrace a future filled with promise and opportunity.

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Juliana, Brandon, and her partner.

The FloCrit ECE collaborates with Clayton Early Learning and Mile High Early Learning to conduct assessments, ensuring that children requiring early intervention plans are identified and supported.

Summer Workforce Program

FloCrit and DaVita Address Pressing Work/School Balance Issue with Teen Moms

Summer Workforce Program fieldtrip to DaVita.

Like many other teen moms at Florence Crittenton Services, Juliana and her peers often find themselves facing a tough choice: should they prioritize work over school due to the increasing costs of living? The struggle to balance education with the need to earn money has intensified for many FloCrit students, especially in the wake of the pandemic. In 2021, there was a significant increase in the number of FloCrit students who either had to work or were already employed, with 47% of students falling into this category, a substantial rise from the 19% reported in 2017. While FloCrit’s mission is committed to empowering teen moms to earn their degrees, we understand that the students we serve often have to navigate these tough choices to support their families and themselves.

Recognizing this critical issue, FloCrit partnered with DaVita to pilot a Summer Workforce Program that included workforce skills and the opportunity to receive supplemental income throughout the school year. Donica Snyder, Director of Florence Crittenton Services’ Student and Family Support Program, states that “The goal (for this program) is that returning students have sustainable income and resource support so that they can prioritize their education instead of being pulled away for work.” Students who completed the program, which included weekly skill-building workshops such as self-awareness, resume building, financial literacy, and featured guest speakers like STEM Blazers, were eligible to receive a 200% match from their summer workforce position that is directly distributed as monthly income throughout the year. By pairing this opportunity with the existing resources at FloCrit (such as diapers, housing assistance, food boxes, etc.), we aim to alleviate the financial burden that often negatively affects the attendance and ability of FloCrit students to focus on school.

Liz Gardner, Executive Director of DaVita Giving Foundation and Director of Village Giving, states “DaVita is proud to partner with Florence Crittenton to ensure students have the skills and resources they need to advance into the workforce upon graduation...We support access to quality education for all. In particular, we invest in the exploration of healthcare career pathways and the removal of barriers to access for students interested in the healthcare sector. This special partnership with Florence Crittenton is doing just that and we hope to serve as an employer of choice for Florence Crittenton graduates in the future.”

In this program, Juliana discovered the potential of her strong math skills by connecting with women from STEM Blazers, which revealed career possibilities in fields such as accounting. Moreover, her experience working at Denver Inner City Parish, where she dedicated herself to serving low-income communities through their free food truck and mobile food pantry, deepened her passion for making a positive impact on people’s lives. She exclaims that it made her feel good to give back, and that she liked “helping people and making people’s lives easier.”

STEM Blazers presented about topics such as various careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Summer Workforce Program Snapshot

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Students Completed the Program

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Were FloCrit MedConnect Students

$364

Average Monthly Income Distribution in 2023-24

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Kindergarten Readiness

A letter from FloCrit to 2023 ECE Graduate, Nathan Welcome to Kindergarten, Nathan! After graduating from the FloCrit Early Childhood Education Center in 2023, you’ve made quite an impression on your kindergarten teacher, Ms. Fernandez. She’s impressed with how prepared you are for school, and she even mentioned that you’re at the top of your class! We’ve been preparing you for this significant step since you started in the ECE as an infant when your mom, Armani, first enrolled at FloCrit. Fun fact: because you’re kindergarten-ready, you’ve got an impressive 82% chance of mastering basic skills by age 11, compared to 42% for kids who aren’t.* Because of this, you’re on a path to succeeding in school and ultimately graduating high school. Go, Nathan!

We’ve helped you develop these key skills to get you ready for kindergarten:

“FloCrit prepared Nathan for kindergarten by teaching him to be social, by having him constantly surrounded by kids and teachers, and having him on a set schedule so when he started school he was comfortable with making friends and getting into the same routine he basically had at FloCrit.” -Armani, Class of 2021

“We evaluate our students in both Spanish and English to know and compare their levels of literacy in both languages, and Nathan was one of two students who scored above grade level. This is the evidence that shows how amazing he is and the excellent job the ECE teachers did last year. I am so proud af Nathan and I am very lucky to have him in my class.” -Ms. Fernandez, Nathan’s Kindergarten Teacher 5

* J.B. Pritzker, Jeffrey L. Bradach, and Katherine Kaufmann, Achieving Kindergarten Readiness for All Our Children, https://www.bridgespan.org/getmedia/c7b49388-b3b34e31-999d-91f0749cf5e1/early-childhood-funder-guide-2015.pdfv, 2015

When current Housing Manager, Madison Alumni Spotlight: started at Florence Crittenton Wendy, Class of 2020 Caparros, Services as a Family Advocate, the first

person on her caseload was Wendy, a lively and determined teen mom with two young boys. Wendy’s initial concern was with housing, and although the Housing Department at FloCrit didn’t yet exist, Wendy and Madison began tackling each of Wendy’s housing challenges head-on. Wendy graduated from Florence Crittenton High School in 2020 and currently lives with her children at Warren Village First Step, a transitional housing program for teen moms and a FloCrit partner. With safe and affordable housing, she’s able to focus on her education at the Community College of Denver as she studies Criminal Justice full-time.

Click here to learn more about Wendy’s housing journey!

The Phoenix Society is the official monthly giving program at Florence Crittenton Services. It was formally created in 2022, though we have been fortunate to have many donors who choose to make their gifts monthly over the years. Sarah and Michael Drewlow have been committed monthly donors since 2015, making them part of the founding group of Phoenix Society donors. Sarah has also taken advantage of opportunities to leverage her monthly giving with employer matching, effectively doubling her charitable impact, multiplying her contribution and serving our shared goal of educating, preparing, and empowering FloCrit teen moms and their children. As part of our Pathfinder Donor Series, we want to highlight and honor the contributions of donors like Michael and Sarah and demonstrate how FloCrit donors think creatively about how to achieve their own philanthropic goals and maximize their impact on our FloCrit mission.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Drewlow.

Donor Profile: Sarah Drewlow

Sarah first learned about FloCrit over 10 years ago, when her then-employer did a fundraiser for FloCrit. She was drawn in by our focus on teen families, particularly the focus on helping moms with employability skills, so they can enter the workforce “with a head start.” She introduced her husband to FloCrit, and they have been consistently supporting the organization since then. Sarah likes monthly giving for its convenience, “We can plan ahead Sarah and her family during a July 4th celebration. and then allow our giving to happen automatically.” Sarah and Michael have set their gift up through the Colorado Gives Day portal directed to FloCrit, however, donors may also set up recurring gifts directly on the FloCrit donation page (www.flocritco.org/give), or through another third party like a United Way employee giving campaign or through Benevity, also usually connected to a company’s charitable giving program.

At her previous company, Sarah was also able to take advantage of a generous employer matching program, which helped her apply for a 1:1 match on her total annual giving, effectively doubling her impact. And Sarah knows that this program is valuable not only because it resulted in more dollars for FloCrit, but also an increase in awareness, “Employer matching contributions are a great way to maximize giving and also introduce employers to great organizations they may choose to support beyond an employee match.”

Beyond monetary gifts, the Drewlows also participate in our annual Holiday Giving program, buying gifts for FloCrit families during the holidays. “We love buying some special things for the moms and kids and hope they feel a little blessing from what we share.” Thank you to the Drewlows for their many years of giving and engagement with FloCrit!

To learn more about the Phoenix Society and monthly giving, employer matching, or Holiday Giving, please reach out to Individual Giving Manager Amanda Schweikert at aschweikert@flocritco.org or Director of Development Theresa Garcia at tgarcia@flocritco.org, or visit our website.

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Running Toward Empowerment Miles for Moms 2023

Gazing out into the audience of more than 250 Miles for Moms participants, FloCrit students Flor and Ingrid were met with the enthusiastic expressions of the FloCrit community.

This crowd consists of people who firmly believe in the lasting impact that educating, preparing, and empowering teenage mothers and their children can have on society. To represent the 60% of FloCrit students that speak Spanish as their first language, Flor delivered her speech in her native language with her friend and peer, Ingrid, translating in English.

At the 18th Annual Miles for Moms, the FloCrit community showed teen moms like Flor and Ingrid their support by raising over $25,000 in peer-to-peer fundraising, exceeding our goal of $20,000. Overall, the event raised $54,000 in Flor (left) gives her speech at Miles for Moms, translated by Ingrid (right). support of FloCrit teen moms and their children! The crowd stoy also had the privilege of hearing from councilwomen Flor Alvidrez and Jamie Torres, who added their voices of support to the work being carried out at Florence Crittenton Services.

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agradecida Following the run, attendees enjoyed the first-ever Finish Line Festival, which included a beer garden, con Florence vendor booths, and an opportunity to explore the “science of spice” in the Curiosity Cruiser, a mobile Crittenton museum straight from the Denver Museum of porque me Nature and Science, which will host our 2024 Pathways to Empowerment (page 8). ayudaron a salir adelante y seguir Thank you to everyone who volunteered, queriendo fundraised, donated, continuar con participated, or partnered Click here to see more photos from with us. Together, we mis estudios Miles for Moms! made this year’s Miles porque me for Moms a resounding ayudaron a Parent educator, Brooke Kimball (right), runs at success! cuidar y educar Miles for Moms. a mis hijos.”

-Flor, Class of 2024

The Botello Family

Route

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Lynda McNeive & Lynn Hornbrook Dr Alethia (Lee) Morgan & Mark Fall

Patti Klinge 7

Champion

Advocate

Friend

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E D U C AT I N G , P R E PA R I N G , A N D E M P OW E R I N G T E E N M OT H E R S A N D T H E I R C H I L D R E N

Click here to see Brandon learn to crawl in his 2022 Colorado Gives Day video debut!

Board of Directors

Juan Botello, Chair Graland Country Day School Lynda McNeive, Secretary Retired Attorney Molly Grasso, Treasurer Bernstein Global Wealth Management Danisha Allen-Dawkins VIZIO Kelly Berger Kelly Berger Art Jessica Calderon City of Denver Office of Equity and Social Innovation Chelsea Carver Mile High United Way Erin Close Flatiron Health, Inc. Devin Farrell Delta Dental David Fine Metropolitan State University Yolanda Fitzpatrick CoBank Bernadette Gonzales 5280 Family Law Alyssa Hultman Empower Ted Kijanka PCL Construction Nicole Lovato Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver Ruth Mackey SRS Acquiom John Markovich FirstBank Mari Medrano CoCal Landscape Services, Inc Dr. Alethia (Lee) Morgan COPIC Heidi Morgan Wagner Morgan Strategies David Peterson Amyntas Security Group Cathy Pomeroy Retired Teacher Danielle Rash Denver City Attorney’s Office Christina Raya PNC Asset Management Michael Sapp Xcel Energy Genevieve Smith Anthem David Spaulding Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Carly West Black Hills Energy