BGC Spring Newsletter Compressed

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID President’s letter DENVER, CO Dear Friends, Helping Kids. Building Communities. PERMIT NO. 3140 Program Support Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has been serving youth in the metro Denver area for more than 50 years, and we value both tradition and innovation. As the new President and CEO of 2017 West 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, I plan to respect both of these concepts. I feel very fortunate to begin my work with such a trusted organization that has positively shaped the lives of thou- spring newsletter sands of youth, and continue ghting to defend the right of children in our community to achieve 2 0 1 4 their maximum potential.

As we start the next phase of our journey, we are proud to present you with our new newsletter format. To better serve you, we’ll be providing you a more in-depth look at the wide variety of issues that a ect our Club members and stand as obstacles to their success. We’ll also be intro- ducing you to today and tomorrow’s leaders: our inspiring supporters and Club members. “We need to be bold, Right now is a very exciting time for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Not only are we nearing decisive, and courageous the close of another successful school year, but we are also beginning the next chapter of our with visions of ﬁ re for history in our community. We need to be bold, decisive, and courageous with visions of re for our next generation. I am honored to be part of this team, which helps our children and teens our next generation.” build great futures for themselves and our country.

Very respectfully, HelpingHelping Kids. Kids. Building Building Communities. Communities. JOHN L. BARRY President and CEO The results are real – solid, In 2013, Boys & Girls Your investment makes an impact on tangible, results. Clubs served: JOE ELLIS, President of the Denver Broncos, the lives of our Club members. Speaking about the impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs. rough our services, Boys & Girls Clubs bettered the lives of Club members e Broncos’ pursuit of excellence carries over beyond the eld and into how and their communities. 10,000+ the organization evaluates its involvement with the community. CLUB MEMBERS We caught up with Joe Ellis, President of the Joe Ellis and Pat Bowlen, Owner & CEO of the Club members were half as likely to try Denver Broncos, a few weeks ago. His rst and Denver Broncos, and outlined criteria for AGES unhealthy substances like tobacco An exclusive interview with Joe Ellis, last message was the notion and importance supporting deserving community partners in products as their peers across Colorado. President of the Denver Broncos of achieving results. Denver. “Cindy outlined key components of our involvement; it began with impact. We Speaking on behalf of the Broncos organiza- looked at many choices and found that Boys & 6–18 tion, one of the many things that Ellis admires Girls Clubs of Metro Denver was the most Club members that participated in service about the Clubs is their ability to produce respected and best entity of its kind and has learning activities were VLJQLÀFDQWO\OHVV “We have an obligation extraordinary results. Whether academic, more impact on more kids than anyone else,” likely to get into trouble at school. to all the fans and this artistic, athletic, nutritional or values, Boys & says Ellis. 90% Girls Clubs serve kids up against the toughest are economically community to serve odds and consistently produce positive, Kellogg commented, “We wanted a legacy disadvantaged e cost of child poverty on lasting results with a signi cant impact to the investment that transcended the dollars and Over 237,880 balanced meals were Colorado’s children them well.” kids and communities they serve. had impact through sta service days, player served to Club members. involvement, co-branding, partnership intro- JOE ELLIS IMPACT ductions, and advocacy. ere is no question President of the Denver Broncos Ten years ago, the Broncos’ VP of Community where the dollars go and that they yield 55% INSIDE THIS ISSUE Development, Cindy Kellogg, approached maximum, positive impact.” live in single parent or Club members who participated in CONTINUED on pg 3 non-traditional homes homework help programs earned higher GPAs in school. in this Impact of Your Anatomy of a e Cost of pg 2 Investment pg 4 Club Member pg 5 Child Poverty 2 issue: Joe Ellis CONTINUED from cover Child poverty rate in Colorado “We’ve seen results in FOCUS LESSONS Anatomy In 2001, Bowlen and Ellis signed o on the To hear Ellis tell it, there are two things in a of rises above pre-recession years meaningful ways. The kids plan that Kellogg would execute: to open and career that are fundamental: “ e rst is to Mind In Colorado, a family of four lives “in poverty” if their total household income fully support the operation of one location of empower your people to do their work. Talk learn the importance of is less than $23,000 per year. According to a recent Denver Post article, about the Clubs, now known as the Denver Broncos little and listen a lot. And the second thing Mr. Taught that “education is the way” by A Club Member relationships, character Boys & Girls Club in Montbello. Bowlen taught me is to have fun with what his mother, Dau learned to make the 224,000, or 18%, of the state’s more than one million children were living in you’re doing – but take what you’re doing at most of every opportunity he had and poverty in 2012, which marks a rise from pre-recession rates. ough it’s no In 2007, success with this location led to the work really seriously.” and values each and NBEFJUIJTHPBMUPCFUIFmSTUJOIJTGBN addition of the Broncos Teen Center. “ e surprise that the lowest rate of child poverty is found in Douglas County, with ily to graduate high school. But initially, every day.” best part has been watching the e ect of e same values that Ellis learned – empow- just 4.9% of children a ected, many Coloradans are surprised to learn that the putting our name and resources towards erment, communication, joy and a sense of he had some troubles. Through the Students who attend highest rate of childhood poverty, a dismaying 26.2%, is found right here in supporting the Clubs,” says Ellis. “We’ve seen purpose – are the same values passed on Clubs, Dau learned the importance of school in high-poverty results in meaningful ways. e kids learn the to Club members through its programs, values and setting goals. “A staff mem- Denver County. at’s one in every four children in Denver living in poverty. areas importance of relationships, character and Directors, Managers and sta , ultimately ber asked me, ‘What is your goal?’” Dau test lower than heart Ask most parents what they want for their grade, middle-and-upper-class children have values each and every day.” resulting in positive change in the kids and says, “They taught me how to identify in higher- children, and you’ll likely get very similar likely spent 465 more hours doing things like their peers communities they serve. “When I was little, I felt like every- all the little steps involved in graduating answers: they want their children to thrive – reading and talking with their parents and income schools and thing rotated around me, I was CONSISTENCY high school, and this started a path for they want them to graduate from high school; taking trips to places like the zoo. “ e core values of the Clubs are set in stone; Ellis’ message to anyone who may have an are 6x more likely a brighter picture of my life.” self-centered. I was angry because they want them to take care of themselves; and they never vary,” says Ellis. “ ose values are interest in making the Denver community of the trauma my family experi- they want them to develop into happy, honest Children who are food insecure are two times to drop out. embodied in the Clubs’ Directors, Managers stronger? “Go visit a Boys & Girls Club and see Now a senior at Arrupe Jesuit, high enced, and I took it out on others. and helpful adults. However, families living more likely to be obese than their peers who and sta : commitment, stability and responsi- for yourself. en ask some questions of the school is all but complete. Dau’s new I had a quick temper and would in poverty face extra challenges in working have access to enough food at all times. Plus, bility. ese ideas are constantly reinforced.” kids and the sta , and you’ll quickly under- goal? To get a degree in International explode. Most of all, I was just toward those goals. For poor families, gradu- a child who goes hungry just once in her life stand why Boys & Girls Clubs have such a there, going through the motions ating from high school isn’t just about study- is 2 ½ times more likely to have poor overall profound e ect.” Relations: “I want for those who don’t have peace to have peace – I want to of the day, never wanting to be ing hard. When you’re worried about putting health 10-15 years later. be on the international stage.” bothered.” Joey and Mike, two staff food on the table and you work until 11pm members at the Club, helped wake every day to do so, you’re not worried about Along with poverty come the predictable Dau up; they quickly realized that whether that table is a quiet space where your challenges like unstable housing, a lack of child can do her homework. Forget thriving – access to healthy food, and increased crime. Dau wasn’t a talker and found other Low-income Meet club member Dau you’re ghting to survive. But it’s more than that: it’s the embarrass- ways to get Dau to open up. By get- neighborhoods are ment of hand-me-down clothes that are two Dau is one of those truly amazing individuals whom everyone, of all ages, ting involved in sports, Dau began often food deserts For individuals raised in wealthier families, sizes too small, it’s the fear of an unsafe walk (locations without convenient races and walks of life, can look to for inspiration. Born in South Sudan, he to come out of his shell and see a hands it’s di cult to understand how the disadvan- home from the library, and it’s the fact that no access to fresh food) lived at the center of the second Sudanese Civil War until he was three years world of possibilities around him. tages of poverty accumulate and overlap over adult is there to greet you with a smile when and they often old when his family was displaced to Kenya, but not before his father was “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for time. So let’s take a closer look at some of the you arrive. killed in the war. e grueling journey of 1,000+ miles took nearly two months others wanting more for me,” Dau many, o en surprising, ways that poverty lack safe places for kids says. “I have no idea where I’d be to complete. In Kenya, Dau lived in the refugee camps with his extended family impacts a child’s ability to learn and grow. Governor John Hickenlooper stated to e to play and be active. without them; that’s why I volunteer Denver Post, “It’s up to all of us — parents, for six-and-a-half years. Over this time, Dau was lucky to get the start of an for others like me.” In Dau’s words, legs Kids born into poverty miss out on 1,395 leaders, lawmakers, educators and commu- education, learning the alphabet and math; however, his school was “under the “You can waste time, or do some- hours of education when they don’t attend nity members — to make sure Colorado’s “I don’t know where I would be trees – we sat on the ground, our materials were a notebook, pencil and chalk thing with your time,” so Dau spends pre-school, which many do not. is gap in children are equipped with the skills they without sports – the Club introduced most of his free time volunteering learning grows bigger as wealthier kids spend need to have successful futures.” board,” says Dau. me to basketball and baseball, but with Arrupe Jesuit High School, Den- their time a er school and during the sum- I couldn’t play for the Club unless mer attending camps, learning instruments ver Rescue Mission, World Vision, Go to greatfuturesdenver.org to anks to a Christian refugee program, Dau’s family migrated to the U.S. on I changed my grades and my atti- and playing on teams. and his Boys & Girls Club. “I like to learn how Boys & Girls Clubs build March 17th, 2005, a date forever stamped in Dau’s memory. e next day, tude.” Through the power of sports, Children surrounded by be a man for others, it’s my motto: great futures or to schedule a tour Dau slowly began to heal and Low-income kids miss out on being a part of they arrived in Colorado. e rst two years in the U.S. were CFJOHTFMnFTT HJWJOHGPSUIPTFXIP concentrated poverty are “Through the Clubs, I learned not to carry overcome the pain of his past. He the community: by the time they reach 6th of a local Club. hard. “ e only English we knew was ‘Hi. How are you?’ and are in need even when you are in learned that sports are not about the more likely to suffer from my past with me but to walk in the present. how to spell our names,” says Dau. “We learned the rest through need yourself. Be humble. Look at The above statistics are cited from the following sources: mOBM TDPSF CVU BCPVU UIF UFBN SF others as human beings. Don’t see 2013 Kids Count in Colorado. (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014, from http://www.coloradokids.org/kidscount2013/ harmful levels of stress Sesame Street and Cli ord the Big Red Dog.” It was nearly two lationship building, communication kidscount2013.html and to demonstrate When things get hard, I tell myself: if I can the color. Don’t see the race. You are years later that Boys & Girls Clubs opened their doors in Cole BOEDPOnJDUSFTPMVUJPO/PCPEZMJLFT behavioral or emotional overcome my past, then I can overcome helping another person, a brother or Torres, Z. (2014, March 24). Child poverty rate in Colorado rises above prerecession years. Denverpost.com. Arts and Science Academy, the middle-school in which Dau losing, especially Dau, but “there are Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25405411/child-poverty-rate-colorado-ris- problems. a sister.” es-above-prerecession-years# this. My mentality is not giving up on life, was enrolled, and from there, Dau’s journey changed from one many values to be learned through The 6,000 Hour Learning Gap. (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014 from http://www.expandedschools.org/poli- of struggle and su ering to acceptance and joy. losing…I was taught modesty, cy-documents/6000-hour-learning-gap#sthash.DMelE2le.dpbs but fi ghting through.” humility, how to be humble and how CONTINUED on pg 4 Understand Hunger (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014 from http://www.metrocarering.org/get-involved/hunger.html 3 4 to take a loss.” 5 Joe Ellis CONTINUED from cover Child poverty rate in Colorado “We’ve seen results in FOCUS LESSONS Anatomy In 2001, Bowlen and Ellis signed o on the To hear Ellis tell it, there are two things in a of rises above pre-recession years meaningful ways. The kids plan that Kellogg would execute: to open and career that are fundamental: “ e rst is to Mind In Colorado, a family of four lives “in poverty” if their total household income fully support the operation of one location of empower your people to do their work. Talk learn the importance of is less than $23,000 per year. According to a recent Denver Post article, about the Clubs, now known as the Denver Broncos little and listen a lot. And the second thing Mr. Taught that “education is the way” by A Club Member relationships, character Boys & Girls Club in Montbello. Bowlen taught me is to have fun with what his mother, Dau learned to make the 224,000, or 18%, of the state’s more than one million children were living in you’re doing – but take what you’re doing at most of every opportunity he had and poverty in 2012, which marks a rise from pre-recession rates. ough it’s no In 2007, success with this location led to the work really seriously.” and values each and NBEFJUIJTHPBMUPCFUIFmSTUJOIJTGBN addition of the Broncos Teen Center. “ e surprise that the lowest rate of child poverty is found in Douglas County, with ily to graduate high school. But initially, every day.” best part has been watching the e ect of e same values that Ellis learned – empow- just 4.9% of children a ected, many Coloradans are surprised to learn that the putting our name and resources towards erment, communication, joy and a sense of he had some troubles. Through the Students who attend highest rate of childhood poverty, a dismaying 26.2%, is found right here in supporting the Clubs,” says Ellis. “We’ve seen purpose – are the same values passed on Clubs, Dau learned the importance of school in high-poverty results in meaningful ways. e kids learn the to Club members through its programs, values and setting goals. “A staff mem- Denver County. at’s one in every four children in Denver living in poverty. areas importance of relationships, character and Directors, Managers and sta , ultimately ber asked me, ‘What is your goal?’” Dau test lower than heart Ask most parents what they want for their grade, middle-and-upper-class children have values each and every day.” resulting in positive change in the kids and says, “They taught me how to identify in higher- children, and you’ll likely get very similar likely spent 465 more hours doing things like their peers communities they serve. “When I was little, I felt like every- all the little steps involved in graduating answers: they want their children to thrive – reading and talking with their parents and income schools and thing rotated around me, I was CONSISTENCY high school, and this started a path for they want them to graduate from high school; taking trips to places like the zoo. “ e core values of the Clubs are set in stone; Ellis’ message to anyone who may have an are 6x more likely a brighter picture of my life.” self-centered. I was angry because they want them to take care of themselves; and they never vary,” says Ellis. “ ose values are interest in making the Denver community of the trauma my family experi- they want them to develop into happy, honest Children who are food insecure are two times to drop out. embodied in the Clubs’ Directors, Managers stronger? “Go visit a Boys & Girls Club and see Now a senior at Arrupe Jesuit, high enced, and I took it out on others. and helpful adults. However, families living more likely to be obese than their peers who and sta : commitment, stability and responsi- for yourself. en ask some questions of the school is all but complete. Dau’s new I had a quick temper and would in poverty face extra challenges in working have access to enough food at all times. Plus, bility. ese ideas are constantly reinforced.” kids and the sta , and you’ll quickly under- goal? To get a degree in International explode. Most of all, I was just toward those goals. For poor families, gradu- a child who goes hungry just once in her life stand why Boys & Girls Clubs have such a there, going through the motions ating from high school isn’t just about study- is 2 ½ times more likely to have poor overall profound e ect.” Relations: “I want for those who don’t have peace to have peace – I want to of the day, never wanting to be ing hard. When you’re worried about putting health 10-15 years later. be on the international stage.” bothered.” Joey and Mike, two staff food on the table and you work until 11pm members at the Club, helped wake every day to do so, you’re not worried about Along with poverty come the predictable Dau up; they quickly realized that whether that table is a quiet space where your challenges like unstable housing, a lack of child can do her homework. Forget thriving – access to healthy food, and increased crime. Dau wasn’t a talker and found other Low-income Meet club member Dau you’re ghting to survive. But it’s more than that: it’s the embarrass- ways to get Dau to open up. By get- neighborhoods are ment of hand-me-down clothes that are two Dau is one of those truly amazing individuals whom everyone, of all ages, ting involved in sports, Dau began often food deserts For individuals raised in wealthier families, sizes too small, it’s the fear of an unsafe walk (locations without convenient races and walks of life, can look to for inspiration. Born in South Sudan, he to come out of his shell and see a hands it’s di cult to understand how the disadvan- home from the library, and it’s the fact that no access to fresh food) lived at the center of the second Sudanese Civil War until he was three years world of possibilities around him. tages of poverty accumulate and overlap over adult is there to greet you with a smile when and they often old when his family was displaced to Kenya, but not before his father was “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for time. So let’s take a closer look at some of the you arrive. killed in the war. e grueling journey of 1,000+ miles took nearly two months others wanting more for me,” Dau many, o en surprising, ways that poverty lack safe places for kids says. “I have no idea where I’d be to complete. In Kenya, Dau lived in the refugee camps with his extended family impacts a child’s ability to learn and grow. Governor John Hickenlooper stated to e to play and be active. without them; that’s why I volunteer Denver Post, “It’s up to all of us — parents, for six-and-a-half years. Over this time, Dau was lucky to get the start of an for others like me.” In Dau’s words, legs Kids born into poverty miss out on 1,395 leaders, lawmakers, educators and commu- education, learning the alphabet and math; however, his school was “under the “You can waste time, or do some- hours of education when they don’t attend nity members — to make sure Colorado’s “I don’t know where I would be trees – we sat on the ground, our materials were a notebook, pencil and chalk thing with your time,” so Dau spends pre-school, which many do not. is gap in children are equipped with the skills they without sports – the Club introduced most of his free time volunteering learning grows bigger as wealthier kids spend need to have successful futures.” board,” says Dau. me to basketball and baseball, but with Arrupe Jesuit High School, Den- their time a er school and during the sum- I couldn’t play for the Club unless mer attending camps, learning instruments ver Rescue Mission, World Vision, Go to greatfuturesdenver.org to anks to a Christian refugee program, Dau’s family migrated to the U.S. on I changed my grades and my atti- and playing on teams. and his Boys & Girls Club. “I like to learn how Boys & Girls Clubs build March 17th, 2005, a date forever stamped in Dau’s memory. e next day, tude.” Through the power of sports, Children surrounded by be a man for others, it’s my motto: great futures or to schedule a tour Dau slowly began to heal and Low-income kids miss out on being a part of they arrived in Colorado. e rst two years in the U.S. were CFJOHTFMnFTT HJWJOHGPSUIPTFXIP concentrated poverty are “Through the Clubs, I learned not to carry overcome the pain of his past. He the community: by the time they reach 6th of a local Club. hard. “ e only English we knew was ‘Hi. How are you?’ and are in need even when you are in learned that sports are not about the more likely to suffer from my past with me but to walk in the present. how to spell our names,” says Dau. “We learned the rest through need yourself. Be humble. Look at The above statistics are cited from the following sources: mOBM TDPSF CVU BCPVU UIF UFBN SF others as human beings. Don’t see 2013 Kids Count in Colorado. (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014, from http://www.coloradokids.org/kidscount2013/ harmful levels of stress Sesame Street and Cli ord the Big Red Dog.” It was nearly two lationship building, communication kidscount2013.html and to demonstrate When things get hard, I tell myself: if I can the color. Don’t see the race. You are years later that Boys & Girls Clubs opened their doors in Cole BOEDPOnJDUSFTPMVUJPO/PCPEZMJLFT behavioral or emotional overcome my past, then I can overcome helping another person, a brother or Torres, Z. (2014, March 24). Child poverty rate in Colorado rises above prerecession years. Denverpost.com. Arts and Science Academy, the middle-school in which Dau losing, especially Dau, but “there are Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25405411/child-poverty-rate-colorado-ris- problems. a sister.” es-above-prerecession-years# this. My mentality is not giving up on life, was enrolled, and from there, Dau’s journey changed from one many values to be learned through The 6,000 Hour Learning Gap. (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014 from http://www.expandedschools.org/poli- of struggle and su ering to acceptance and joy. losing…I was taught modesty, cy-documents/6000-hour-learning-gap#sthash.DMelE2le.dpbs but fi ghting through.” humility, how to be humble and how CONTINUED on pg 4 Understand Hunger (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014 from http://www.metrocarering.org/get-involved/hunger.html 3 4 to take a loss.” 5 Joe Ellis CONTINUED from cover Child poverty rate in Colorado “We’ve seen results in FOCUS LESSONS Anatomy In 2001, Bowlen and Ellis signed o on the To hear Ellis tell it, there are two things in a of rises above pre-recession years meaningful ways. The kids plan that Kellogg would execute: to open and career that are fundamental: “ e rst is to Mind In Colorado, a family of four lives “in poverty” if their total household income fully support the operation of one location of empower your people to do their work. Talk learn the importance of is less than $23,000 per year. According to a recent Denver Post article, about the Clubs, now known as the Denver Broncos little and listen a lot. And the second thing Mr. Taught that “education is the way” by A Club Member relationships, character Boys & Girls Club in Montbello. Bowlen taught me is to have fun with what his mother, Dau learned to make the 224,000, or 18%, of the state’s more than one million children were living in you’re doing – but take what you’re doing at most of every opportunity he had and poverty in 2012, which marks a rise from pre-recession rates. ough it’s no In 2007, success with this location led to the work really seriously.” and values each and NBEFJUIJTHPBMUPCFUIFmSTUJOIJTGBN addition of the Broncos Teen Center. “ e surprise that the lowest rate of child poverty is found in Douglas County, with ily to graduate high school. But initially, every day.” best part has been watching the e ect of e same values that Ellis learned – empow- just 4.9% of children a ected, many Coloradans are surprised to learn that the putting our name and resources towards erment, communication, joy and a sense of he had some troubles. Through the Students who attend highest rate of childhood poverty, a dismaying 26.2%, is found right here in supporting the Clubs,” says Ellis. “We’ve seen purpose – are the same values passed on Clubs, Dau learned the importance of school in high-poverty results in meaningful ways. e kids learn the to Club members through its programs, values and setting goals. “A staff mem- Denver County. at’s one in every four children in Denver living in poverty. areas importance of relationships, character and Directors, Managers and sta , ultimately ber asked me, ‘What is your goal?’” Dau test lower than heart Ask most parents what they want for their grade, middle-and-upper-class children have values each and every day.” resulting in positive change in the kids and says, “They taught me how to identify in higher- children, and you’ll likely get very similar likely spent 465 more hours doing things like their peers communities they serve. “When I was little, I felt like every- all the little steps involved in graduating answers: they want their children to thrive – reading and talking with their parents and income schools and thing rotated around me, I was CONSISTENCY high school, and this started a path for they want them to graduate from high school; taking trips to places like the zoo. “ e core values of the Clubs are set in stone; Ellis’ message to anyone who may have an are 6x more likely a brighter picture of my life.” self-centered. I was angry because they want them to take care of themselves; and they never vary,” says Ellis. “ ose values are interest in making the Denver community of the trauma my family experi- they want them to develop into happy, honest Children who are food insecure are two times to drop out. embodied in the Clubs’ Directors, Managers stronger? “Go visit a Boys & Girls Club and see Now a senior at Arrupe Jesuit, high enced, and I took it out on others. and helpful adults. However, families living more likely to be obese than their peers who and sta : commitment, stability and responsi- for yourself. en ask some questions of the school is all but complete. Dau’s new I had a quick temper and would in poverty face extra challenges in working have access to enough food at all times. Plus, bility. ese ideas are constantly reinforced.” kids and the sta , and you’ll quickly under- goal? To get a degree in International explode. Most of all, I was just toward those goals. For poor families, gradu- a child who goes hungry just once in her life stand why Boys & Girls Clubs have such a there, going through the motions ating from high school isn’t just about study- is 2 ½ times more likely to have poor overall profound e ect.” Relations: “I want for those who don’t have peace to have peace – I want to of the day, never wanting to be ing hard. When you’re worried about putting health 10-15 years later. be on the international stage.” bothered.” Joey and Mike, two staff food on the table and you work until 11pm members at the Club, helped wake every day to do so, you’re not worried about Along with poverty come the predictable Dau up; they quickly realized that whether that table is a quiet space where your challenges like unstable housing, a lack of child can do her homework. Forget thriving – access to healthy food, and increased crime. Dau wasn’t a talker and found other Low-income Meet club member Dau you’re ghting to survive. But it’s more than that: it’s the embarrass- ways to get Dau to open up. By get- neighborhoods are ment of hand-me-down clothes that are two Dau is one of those truly amazing individuals whom everyone, of all ages, ting involved in sports, Dau began often food deserts For individuals raised in wealthier families, sizes too small, it’s the fear of an unsafe walk (locations without convenient races and walks of life, can look to for inspiration. Born in South Sudan, he to come out of his shell and see a hands it’s di cult to understand how the disadvan- home from the library, and it’s the fact that no access to fresh food) lived at the center of the second Sudanese Civil War until he was three years world of possibilities around him. tages of poverty accumulate and overlap over adult is there to greet you with a smile when and they often old when his family was displaced to Kenya, but not before his father was “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for time. So let’s take a closer look at some of the you arrive. killed in the war. e grueling journey of 1,000+ miles took nearly two months others wanting more for me,” Dau many, o en surprising, ways that poverty lack safe places for kids says. “I have no idea where I’d be to complete. In Kenya, Dau lived in the refugee camps with his extended family impacts a child’s ability to learn and grow. Governor John Hickenlooper stated to e to play and be active. without them; that’s why I volunteer Denver Post, “It’s up to all of us — parents, for six-and-a-half years. Over this time, Dau was lucky to get the start of an for others like me.” In Dau’s words, legs Kids born into poverty miss out on 1,395 leaders, lawmakers, educators and commu- education, learning the alphabet and math; however, his school was “under the “You can waste time, or do some- hours of education when they don’t attend nity members — to make sure Colorado’s “I don’t know where I would be trees – we sat on the ground, our materials were a notebook, pencil and chalk thing with your time,” so Dau spends pre-school, which many do not. is gap in children are equipped with the skills they without sports – the Club introduced most of his free time volunteering learning grows bigger as wealthier kids spend need to have successful futures.” board,” says Dau. me to basketball and baseball, but with Arrupe Jesuit High School, Den- their time a er school and during the sum- I couldn’t play for the Club unless mer attending camps, learning instruments ver Rescue Mission, World Vision, Go to greatfuturesdenver.org to anks to a Christian refugee program, Dau’s family migrated to the U.S. on I changed my grades and my atti- and playing on teams. and his Boys & Girls Club. “I like to learn how Boys & Girls Clubs build March 17th, 2005, a date forever stamped in Dau’s memory. e next day, tude.” Through the power of sports, Children surrounded by be a man for others, it’s my motto: great futures or to schedule a tour Dau slowly began to heal and Low-income kids miss out on being a part of they arrived in Colorado. e rst two years in the U.S. were CFJOHTFMnFTT HJWJOHGPSUIPTFXIP concentrated poverty are “Through the Clubs, I learned not to carry overcome the pain of his past. He the community: by the time they reach 6th of a local Club. hard. “ e only English we knew was ‘Hi. How are you?’ and are in need even when you are in learned that sports are not about the more likely to suffer from my past with me but to walk in the present. how to spell our names,” says Dau. “We learned the rest through need yourself. Be humble. Look at The above statistics are cited from the following sources: mOBM TDPSF CVU BCPVU UIF UFBN SF others as human beings. Don’t see 2013 Kids Count in Colorado. (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014, from http://www.coloradokids.org/kidscount2013/ harmful levels of stress Sesame Street and Cli ord the Big Red Dog.” It was nearly two lationship building, communication kidscount2013.html and to demonstrate When things get hard, I tell myself: if I can the color. Don’t see the race. You are years later that Boys & Girls Clubs opened their doors in Cole BOEDPOnJDUSFTPMVUJPO/PCPEZMJLFT behavioral or emotional overcome my past, then I can overcome helping another person, a brother or Torres, Z. (2014, March 24). Child poverty rate in Colorado rises above prerecession years. Denverpost.com. Arts and Science Academy, the middle-school in which Dau losing, especially Dau, but “there are Retrieved March 27, 2014, from http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25405411/child-poverty-rate-colorado-ris- problems. a sister.” es-above-prerecession-years# this. My mentality is not giving up on life, was enrolled, and from there, Dau’s journey changed from one many values to be learned through The 6,000 Hour Learning Gap. (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014 from http://www.expandedschools.org/poli- of struggle and su ering to acceptance and joy. losing…I was taught modesty, cy-documents/6000-hour-learning-gap#sthash.DMelE2le.dpbs but fi ghting through.” humility, how to be humble and how CONTINUED on pg 4 Understand Hunger (2014). Retrieved March 28, 2014 from http://www.metrocarering.org/get-involved/hunger.html 3 4 to take a loss.” 5 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID President’s letter DENVER, CO Dear Friends, Helping Kids. Building Communities. PERMIT NO. 3140 Program Support Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has been serving youth in the metro Denver area for more than 50 years, and we value both tradition and innovation. As the new President and CEO of 2017 West 9th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, I plan to respect both of these concepts. I feel very fortunate to begin my work with such a trusted organization that has positively shaped the lives of thou- spring newsletter sands of youth, and continue ghting to defend the right of children in our community to achieve 2 0 1 4 their maximum potential.