Denver Rescue Mission’s Youth Center is experiencing some exciting new changes and growth, much like the kiddos we serve. We want to make sure our resources are equipping families for long-term stability that goes far beyond their time spent at The Crossing.
The most notable changes we’re implementing are age-specific spaces, programs for child development and the use of a two-generation model that is addressing the needs of not only the children we serve but their parents as well.
Growing Resources
As the number of families experiencing homelessness continues to be on the rise (from 2,101 in 2023 to 3,132 in 2024 according to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s Point in Time Count), we are working tirelessly to provide crucial care and a positive environment for the children in these situations to continue to thrive. We do this through the help of our age-specific rooms, tutoring, after-school programs and character development opportunities, as well as community partnerships.
Age-Specific Spaces
In addition to our Youth Room, we have now integrated the Skyline Room for teens as well as the Sunshine Room for ages 3 and under at The Crossing. These rooms address the needs of each specific age group by including age-specific toys, activities and programs. This allows the children staying at The Crossing to not miss a beat in terms of development as they play and interact in these spaces.
Tutoring and After-School Programs
During the school year, we continue to build up the kids in the Youth Center through academic assistance, educational programs, and fun activities and incentives. From an academic standpoint, we offer 1-on-1 tutoring for added support, IEP (Individualized Education Program) referrals for special education and we engage in Mckinney-Vento training which was created to address the needs of students facing homelessness and to support families in transition.
We use online resources such as IXL and ALEKS to provide personalized educational tools and exercises that keep students on track and accountable with their learning. We also offer activities and outings like our book club, wooden car racing through our Pinewood Derby, trips to the Denver Zoo, and trips through In His Wakes which offers outreach through water sports!
Community Partnerships
One of our new partnerships with the Balfour Senior Center allows kids from the Youth Center to visit and read books with seniors in our community. Our other partnership with Young Americans Bank teaches our kids how to build savings through creating their very own savings accounts!
Through good behavior, school attendance, participation in programs, and volunteering kids in the Youth Center can also earn Character Coins to spend at the Youth Center’s E.P.I.C. Store which is filled with games, toys, crafts, electronics, and school supplies.
Learn more about how you can help stock the E.P.I.C. Store and become a sponsor today!
My kids have learned a lot during their time here. They learn finances, they learn different types of ways of interacting with other kids and they know there are people out there who are able to help them. I’m very thankful and grateful that I had the opportunity to be here and it’s been wonderful.
-Curtis, Bridge Program participant
You can read more about Curtis and his family’s experience at The Crossing in our Changing Lives Newsletter: A Brighter Future.
The Two-Generation Model
A new concept that shapes how we interact with our families at The Crossing is the Two-Generation Model. This is a future focused approach that prepares kids and their caregivers for a legacy of educational success and economic prosperity that passes from one generation to the next. The resources we provide are in collaboration with Ascend at the Aspen Institute and the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Graphics provided by Ascend at the Aspen Institute: Ascend.AspenInstitute.org/2Gen-Approach/
The approaches can be child-focused, child-focused with parent and caregiver elements, parent and caregiver-focused with child elements, adult-focused, or directed towards the whole family. These resources then range from early childhood development to family literacy with health screenings to workforce programs offering childcare referrals to food and nutrition support to many more skills. These are then based around six key components that address different areas of life:
1. Early Childhood Education
2. K-12
3. Postsecondary & Employment Pathways
(community college, training and credentials, workforce partnerships, employer partnerships)
4. Social Capital
(peer and family networks, coaching, cohort strategies)
5. Health, Including Mental Health
(mental/physical/behavioral health, coverage and access to care, adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress)
6. Economic Assets
(asset building, housing and public supports, financial capacity, transportation
We are working on incorporating research-based practices into our programming and family interventions. Our focus will adjust from a ‘respite’ approach to one where the family is striving towards stability as a unit—no longer focused on one part (parents or children) but the family as a whole. Combatting generational poverty is something we’re setting our sights on, and the new programming is a start towards this goal.
-MC Crawford, Children, Youth and Family Manager
Our goal is to build up families and give them the confidence through these resources and tools to succeed in the future far beyond our services. Through meeting the needs of the youth at The Crossing alongside their caregivers, we work to break the cycle of generational homelessness and give hope for brighter futures!
Ready to Get Involved?
Your support changes lives! If you’re ready to be a part of the change in the Youth Center sign up to volunteer or donate today!
