Donate Toys and Games to Denver Rescue Mission's EPIC Store

Donating toys to kids in need in Denver couldn’t be easier, and at Denver Rescue Mission’s Youth Center, donated toys and games also help kids build character and learn about money management.

The Crossing is Denver Rescue Mission’s long-term housing facility, where individuals and families have a safe place to live while they work towards transitioning out of homelessness. All families enter through one of two services— the Emergency Family Shelter or the Bridge program — which are six- and 12-months long, respectively. Both allow struggling families to access the resources they need in order to ultimately move into long-term housing. 

The E.P.I.C. Store encourages good behavior in kids in our Youth Center by awarding toys and prizes provided by supporters like you.

While living at The Crossing, the Mission’s Youth Center—comprised of three, age-appropriate rooms—provides a safe place for the children of those families to grow and thrive. 

Experiencing homelessness as a child comes with its own set of unique challenges. That’s why Denver Rescue Mission’s Youth Center exists—to offer stability and support to children as they seek to overcome the challenges that accompany homelessness. Through after-school activities, tutoring, workshops, and Bible studies, the Youth Center staff and volunteers aim to help each child stay on a path of growth and improvement.

The Youth Center’s mission? To break the cycle of poverty by educating parents and children in five critical categories:

1. Economic assets
2. Health: mental, physical and spiritual
3. Early childhood education & K-12
4. Postsecondary & employment
5. Social capital

The E.P.I.C. Store Rewards Good Character

Inside the Youth Center, you’ll find the E.P.I.C. Store, which stands for Embolden, Practice and Implement Character. The Youth Center rewards each child for their hard-work, self-improvement and kindness to others through Character Coins when they demonstrate good behavior, school attendance, participating in tutoring, completing assignments, and volunteering.

The E.P.I.C. Store includes donated toys and games for kids to “purchase” using their Character Coins.

These Character Coins can later be used to purchase items out of the E.P.I.C Store, and they can earn additional Character Coins by displaying exemplary behavior in the areas of self-discipline, perseverance and cooperation.

• Self-discipline is when I can keep my hands and feet to myself and be respectful of the people and things in the Youth Center.
• Perseverance is shown when I stick with it and complete the tasks that have been assigned to me.
• Cooperation is when I work with others in the Youth Center to clean up, listen to tutors/staff and follow instructions.

A total of 15 coins can be earned (5 in each area) during our weekly programming. The coins can then be used to “buy” items in the store that they want. Youth can also choose to save their coins and wait until another time to shop and earn more coins. There are two times the store is open for youth, one for the littles (3-10 years of age), and then another time for the older youth (11-18 years of age).

Teaching Money Management for Kids

Children can either choose to spend their earnings on a variety of toys and school supplies or can choose to save for the following weeks.

According to the Council for Economic Education, “Only a third of U.S. states require high school students to take a personal finance class in order to graduate.”* This lack of education regarding healthy spending and saving habits or even building a simple budget can create greater financial distress later in life, which we often see in those who come to us for help. While adults in our programs also receive financial management education, their children learn similar concepts through the E.P.I.C. Store.

1) Shop, but not ‘till you drop!

The E.P.I.C. Store is only open for shopping once a week, which teaches the kids that it’s not necessary (or a good idea) to shop every day.

2) Saving makes the experience better

When kids save their Character Coins for one week, they earn more coins, teaching them the importance of saving and building interest.

3) Be responsible with your spending

If the kids’ accounts drop below five Character Coins, they can’t buy anything that week.

4) Keep track of your bank account

The kids can check their “receipts” so that they know what they’ve bought in the past and how many Character Coins they have left.

Your Gifts Help Homeless Youth Learn Financial Responsibility

Through teaching basic money management with the Character Coins and E.P.I.C. Store, the Youth Center is helping kids develop financial capability, which is knowing how to spend money wisely. According to Youth.gov, “Financial capability is an effective way to help youth, no matter the circumstances, avoid common financial vulnerabilities and build economic stability. Youth should be educated about finances early in life and at pivotal points in their development.”**

Items in the E.P.I.C. Store are also used as birthday gifts, given away at a monthly Birthday Bash. This allows kids in the Youth Center to feel special while eliminating additional stress on families at The Crossing to purchase birthday presents while they are trying to better manage their household finances as well. There is always excitement surrounding new items that are added to the store.

Whether it is deciding between buying the toy car or saving up for the bike, the E.P.I.C. Store is providing the opportunity for children to manage their “money” in a fun and creative way, while also recognizing them for their hard work throughout the year.

How to Sponsor

1. Sign up to be a sponsor!
2. You will receive an email confirmation with the E.P.I.C. Store Wish List to download or print for reference while shopping.
3. Purchase items from the Wish List for the E.P.I.C. Store. Please collect NEW items only. Donations of used items will not be accepted.
4. Print and attach the E.P.I.C. Store Wish List to your items. Circle or highlight purchased gifts on the list before you drop them off.
5. Drop off the items to the front desk at The Crossing (6090 Smith Road, Denver, CO 80216). The Crossing is open between 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Donate Toys, Games, and More For Kids In Need

Sponsor our Youth Center E.P.I.C. Store Today

1. Sign up to give toys, games and more below!
2. You will receive an email confirmation with the E.P.I.C. Store Wish List link.
3. Purchase items from the Wish List for the E.P.I.C. Store. (New items only. Donations of used items cannot be accepted.)
4. Purchased items will automatically be shipped to Denver Rescue Mission!

References:
* http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2018/10/21/how-to-teach-your-kids-about-money/?sh=7fecd15b73f6
** http://youth.gov/youth-topics/financial-capability-literacy