For 80 years, Denver Kids has walked alongside tens of thousands of students, through opportunities and challenges that varied dramatically for each cohort and each generation. In honor of our anniversary, we're sharing stories and highlights from each decade of our history.
Denver Kids, originally Denver Boys, Inc., was founded on September 6th, 1946, in a small office space at Cole Junior High School. In the midst of the destruction caused to families and communities in the wake of The Great Depression and World War II, Denver Boys was created to provide resources for students in Denver who needed extra support.
Cofounded by Rotary Club of Denver and Denver Public Schools, Denver Boys' core mission was to help young men graduate high school and gain employment. When fathers did not return from WWII, Denver Boys provided a pathway for boys to find employment to support their families. However, Denver Boys knew that jobs didn't just support students financially, they also gave students stability, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment. Though our vocabulary for discussing youth mental health and social-emotional skills has evolved greatly over our 80 year history, the importance of fostering these skills has always existed as a pillar of Denver Kids programming.
The 1940s also brought the beginning of our work in academic support and future planning as an essential basis for student growth. Denver Boys hosted their first Career Fair at Cole Junior High in 1947, giving students the opportunity to explore different pathways. These events, along with the everyday efforts of Denver Boys, provided more than 5,000 full and part time jobs to students.
Denver Boys also responded to the needs of the times during the tuberculosis crisis. Tuberculosis rates rose during the Great Depression as widespread malnutrition weakened immune systems. In response, Denver Boys expanded its role in the community by offering free chest X-rays to children and families throughout Denver to enable early detection and slow transmission, ultimately serving over 6,000 Colorado residents.
For Denver Kids, the 1940s brought new beginnings, the foundational need for academic and social-emotional support for student success, and the first example of Denver Kids responding to the needs of the times.
Be on the lookout each month as we highlight success stories of each decade!
Interested in learning more about Denver Kids history? Check our our 80 year timeline here: DenverKids.Org/80Years.
Help us commemorate 80 years of Denver Kids! Click this link below to set up a recurring $80 donation and join our Monthly Impact giving circle today!
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