YEA helps young adults thrive by providing opportunities for empowerment, wellbeing and self-sufficiency. They accomplish this through innovative programing in education, arts and technology, and employment training at their social enterprises. In partnership with SOC, YEA staff identifies individual kids in need of specific goods and services.  

A mother of two, formerly a student with YEA’s Arts Street program, was struggling. Complex medical conditions in the family were leaving this college educated, formerly independent woman feeling stranded and hopeless. Her car was unusable because of expired insurance. Health issues made it impossible for her to rely on public transportation for the many necessary school and medical appointments. SOC purchased a six-month auto insurance policy and paid the registration fees. This allowed her to access essential help for herself and her children. 

Within the following year, the eldest child graduated high school and is now very excited about following a career path in the medical field. The younger sibling has found consistency and stability in his various therapies. The kids’ mother found support for her medical conditions and has been teaching, sharing her artwork, and is able to keep up with her living expenses.

Two separate families of young people were on their own, with no parental assistance. Due to traumas within their families, these youths were finding their own way, maintaining their independence, and working toward future goals, which included completing school and for one, raising her infant with the child’s father while continuing to work as a CNA. Both families needed one-time rent assistance and gift cards to purchase food and household necessities. SOC received these cards of appreciation from the two families:

Thank you card made by teen-aged sisters who are raising themselves and their two younger siblings.

Thank you card made by teen-aged sisters who are raising themselves and their two younger siblings.

RMIAN is a Colorado Legal Assistance Organization, providing pro bono services to people experiencing immigration-related issues. For the past five years, SOC has partnered with RMIAN to assist almost seventy children and young people who have had to leave their home countries by themselves or with family members. Nearly all were victims of physical or sexual abuse, gang violence, human trafficking, or other traumas and each has patiently worked their way through the legal US immigration system, doing everything they possibly can to live productive and meaningful lives in the U.S.

A teenage mother from Honduras was working multiple jobs to help support herself, her child, and other young family members. They were forced to leave their home country because of violent persecution. After eight years in the US, they were finally eligible to apply for green cards.

A young boy and his mother fled their home country of Honduras due to violence. They both required medical exams for their Permanent Residency applications. The mother only had funds to pay her own exam fee. SOC covered what was due for the boy.

Translating for his mother: We were in a really difficult situation. Thank you for everything. Thank you so much, God bless you.

SOC provided one-time rent assistance to a family with two small children (aged 4 and 7) when they suddenly faced eviction after the father was wrongly detained in an ICE sweep and forced to self-deport or risk being sent to an unknown location for an unknown period of time. With both parents employed, each working when the other wasn’t, they could care for their kids - but with one of them removed, a crisis loomed and the mother lost her job.

She quickly pivoted to baking cakes and other goods to keep the family afloat. Supporters of Children stepped in to assist with the family’s overdue rent, but they were made to find a new apartment. SOC covered the family’s first month’s rent plus deposit ($1750) to keep the children in safe housing while the mother regained her equilibrium and was then able to continue protecting and providing for her children. 

A Family Justice Center, provides comprehensive legal, emotional, and critical supportive services for survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, child abuse, abuse of at-risk individuals, elder abuse, and human trafficking.

Recently, two families in our community found themselves in urgent need of support. Both households, led by mothers of teen-aged children, were suddenly on their own after leaving abusive partners. With five youth between them, each family was facing complete financial instability.

One mother lost her job after only a few months, while the other was abruptly cut off from all family accounts. With the school year just beginning and basic needs going unmet, immediate assistance was critical.

Thanks to the swift response from Supporters of Children (SOC), both families received the help they needed within days. SOC provided $300 in gift cards for school supplies, ensuring the teens could start the year prepared. One family was given $400 in food support, while the other received a $200 gift card for essential winter clothing and an additional $300 for groceries.

All items were delivered directly to PorchLight, helping lighten the burden for two families in crisis.

SOC facilitated a donation from acclaimed illustrator and painter, Hadley Hooper, of nine books featuring her distinctly creative and engaging illustrations.

Thank you letters from JCOS students.

Thank you letters from JCOS students.

The books were gifted to an Early Learning Center classroom (grades 1-3) at JCOS and are mostly non-fiction, with subjects such as the history of the Girl Scouts, why Matisse became an artist, and how women fought for the right to vote.

Camp To Belong used contributions from Supporters of Children to provide transportation, lodging, meals, and activities at summer camp that brings together siblings, separated by foster programs, who have never met.

SOC bought $2,200 worth of computer, printer, scanner and digital camera equipment and $11,000 worth of recording equipment for The Spot, an inner city drop-in center for youth in Denver.

SOC purchased multimedia technology equipment for Shaka’s Place, which gave children and youth the opportunity to learn skills from basic computer to professional multi-media applications, up to producing, directing, or performing in their own projects in the production studios. The objective was to help develop positive self-esteem, encourage positive mental health, and prevent teen suicide.

To assist child and teen survivors of violence, Project PAVE provides innovative, evidence-based, culturally responsive mental health services, counseling and other supportive services. SOC funded transportation and therapy sessions for some of the organization’s participants.

Voices for Children trains volunteer advocates to work on behalf of neglected young children in Boulder County. SOC contributed to the direct costs of services for some of the children in need.

SOC paid for a custom walker to be made and delivered to a young girl who needed 24/7 nursing care due to complex medical conditions. She was in desperate need of additional treatment for her life threatening, progressive scoliosis. SOC facilitated getting a medical record summary from experts at Lynxcare, compelling specialists in Texas to perform a surgery that allowed the child to live a full life.

Moriah and her brother.

Supporters of Children funded a ski trip for at-risk youth assisted by this well-established organization that helps kids through fostering one-on-one relationships.

A family requested a specialized wheelchair bicycle to allow their disabled son to enjoy family time out of doors. SOC ordered the “Duet” for the little boy who, tragically, did not survive childhood. The bike was later given to a 13-year-old girl with multiple disabilities, including limited gross motor skills, whose family used it for decades.

SOC purchased a keyboard and amp for a talented young high school music student.

SOC sponsored two cabins for a week at Gates Camp, run by Boys and Girls Clubs, giving inner-city Denver kids an experience in nature.

Supporters of Children purchased sports equipment and summer program scholarships for youth.

Babies and their parents at the center were able to enjoy bonded time together through the glider rocker Supporters of Children purchased and delivered.

Adams Camp: Physical therapy equipment

Anchor Center for Blind Children: Comfort furniture for families with infants at the center

Angels Unaware: Support for children living with or affected by HIV/AIDS 

Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Metro Denver: Summer camp tuition

Camp to Belong: Transportation, lodging and summer camp sponsorship for youth in the foster care system to reunite with their siblings 

CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation): Video camera and wilderness equipment for experimental outdoor programs

The Challenge Foundation – Harrington Elementary School: Scholarship materials, books and supplies for at-risk and low income youth

Colorado Optometric Foundation - Vision Training Program: Eye movement tracking software and eyeglass frames 

The Conflict Center: Food, toiletries, work boots, bus tokens and more

Denver Partners: Equipment rentals and lift tickets for group ski trip

Denver Sports: Sports equipment and summer athletic camp scholarships

The Denver Victims Center: Goods and services for youth suffering abuse

For Such a Time as This/Jefferson High School: Long sleeve shirts for homeless and “at risk” high school students

The Gathering Place: Holiday gifts and infant supplies

Helping Youth Help Themselves: Ski trip for at-risk youth

Inter-Faith Community Services: Warm coats and socks for inadequately housed children

Lynx Collaborative Care Network in collaboration with Family Voices of Colorado, Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program, Rocky Mountain Youth: Comprehensive Health Summaries to assist with treatments of individual youth suffering from severe scoliosis and other life-threatening conditions

Metro CareRing: Facilitate delivery of donated orange juice and milk to homeless locations in Denver Metro area

Mile High Down Syndrome Association: Baby gift bags program; information and support to new and expectant parents; social event for children with Down syndrome and their siblings; supplies for annual “Buddy Walk”

Project PAVE (Promoting Alternatives to Violence Through Education): Scholarships and video equipment for behavioral counseling; provided bus/taxi fare for youth to get to counseling and group sessions

Shaka Franklin Foundation for Youth: Serving youth at risk of suicide and mental health crises; computers, sound and video equipment for Youth Technology Center

Starlight Foundation: Computer entertainment “Fun Center” on pediatric floors at Denver Health Medical Center and Hospital

The SPOT (now Urban Peak): Computer, scanner, printer and digital camera 

UMC Community Foundation/Exempla Hospital Hospice: Grief support through The Dragon Fly Program; arts and crafts materials, books and journals for Treasure Box activities

Voices for Children: Services for youth in the court system