SVP Denver’s 2007-2008 Grantees

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING FOR KIDS (ELK)

http://www.elkkids.org
The formation of ELK arose from the realization of the necessity for positive action, encouragement, and support to develop responsible values and behavior in today's youth. The ELK staff has over 18 years of combined working experience with urban youth. The students must make a yearlong commitment to participate in the program as a volunteer. Students who have been involved for one year and exhibit enthusiasm and leadership are invited to become a youth mentor in order to provide peer support to new and continuing students. This active participation will help these young people to realize their place in the community and the surrounding environment.

OPENWORLD LEARNING (OWL)

http://www.openworldlearning.org/
OWL’s mission is to impact children’s school success by tapping the power of digital technology and peer teaching to ignite learning after school, during summer hours and at home. As a new educational model that takes advantage of school computer labs during non-school hours, OWL seeks to teach students the core skills of the information age using art, animation, multi-media presentation, and computer programming. At the same time, students can earn a computer for home use. Monday through Thursday, OWL teachers and volunteers are inspiring and engaging students in fun and challenging learning environments.

PLATTEFORUM

http://www.platteforum.org/
PlatteForum is an innovative art center in downtown Denver that introduces underserved youth to the world of art. The program gives small groups of underserved youth a chance to participate in intensive workshops Learning Labs led by master artists Creative Residents. Each creative endeavor culminates in the completion of a finished work that is presented to the public in exhibitions and performances, complete with an opening reception at PlatteForum. Throughout the process, the public is invited to drop in and watch the work take form. The PlatteForum approach, pairing youth learning labs with a creative residency program, makes a unique and valuable contribution to the city's cultural discourse while fostering personal growth. PlatteForum was founded in the autumn of 2002 as a response to the critical need for education in the arts for public schools and at-risk youth.

YOUNG PHILANTHROPISTS FOUNDATION (YPF)

http://www.ypfoundation.org
The Young Philanthropists Foundation (YPF) is dedicated to engaging youth in philanthropy by creating opportunities for kids and families to give back to their community. The organization believes that philanthropy is anything you do to make the world a better place, and base their programming on a simple philosophy: if you give kids the opportunity to make a difference now, they will continue to make a difference the rest of their lives.

9News YPF's Penny Harvest Coverage from Thursday, December 20, 2007