Session 1: Children and Youth - January 9 to February 12

• Session Description: The Children and Youth session will consist of volunteer projects at a variety of nonprofits working to enhance and enrich the lives of young people in Denver. As a team, we will explore the many challenges children face while growing up, from homelessness, lack of adult role models, and broken families. We will learn how we can effect a positive change in the lives of Denver's children and youth.

• Opening at Metro Volunteers (required) - January 9, 5:30-7:30pm
  The team will meet each other for the first time and discuss TeamWorks and session details. Additionally, we will have a guest speaker from Denver's Youth Mentoring Collaborative to discuss the challenges our city's children and youth face. Dinner will be served.

• Bridge Project - January 15, 5:00-7:00pm
  The Bridge Project's mission is to provide educational opportunities for children living in Denver's public housing neighborhoods so they graduate from high school and attend college or learn a trade. Volunteers will assist the Bridge Project Staff in administering a special program for the middle school students. We will be volunteering a Bridge Project's Westwood site.

• Warren Village - January 22, 5:30-8:00pm
  Warren Village helps motivated low-income, single parents move from public assistance to self-sufficiency through subsidized housing, on-site childcare, counseling, and education or job training. Volunteers will provide evening childcare while parents attend life-skills classes. The remarkable and energetic children of Warren Village range in age from infants to pre-teens.

• The Spot - January 29, 6:00-9:00pm
  *Service project preceded by coffee gathering (optional, but highly encouraged)
  The Spot's mission is to help at-risk urban youth, have fun and mature into productive adults by providing a safe, supportive night-time environment that encourages respect, creativity, education, employment, and career and youth development. While at The Spot, volunteers will assist and participate in the nightly activity. This may be helping a young adult study for his/her GED, participating in a Women's or Men's group, or supporting another area of programming.

• Excelsior Youth Center - February 5, 6:00-8:00pm
  Excelsior Youth Center is a residential treatment program created in 1973, serving girls ages 11-18 with emotional and behavior difficulties. They are committed to the treatment and education of young females to enhance their successful reintegration into their families and their communities.  At Excelsior volunteers will work with a small group of girls and participate in a special after dinner activity.

• Closing at Metro Volunteers (required) - February 12, 5:30-7:00pm
  At this event the Team will reflect on the previous five weeks and celebrate our accomplishments. We will discuss what we have learned and how we can continue to take action to effect positive change. Dinner will be served.