10 years ago, YouthRoots started in Denver, CO with 1 YouthBoard of 15 students. This month, YouthRoots officially entered its 10th year of programming, and of course kicked off with a bang! From 1 YouthBoard to 10, this is our biggest year yet. 176 students are working in teams towards an exciting year of building leadership skills, using their strengths and passions, and making real change in their communities.

In addition to the 8 established YouthBoards, YouthRoots launched a brand new board in Summit County, CO in partnership with the Summit Foundation, bringing our program to the Rocky Mountains. In addition, we launched a completely new in-school program at PREP Academy in Denver, supporting students and schools to have a wider community impact beyond the walls of their classroom.

Boards have already had their first couple of meetings and have learned what philanthropy means, how it’s an effective tool for community change, and how, as a team, they will come together to make decisions and tackle the biggest issues facing children and youth in their  communities. We’re so excited to see what this year has in store for YouthRoots, our participants, and their communities.