Denver—On Wednesday, July 13, Denver African American Philanthropists (DAAP) presented one of two grants to community organizations that serve African American members of the Metro Denver community. DAAP awarded $3,000 to the Black Child Development Institute-Denver Affiliate to support the first Literacy Bootcamp for African American Young Males, which took place on three consecutive Wednesdays during the month of July and is designed to inspire and uplift reading among 75 boys between the ages of three and eight.
Denver African American Philanthropists present $3000.00 grant to National Black Child Development Institute-Denver Affiliate led by their President, Cassandra Johnson.
DAAP Members with other reading mentors and Literacy Bootcamp participants.
Earlier this July DAAP awarded $2,500 to Second Chance Center, Incorporated, which connects formerly incarcerated men and women and helps them get established with resources to rebuild their lives. The presentation took place at the annual Second Chance Center Barbecue, which included a talent show for their program participants. The DAAP grant will be used to expand access to the center's mentoring program. DAAP will also present a workshop during the center's annual conference.
Denver African American Philanthropists present $2500.00 grant to Second Chance Center, Incorporated led by Executive Director, Hassan Latif .
"Our grant focus in 2016 is to address systemic issues that disproportionately impact African American males,” said DAAP Chairman Javon Brame. “We know that education, specifically literacy, can lead a young black child to greater success in their lifetime. We also know that many of the young black children that do not have access to programs like these have a higher likelihood to be incarcerated. Our grants come full circle this year in an attempt to contribute to the dismantling of the school-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately impacts African American men in Colorado and the United States. The work that BCDI-Denver and Second Chance Center, Incorporated are doing could not be more relevant to the current state of our community and the country".
DAAP encourages other members of the community to join forces with these organization to create the change our community wants and so desperately needs. DAAP salutes the work of BCDI-Denver and Second Chance Center, Incorporated.
About Black Child Development Institute-Denver
One of 20 affiliates across the United States, the Black Child Development Institute-Denver engages leaders, policymakers, professionals, and parents around critical and timely issues that directly impact Black children and their families. We are a trusted partner in delivering culturally relevant resources that respond to the unique strengths and needs of Black children around issues including early childhood education, health, child welfare, literacy, and family engagement. We are committed to our mission “to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy.”
About Second Chance Center, Incorporated:
Mentoring is central to the way Second Chance Center (SCC) helps formerly incarcerated men and women gain a new vision of possibility for their lives and provides emotional and psychological and sometimes fiscal support as they make the difficult transition to lives of success and fulfillment. Through our own work, and in partnership with more than a dozen other community agencies, SCC helps clients access a range of tangible resources that help them build new living patterns. These include remedial and advanced education, specific vocational training leading to jobs and certifications, employment referrals, career guidance, financial literacy, family reunification, addiction recovery, and mental health services. These tangible resources are very important but the heart of SCC programming is more personal and dynamic, focused on helping clients enter into a new way of being and living in the world.