News Release
Nov. 3, 2004
News Conference Thursday, Nov. 4 To Announce Distribution Of Nearly $1 Million To Benefit After-School Programs
What: Lights On After School!, a partnership of the Mayor's Office for Education and Children, Denver Public Schools Foundation and Mile High United Way, will announce grants totaling $955,000 to more than 75 elementary and middle schools in Denver Public Schools and agencies serving youth in the community.
Programs will offer a wide variety of arts, academics and athletics one to five days a week. Examples include: competitive after-school sports for more than 4,000 students, tutoring and homework help, math and technology instruction, nutrition education, choir, dance and other activities designed to offer students positive, safe learning environments between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m.
Speakers: John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor; Jerry Wartgow, DPS Superintendent; Steve Katich, DPS Foundation President; Michael Durkin, United Way President; and Ken Hulslander, Ashley Elementary School Principal
When: 1:30 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4
Where: Ashley Elementary School, 1914 Syracuse St., Denver
Why: Quality after-school programs lead to improved attitudes toward school, increased attendance and improved grades and test scores. An annual investment of $300 per youth for positive development activities is less expensive than the per-youth costs of juvenile incarceration at $47,400 or intervention costs at $4,540 when youth engage in high-risk behaviors.