On Tuesday April 19th AYO celebrated all of our amazing volunteers at our Volunteer Recognition Event. We heard speakers from our mentor program, listened to some of the successes of our homework help and tutoring program, and had some amazing food! It was an honor to be able to thank each vounteer indiviudally. What an impact they are making in the lives of our youth! Stay tuned for more pictures to come.
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March 15, 2016
Aurora Youth Options was honored to present at the National Mentoring Summit this past January in Washington D.C. AYO presented with Denver Urban Scholars and Goodwill Industries of Denver to reflect on their collaboration during the Mentor Enhancement Demonstration Project (MEDP). The presentation focused on how to create a framework that supports diverse programmatic structures, provides a platform for open and clear communication, and overall fosters a positive collaboration. There were over 900 participants at the Mentoring Summit, all of whom are committed to the mission of mentoring for today’s youth. Overall the summit was a great success and AYO was honored to be a part of it!
March 07, 2016
AYO is supporting a new program called TAY (Transition Age Youth). This program was developed to help transition teens and young adults from child and family programs into adult programs. The primary age range for this program is 16-24. TAY has partnered with Aurora Strong Reilience Center (1298 Peoria St.) to offer a drop-in night every Tuesday from 4-7pm; TAY is located in the same building as AYO. The drop-in night provides a safe space for young adults to come and make new friends, participate in one-on-one support, learn healthy living skills, engage in arts/crafts/music/writing/poetry, as well fitness activities such as dancing/yoga/pool/ping-pong, and much more! If you are between 16-24, please come check out a TAY drop-in night! For questions, please call Kristyn Nassif, the TAY coordinator, at 303-923-2918.
February 01, 2016
In recognition of National Mentoring month, Aurora Youth Options sponsored a mentor Friendraiser Thursday January 21, 2016. The venue was Bar Louie in the Northfield shopping area, and AYO had a great turn out! Guests were treated to delicious food and appetizers, current mentor/mentee matches presented their stories, and guests were also treated to the “Sky is the Limit” song by local rap artist Tyrone Crawford.
December 16, 2015
On Tuesday December 8th, AYO hosted their second collaborative holiday party with other organizations in the Hoffman building, inviting all of the Aurroa community, as well as our homework help and tutoring program, mentors, mentees, and their families. With over 200 people in attendance, we gave away some awesome raffle prizes, were provided with lots of yummy food for the potluck, and watched as families got the opportunity to take a holiday picture from our photo booth and make crafts for their loved ones. What a great success!
October 05, 2015
On Saturday, October 3rd, many of AYO's mentors and mentees participated in our annual Extended Event- A Ropes Course Challenge by Choice. Both youth and adults stepped up to the challenges inherent in a high and low ropes course at West Pines Training Center in Wheat Ridge. Everyone had a role to play, whether it was cheerleading, belaying, or climbing, and matches were able to overcome some of their fears, working together to complete different obstacles throughout the day. Everyone left feeling rejuvenated in their relationships with each other, trust built, and confidence lifted.
August 27, 2015
AYO participated in Aurora's 1st Annual Peace March that was dedicated to promoting peace and community all over the city. Over 15 agencies and community members walked from Aurora Central High School, to Spencer Garrett Park to show their support for the community. The rest of the day was spent at the park where a resource fair was held for families, games were played between youth and members of the Aurora Police Department, and a new level of community was reached with the surrounding neighborhood.
August 10, 2015
AYO partnered with Health Consciousness LLC and the University of Colorado Anschutz and Wellness Center to provide 22 youth the Health Consciousness Ambassador Program. Youth attended a full day camp for four Thursdays in July learning about health and wellness and how to be leaders in their community. The program curriculum including: nutrition, cooking classes, fitness, mindfulness, stress prevention/management techniques, meditation, yoga, personality types, leadership, health careers and community resources. The youth graduated on July 27th with 40 people in attendance!
July 28, 2015
AYO set up a focus group for the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA). They ae working on calibrating an awareness campaign and curriculum, Friends Do Make A Difference, which is currently targeted to college students of Asian and Pacific Island decent to be used with a diverse population of High School students. To learn more about the campaign go to the NAAPIMHA website: http://naapimha.org/friends-do-make-a-difference/.
July 06, 2015
Congratulations to an AYO Mentor Program match! Israel, an AYO mentee was on the first place team at the Junior Achievement's Business Week. Ed Cleaver, his mentor, helped him prepare for the week.