Current Community Projects

Changing Lives Through Literacy

Read · Learn · Grow

Background

In February 2012, during Colorado Literacy week, the Junior League of Denver (JLD) announced a new community focus, literacy. Historically, the JLD (founded in 1918) has responded to help meet the greatest needs in the Denver metro community.

We are currently in the process of researching how we can make the greatest impact in the Denver metro area. See below for a list of our current programs, including our highly successful Read2Kids program.

Focus Statement

The Junior League of Denver strives to change lives through literacy in the Denver metro area by providing the tools for a better future.

A few startling literacy statistics:

• Children in poverty hear 30 million fewer words before they reach kindergarten than their wealthier peers.

• Approximately 30% of Colorado third graders are not reading at grade level, about 17,000 kids. 3rd grade reading is a critical launch point for academic achievement and success.Students who are not reading proficiently in the early grades typically do not catch up as they transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”.

• 75% of children entering fourth grade reading below grade level never catch up, putting these students in danger of failing to graduate from high school.Nationally, a student drops out of school every nine seconds.

• Students that don’t graduate high school are more likely to experience periods of unemployment, incarceration, and dependence on expensive public services than their peers that do graduate.

**Statistics taken from Mile High United Way literacy research.

2012-2013 JLD Community Programs

• Done in a Day - providing volunteers and making a difference for organizations across the Denver metro area.

• The Gathering Place - the JLD is partnering with The Gathering Place to expand and improve the current nutrition program. Volunteers also donate time at the Food Bank of the Rockies under a reciprocal arrangement between the two organizations.

• Kids Connect - educating and nurturing families with children through literacy.

• Kids in the Kitchen - fighting childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating habits and lifestyles.

• Read2Kids - promoting literacy through parental and caregiver involvement.