In partnership with the Denver Public Schools Foundation, the Denver Public Schools AmeriCorps Urban Education Service Corps took on the DPS core values of FUN and COLLABORATION in deciding to run for the DPS Foundation team in the Colfax Marathon. “The DPS Foundation is such an important partner to us, we wanted to do something to help support their work,” says Jason Newcomer, AmeriCorps Math Fellows Coordinator.
Runners for the DPS Foundation team are going the extra mile to help students by using their run to raise money in support of Denver Public Schools through the DPS Foundation. Each runner has a minimum fundraising goal of $200, while many like the AmeriCorps team are choosing to raise more!
AmeriCorps Urban Education Service Corps is part of DPS’ Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE). Through the Urban Education Service Corps, Power Lunch Reading Program, AmeriCorps Math Fellows, Community Engagement Specialists, and the Mile High United Way Center for Family Opportunity, FACE serves over 12,000 DPS students and family members annually. The AmeriCorps team, made up of just over 100 participants, wanted to do a little something extra to help support the work they do on a daily basis. AmeriCorps members serve full time (including many weekends), for one year, to help DPS serve 88,000 students and their families across Denver.
“By running on the DPS Foundation team, our AmeriCorps members get to understand and see the full fundraising cycle – from making the ask, to seeing the students and families benefit from the funding,” says Jason. Fundraising is an important tool to have in your toolbox, especially if joining the nonprofit sector, like many members do.
The FACE team has rallied together, supporting each other along the journey as they train for race day. They have created training systems for each of their teams. This includes coordinated runs, sessions on healthy habits, teambuilding exercises, and perhaps the most fun ‘race day attire shopping’ at local thrift stores. Some have even created a blog to document their experience week by week.
“Our team really took off with this project! Participating in the Colfax Marathon might be scary, but we realize the impact it will make on our students,” says Lauren McClanahan, Manager of Program Services, FACE.
The DPS Foundation gives a very special thanks to the FACE team and all of our runners for dedicating themselves to running for DPS students! With your support:
- DPS has the highest rate of academic growth among Colorado’s 12 largest school districts for the second consecutive year.
- In six years, DPS’ on-time graduation rate has risen by over 20 percentage points, while dropout rates have been cut in half.
- DPS is the fastest growing urban school district in America and the largest school district in Colorado. Enrollment has grown by more than 20 percent in the past six years. The community trusts our school system and is choosing DPS as a destination for educating its children.
To learn more about how you can become a runner on the DPS Foundation team for the Colfax Marathon visit, www.dpsfoundation.org/marathon. You can also make a donation in support of any of the runners here.
Please also note that FACE is now recruiting next year’s team of AmeriCorps members; learn more and apply here.”