Michael Hickman: Power Lunch Volunteer and I Give for Team DPS Participant

Denver Public Schools has incredibly committed people who dedicate not only their work week to DPS students and families, but people who also are constantly thinking about what more they can do to help. DPS Deputy General Counsel Michael Hickman is one of those individuals who enjoys getting involved in as many ways as he can to give back to the school system that gave so much to him. As a DPS alumni himself, Michael believes it is crucial to give back in more ways than one so we can reach our vision of Every Child Succeeds. Michael is a mentor for a DPS student he’s been partnered to read with each week through Power Lunch, a strategic program where DPS staff and corporate pDSC_0062artners tutor first and second graders once a week to help improve students’ reading levels by third grade. To take his contributions a step further, Michael also chooses to give back financially by participating in the I Give for Team DPS employee giving campaign.

In Michael’s early years as a lawyer, he worked with truancy cases and found that often students were truant due to lack of opportunities. Often these children were more susceptible to trouble while unsupervised before and after school. These students were often choosing to engage in activities that weren’t as conducive to a bright future. With this knowledge, Michael made the decision to donate to the DPS Foundation’s after school programs because he feels strongly that this is a time of day that can matter greatly for kids. Students need a place to go and feel safe when the school day is over and parents are not yet home.

When Michael joined DPS, he learned that one of the big things parents worry about is what happens when they’re unable to supervise their kids. He feels that with such a large percentage of DPS students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, many kids could take advantage of the additional after school opportunities that DPS has to offer.

The DPS Foundation provides programs that give students a stimulating environment. Being able to give students after school opportunities such as reading, athletics, and the arts is valuable — not only educationally, but emotionally. Not all students have access to fun activities at home. Not all families are able to provide safe and stimulating activities for their kids to be a part of during their free time. Michael knows that giving back to programs funded by the Denver Public Schools Foundation helps more kids have the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom so they can grow to become effective leaders in the Denver community.

Become a part of the solution. There is still time to join Michael and hundreds of other educators who support I Give for Team DPS. Find out how you can donate today. It will make a difference.