You’ll see her featured soon on the back of our 2010 Annual Report…Kim, a graduating senior at North High School, is a real example of a student who overcame incredible odds to achieve great success. Kim’s parents both passed away by the time she turned 13. Depressed and angry, she began to pull in and make poor decisions. She entered North High School with a 0.1 GPA.

When she decided to take the Colorado UpLift class, her life began to change. Her mentor, Monique, was able to encourage her, help her process the things she had been through and see life in a positive way. In a year, her grades were up to a 3.8. Monique nominated her for the Metropolitan Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award in 2009, which she won, and was chosen as a speaker at the Colorado UpLift celebratory banquet in 2010.

Now Kim will be the first in her family to graduate from high school, and has also been accepted at all six schools that received her application: University of Denver, University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Red Rocks Community College, Metropolitan State University and Community College of Denver. We just learned she was inducted into the National Honor Society at North High School and is in the running for several well-know scholarships, including the Daniels Fund Scholarship.

Kim is one of many students whose lives have been changed in a dramatic way due to Colorado UpLift influence. Help us congratulate Kim for her very deserved accomplishments!

Tuesday, Dec. 14 marked our first Open House for UpLift alumni at the UpLift office. Around 50 young people came to reconnect with staff members and each other, a great turnout for a first-time event. We hope this group will continue to grow, meet, network and give back. Check out our Facebook page for photos!

“Generations” was the theme of the Colorado UpLift banquet held on Thursday, September 30 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Around 500 guests wiped tears away after hearing stories from North High students David and Kim, who shared how UpLift impacted their lives. “UpLift came to my rescue,” David said, sharing how his UpLift mentor came to his home at night to get him through a struggle he was having. “Like the quote says – ‘When life tells you, ‘Give up’, hope whispers, ‘Try one more time’,” shared Kim. “But what I say is, when life tells you, ‘Give up’, Colorado UpLift whispers, ‘Try one more time.’” Especially inspiring were visionary words from founder Dr. Kent Hutcheson and his wife, Diane, and ten staff members and students who represented five generations of Colorado UpLift’s legacy. Staff member Vic Nellum and his student, Kuraan, were hilarious Masters of Ceremonies and staff member Mike Riley entertained guests by singing “Stand By Me” in the traditional way, followed by a hip-hop version from the UpLift students. A 28-item silent auction (28 items for 28 years) brought in additional fun, and presenting sponsor Mark Grosvenor from the Grosvenor Family Foundation allowed for a wonderful evening for everyone. Five generations of urban impact is helping make a big difference in Denver’s inner city, and Colorado UpLift is making sure these generations continue for the future.  Read the Denver Post article in “Lifestyles” at http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_16371454.