Beacon/LEAP Neighborhood Centers
What?	Beacon/LEAP Neighborhood Centers provide services for many families in the Southwest Denver area:
	Last Year Beacon Neighborhood Centers served more than 1000 youth. Sites operated during the critical hours after school, evenings, special weekends and school holidays. In addition to the regular school year, a 4 week summer program served more than 200 youth. 160 Adults attended ESL and GED classes in the mornings and evenings at four different sites.
How?	Beacon/LEAP Neighborhood Centers utilize different proven techniques to support academic, social and emotional development of all youth:
	The Centers use a Youth Development Framework emphasizing a broad array of enrichment opportunities, relationship building, opportunities for skill-building and mastery, strong professional development and history of experienced management. As a result our programs rely on a broad range of programming to meet the many needs of youth. The Centers promote a positive experience through the use of The 40 Developmental Assets. Identifying and supporting key developmental factors helps youth become healthy, caring and responsible adults.   The Centers support academic achievement through alignment with day school practices and techniques. Examples include use of Inquiry-based Learning, Everyday Math and Connected Math components and scientifically research based curricula built around the five strands of literacy (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension).
Who?	Beacon/LEAP Neighborhood Centers rely on the expertise of highly trained staff and highly respected, professional partners:
	Since 1998, the Beacon Neighborhood Centers have worked directly with The Denver Public Schools to establish quality evaluation techniques and peer reviews raise funds and promote sustainability of Centers and disseminate best-practices for youth serving organizations. Beacon Neighborhood Centers have contributed and gained from participation in city-wide partnerships and ground-breaking committees including the Denver Quality After School Committee, The Colorado After School Network and The Youth Crime Watch of America. The Beacon Neighborhood Centers work with many partners to ensure that programming reflects expert knowledge. Partners include, The Department of Extended Learning at DPS, The Mayor’s Office of Education and Children, The Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, The Colorado Department of Education, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Share Our Strength, Snowboard Outreach Society, Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., Art Street, Art Reach and the many committed teachers of The Denver Public Schools.
Why?	Beacon/LEAP Neighborhood Centers are successful:
	As confirmed by the Federal Departments of Justice and Education, After School Programs provide a safe haven for youth during the critical hours before parents finish work.  A research project in 2001 with the University of Denver highlighted the strength of the Denver-based Beacon model in building strong relationships with youth. An on-going evaluation project conducted in partnership with other DPS school district programs has demonstrated a strong correlation with grades, attendance, test scores and behavioral outcomes. The evaluation project includes numerous schools throughout DPS and is entering its fourth year. It is believed that the more years youth participate in our programs, the stronger these factors will improve. Through promotion of special events, classes and partnerships, Centers consistently improve connections with parents and school community.
Beacons is open Monday through Friday from 2:45PM to 6:00PM. The Centers follows all Denver Public School guidelines for holidays and open days of operation. If you have questions, or would like additional information, please contact Program Manager Meredith Hayes at 303-742-0823 x.486 or mhayes@ccdenver.org.