Colorado Young Leaders

Fostering Understanding to Build Stronger Leaders? One of the most important aspects of?youth leadership?is fostering?understanding and empathy. This means?helping young people see complex issues from multiple perspectives so they can lead with?awareness, integrity, and impact. This month, our Colorado Young Leaders Youth Advisory Board had the opportunity to engage in a powerful conversation about housing insecurity and homelessness with CYL alum Lauren Hall. Through her work at Colorado Village Collaborative, The Gathering Place, and the Transgender Center of the Rockies, Lauren has firsthand experience supporting individuals facing housing instability. She helped our young leaders unpack common misconceptions, challenge biases, and gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to homelessness—from systemic barriers to personal circumstances beyond an individual’s control. For young leaders, this kind of real-world learning is essential. It’s not just about what they know—it’s about how they think, how they question, and how they lead with empathy. It is the ability to step into another’s reality, to listen deeply, and to seek solutions that work across differences that make leadership truly impactful. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying open, learning continuously, and showing up for others in meaningful ways. We are grateful for Lauren Hall’s leadership in our community and her investment in the next generation of changemakers! ?? How do you foster understanding and empathy in your leadership work? Drop your thoughts in the comments! #LeadershipDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #CYL #CommunityImpact

Empowered Leaders, Stronger Communities At Colorado Young Leaders, we believe leadership starts with understanding—and often, that understanding comes through service. Recently, six Young Leaders and a mentor partnered with Dress for Success Denver to help sort clothing that will empower women on their journey to economic independence. But this was about more than just organizing donations. Before diving in, the group reflected on how clothing isn’t just fabric—it’s self-expression, confidence, and opportunity. They discussed what it means to show up as your best self and how access to the right attire can shape a person’s future. In the process, they discovered that even within their own group, clothing helped bridge differences in language, culture, and experience. This is the kind of leadership our world needs—youth who see beyond the task in front of them and connect their actions to a greater impact. Through the CYL Leadership Journey, these students explored how small acts of service contribute to bigger systems of change. They saw firsthand how Dress for Success provides clothing, dignity, support, and opportunity. Leadership isn’t just about taking action; it’s about understanding why it matters. These Young Leaders are proving that when we lead with purpose and empathy, we create stronger, more inclusive communities. Grateful to Dress for Success Denver for their incredible work and for giving our Young Leaders the chance to be part of it! #LeadershipInAction #FutureLeaders #EmpowermentThroughService #DressForSuccess #YouthLeadership

We’re honored to receive the Community Trailblazer Award! The Community Trailblazer Award, presented by Community Resource Center, Colorado Nonprofit Association, and Philanthropy Colorado, recognizes outstanding achievements of organizations that exemplify this year’s theme of collaboration. It honors those who promote and lead innovative, grassroots social change in Colorado’s nonprofit sector. At Colorado Young Leaders, our mission has always been to empower the next generation of leaders through bold action, collaboration, and a shared commitment to strengthening communities. Today, we are humbled and proud to receive this award. Collaboration is at the heart of our work.?We want to express our gratitude to the organizations that have stood beside us, challenged us to do more, and amplified our impact:?YouthRoots,?Youth on Record,?Project PAVE,?the Tipi Raisers, the YES Coalition, CiviCO, the?Boettcher Foundation, the Beacon Fund, the Anschutz Foundation, the Adolph Coors Foundation, Latino Community Foundation of Colorado and? Wend Ventures, to name a few.? This award reminds us of the importance of our role in the nonprofit ecosystem, especially as we navigate challenges and headwinds. By working together, we create a stronger, more resilient fabric that connects and uplifts our communities. To everyone who has supported CYL along the way—our team, board members, valued donors, volunteers, and partners—thank you for believing in the power of youth leadership and collaboration. Together, we are building something extraordinary. #YouthLeadership #Collaboration #TrailblazerAward

Empowering Young Leaders: Join Us in Making an Impact This Colorado Gives Day At Colorado Young Leaders, we’re privileged to witness the incredible journeys of young leaders who inspire us every day. One story that stands out is Tristan’s—a story of resilience, authenticity, and transformation. When Tristan first joined CYL, he was navigating a challenging home environment and feeling lost about his future. But when he walked into his first CYL meeting, something remarkable happened. Tristan found a community that accepted him completely, just as he was. In his words, “I walked in and was immediately accepted for who I was. I was seen as a person, not the clothes I was wearing.” This acceptance gave Tristan the courage to focus on making an impact. Alongside his peers, he worked on a project to create 500 care packages for new immigrants in Denver—a tangible act of compassion and leadership. Through CYL, Tristan discovered his potential to create meaningful change, not just in his community but in his own life. Reflecting on his experience, Tristan shared, “When CYL came around, I was broken… But with CYL, I was accepted. I was able to see what an impact I could have on the world. Now I want to find fulfillment and meaning—the dream!” As we reflect on the past 10 years of activating young leaders like Tristan, we know this work is only possible because of the generosity of our community. Your support fuels these transformations and helps young people discover their passion, purpose, and leadership potential. This Colorado Gives Day, we invite you to join us in empowering the next generation of compassionate, driven leaders. Together, we can continue to create stories of impact and possibility. ?? #ColoradoGivesDay #YouthLeadership #CYLImpact #SupportYouth Shawn Ouellet Angela Han Carlos E. Perez Obi Ezeadi Nicole Mahobian Kelly Condra https://lnkd.in/grtbvw-F

This past Saturday, we came together with families, students, and community members for CYL’s 2024 Family Volunteer Day—and what an incredible day it was! At Montbello Central Park, we joined forces with Denver Parks & Recreation to clean, beautify, and care for a space that brings people together. Together, we: - Gathered eight full trash bags, revitalizing the park. - Cleared 100 feet of invasive vines from fences around the baseball field—a project DPR has been hoping to tackle for years. - Made the park a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming space for everyone in the community. But the impact didn’t stop there. Family Volunteer Day wasn’t just about the tasks we completed but about the connections we built. Students from multiple schools and neighborhoods came together, forming new friendships, learning from one another, and discovering what’s possible when we work as a team. We also dove into an important leadership lesson, exploring the difference between prescribing solutions and truly listening to community needs. The result? It was a collaborative day of service that was as much about growth and learning as it was about impact. At CYL, we’re all about empowering young leaders to take action, foster connections, and make a meaningful difference in their communities. Family Volunteer Day reminded us that when we work together, we can create spaces—not just physical but emotional and social—that invite belonging, joy, and togetherness. Here’s to stronger parks, vibrant communities, and the next generation of leaders paving the way. #CYLLeads #FamilyVolunteerDay #CommunityLeadership #YouthImpact #BuildingConnections

At Colorado Young Leaders, we were honored to take part in the Brighton Image Summit, engaging with over 200 middle and high school students from across Colorado in meaningful discussions on advocacy and community change. This powerful youth leadership conference inspires young people to use their voices, connect with government leaders, and actively shape the future of their communities. Through our workshop on "Being an Advocate for Change," students explored how to ask impactful questions and engage local leaders to envision meaningful progress. We challenged them to do a virtual walk of their communities, identifying challenges and opportunities for change—an exercise that encouraged them to see their surroundings through a lens of potential impact. The young people we met were curious, courageous, and eager to be part of moving their communities forward. This experience reminds us of the hope, promise, and potential of our young people. It also reinforces the importance of collaboration across the youth development ecosystem. Together with the City of Brighton and other partners, we’re committed to expanding opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and create lasting impact. Shout out to The Apprentice Of Peace Youth Organization for an impactful mindfulness session and to Jessie Clark Funk for inspiring the youth to bring kindness into their leadership. Thank you to the City of Brighton for organizing such an inspiring event! Let’s keep working together to build pathways for youth to lead positive change. #YouthLeadership #CommunityChange #BrightonImageSummit #ColoradoYoungLeaders #YouthDevelopment #StrongerTogether

Last Friday, we wrapped up CYL’s 4th annual Think Like a Genius? Challenge with amazing presentations from our teams at Project PAVE, Denver Public Schools Launch Internship Program, and the Broncos Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. We kicked off the day with an inspiring talk from Attorney General Phil Weiser (Colorado Attorney General's Office) about youth mental health initiatives. Our conversation with him about youth collaboration with adults and legislation was truly empowering, igniting ideas for meaningful actions to enhance our communities. He emphasized the crucial role of youth in driving solutions to improve lives and make a positive impact. The real highlight was hearing our incredible youth present their TLG Solution ideas! They challenged existing systems and reinvented initiatives to tackle mental health challenges in their communities. From developing community art events to confront generational trauma to youth-led safe spaces for deep, authentic conversations and innovative websites sharing therapeutic games and resources—each team wowed us with their innovative, community-focused, and sustainable actions. With the support of our fantastic community mentors and leaders in youth empowerment and mental health, our young changemakers left feeling empowered and excited to make a difference. Because when you think like a genius, the future is bright! Thank you to our mentors, sponsors, and grant partners:?Youth Roots, Second Wind Fund,?MegaStar Financial Corp.,?Canvas Credit Union,?Rogers Behavioral Health,?BKV Corporation,?City and County of Denver?Human Services Youth Empowerment Program, The Beacon Foundation,?ANSCHUTZ FOUNDATION,?Boettcher Foundation, and Adolph Coors Foundation Your support makes it possible to empower young leaders who build thriving communities!

??? New Episode Alert! ??? We're excited to announce the release of part 2 of our Generation Collaboration podcast series featuring an enlightening conversation with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser! In this episode, hosts Litzy Vasquez & Emanuel Morales dive deep into critical topics with the AG, including: TikTok First Amendment rights Mental health Immigration These discussions are crucial for understanding how these issues impact the next generation of Coloradans. Attorney General Weiser emphasizes the importance of hope, especially for our youth, in navigating these complex challenges. Missed Part 1? Don't worry! In the first part, we covered media literacy, artificial intelligence, regulatory agencies, privacy laws, and more. Generation Collaboration is a youth-led podcast focusing on stories of leadership and change throughout Colorado. Our hosts, Litzy and Emanuel, are local high school students passionate about storytelling and learning from their community. In each episode, they connect with local leaders and youth to discuss social and cultural themes through an intergenerational lens. Generation Collaboration is produced in partnership with Colorado Young Leaders and Youth on Record, with support from CiviCO. ?? Listen to Episodes of Generation Collaboration Let's empower our youth with knowledge and hope! #ColoradoYoungLeaders #YouthLeadership #MentalHealth #FirstAmendment #Immigration #Hope #AttorneyGeneral #PhilWeiser #Podcast #EmpowerYouth https://lnkd.in/g7bvCQNt