Developing Tomorrow's Talent

When youth graduate from high school they are better positioned to go on to post-secondary education or enter the workforce.

The right support, training, and education can change the direction of a young person's life.

By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the U.S. will require post-secondary education or training beyond high school.¹ Just having a high school diploma can lead to better health outcomes, increased life expectancy, and increased lifetime earnings. ²

The Hard Truth

79%

For the 2016-2017 school year, 79 percent of Colorado students graduated on time.¹

22

Only 22 out of every 100 students who graduate high school in Colorado go on to attain a post-secondary education.²

$31,515

Median annual earnings for a high school graduate, compared to $25,649 for those without a high school diploma.³

71%

The graduation rate for Hispanic/Latino students is 71% and 72% for Black/African American vs. 84% for White students.⁴

1. Colorado Department of Education, 2016-2017 school year

2. Freudenberg, N. & Ruglis J. and the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

3. Freudenberg, N. & Ruglis J. and the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

4. Colorado Department of Education, 2016-2017 school year

Creating Brighter Futures

Mile High United Way invests in programs and supports to ensure youth graduate from high school ready for post-secondary education or entry into the workforce. This may include providing tutoring, mentoring, social-emotional learning or other educational assistance.

How We Create Opportunity

2-1-1 Help Center

A free service connecting people to critical resources such as food, shelter, rental assistance, utility assistance, child care, and more.

Bridging the Gap

Connecting young adults leaving the child welfare system with personalized supportive services that guide them as they transition to adulthood.

Strategic Investment Grants

Through our investments, we supported programs, where 94% of students made academic progress in literacy skills.

See all our programs

Michaela is thriving with help from Bridging the Gap

"The only thing a young person wants is to know that someone is rooting for them.”

Alisha Rebuilds Her Life

"I want to be a great voice and advocate for those who need help creating a dream of their own.”

GeQwan Fights to Succeed

Mile High United Way's Bridging the Gap Program helped GeQwan make a better life for himself.

From Dream to Reality - Canaan's Path to Success

“I could not be more proud of my son,” Canaan’s father said. “The day he graduated, it felt like I was graduating.”

We need your help to ensure young people have the support they need to graduate high school prepared for work or college

Other Ways to support

Give

By giving to the Developing Tomorrow's Talent Fund today, you can help youth get through high school prepared for a lifetime of success.

Give Now

Volunteer

Volunteering can be a fun and deeply rewarding experience where you can make immediate and lasting change by improving lives and building a stronger community.

Join Us