January 2018 – Erin Medina, Program Manager for the Mile High United Way Bridging the Gap (BTG) program, has been appointed to the Tony Grampsas Youth Services Board by Governor John W. Hickenlooper. “The Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS) Program is a statutory program providing funding to local organizations for prevention, intervention, and education programs for children, youth, and their families designed to prevent youth crime and violence, youth marijuana use, and child abuse and neglect,” according to the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Erin Medina oversees the Mile High United Way BTG program which connects youth who have aged out of the child welfare system with much needed resources, including housing, education resources and an Independent Living Coach, who help each youth navigate the resources they need to thrive.
Erin has over 17 years of experience working with children and families in the human services field. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Colorado State University. She is licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in the state of Colorado. Erin worked for the Department of Human Services as a Child Protection Caseworker for eight years before joining Mile High United Way.
“We are incredibly proud to have Erin on our team and inspired by the work she does to educate our community on the foster youth population. She is a fierce advocate for those who need a voice. The Mile High United Way Bridging the Gap program and our state is extremely lucky to have her expertise,” said Christine Benero, President and CEO of Mile High United Way.
Youth exiting the child welfare system are among the most vulnerable people in Metro Denver. Hundreds of new 18-year-olds leave the child welfare system each year. Nationally, one in five will become homeless after age 18, and only about two in five will be employed by age 24.
By providing safe and stable housing, independent living coaches, financial skills training, and connections to community resources, Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap helped nearly 130 youth find their path to education, work and stability last year.
