January 2026 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
As we step into 2026, we are also stepping into a new chapter.
This is our first newsletter as Colorado LiftED Foundation, a name that reflects both who we have been at our core for nearly four decades and where we are headed next. While our name has evolved, our commitment has not: we remain deeply rooted in walking alongside youth and families with care, consistency, and belief in their potential.
This season is full of meaningful transitions. Our seniors are entering the final months of their high school journey, beginning to clarify their values and imagine what comes next. Younger Dreamers are returning from winter break with fresh energy, ready to learn and grow within a community that knows them well. Across all ages and programs, what continues to stand out is togetherness. Not as an idea, but as a daily practice.
You’ll see that spirit reflected throughout this newsletter: in mentorship across age groups, in community-based mental health care, and in the partnerships that make this work possible. LiftED speaks to what happens when young people are supported, challenged, and surrounded by people who show up again and again.
As Colorado LiftED Foundation, we move forward with clarity and momentum—honoring our past while building what’s next. Thank you for being part of this community and for helping ensure that young people don’t just dream, but are truly lifted - to their future, to their potential, and to the lives they imagine for themselves.
Onward & Upward,
Kaye Taavialma, President & CEO
Mission Moment
A glimpse into what we do and why we do it.
The Colorado LiftED Foundation Class of 2026 is stepping into the new year with energy and focus. Over the next five months leading up to graduation, seniors will set intentions for their first year after high school and take part in our spring internship experience.
This internship gives seniors the chance to mentor our 3rd–8th grade youth while also building their own skills through social-emotional learning and personal development. These experiences help them show up as steady mentors now and feel more prepared to navigate what comes next after graduation.
To kick things off, seniors took a deep dive into a personal values exercise at MSU Denver, led by CEO Kaye Taavialma. They identified their top five personal values and reflected on how those values connect with our foundation’s core values. Togetherness and passion were two values that came up again and again, and they reflected what seniors have experienced here over the last four years.
Moments like this remind us that togetherness isn’t just a value, it’s how young people grow. This is what our work is about: helping seniors leave high school with skills, relationships, and a clearer path forward.
As we move through 2026, we’re committed to creating experiences that keep building that sense of togetherness. With passion and strong community partnerships, we’re looking forward to connecting seniors to people, places, and opportunities that align with their goals.
Dreamers of the Month
A glimpse into what we do and why we do it.
We Not Me: Layla Harvey (4th Grade)
Layla does an amazing job participating in our afterschool program. You can see her participating in yoga or any of her favorite clubs on Club Days. She is creative and shows interest in a variety of activities. Layla always comes to the program with a smile on her face. She greets her instructors with respect and excitement. When Layla needs support she is great at advocating for herself. Layla has earned multiple field trips and participated in a high school seminar where she learned about financing. Layla is an amazing friend and is always willing to help her follow Dreamers with any task.
Whatever It Takes: Santiago Lejia (11th Grade)
Santiago came to us as an intern from his school- he ended up staying and joining our high school program. Since joining the program, Santiago has been an integral part of the cohort. He jumped right in, with no hesitation and zero excuses. He's advocated for himself and has made sure that his instructors know that he wants to be here at CDF. His willingness to learn, collaborate and adapt has shown every day as he walks through the door. Although quiet and introverted at times, Santiago has put himself in positions to have conversations with his new peers and has made everyone feel comfortable with his calm presence. Santiago is the best!
Updates
Afterschool Highlights
The new year invites reflection, and our youth program team embraced that opportunity at the start of the month. Their conversations were guided in part by readings from the Buck Institute, Higher Education Digest, and the National Academies Press, all of which helped surface potential 1% shifts in our youth programming. These small but meaningful adjustments are designed to align the goals we set in late November with the long‑term direction of our work, ensuring steady progress toward greater sustainability.
For our 3rd–8th graders, the return from winter break included a refreshed orientation to the afterschool program. This reset helped clarify expectations around attendance and introduced youth to upcoming events and field trips—including a baking and cooking class led by our very own 12th graders.
Speaking of the class of 2026, our seniors are entering a packed second semester. Once a month, they will spend a day on Metro State University’s campus, participating in college‑life activities that support their transition into post‑secondary pathways. Additionally, this cohort will be receiving professional development on specific career skills throughout the course of this semester.
Meanwhile, our 9th–11th graders are preparing for their second‑semester showcases and exhibitions. December’s first round of presentations was a strong start: youth shared thoughtful solutions to complex community issues in front of families, board members, local organizations, and partners. More inspiring work is on the way—stay tuned for updates on the spring showcases and exhibitions.
Beyond Dreams Therapy
December may have been a short month, but the impact of our clinicians and interns was anything but small. In just a few weeks, our team held 301 therapy sessions, bringing our total since July to 1,783 sessions. That represents over 1,500 hours of free and low-cost mental health support provided to youth and adults across Denver.
Behind those numbers are powerful stories of growth and healing. We’ve had clients reach 200 days and counting without self-harming behaviors, after previously struggling daily. We’ve seen individuals find the strength and voice to leave unsafe and unhealthy relationships and living situations. We’ve celebrated truancy cases being dismissed because of consistent re-engagement in school and renewed stability in students’ lives. These are the moments that remind us why this work matters.
In December, we worked alongside 164 active clients, with sessions taking place across four CDF therapy sites, one Community Hub, and nine different schools. By meeting clients where they are, we continue to remove barriers to access and ensure care is truly community-based.
For the first time since the launch of Beyond Dreams Therapy, we are now operating with a waitlist. While this reflects both the growing need for accessible mental health care and the trust our community has placed in our work, it also strengthens our commitment to ensuring wait times remain as short as possible. Our team is actively and creatively exploring ways to expand access and continue meeting the needs of our community with care, responsiveness, and integrity. We are incredibly proud of our clinicians and interns for continuing to show up with compassion, dedication, and excellence, even in a busy and condensed month like December.
Dream Team Profiles of the Month
Giuliano Jones, LPCC (He/Him)
Restoring Futures Case Manager & Behavioral Health Therapist I
Giuliano serves as the Restoring Futures Case Manager and a Behavioral Health Therapist I, supporting youth and adults as they navigate stress, identity questions, and life transitions. He joined the Dream Team in 2024 as a Clinical Intern and moved into his current role in 2025.
He is originally from Northern California and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College. A Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Colorado, he often focuses on attachment, meaning, and belonging in his work.
Outside of work, Giuliano loves Chinese and Japanese tea and ceramics, perfumery, cooking, indie and alternative rock, collecting records, reading and writing, visiting hot springs, and eating out.
Hannah Edwards-Martinez (She/Her)
Instructor - High School
As a High School Instructor, Hanna works directly with youth to build skills, confidence, and strong habits for school and beyond. She creates a calm, supportive classroom where students can ask questions, make mistakes, and keep growing.
Hanna brings eight years of teaching experience and holds a master’s degree in Sociology. Known for her patience, problem solving, and steady encouragement, she helps youth stay engaged and feel capable, even when the work is challenging. She takes a holistic approach that includes both youth and caregivers, knowing outcomes improve when adults and young people are supported together.
Outside of work, Hanna enjoys walks, movies (especially scary ones), and reading. One of her favorite books is The Great Alone.
Partner Spotlight
$11,000 Raised to Support Youth — Thank You, Altar’d State!
We are thrilled to announce that Altar’d State raised $11,000 for our organization through their Mission Monday initiative, a powerful show of support that will help us uplift and empower the youth in our community.
Altar’d State’s Mission Monday program donates 10% of net proceeds from Monday purchases to local nonprofits across the country. This season, we were honored to be one of their selected partners.
Thanks to their generosity and the support of every shopper, we can continue to create safe spaces, provide mentorship, and offer the tools young people need to thrive.
Grateful for New Support from Denver Broncos Alumni Charities
We are thrilled and deeply grateful to share that Colorado Dream Foundation has received its first-ever grant from the Denver Broncos Alumni Charities. Their support affirms the importance of investing in youth development and education across our Denver community. We are honored to be recognized alongside other like-minded, impactful organizations. Thank you to the Broncos alumni for believing in our mission and the young people and families we serve. Your partnership means so much. Go Broncos! 🧡💙
