October 2026 Newsletter
Dear Colorado LiftED Community,
As the leaves turn across Colorado, October brings a natural season of transition and reflection. Across our programs, this month has been defined by two powerful forces working hand in hand: deepening our roots and embracing transformation.
You’ll see this balance reflected throughout this issue:
Deepening Our Roots: From full launches across all afterschool sites to welcoming new clinical partnerships at schools like DSST and Florida Pitt-Waller, we are expanding our reach to meet youth where they already are.
Embracing Transformation: In our LiftED NEXT program, we are walking alongside our Class of 2026 high school graduates as they navigate big post-secondary adjustments, giving them the safe space, encouragement, and permission to pivot when needed.
Whether it’s a 2nd grader showing up with bright energy at afterschool programming or a college freshman taking charge of her future path, our promise remains unchanged: we are anchored to our young people every step of the way.
Thank you to our community partners, school leaders, donors, and families who make this work possible. Your support provides the steady foundation our youth need to grow, explore, and thrive.
Ever onward, always upward.
Kaye Taavialma, President & CEO
Mission Moment
A glimpse into what we do and why we do it.
Relationships in Action: Meet Angeli
When Angeli started college this fall, she had a head start—having already earned her associate degree in high school. But when she met with her LiftED advisor on campus recently, she felt deflated, isolated, and stuck in a finance major chosen more out of family pressure than personal passion.
Having a safe, trusting space allowed Angeli to be honest about the weight of pursuing a degree she didn't love and the struggle to feel connected on a busy commuter campus.
Instead of letting her feel stuck, her advisor helped her explore new possibilities and build a step-by-step plan:
Finding Her True Path: Exploring a shift from Finance to Marketing so she can use her creative side in a degree she actually loves. She now knows the exact steps to switch majors.
Dreaming Big: Looking into study-abroad programs, with her advisor giving her the encouragement and concrete steps to go after it.
Building Community: Taking a walk together around campus to explore student events, the rec center, and clubs to join. Where Angeli once felt isolated, she left feeling curious, energized, and ready to jump in.
"This is what relationships in action look like—giving our youth the permission, tools, and support to own their journeys, even when that means changing course."
Angeli left her meeting excited and ready for what's next. We are so proud of her courage to speak up and take charge of her future!
Youth of the Month
Itzayana Norez | 2nd Grade at RFMA
Core Value: Whatever It Takes
Itzayana shows us what it truly means to be a Dreamer in our LiftED Futures after-school program!
She consistently does whatever it takes to bring joy to her classmates and instructors. Kind and thoughtful to everyone she meets, Itzayana makes sure no one ever feels left out. Even on tough days, she gives her all to every activity, and her bright, happy energy brightens up the whole room!
Liam Aarón López | 4th Grade at RMP: Ruby Hill
Core Value: We Not Me
Liam is a fantastic helper who shows nothing but kindness to those around him! On the very first day of after-school programming, he was the first student to volunteer to help staff serve snacks and supper to his peers. Ever since, Liam has consistently put others first, demonstrating what "We Not Me" is all about every single day!
Seran Ahmed | 12th Grade, LiftED NEXT
Core Value: An Inch Wide, A Mile Deep
Seran is someone who truly shows up! Ever since our 12th Grade NEXT program kicked off in September, she has brought a proactive, "go-getter" attitude to everything she does. Seran jumps right into new experiences, takes initiative, and is deeply invested in our LiftED community. We know we can always count on her not just to participate, but to lead the way!
Program Updates
LiftED Futures
October has been a month of full launch, high energy, and strong community across all of our afterschool sites! With every location now officially open, our youth are attending regularly, reconnecting with friends, and jumping into vibrant activities.
Community Connections & Neighborhood Parks:
Across our sites, youth have been taking trips to local parks and partnering with local organizations like the Denver Public Library: Lena Archuleta Branch. These outings help strengthen connections to neighborhood resources, expanding opportunities for learning, curiosity, and creativity.
New Location for Grades 3–8:
Our Grades 3–8 afterschool program has officially relocated from the Westwood Opportunity Center to the Ruben Valdez Achievement Campus, hosted by Rocky Mountain Prep: Ruby Hill and Rocky Mountain Prep: Federal for the rest of the school year. This transition is a great example of our core value, "An Inch Wide, A Mile Deep." We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with the RMP community and build a strong, shared network of support for our youth.
Returning to Green Valley Ranch:
Our high school team is living out our value, "Once a Dreamer, Always a Dreamer." After closing our site at Evie Dennis Campus years ago, we are back in Green Valley Ranch with stabilized funding and programming twice a week! Student excitement has been incredible, youth are showing up with big energy, ready to reconnect with a community that has always believed in them.
Join Us: Glow Bright Family Night! 🌟
We are celebrating National Lights On Afterschool with a special community gathering, and you are invited!
When: Thursday, October 22 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: The Sanctuary at Blossom House (3300 W. Nevada Pl.)
What: An evening of celebration, light, and togetherness to honor the power of afterschool programs and the incredible young people who make them thrive.
LiftED Next
This fall, our Class of 2026 cohort set off on their post-secondary journeys. Just like the changing season, our youth are embracing big life transitions—letting go of what was, building a new sense of identity, and welcoming what lies ahead.
An Anchor Through Big Changes
Once our youth graduate high school, they remain anchored to us through ongoing advising. Having a familiar face from LiftED visit them during these key transition points gives students a grounding space to pause, reflect, and know that our community is still walking alongside them.
Campus Visit: CSU Fort Collins
Melisa and Claudia both started at Colorado State University in Fort Collins this August. During a recent campus visit from their LiftED NEXT advisor, they opened up about the real-world adjustments they are navigating:
Navigating Challenges: One student shared the moral conflicts she was facing during group projects, while the other talked through complex family expectations.
Building Real Skills: Together with their advisor, they talked it out, shared a few laughs, and created concrete action plans centered on self-advocacy and healthy coping strategies.
It is a privilege to watch our youth transform and grow into these new collegiate spaces. No matter where their paths lead, we are committed to making sure they feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way!
LiftED Horizons
This fall, our clinical team has been busy meeting young people right where they are. In September alone, we received 48 new referrals!
We are so grateful to welcome our newest school partners who are trusting us to walk alongside their students and families:
DSST: College View Middle & High Schools
Colorado High School Charter (GES Campus)
Florida Pitt-Waller ECE-8
All of these new referrals are keeping our clinical interns busy! They have been working tirelessly through initial consultations so every young person can connect with a clinician as quickly as possible.
What Care Looks Like in Action
For many of our clients, care means a therapist showing up at their school week after week, meeting them in a familiar space so getting support doesn't interrupt their daily lives. It means checking in with caregivers, collaborating with school staff, and being a steady, trusted adult for youth carrying a lot on their shoulders. Over time, those steady relationships create space for real change: greater confidence, deeper connections, and moments where a young person feels truly seen.
Team Spotlight
Celebrating Karina Olivas, M.A., LMFT!
In early October, our Director of Clinical Education, Karina Olivas, presented to a packed room of Spanish-speaking clinicians at Sazonando La Salud Mental, an all-Spanish mental health conference!
Her presentation, “When speaking the same language isn’t enough: Culture, communication, and the therapeutic relationship”, highlighted a core truth of our work: true connection takes more than just shared words.
We are so proud of Karina for sharing her expertise and insight beyond our team and leading the way in culturally responsive care!
Community Partner Spotlight
The team at Standard Interiors recently traded flooring and construction projects for fly fishing rods, hosting an outdoor event with proceeds directly benefiting Colorado LiftED Foundation!
Known for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and strong partnerships, Standard Interiors brings that same spirit of community and care to supporting local Denver youth. Their generosity helps us provide young people with academic guidance, mental health care, and clear pathways to college and meaningful careers.
We are especially grateful to the Hempel family and the entire Standard Interiors team for casting a line our way and helping us reel in new opportunities for our youth and families.
Thank you, Standard Interiors, for making a real difference—on and off the water!
