September 2026 Newsletter
Dear Colorado LiftED Community,
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of lift.
In aeronautics, lift isn't created by forcing an aircraft upward through raw power—it happens when the structure of the wing meets the air just right. Once enough lift is generated, the plane isn't fighting gravity anymore. It’s flying.
Looking across Colorado LiftED this fall, I can feel our organization gaining that exact kind of momentum. It’s in the alignment of receiving official DPS approval for our LiftED NEXT internship credit, expanding our clinical care through LiftED Horizons, and seeing partners like the Taco Bell Foundation invest in our youth's future.
None of this is lift in the abstract. It is community, trust, and shared belief all showing up at once to hold our young people up as they chase their dreams.
Thank you for being the wind under our wings. Your partnership is what allows our youth, our programs, and our mission to soar.
Ever onward, always upward.
Kaye Taavialma, President & CEO
Mission Moment
A glimpse into what we do and why we do it.
Class of 2026 Youth Spotlight: Meet Michael
After walking the stage at high school graduation and completing our Restoring Futures Program, Michael joined LiftED NEXT determined to chase his dream of earning a business degree at the Community College of Denver (CCD).
As a first-generation college student, navigating complex admissions, registration, and financial aid systems presented steep hurdles. Yet Michael met every curveball with persistence. Working alongside his LiftED advisor, he built strong self-advocacy skills, learning which questions to ask and how to navigate higher education systems with confidence.
Just two weeks into his first college semester, Michael shared an incredible milestone with his advisor: he is holding all A's and B's while balancing a full-time job.
"Michael’s motivation is unmistakable—he has come to fully recognize that he belongs in these academic spaces."
What’s Next for Michael
Michael plans to earn his Associate of Arts in Business at CCD before transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) to complete his Bachelor’s degree. We are incredibly proud of your drive and determination, Michael—keep shining!
Updates
LiftED Futures
September brought a powerful start across our LiftED Futures Afterschool Programs, defined by new site launches, eager youth returning for the school year, and deep community partnership.
Site Updates & Milestones:
Ricardo Flores Magón Academy (RFMA): Launched our inaugural program with over 50 youth enrolled and fully engaged from day one—a testament to months of intentional partnership and trust-building with families and school staff.
Westwood Community Center (WWCC): Prepped to launch our Grades 3–8 program on September 14 with nearly 30 youth enrolled, made possible through close collaboration with Rocky Mountain Prep: Ruby Hill and Rocky Mountain Prep: Federal.
12th-Grade Cohort: Kicked off senior year during the first week of September with an impressive 92% attendance rate, launching directly into post-secondary planning and transition support for the Class of 2027.
Blossom House (BH): Reopened Grades 9–11 Afterschool on September 9, welcoming back high schoolers eager to return to career exploration, skill-building, and peer community.
Strengthening Our Impact
Behind these successful launches is our expanding youth program team. Their expertise, dedication to program quality, and passion for youth development are already deepening our impact across all sites—including Westwood, RFMA, Blossom House, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, and MSU Denver.
Stay tuned next month for updates and stories from our first full weeks of afterschool programming!
Introducing LiftED Next 🎓
Launched this fall, LiftED Next is our brand-new post-secondary program designed to support high school seniors and young adults as they transition to life after high school.
Whether youth are heading to college, trade school, or straight into the workforce, LiftED NEXT provides tailored guidance to help them step confidently into their futures:
Personalized 1-on-1 Advising
College & Career Navigation
Networking & Mentorship
Leadership and Life Skills
Big News: Approved for DPS Internship Credit!
As school districts across Colorado expand work-based learning opportunities through what is known as "The Big Three", Colorado LiftED recognized a powerful opportunity for our youth. We are thrilled to share that our 12th Grade LiftED NEXT program was officially approved by the Denver Public Schools (DPS) as a skills-based learning program qualifying for high school internship credit!
Through this track, youth apply their knowledge through hands-on roles, special projects, and tasks, including:
Board Engagement: Interacting directly with our Board of Directors.
Content Creation: Serving as social media content creators for LiftED.
Leadership & Strategy: Co-designing community events, youth programming, and fundraising initiatives.
Facilitation: Leading and facilitating organizational meetings.
We are thrilled for this new opportunity for our youth to gain experience, earn credit, and lead the way!
LiftED Horizons
Welcoming Our Full Intern Cohort
This month, we are celebrating the arrival of Jesus, Maribel, and Haley—the final three clinical interns to officially join LiftED Horizons this year!
Together with the three interns who joined us earlier this summer, they complete our full six-person cohort. Selected from 56 applicants back in February, this group represents our most competitive cohort to date. We are incredibly proud of the caliber of clinicians joining our team and the compassionate care they bring to the young people and families who trust us with their care.
🌱 Therapy Openings Available: We currently have openings across all of our sites. If you or someone you know could benefit from working alongside a clinician—someone willing to walk alongside them as they navigate all parts of themselves and their lives—we would love to connect.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
We hold close everyone who has been touched by suicide—those we have lost and those who continue to carry that weight.
Suicide prevention isn't just talk therapy. It is human connection, community, and consistent presence—showing up again and again. It isn't about forcing a smile onto someone's face or asking them to hide their pain and stay silent about it. It is standing beside someone in the storm, anchoring them so that trust and connection give them something to hold onto long enough for the weather to turn.
That is the anchor our clinicians strive to be every day for the young people and families we walk alongside.
Need Support? If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988—available 24/7, free, and confidential. Know that we are here too, whenever you need us.
Community Partner Spotlight
Colorado LiftED Foundation is proud to recognize the Taco Bell Foundation, a longtime, generous partner helping our youth explore their passions and pursue their post-secondary goals.
Through its Community Grants program, the Taco Bell Foundation invests in organizations that provide mentorship, college and career exploration, educational opportunities, and pathways toward a successful future.
Impact in Action: Meet Melisa (Class of 2026)
We see the direct impact of this investment in young people like Melisa. Now settling into campus life for the fall semester at Colorado State University, Melisa is joining business clubs, enjoying walks across campus to class, and embracing this exciting next chapter!
Strong Partnerships & Community Roots
Our connection to the Taco Bell Foundation began through Alvarado Restaurant Nation, a longstanding Colorado LiftED partner and champion of our youth and families. We are deeply grateful to both organizations for their continued commitment to investing in the potential and futures of our young people.
How You Can Help: The next time you visit Taco Bell, remember to Round Up your order! Those few extra cents add up to millions of dollars in scholarships and grants for youth-serving organizations like Colorado LiftED. Small change really does make a big difference!
