In 2021, Serve Colorado addressed our state’s most pressing challenges while creating more opportunities for individuals to serve. AmeriCorps members helped students bounce back from pandemic disruptions and historic inequities in education, found ways for communities to come together to support all of their residents, provided much needed resources to some of our state’s most vulnerable populations, and continued to support COVID-19 response and vaccination efforts.
New and innovative partnerships and the expertise they lent empowered our programs to provide more opportunities for individuals to serve their communities across the state and provide solutions to some of Colorado's most pressing challenges.
Serve Colorado supported 17 AmeriCorps programs in 2021, 42% more programs than in the previous year, and granted an increase of $10,183,756 to nonprofits across Colorado.
Service can be a pathway to opportunity, developing skills and leadership competencies. In 2021, AmeriCorps members earned over $2,877,664 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to repay student debt or pay for future educational endeavors.
Learn more about our impact
Addressing Colorado's Priorities
Addressing Colorado's Priorities
Tutoring Corps
233 AmeriCorps members were placed in schools to provide high-dosage, high-impact, evidence-based tutoring and student engagement.
Members served with three Colorado Youth for a Change programs: Reading Corps, Math Corps, and Corps for a Change.
With support from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds, this initiative is working to help close persistent, historical opportunity gaps, and support those who have fallen behind due to COVID-19 disruptions. In only four months, this initiative has provided:
3,800+ hours of math tutoring
10,500+ hours of reading tutoring
2,133 support meetings with students struggling with school attendance
Caption: Two Tutoring Corps members stand in a school classroom.
The Tutoring Corps Initiative is developing the next generation of Colorado teachers and other educational professionals, providing members with experiences in classrooms and opportunities to learn about how to become educators in Colorado.
79% of Tutoring Corps members have expressed an interest in a career in education
From an Tutoring Corps member:
"Watching my students work through and connect concepts is exciting and gratifying. When they master a skill, it's an incredible feeling! Hearing a student read a book of their choosing for the FIRST TIME EVER and knowing they've unlocked a wealth of knowledge and discovery is indescribable."
Colorado Climate Corps
Serve Colorado committed $1.7 million to create the first Colorado Climate Corps program. The first 240 members will serve with Colorado Youth Corps Association, performing the following service activities in 55 counties:
- conduct disaster mitigation and relief
- conserve public lands
- increase public awareness on climate change
- provide resources to marginalized communities disproportionately experiencing the effects of climate change
- conduct energy and water weatherization and retrofitting in low-income households
Caption: A small crew of AmeriCorps members stands in a forest with the tools they use to mitigate the risk of future disasters by removing forest fuel.
COVID-19 Containment Response Corps: A Model for the Country
AmeriCorps members continued to serve the COVID-19 Containment Response Corps (CCRC) throughout 2021, adapting their service to support whatever needs arose from the changing pandemic. 157 members ensured Coloradans were informed and had access to the tools needed to keep them safe.
14,207 contact investigations or case notifications
36,756+ vaccine outreach calls
America’s Service Commissions recognized the CCRC as the Outstanding Service Program of the year at the 2021 Innovation and Leadership Awards.
In addition, teams of AmeriCorps members provided supported community testing projects, tracked booster dose rates at long-term care facilities, and increased access to monoclonal antibody treatment by scheduling mobile treatment buses and enrolling providers.
Caption: Ayan, an AmeriCorps member at One Morgan County, advances vaccine equity initiatives through outreach and education with local communities.
AmeriCorps members also processed 11,828 emails helping Coloradans track and share their vaccine status using the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) and eight CCRC members helped schedule 103 vaccination clinics resulting in 7,715 vaccine does in the arms of community members!
The CCRC was a partnership between AmeriCorps, Gary Community Investments, Serve Colorado, Governor Jared Polis, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. AmeriCorps State members were hosted by Community Resource Center and Conservation Legacy.
From CCRC Site Supervisor:
“Having our AmeriCorps member has brought so much energy and enthusiasm to our team and our department! She is eager to learn, excited to try new things and has helped us expand some of our outreach and marketing techniques to reach people in our community about the COVID-19 vaccine. She has been a huge gift to Sunrise Community Health in a time when health care needed some relief and extra hands on deck.”
Innovating for Economic Mobility
Serve Colorado developed an innovative partnership with the Polis-Primavera Administration, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and AmeriCorps to increase the economic mobility of Coloradans. To help all Coloradans take care of themselves and the people they love, partners will increase outreach to support Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit enrollment.The partnership will also support the following activities:
The partnership will also support the following activities:
- financial literacy training
- tax filing assistance
- unified benefit enrollment
- education assistance
- increasing affordable housing options
- increased awareness, and
- other strategies.
Caption: Members strategize around a chalkboard, thinking through how they can work together to provide supports to the community.
The first few projects of this partnership include prioritizing economic mobility projects for AmeriCorps NCCC teams, giving priority consideration to economic mobility programming applications in Serve Colorado’s grant competitions, and jointly recruiting volunteers to support economic mobility efforts.
From Senator Michael Bennet on the Economic Mobility Partnership:
Supporting our Students
In addition to Tutoring Corps, AmeriCorps programs across the state continued to support students as they transitioned back to in-person classrooms by expanding out-of-school time activities, supporting students’ wellbeing, and increasing academic success.
Alpine Achievers Initiative
In rural south-central Colorado, 34 AmeriCorps members supported and nurtured K-12 students in economically disadvantaged communities. Members tutored students in math and literacy and led out-of-school time programming at 15 sites.
AmeriCorps members served one-on-one with students, helping to boost their confidence and give them a chance to succeed.
Caption: AmeriCorps member, Storm, meets with students as part of a collaboration with the the Creede Repertory Theatre to bring dramatics specials to the school.
From an educator at a school hosting an Alpine Achievers AmeriCorps member:
“In such a short time, [Madison] has been able to create relationships with students in such a way that they have also begun reaching out to her for help while in class, transitioning between classes, and in many other ways. We are so proud to have Madison here at our school, and we already know that all she has done (and will continue to do throughout this school year) will certainly leave a huge dent in the hearts of our students, faculty, and staff.”
Artist Year Colorado
11 AmeriCorps fellows served schools in the Roaring Fork Valley and Denver Metro working with teachers to integrate the arts into academic subjects, expanding after-school arts clubs, and creating arts interventions for youth.
Addressing inequities in arts education for K‒12 students, Artist Year believes every student has the opportunity to reap the social-emotional and academic benefits associated with arts learning.
1,800 students received increased access to art education in the Roaring Fork Valley and Denver
Members represented different art disciplines including Physical Arts, Theater, Music, Digital Media, Dance, and Creative Writing.
Caption: AmeriCorps member, Betsy, leads students in a theatrical exercise in a classroom.
From Camille, an Artist Year member:
“One thing that I’ve had a really great time collaborating with my [partner] teacher on is an activity we call ‘mindful coloring.’ This happens during the ‘crew time’ of the day which is in the morning and all of the students are sitting at their desk filling in a coloring sheet while I play the violin and it’s really awesome to see how these students slowly begin to regulate and really calm down their bodies as they’re coloring and listening to music.”
City Year Denver
78 AmeriCorps members served at Denver Public Schools providing English and math support, engagement services, and extended day activities to ensure more students are on track to graduate from high school.
710 students received small-group and/or 1:1 reading and math interventions
Caption: City Year members celebrated students' first day of in-person learning in January 2021 by welcoming students outside the school entrance.
AmeriCorps members with City Year Denver strive to improve school culture and climate by celebrating students’ achievements, both big and small.
378 students received specialized social-emotional and attendance support
"City Year has been very supportive and reliable in engaging students this year when students walk into the school, during class time, and during lunch recess." - Partner Principal
From Hannah, an AmeriCorp member serving with City Year Denver:
“Kids see the red City Year jacket and they know that we are trusted and loving adults who will support them. We don't just help kids grow academically, but also socio-emotionally and behaviorally. We give them tools that they will hopefully carry with them throughout their lives. Students see a City Year [member] come into their classroom and that is automatically one trusted adult who can provide them with so many layers of support.”
Colorado State University Extension 4-H STEM AmeriCorps
18 AmeriCorps members served with Colorado State University Extension 4-H STEM Initiative to provide underserved and at-risk youth (ages 8-18) with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) out-of-school time programming, helping youth develop 21st-century workforce skills, graduate from high school, and consider careers in STEM fields.
57% of CSUE 4-H STEM AmeriCorps members returned to serve for a third term, showing their dedication!
Members tended community and school gardens, developed STEM activity kits and lessons, and created engaging programs to help kids get excited about learning.
Caption: Rebecca, an AmeriCorps member, sites in the school garden where she teaches kids about where food their comes from. Tasting the fruits of their labor is a highlight of the program!
AmeriCorps members serving with Larimer County Extension Office created over a hundred Stay at Home STEM videos for youth to follow along with activities from their homes!
Story from the field:
Colorado HIPPYCorps
A program of Parent Possible
Colorado HIPPYCorps’ 48 AmeriCorps members made weekly visits to families with children ages 2-5 years to deliver the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) curriculum.
500+ families connected with resources and knowledge to help them prepare their preschoolers for success in school and throughout life
During each visit, members role-play activities with the parent so parents can confidently complete the activities with their child throughout the week. Many members are multilingual and able to provide families with activities in the primary language of the household.
Caption: Youth from households participating in the HIPPY program gather around pumpkins to celebrate fall.
AmeriCorps members also provided additional support to their assigned families and communities, sharing information on community resources, assisting with community vaccination clinics, and providing food assistance.
Story from the field:
HIPPY AmeriCorps members assisted with Focus Points Family Resource Center’s Fall Fatherhood Festival, an inclusive family-friendly celebration of fathers and their families. Over 350 attendees spent time with their families at a car show, vaccination clinic, and Globeville Community Farmers’ Market.
Peak Pathfinders
A program of YouthPower 365
In Eagle County, 10 AmeriCorps members provided tutoring, mentoring, and wrap-around support for 6-12th grade students and their caregivers. Through case management, workshops, and one-on-one advising, Peak Pathfinders help re-engage students in school, build trusted and meaningful near-peer relationships, and provide academic and social-emotional support.
240+ one-on-one mentoring sessions with students needing extra support
Caption: Peak Pathfinder AmeriCorps members gather to support the community.
At the high school level, Peak Pathfinders support students to identify and pursue post-secondary education or meaningful careers.
Story from the field:
TeamUP for Summer
A program of United Way of Southwest Colorado
“You filled a community need. We appreciate your work.” - TeamUP for Summer Partner Site
United Way of Southwest Colorado answered the call to help get students in Southwest Colorado ready for school after a year of COVID-19 disruptions. 23 AmeriCorps members served over the summer at 7 school districts and 18 community sites, providing educational and extracurricular activities and socio-emotional support to ensure that students returned to school in the fall ready to learn.
1,343 kids re-engaged and reconnected over the summer after a year of COVID-19 disruptions
Caption: AmeriCorps member, Marty, works with 1st graders on number identification.
Five members continued to support students through December. These members also became authorized substitute teachers to keep classrooms running when no other substitute teachers were available.
Story from the field:
Supporting Rural and Mountain Communities
AmeriCorps members helped support their communities in a variety of ways. Programs helped fill in the gaps, expand services, and ensure that community members have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Rural Alliance for Dignity
A program of La Puente Home
Rural Alliance for Dignity is a consortium of community-based organizations serving severely under-resourced, geographically diverse, rural communities. 57 AmeriCorps members served across 14 service sites to address unmet needs. AmeriCorps members provided housing assistance, emergency food assistance, nutrition education, academic support, after-school programming, and more.
Caption: AmeriCorps members stand in the Alamosa Elementary School Garden, where they oversaw vegetable production and developed garden lessons for students.
From the field:
Mountain Roots Healthy Futures
A program of Mountain Roots Food Project
26 AmeriCorps members dedicated their time to create a more equitable and healthy future for all through nutrition and environmental education, community and school gardens, and increased access to healthy food.
221,000 lbs of food harvested and distributed to hungry individuals and families
AmeriCorps members helped to plant gardens, create educational programming for adults and youth, and gather and distribute food to those in need.
5,174 individuals participated in educational programs in gardening, cooking, and environmental education
Caption: An AmeriCorps member shows youth the chickens at a community farm.
Stories from the field:
TeamUp AmeriCorps
A program of United Way of Southwest Colorado
14 AmeriCorps members served with TeamUP AmeriCorps helping to improve lives from ‘cradle to career’ in the rural communities of Southwest Colorado.
1,202 food boxes delivered
2,553 youth and family members engaged on vaping awareness, suicide prevention, and mental health
Members supported after-school programs, food pantries, restorative justice programs, schools, new parents, and more.
86 individuals received mandated reporter training
Caption: AmeriCorps members gather to complete a community mural.
Story from the field
Protecting Colorado’s Environment for Generations to Come
Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps)
A program of Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
11 AmeriCorps members expanded environmental education offerings at seven organizations across the Front Range. Members increased environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implemented the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan.
6,016 individuals provided with environmental education experiences
Caption: Students gather data near a creek with help from an AmeriCorps member and the Outdoor Wilderness Lab
eeCorps members served directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support expanding the reach and increasing the impact of environmental education programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students.
Story from the field:
Youth Corps for Colorado
A program of Colorado Youth Corps Association
394 AmeriCorps members served with five conservation corps across Colorado, reaching 42 counties. AmeriCorps members protected and strengthened outdoor infrastructure by building trails and improving access to Colorado’s vast great outdoors and installed energy efficiency measures in low-income homes to help individuals save money and conserve resources.
185 miles of trails improved for increased access and safety
1,576 low-income homes upgraded with energy efficient measures to help individuals save money and conserve resources
Crews of AmeriCorps members also completed proactive mitigation activities in our forests, stepped up to do wildland firefighting, and helped improve the resilience of our lands.
3,184 acres of lands improved through fire mitigation, invasive species removal, and habitat management
Caption: Western Colorado Conservation Corps’ Women’s Fire Crew stand for a photo. The 10 woman crew responded to the Beavertail Fire in Mesa County and helped stop the forward progress of the fire, contributed to 400 acres of land saved!
Learn more about the Youth Corps' Energy and Water Conservation Program in Denver
AmeriCorps for All
Serve Colorado strives to make its programs more diverse and inclusive. In 2021, Serve Colorado updated many of its internal processes to make applying and managing an AmeriCorps grant easier, creating opportunities for a more diverse cohort of organizations to apply. Updates included increasing the accessibility of planning grants, decreasing the minimum size requirement of an AmeriCorps program, streamlining monitoring processes, and creating more efficient contracting procedures.
In an effort to make serving in AmeriCorps more inclusive, Serve Colorado works with programs to help make more individuals feel welcome to serve. Workshops on Diversity and Inclusion were held several times throughout the year for program staff and AmeriCorps members. In addition, inclusion practices have been built into the program monitoring to create more opportunities for open dialogue and discussion.
Looking Ahead
People are our greatest resource to respond to the pandemic, address climate change, end childhood poverty, ensure food security, educate our kids, and create a Colorado for All - Serve Colorado is committed to providing more opportunities for all to serve. In the upcoming year, Serve Colorado will continue to work to support state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and communities to address critical challenges through AmeriCorps, national service, and volunteerism.
1,700 AmeriCorps members will serve with 17 different AmeriCorps programs
Seven organizations hold planning grants that provide support to as they develop new AmeriCorps programs to address community challenges.
Supporting Economic Mobility
Serve Colorado will work collaboratively with the Polis-Primavera administration, AmeriCorps, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement their partnership, a multifaceted approach to increase outreach to support Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit enrollment.
Partners will also support financial literacy training, tax filing assistance, unified benefit enrollment, education assistance, increasing affordable housing options, increased awareness and implementation of paid family leave, and other strategies.
The first few projects of this partnership include prioritizing economic mobility projects for AmeriCorps NCCC teams, giving priority consideration to economic mobility programming applications in Serve Colorado’s grant competitions, and jointly recruiting volunteers to support economic mobility efforts.
Planning grant supporting economic mobility:
Young Americans Center for Financial Education is assessing the interest in and implementation of expanding financial education programming to rural areas of Colorado.
Caption: An AmeriCorps member sorts farm-fresh potatoes into bags for distribution to the community.
Increasing Workforce Development Opportunities
Working with state partners and nonprofits, Serve Colorado will create more opportunities for AmeriCorps members to gain experience and training in some of Colorado’s most needed careers including education, healthcare, and green jobs. Additionally, Serve Colorado is working with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to explore ways that AmeriCorps members can participate in certified apprenticeships.
Planning grants increasing workforce development include:
Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation proposes to develop an AmeriCorps program focused on addressing access to healthcare services in Lincoln County and adjoining areas.
Trailhead Institute will be exploring how AmeriCorps can work together with registered apprenticeships to strategically fill not only short-term needs of the public health workforce, responding to the COVID-19 ongoing crisis, but also the long-term needs of a public health workforce that more closely resembles the communities it serves.
Imagine! envisions a program where AmeriCorps members provide direct care at group homes and community day service sites throughout Boulder and Broomfield Counties. The AmeriCorps members would use their first-hand experiences as DSPs to redesign our approach to training, onboarding, and professional development.
Caption: Two AmeriCorps members hold bags donations for a community center.
Expanding Support for Students
Serve Colorado will continue to expand educational programs, including Tutoring Corps, to provide support to more students. In addition, Serve Colorado will be supporting training and certification initiatives for interested tutoring corps and education-focused members to become educators in Colorado.
Planning grants expanding education initiatives:
Literacy Lab is exploring the potential to implement its Leading Men Fellowship as an AmeriCorps program in Colorado. The program will focus on school districts that lack meaningful numbers of men of color as teachers and exhibit disparities in English Language Arts outcomes for pre-Kindergarten and elementary students of color compared to their white counterparts.
Eureka McConnell Science Museum is creating an AmeriCorps program to expand Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) tutoring and educational support programming for middle and elementary school students on the Western Slope.
Caption: An AmeriCorps members stands in front of a classroom.
Expanding Colorado Climate Corps
Serve Colorado will continue to expand the Colorado Climate Corps to help preserve the beauty of Colorado and mitigate the effects from climate change that are increasingly threatening the Colorado way of life including supporting local governments in creating climate action plans.
Planning grant expanding Colorado Climate Corps:
Local Government Commission is creating an AmeriCorps program focused on building capacity for local governments to address emerging environmental and social equity resilience challenges such as climate change, water resource management, affordable housing, drought and fire mitigation, and mobility.
Caption: AmeriCorps members wearing hard hats stand listening to the announcement of Colorado Climate Corps.
About Serve Colorado
Serve Colorado believes that service and volunteerism can be part of the solution to our greatest challenges. Under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera and the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, Serve Colorado engages local communities across all 64 counties of Colorado to determine priorities and create opportunities to serve.
