Youth & literacy
Imagination LIbrary
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$3,000 Donation
2020, 2021 $4,000 Donation 2022 
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Our Youth and Literacy Committee made a 5 year commitment to partner with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Denver. Their mission is simple: Increase access to age-appropriate books and promote kindergarten readiness.
More than 60% of low-income families do not own any children's books. Imagination Library mails free, high-quality, diverse, & age-appropriate books directly to children's homes every month. It's more than just delivering books - we inspire a love of reading, books, and home literacy practices. Studies show the longer a child is enrolled in Imagination Library, the more a child is prepared for school and tests higher in third-grade competencies. There are 3,000 children currently enrolled, and 70,000 books distributed to date in Denver County. Imagination Library starter sets have been provided by DCCR to Project Worthmore Refugee Center in Aurora, Colorado. Teachers there will be instrumental in enrolling the children of refugees. Given the many languages of the refugees, Rotarians may assist in completing applications. |
Denver Center for international studies (DCIS)
DCIS Fairmont School in Denver's Baker Neighborhood receives age-appropriate books annually to complement their elementary school library. Each in-person speaker at our regular DCCR meetings signs one book for donation.
DCIS Fairmont School in Denver's Baker Neighborhood receives age-appropriate books annually to complement their elementary school library. Each in-person speaker at our regular DCCR meetings signs one book for donation.
youth leadership
Committee members are actively involved with RYLA/YRYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards/Young RYLA). Whether a natural-born leader who wants to sharpen their skills or a shy young person with potential who needs to break out of their shell, RYLA & YRYLA puts middle and high school students on track for a successful future. Our club works with teachers to identify those who can benefit from leadership training and provides funds to send 9-10 students every year to camp in beautiful Estes Park. Interviewing the students personally is one of the most rewarding activities we do all year.
Student essay contest
Margaret Bingham,
Essayist
Our Student Essay Contest identifies and supports talented young writers who present winning essays at our annual event. And what an outstanding group of essays we heard at McAulilffe International School! Rotarian Bevin Wallace opened the contest with a presentation on her work as a professional writer. This year's theme was "How has the pandemic affected you?". The five finalists each read their work aloud for the audience of about 50 people before the winner was announced. Congratulations to winning essayist Margaret Bingham!
