DKI Fact Sheet

Purpose: Denver Kids, Inc. (DKI) is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1993 (when Denver Boys, Inc. and Denver Girls, Inc. merged) to provide long-term preventative counseling to students in Denver Public   Schools.

Financials:  Click here to view the Denver Kids, Inc. Financial Annual Report 2005-2006

How DKI Works: Each child is teamed with an academic counselor and many also with a Mentor mentor. The purpose is to ensure that the students receive a quality education, graduate from high school and become productive, responsible members of the community.

Parents: Parent involvement is critical to the improvement of a child’s performance in school. Through the counselor’s encouragement and consistent communication, DKI parents attend more parent-teacher conferences, back-to-school nights, and other activities each year their child is in the program.

Mentors: There are approximately 250 active mentors with DKI who provide our students with opportunities and experiences they otherwise would not have. The Mentor Friend serves as a positive role model in the student’s llife, and many follow their student through to graduation. To join this dedicate group click here.

Activities: DKI hosts many fun and educational activities throughout the year such as ski trips, skills seminars, skating parties, swimming parties, bowling nights, etc.

Population Served: 800+ at-risk youth in Denver Public Schools, grades K-12.

Ethnic Breakdown: 50% Hispanic, 33% African-American, 10% Caucasian, 4% American Indian, 3% Asian.

Risk Factors: Most students are from single parent homes, live at or below poverty level, and come from under-educated families.

Graduation: The DKI graduation rate has been at least 20% higher then the Denver Public Schools graduation rate for the last 6 years.

Matriculation: 94% percent of DKI students advance to the next grade.

Attendance Rates: Attendance rates, after the first year in the program, have improved by as much as 40%.

Supporting Organizations: DKI, as part of our community, receives financial and in-kind support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporations. Our sponsors include: Denver Public Schools, the Rotary Club of Denver, Denver Active 20-30, and the Zonta Club of Denver. [link to the donation page]

Board of Directors: Individuals who share a concern for youth and support the goals of DKI comprise the Board of Directors. The majority are members of the sponsoring organizations, with the remaining members representing various segments of the community.