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Tag: denver public schools foundation

  • DPS Foundation’s free educator housing program helps teacher retention

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    DENVER — The majority of educators who participated in the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s pilot Free Educator Housing Program have chosen to continue their careers with DPS, according to the Foundation’s follow-up survey.

    The DPS Foundation partnered with a developer on the program, which provided free housing to 15 DPS educators for one year.

    “Ninety-three percent of the DPS educators who received the housing have chosen to stay within the district. And why that’s so important is, these were early career teachers that received this housing, and some were even in hard-to-fill positions like special education or English as a second language teachers,” said Sara Hazel, president and CEO of the Denver Public School Foundation said.

    She told Denver7 what’s critical about the program is research shows that went teachers stay through their first three years, “they’re more likely to stay five, which means they’re more likely to stay more, and we know that teacher retention supports our students more. When teachers stay longer, our students are more likely to thrive.”

    The foundation also found that 100% of participants reported being able to save money and reported a reduction in stress.

    Hazel said the foundation hopes to continue the program.

    “Our hope is that it continues to be of interest to other developers and property management companies who are looking to make an impact in the community. We want our teachers to create deep roots in Denver and stay here,” Hazel said.

    Hazel said their program reinforces that affordable housing matters to educators and creative philanthropy can make a real difference.

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    Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Micah Smith

    Micah Smith anchors Denver7’s 4 and 5 p.m. newscasts, and reports on issues impacting all of Colorado’s communities. She specializes in telling stories centered on social equity and hearing voices that are unheard or silenced. If you’d like to get in touch with Micah, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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  • Pandemic fund to feed Denver Public Schools families revived during SNAP benefit freeze

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    DENVER — With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits still on hold across the country, the Denver Public Schools Foundation has revived a fund from that started at the height of the coronavirus pandemic to feed families in need.

    The nonprofit, which raises money for Colorado’s largest school district, told Denver7 Tuesday the fund has raised more than $125,000 since it launched Oct. 30, just two days before the lapse in SNAP benefit funding.

    Sara Hazel, president and CEO of the DPS Foundation, called that total “amazing.”

    “We want to make sure that all of our students and families have food so that they can show up to school ready to learn,” Hazel told Denver7 Tuesday.

    Five years ago, the Food Security Fund helped pay for grab-and-go meals for kids who weren’t getting their usual meals at school because they were learning remotely.

    Now, even with school in session, the ongoing government shutdown and SNAP benefit freeze are once again making many DPS families desperate.

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    “Luckily, kids are still getting free breakfast and free lunch, but we know that food insecurity continues when they’re at home,” Hazel said. “We know that 62% of our families are already eligible for free and reduced lunch… Many of our kids in DPS are food insecure.

    “We’ve heard from the schools that the need is rapidly increasing,” she added.

    The Food Security Fund is now paying for food and other essential items for families at six community hubs around the city.

    The money is also going directly to schools, who can apply for resources like food or grocery store gift cards for staff to give to families in need.

    “The community has been incredibly generous,” said Hazel. “And the needs are far outweighing what we’ve raised so far. We’ve had over $200,000 in requests from schools… Our families really rely on their schools, and their schools are a really great place, a trusted place, in the community.”

    Even with the shutdown moving closer to ending, the fund isn’t going anywhere in the near future.

    “We just took applications [from schools] for the month of November,” Hazel said. “If we need to reopen them in December, we certainly will. We will give away money as long as we’re able to raise it.”

    RELATED:

    Denver7 Gives was able to use viewer donations to present DPS Foundation with a $2,000 check.

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    Denver7 Gives was able to use viewer donations to present DPS Foundation with a $2,000 check.

    Generous Denver7 viewers allowed Denver7 Gives to give an additional $2,000 to the Foundation for the Food Security Fund.

    “This means a lot, and it will go directly to the families that need it the most,” said Hazel after receiving that donation.

    You can learn more about the Food Security Fund or donate on the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s website.

    • Denver7 Gives is making it easier for you to help Coloradans struggling with food insecurity. Click on the form below and select “Help Fight Food Insecurity“ to donate

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    Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Ryan Fish

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