Mission
The Colorado Teen Project engages youth aging out of the foster care system to tap into their
resilience, passions, life experiences and gifts to thrive independently.
What is The Colorado Teen Project?
Through a program of persistent and compassionate mentoring, we create an environment for
personal development. The populations we serve are youth and young adults, their families and
the institutions and professionals that serve them. By working largely with populations at high
risk for violence, incarceration, substance abuse, adolescent pregnancy/parenthood and poor
academic performance, we help change the chaotic lives of teens ‘aging-out’ of foster care and
homeless youth.
By providing technical assistance, specialized programming and consulting in communities
throughout Colorado, The Colorado Teen Project collaborates with organizations that have a
commitment to teens ‘aging-out’ of foster care and the ‘at-risk’ youth population who lack
social services. In conjunction with the programs, we partner young people with role models
and mentors. The Colorado Teen Project helps young people find the keys to unlock their
futures. Our programs leverage their effectiveness.
Why are we needed?
• Every year in Colorado over 400 young people ‘age-out’ of foster care in Colorado. Many
are still in high school. Nearly half experience homelessness and a downward spiral
begins – resulting in over 8,000 homeless youth under age 24 in Colorado at this point-
in-time (2014)
• More than 80% of youth who age out of foster care are unable to support themselves
and less than half go on to graduate from high school
• Foster youth who have a mentor in their lives are less likely than their peers to begin
using illicit drugs, do better academically and set and attaining higher achievement goals
than other youth their age
• The Colorado Teen Project is a conduit for teens, helping youth transition into
adulthood and out of the foster care system by creating sustainable, positive, goal-
directed outcomes
What Programs do we offer?
The Colorado Teen Project creates customized counseling, education, life skills through our
personalized mentorship program designed to support our youth in creating sustainable,
positive lifestyles.
Mental Wellness
• Customized trauma-informed therapy; a Hero’s Journey, TBRI, DDP, Cognitive-based
Therapy, ARC, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing and Attachment-based Family Therapy
• Personalized programs based on individual needs after customized assessments through
the Denver PASS Center and State and local services
• Fred Hanna’s Precursor Model method to invoke desires for change
Emotional Wellness
• Personal growth workshops, empowerment training through
mentorship/apprenticeships
• ‘Friend for Life’ program with social worker/mentor 1+ year commitment to the lives of
each youth
• Writing and creative experiential and self-empowering workshops designed to motive
and encourage new options for healthy self-expression
Physical Wellness
• Weekly workshops on nutrition, healthy eating and positive lifestyle choices
• Outdoor adventure opportunities designed to promote team building and self reliance
taught by instructors at the CMC - Youth Enrichment Program and area outdoor experts
• Meditation and fitness programs to be held regularly at donated pop-up facilities in
Metro Colorado cities and towns relying on volunteerism in each community
