Culture
Denver Kids Names 2U a 2020 Community Impact Award Winner
While 2U-powered programs have played a significant role in the lives of more than 275,000 students, I sometimes think about the younger learners we do not yet support—kids in grades K-12 seeking a brighter future. For many young students, the journey to graduate high school, reach and complete post-secondary education, and tap into their true potential is fraught with significant hurdles and challenges. Thankfully, there are organizations like Denver Kids that support students in navigating that complex journey.
Like Denver Kids, 2U believes education has the power to open doors to lifelong success for every student. That’s why we have been a proud community partner to Denver Kids for more than two years now, with 2Utes in Denver actively engaging with students to help unlock their potential and connect them to new, unrealized opportunities. And this year, in recognition of our contributions, Denver Kids named 2U one of its 2020 Community Impact Award winners—an annual award that acknowledges and honors both individuals and corporations who have made a significant difference to their mission. The work we do with Denver Kids is reward enough, but we are truly humbled that Denver Kids chose us as a Community Impact Award winner.
Reflecting back on our partnership, there are several standout moments. We hosted a mentor/mentee matching party to celebrate the formation of new relationships, volunteered at college career fairs, family nights, senior celebrations, and major fundraising events, and sat side-by-side with students to help them build out their applications for college. And when the pandemic spread, we looked for alternative, remote ways to support Denver Kids. We recorded and sent a congratulatory video to Denver Kids’ graduating seniors, and we doubled down on online fundraising, donating more than $19,000.
But we found meaning beyond the concrete activities and events, too. We have seen, first-hand, these students’ futures and their potential when so many have not. We are grateful to Denver Kids for opening up their doors to us and being such wonderful partners in transforming lives through education in the Denver community, and we look forward to all that’s to come in our partnership moving forward.