In the midst of migrant families' apprehensions about separation and potential deportation, Denver volunteers run a "1950s summer camp" tailored for the children.
Denver, Colorado, has taken a proactive approach to support the education and welfare of immigrant children, particularly those arriving from the Southern Border. The city has implemented several community programs and initiatives, with a focus on addressing chronic absenteeism.
One key effort comes from a nonprofit called TeamUp Colorado. This organisation, established to address chronic absenteeism among migrant students, organised a summer camp in Denver. The camp was modelled after a 1950s Iowa summer camp, with activities taking place in parks and on blankets. The camp helps combat chronic absenteeism by keeping children and families connected to learning during the summer, providing a supportive community environment even as families face fear of deportation and isolation.
The summer camp was a focal point for Denver Public Schools (DPS), which received thousands of new migrant students in the past two school years. DPS focuses on creating culturally responsive classrooms and dedicated support systems to help all learners thrive, including multilingual learners and immigrant students. However, DPS faces challenges due to federal funding delays, which threaten after-school and summer programs critical for vulnerable students, including immigrant children.
Angie, a 17-year-old high school student from Colombia, served as a mentor at the summer camp. She helped work with younger students on academic work. Some high school students received stipends as a result of the summer camp, funded by donations from community members who appreciated the program. Jason, who came to the U.S. with his young son from El Salvador, volunteered at the summer camp and made pinatas for the children.
Jason encourages high school students at the camp to use English whenever possible. Veronica LaCrue, a family liaison for TeamUp Colorado, emphasises the importance of showing love and care to the migrant children. She believes that even though the situation is uncertain, it's important to offer hope and encourage attempts at education.
In the summer of 2023, 42,911 people, including migrants from Venezuela, Colombia, and Central American countries, arrived in Denver. Jean Boylan, founder of TeamUp Colorado, stated that many migrant children are missing significant amounts of school, with some missing 30, 40, 50, or 60 days. Volunteers with TeamUp Colorado are planning to organise more programs this school year, including after-school support.
Denver Public School students will return to classes on Monday, August 18. The district has launched a communications campaign to address chronic absenteeism. Anna Alejo, the Executive Producer of Community Impact at News Colorado, works to develop grassroots relationships and original content at the neighbourhood and local business level, providing valuable coverage of these initiatives.
More information about the campaign can be found at https://www.dpsk12.org/page/attendance. The efforts of organisations like TeamUp Colorado and the support from Denver Public Schools are making a significant difference in the lives of immigrant children, offering them a chance to thrive in their new community.
- In Denver, Colorado, organizations like TeamUp Colorado are focusing on education-and-self-development, particularly addressing the issue of chronic absenteeism among immigrant children by organizing initiatives such as summer camps.
- Community members, appreciative of programs like the summer camp, have donated funds for high school students to receive stipends, promoting personal-growth and learning opportunities for these immigrants.
- While challenges persist, like funding delays affecting after-school and summer programs for vulnerable students, local media outlets like News Colorado cover these initiatives in the realm of general-news, helping raise awareness and support.
- For immigrant children in Denver, particularly those from countries like Venezuela, Colombia, and Central American nations, learning about the importance of attendance and the advantages of education is crucial to their integration and success in their new community, emphasizing the role of education in their personal-growth and self-development.
