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Our Vision

While we innovate locally, Youthentity programs address national needs: helping kids develop real-world skills in the realms of financial literacy and career readiness to prepare them for stable, successful futures.

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How We Started, Where We’re Going

We started our journey into experiential learning in 2001 with a “Build Your Own Computer” workshop, where students taught peers to build their own desktop computer. Then known as “Computers For Kids”, the organization evolved from technology to offer various skill-building and career exploration programs in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Today Youthentity provides career development and financial literacy programs to help kids explore and learn concepts critical to real-world success. We believe that career exploration should start early, with an emphasis on learning skills that will transfer to any job: teamwork, leadership, timeliness, presentation, communication, and so much more.

Financial literacy goes hand-in-hand with career development. Too many young adults enter into the real world of jobs, rent, and car payments without an understanding of how to effectively manage finances. Youthentity provides financial education in an easily digestible format so kids understand the concepts of investment, savings, credit, debt, interest and more.

Our goal is to make Colorado the most financially literate and career-ready region in the country. We hope that every young person in the communities we serve enters adulthood financially literate, with applicable work experience and skills gained through our career development programs. 

At Youthentity, our late-elementary and middle school programs serve entire grade levels so the student population we serve is a direct reflection of each respective community. For our high school programs, students choose to enroll yet we attract a diverse population to these programs too.

 

Student Population Served by Race/Ethnicity

2020-2021 Academic Year
 

Free and Reduced Lunch Eligibility

2020-2021 Academic Year
 

Why is youth financial literacy and career development important? Executive Director Kirsten McDaniel explains how Youthentity’s programs have evolved to meet the ever-changing work and personal finance environment.

“Spend enough time around kids and you’ll believe that there’s hope for the world. Spend enough time around Youthentity, and you may believe it transcends being about kids and becomes more of a template for how it would be nice to see entire communities function.”

- Jay Cowan

 

 
 

YOUTHENTITY PREPARES YOUTH FOR SUCCESSFUL FUTURES THROUGH FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND CAREER READINESS.

MONEY SMART. CAREER READY.

 
 
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Mission

Our programs aim to help young people develop real-world skills - including financial literacy and career readiness - to prepare them for stable, successful futures.

01.

Financial education is critical in creating a more prosperous and equitable world.

02.

There are many pathways to a successful career. We help young people to determine their individual paths based on interests, strength, and their own definition of happiness.

03.

In preparing for life as adults, young people also need to understand how factors such as cost of living, personal budgets, salary progression, and loan repayment may effect their futures.

04.

If you can see it, you can be it. Youthentity programs connect students with industry professionals for hands-on learning and mentorship.

 

Who we are

Our people are everything. Many of our coaches have masters degrees and accomplished careers in their fields. From pastry chefs and architects to certified public accountants, collectively we are a powerful resource for youth.
— Kirsten McDaniel, Founder & Board Member
 
 

Kristina Freeman

Executive Director

Kris Freeman is the Executive Director of Youthentity, an organization focused on empowering youth through career awareness and financial literacy. With a strong background in sales and sales operations from her tenure at Xerox and Compucom, Kris brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role. She has served as a board member, volunteer, and district manager for Junior Achievement and The Junior League both with a youth education focus similar to Youthentity. Kris holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Passionate about youth development in Financial Literacy and Career Awareness, Kris is dedicated to advancing Youthentity's mission and making a lasting impact in the community. Contact Kris

STAFF

Greg Beachey, Career Academy Program Director

Miriam Flores, Accounting & Business Operation Director

Samantha Freese, Financial Literacy Program Director and Marketing Director

 

Program Staff

Dr. Oneal Bogan, Animal Care Academy Manager

Joe Daboul, Lead Chef Instructor

Ben Kite, Construction Instructor

Melanie Luther, Health Occupations Academy Manager

Mariana Chissum, Communications and Family Engagement Coordinator

Matt Maier, Chef Instructor

Cheryl Turpin, Financial Literacy Program Manager

Financial Literacy Program Facilitators:

Summit & Eagle
James Thomason
Front Range
Brian Palmeri

Roaring Fork
Ellie Kershow

Grand Junction
Michelle Krug

 

 

Board of Directors

Tom Kenning, Chair

Jan Koorn, Treasurer

Phil Clay, Secretary

Barb McMahon

Bonnie Hoffman

Brady Emans

Gerry McDaniel

 

Ian Bays

Kirsten Petre McDaniel

Lucas Warth

Matthew Owings

Mark Gould

Roger Sheffield

 

Ready to help?

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