Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Skills Enrichment Center
Legal Name (if Different): Skills Academy Foundation
Also Known As: Skills Enrichment Center
Mailing Address: 1575 Garden of Gods Rd. 2nd Floor
City: Colorado Springs
State: CO
Postal Code: 80907
Main Phone: 719-722-5551
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.skillsec.org
Employer ID Number: 82-145609
Organization Tax Status:

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 27, 2024
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: Transforming Futures: The Skills Enrichment Center’s Innovative Approach to Empowering Justice-Involved Youth
Project Description:

In an era where the criminal justice system often struggles to break the cycle of recidivism, the Skills Enrichment Center (SEC) has forged a groundbreaking partnership to provide vocational training and employment opportunities for justice-involved youth (JI youth). The statistics surrounding recidivism rates among youths aged 17-21 in Colorado are staggering. It was estimated at well over 55% in 2022. However, SEC’s vocational programs offer a beacon of hope. By equipping JI youth with tangible skills and certifications in high-demand industries, SEC aims to break the cycle of incarceration and empower these individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Through collaboration with key stakeholders such as:
-Colorado Department of Human Services, Juvenile Justice Division
-Work Options of Denver
-Skills Behavioral and Testing Center
-Employment Edge
-Colorado Department of Corrections, Youth Division

SEC is pioneering a holistic approach to empower JI youth and reduce their reliance on government social programs. Over the past four years, SEC has worked exclusively with youth with disabilities. After discovering that around 80% of JI youth have some form of disability and that youth detention centers have become a pathway to prison for youth with autism and ADHD, SEC decided to expand their mission to change this narrative.
This initiative affects the whole community. Who is to say that your car does not get stolen tonight because that youth has a job to go to? Who is to say that your favorite store does not get broken into because that youth is in a vocational training program? How many taxpayer dollars are saved not having to pay for incarceration? People talk all the time about reducing the prison population, crime, and homelessness. This initiative acts on the problems.

Total Project Budget: $10,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Daniel’s Fund Commited for $850,000

Project Duration:
Geographical Area Served: El Paso and Denver County
Age Group To Be Served: 17-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs
Contact First Name: Randee
Contact Last Name: Van Ness
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 719.651.5102
Contact Email: randee@skillsec.org