In a partnership with Goodwill of Colorado’s Excel Center, the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver is pleased to provide its expertise — early childhood education and youth development programming — to students attending this first-of-its-kind in Colorado tuition-free adult learning high school. The new school, located in Aurora at 15445 E. Iliff Ave., opens for classes August 5, with enrollment open year-round.
Open to Colorado residents ages 22 and older, the Excel Center provides a pathway to attaining a high school diploma for the estimated 300,000 Coloradans currently without a diploma. This process is intended to help graduates increase their income, expand employment options and promote generational wealth — and ultimately develop the local workforce. It is currently one of 41 Excel Centers in nine different states and Washington, D.C.
With financial support from the Colorado Department of Education and Goodwill of Colorado, the school provides all services for free, including on-site drop-in child care provided by the Denver YMCA. Called “YMCA Adventure Center,” the child care facility will provide daily weekday care more than seven hours a day for children from toddlers to tweens — giving their parents time to focus on classes and schoolwork. Excel Center adult learners also have access to free wrap-around services including transportation support, career coaching, professional certification instruction, dual-credit courses and financial literacy education.
Like all YMCA youth development offerings, YMCA Adventure Center will provide care in an inclusive and welcoming environment, creating a place for learning, connection and fun. Children will be cared for by skilled and caring staff with comprehensive training. Children will have access to engaging, learning-focused programming for all ages at YMCA Adventure Center.
“We are so glad to be able to share our deep child and youth development expertise with our Denver metro community in such a meaningful way,” said Julie Cataldo, YMCA Senior Director for Early Childhood Education. “At the Y, we’re focused on supporting individuals and building healthy and thriving communities, so we are very excited to provide support to the students at Goodwill Excel Center.”
Last year at the Denver YMCA, 10,232 kids gained confidence, made friends and boosted their skills in youth development programs, and the children of 134 families received essential early childcare through Y Academy preschool.