FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/16/2022
AURORA, CO. – On Saturday, November 12th, members of the Sr. Teens of the South Suburban Denver Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, gathered at Regal UA Colorado Center for a private screening of the newly released Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The gathering was both a celebration and a culmination of events for the organization. More than 15 teenagers have spent several weeks planning for this day; most of the teens are enrolled in the Community College of Aurora’s (CCA) concurrent enrollment programming.
Through volunteerism, fundraising, and various education initiatives, Jack and Jill’s South Suburban Denver Chapter Teen Executive Board has built this year’s programming around the theme of fostering success. As a part of their annual commitment to fundraising for the Jack and Jill Foundation, the teens chose to keep two-thirds of the contributions within the local community by making a generous contribution of six hundred and sixty dollars to CCA’s Division of Student Success.
Pictures from this event can be viewed HERE.
Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora said, “The efforts made by these young adults are to be commended and serves as a shining example of the power of a collaborative vision for a great cause. Jack and Jill of America has a long-established track record of ensuring that it’s equipping students of color with the necessary resources to be successful and this contribution will do just that.”
In 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty mothers came together to discuss creating an organization to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for youth between the ages of 2 and 19 years old. This meeting more than eight decades ago, has transformed into an organization which comprises of two hundred and fifty-two local chapters and spans across seven regions within the United States. This is the Jack and Jill of America that many have come to know.
“My son Jaden is a CE student. When the teens started brainstorming on what organization to partner with, CCA was an easy choice because of the impact the college is making within the community” said Immediate Past Chapter President, Katrina Little.
Beau Green (CCA’s Director of Student Advocacy) said, “this contribution will ensure that we are able to continue supporting students throughout their academic journey both in and out of the classroom.”
“Without the resources within the Division of Student Success I would not have come this far” commented Alfred Cusick a business major at CCA. Cusick, a non-traditional student, spoke at Saturday’s event regarding his experience aging out of the foster care system. “Completing my degree at CCA is a dream come true and I couldn’t be prouder to be a student.”
Membership into Jack and Jill of America is available to mothers with children ages 2 to 19, dedicated to nurturing future leaders by supporting children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty.
Dr. Brownlee closed by saying, “CCA is grateful for the contribution made by the South Suburban Denver Teenage Division. We look forward to a long-standing relationship that will make an impact within our community.”
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