Oct. 24, 2025
Aurora, CO — The Community College of Aurora (CCA) has been awarded a $100,000, two-year grant by the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions to deepen its work supporting Opportunity Youth—young people aged 16–24 who are disconnected from school or work. The grant will strengthen a powerful collaboration between CCA, Colorado Youth for a Change, and the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative, with the goal of re-engaging youth in education and career pathways that lead to lasting success.
The $50,000-per-year funding will enable CCA and its partners to provide tailored support and programming that reduce barriers for young people facing systemic obstacles to education and employment. These efforts include individualized coaching, mentoring, workforce development, and transition services to ensure that opportunity youth are not only reconnected but set up for long-term achievement.
“This grant allows us to deepen our work with partners who are equally committed to ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to thrive,” said Clair Collins, Vice President of Enrollment Success and Completion at CCA. “Together, we’re building more than just programs—we’re building pathways that lead to long-term success.”
This initiative is part of a national movement led by the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, which promotes collaborative, community-based strategies to improve outcomes for youth and young adults. The Forum supports Opportunity Youth Forums in communities across the country, encouraging local partnerships that drive equitable systems change.
“We are excited to continue supporting the impactful work happening in Aurora and the broader Denver region,” said Geneva Wiki, Senior Associate at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions. “The partnership between CCA, Colorado Youth for a Change, and the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative is a powerful example of how communities can come together to remove barriers and co-create opportunity with young people at the center.”
The Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative, managed by Colorado Youth for a Change, works to improve outcomes for over 45,000 opportunity youth in the Denver metro region, focusing on those furthest from opportunity. The initiative brings together education providers, community-based organizations, and employers to align efforts and create clear, supported pathways for youth.
“The Community College of Aurora is proud to join forces with Colorado Youth for a Change and the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative,” said Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, President of the Community College of Aurora. “As a community of educators, we collectively see the promise in every young person. This grant represents an investment not only in their education but in their futures—and in the future of our communities.”
About the Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on three (3) campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent-enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
About the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions
The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions supports community-based efforts to expand education and employment opportunities for opportunity youth—young people ages 16–24 who are disconnected from school or work. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and investing in innovative solutions, the Forum helps communities create pathways to success for all youth.
Contact
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]