Approximately 250,000 children live below the Colorado Self-Sufficiency Standard in the eight-county area that the nonprofit organization, A Precious Child serves. Children living in poverty are more likely to be in poor health, less likely to graduate high school on time and are more likely to live in poverty as adults. Exposure to poverty in early childhood materially impacts brain development during the school years, further underscoring the importance of attention to the well-established detrimental effects of poverty on child development. (JAMA Pediatrics)
Based in Broomfield, A Precious Child assists children and families facing difficult life challenges such as abuse and neglect, crisis situations and poverty. It works with 450 Agency Partners throughout eight counties, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson and Weld to identify children and families who have the most need of its services.
“We envision a future where every child grows up to be a secure and self-reliant member of the community,” said Chief Communications Officer, Courtney Wickberg, at A Precious Child. “By providing opportunities and resources to children in need, we are empowering them to achieve their full potential.”
Basic essentials and services are provided through A Precious Child’s main Resource Center and 37 Satellite Resource Centers across eight Denver Metro Counties. Personalized case management is provided to families to meet the needs of the whole child.
Last year, A Precious Child served 49,000 disadvantaged children and their families in the eight-county region.
“Our goal is to improve the quality of life for Colorado’s most vulnerable children and adults by working with our local Agency Partners and volunteers to provide the basic living essentials such as clothing, academic support, extracurricular opportunities, and celebratory gifts for birthdays and holidays, all in a dignified manner,” added Wickberg.
Agency Partners include schools, health, and human services, churches, hospitals, safe houses, fire and police departments, at-risk youth centers, homeless shelters, as well as mental health and foster care organizations.
Programs that Help Children and Their Families Thrive
A Precious Child has eight main programs that help children and their families in the areas of family stability, academic success, and social and emotional well-being.
Precious Essentials. A Precious Child collects donated new and gently used clothing, coats, undergarments, socks, shoes, hygiene items, home goods and other essentials and distributes them to children and families in the most need through its Resource Center. Families are referred to the Resource Center by its Agency Partners. Once referred, clients call and make an appointment to come and shop for the basic essentials they need in a welcoming and dignified store-like setting with no cost to families.
Basics 4 Babies. Through donated new diapers, wipes, baby food, formula and other baby necessities, families don’t have to ration or go without for their babies. In addition to baby essentials, A Precious Child also provides “Bright By Three” kits that offer parents of children newborn to three years of age with tools, information, and resources to empower them to be the first and most influential teacher in their child’s life.
Inspiring Minds. While parents and caretakers shop at the Resource Center during a scheduled visit, children participate in the Inspiring Minds Center, a designated space that provides access to STEM-based activities, software, and games. The Inspiring Minds Center includes a computer lab, reading corner and STEM-based educational games focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It also offers age-appropriate take-home STEM Kits in both English and Spanish.
Edussentials. This program lets children submit a scholarship application to help cover the costs of necessary tools for school, such as scientific calculators, books and computers, required items for technical or trade schools like steel-toed boots, resources for public bus transportation to and from school and fees for activities such as field trips, SAT/ACT tests, educational programs and tutoring.
Fill A Backpack. Backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies are distributed to children through the Resource Center as well as its Agency Partners. A Precious Child collects
new backpacks, school supplies, and monetary donations through drives hosted by individuals, organizations, and businesses as well as through the Fill A Backpack Corporate, Chamber, and Community Challenges.
giveARTS. Children can submit a scholarship application for music, dance, theatre, or visual arts programs of their choice to help cover the cost of registration fees, books, uniforms, supplies, and equipment, as well as other arts-related fees. These scholarships increase access and participation for those disadvantaged youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity to become involved in the arts.
giveSPORTS. Children can submit a scholarship application for any sport of their choosing to help cover the cost of registration, tournament fees, camp fees, uniform fees, and needed equipment, as well as other sport-related fees. This means they have the opportunity to participate in sports alongside their peers, despite the hardships they are facing.
Precious Gift. A Precious Child collects donated new toys, gift cards and gifts for children (babies through teenagers) with the most need in the community. Gifts are distributed to children through the Resource Center as well as its Agency Partners. During the year, when families shop in the Resource Center, a gift along with cake mix, icing and candles is given to a family or caregiver to help them celebrate a child with an upcoming birthday. During the holidays, generous support from individuals, companies, churches, and other organizations ensure that each child is sponsored and receives something special during the holidays.
Rewards of Helping Those in Need
“We see so many children getting excited because they can shop for their own clothes, and when they ask their parents if they can get a certain item, the parents can say yes, and the child just light up,” said Wickberg. “We provide compassion without judgment and we are empowering people so they can participate fully in life, which, in turn, raises their self-esteem.”
Wickberg added that the organization’s goals are to increase the number of Satellite Resource Centers to make access easier for everyone. In addition, she wants to grow the current volunteer base this year from 6,600 to 7,000 community helpers.
How Can You Help?
There are six signature fundraising events throughout the year including lunch-and-learn outings that honor community heroes. On October 23, 2019, A Precious Child will be hosting a Denver Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center. It’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bob White, EVP & President, Minimally Invasive Therapies Group of Medtronic will be the keynote speaker.
In addition, the organization always loves new volunteers, and makes it easy to do so. Volunteers are at the core of A Precious Child’s mission. Volunteers donate tens of thousands of hours of volunteer service, and with an array of volunteer opportunities to choose from for individuals, corporate groups, and community organizations, there are many ways to directly benefit children and families in need.
Volunteers are needed on a daily basis in the donation center to help process incoming items and prepare them for the store where families shop free of charge for clothing and other essentials.
There are other ways to get involved besides volunteering that include sponsoring an event, hosting a drive, holding a third-party event, grant funding and employee giving and matching gifts.
In June 2018, A Precious Child moved into a 25,825 square foot distribution center in Broomfield, where it can serve more children and families. In addition, the organization has 33 Satellite Resource Centers throughout the metro Denver area for easier access to its services.
For more information or to volunteer, visit https://www.APreciousChild.org or call 303-466-4272 ext.104.
