A PRECIOUS CHILD INC

The Basics 4 Babies program provides direct aid to parents and caregivers of infants who might otherwise ration or go without basic necessities for their babies. Basics 4 Babies was developed in response to a high volume of requests from clients, partners and the community for diapers, baby wipes, infant formula, baby food, baby gear, child seats and other necessities to support the needs of infants who are in the most critical stage of development. This program provides access to Early Childhood kits providing developmental and educational materials and helping strengthen the child and parent bonds through the infant's development. In 2021, 4,726 infants received 429 cans of formula, 218,040 diapers, 3,434 packs of baby wipes and parents of 1,517 infants and toddlers were provided Early Childhood kits with registration to online and text developmental health information specific for their child.

The Fill A Backpack program strives to maximize the academic potential for disadvantaged and displaced children by ensuring they have the supplies necessary to start school prepared to succeed. The Fill A Backpack program provides backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to children in need to maximize their academic potential. In 2021, 20,177 backpacks with school supplies were provided to children K-12 in need within the Metro Denver area. No child should have to go to class feeling embarrassed to have to ask their teacher to borrow a pencil or piece of paper. With more than 59% of Metro students qualified for Free and Reduced Lunch in 2021 and many coming to the first day of school unprepared, it is no surprise that many struggling families cannot afford the growing annual expense of school supplies for their children.

The giveSPORTS program provides disadvantaged children in Metro Denver with new and gently-used sports equipment to play organized sports. The giveSPORTS program provides support for sports program costs associated with registration, uniforms and participation fees to feel a sense of normalcy alongside their peers. Additionally, A Precious Child provides Football and Baseball Camps for children to actively engage, learn and meet professional sports players. In 2021, 13,880 children received sports equipment, camp access or financial assistance to help them get out and play.

The Inspiring Minds program provides access to STEM-based activities to children through our Inspiring Minds Center. The Inspiring Minds Center ensures that every child who comes to the Resource Center is provided with a safe space that encourages STEM-based learning while their family is shopping in the Resource Center. Additionally, children are provided STEM kits to take home and explore the history and careers of STEM alongside trying their own experiments. The Inspiring Minds program provides school-aged children access to age-appropriate take-home STEM kits, including resources for educational websites and information regarding free or discounted rates to local museums. Critically, these STEM kits also provide information about STEM-based occupations so that youth are able to think deeply and recognize the chance to become the nation's future innovators, educators, researchers and leaders. In 2021, 1,600 children received services through this program.

The Precious Gift program provides gifts to children who would otherwise go without during monumental times in their lives, such as birthdays and during holiday seasons. A Precious Child collects donated new toys and gift cards for children (babies through teenagers) in the most need in the community. Gifts are distributed to children through our Resource Center as well as our agency partners. During the holidays, A Precious Child ensures that each child is sponsored and receives something special to feel a sense of normalcy alongside their peers and continue developing self-worth. In 2021, 1,410 children received birthday bags and 15,002 children received holiday gifts.

The giveARTS program provides new art-based equipment and supplies to children to continue to explore their creative imagination. The giveARTS program provides financial support such as participation fees, instruments and art supplies, so all children have the opportunity to participate in music, dance, theatre and the visual arts. Through this program, children have the opportunity to participate in activities local to them that help each of them learn new skills and express themselves. Additionally, an art camp is provided to teach children multiple dance techniques all by a professional dance instructor. In 2021, 156 children received assistance through this program in the Metro Denver area and 11 children took part in the camp learning multiple types of dance, confidence and developing a sense and love of art.

The Edussentials program provides necessary academic support for supplies and opportunities and funding for educational fees to disadvantaged and displaced students. Through the Edussentials program, A Precious Child is able to provide educational supports and opportunities such as computers, calculators, tutoring and incentives to remove barriers to school attendance and improve educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged students. In 2021, 552 children received opportunities through the Edussentials program. This included 7 children who were provided professional tutoring, 55 children who received bus passes to attend school and 480 who were provided with opportunities and resources aimed at increased attendance rates.

The Empowerment Center program provides resource navigation and case management through wrap-around supports and education services to empower children and families on their path to self-sufficiency. The Empowerment Center provides parents and caregivers multiple benefits and resources such as employment help, food access, physical and behavioral health care referrals, financial housing assistance and much more. The Empowerment Center helps families with clinical case management and goal setting to increase self-sufficiency, improve child and parent relationships and ensure families have access to our 323 Agency Partners for holistic resource navigation. In 2021, the Empowerment Center provided 13,166 disadvantaged individuals with case management services; this is a 63% increase from the previous year.

The Precious Perks program provides customized workforce development opportunities through A Precious Child's Social Enterprise Coffee and Gift Shop for young adults, 15-24-year-olds, who are out of school, without employment, or struggling with a learning disorder, helping them achieve self-sufficiency by training for, obtaining and retaining employment. The Precious Perks program is an extensive cradle-to-career piece of A Precious Child helping fill a gap in our community to end multigenerational poverty. Through this program, disadvantaged young adults have the opportunity to gain work experience, management skills, receive multiple certificate programs, participate in a strategic mentorship program, receive on-the-job training and gain employment. Begining in the 2021-2022 school year, 14 young adults have been provided this 6-month wrap-around service that includes case management and apprenticeship.