A century of mentoring at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado

This year is the hundredth anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado mentoring programs. Since 1918, BBBS of Colorado has offered programs that match adults (Bigs) and youth (Littles) for mentoring relationships.

The organization provides programs that are community-based, sports-centric, and/or academics-focused. Bigs and Littles foster connections through meetings and participating in events and activities together.

With these programs, Littles develop self-confidence, improve academically and develop healthy habits that continue into their adult lives. This demonstrates the lasting impact of the program on its members.

On October 18, BBBS of Colorado marked their centennial at the Big Night Out Gala. The event gathered community leaders, philanthropists, along with current Bigs and Littles. It honored volunteers and corporate partners that helped throughout the organization’s century-long effort to guide Colorado youth.

Scott Reiman is an avid supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. He spent several years volunteering as a mentor and recognizes the connections it has for former and current members. He congratulates Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado on 100 years of mentoring Colorado’s Littles towards big futures.

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Denver Muralist collaborates with local youth

Denver muralist Jaime Molina is partnering with a few local young artists to showcase their talents at the Denver Art Museum.

When visitors explore Molina’s “Past the Tangled Present” installation, they will not only see Molina’s whimsical work, but also 30 artworks created by youth ages 12-18 who collaborated with Molina to create their own project inspired by the exhibit while also showcasing their own style.

Over the summer, Molina held a series of workshops for kids from Denver Public Library’s Montbello Branch ideaLab and the William E. Cope and Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Clubs.

“Past the Tangled Present” is on view at the DAM through September 9. This exhibition is included with general admission, which is free for members and youth ages 18 and younger thanks to the Free for Kids program.

Scott Reiman and the Reiman Foundation are a proud sponsor of Free for Kids and support programs that give students across the state access to art and cultural experiences.

Denver muralist Jaime Molina collaborates with local kids on “Past the Tangled Present” at the Denver Art Museum. 

Big Brother Big Sister of Colorado play ball with the Denver Nuggets

In honor of National Mentoring month, more than 55 matches of Bigs and Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado took to the court for a basketball skills event last month with two Denver Nuggets.

Nuggets shooting guard Malik Beasley and point guard Jamal Murray joined Nuggets Community Ambassadors and officers from the Denver Police Department in a basketball clinic at Moorhead Recreation Center in Aurora, CO. The event, sponsored by Western Union, gave the BBBS Sports Buddies the chance to enhance their three-pointer skills, hang out with professional players and more. It gave each kid the opportunity to feel like All-Stars said Mike Fye, program manager.Sports Buddies is one of the several mentoring programs offered by BBBS. Program activities are designed to strengthen mentoring relationships while instilling self-confidence, goal setting, collaboration, skill development and healthy lifestyles.

The Sports Buddies Mentoring Program provides mentoring for kids often facing adversity. It offers kids from low-income families the opportunity to experience participatory and spectator sports. Many of them do not always have the chance to join sports teams or participate in the wide variety of athletics available to them through Sports Buddies.

Scott Reiman spent several years acting as a mentor for kids through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He knows firsthand how positive relationships with adult mentors can prove to be one of the most fundamental elements of success later in life.

 

Photo by Big Brother Big Sister of Colorado

Renovation set to begin on Denver Art Museum’s North Building

The Denver Art Museum is preparing to conserve one it’s greatest works of art – the North Building. On November 19, the North Building will close so art can be removed and construction on the renovation plan can begin on November 20.

Proposed architectural rendering of an aerial view of the North Building. Courtesy of Fentress Architects

With the North Building closure, the Hamilton Building will be open seven days a week for the first time ever to provide visitors more opportunities to experience the museum.

The $150 million renovation project will expand and update the North Building and will include a 50,000-square-foot, two-story Anna and John J. Sie Welcome Center complete with conservation lab and programming and event space. Also included in the plans is a seventh-floor terrace in the North Building with outdoor access for visitors, expanded gallery space for the museum’s design and Western American art collections, new youth and education facilities and updated disabled-access and other building operating systems.

Scott Reiman has been a longtime member of the Denver Art Museum community. He has served as a museum trustee and has made the Free for Kids program possible, offering youth visitors under 18, free general admission to the museum. The Reiman Bridge that connects the Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Building and North Building is named after him.

Quarterly Forum appoints new CEO

Ashley Buderus has been named CEO of the Quarterly Forum.

Ashley Buderus, a former director with the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, has been named CEO of Quarterly Forum.

The Quarterly Forum is a nonprofit organization that strives to connect, educate and inspire Colorado’s emerging business leaders.

Buderus has deep experience in non-profit organizations throughout Colorado in addition to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The Forum too supports various organizations and in particular, Colorado’s youth through its scholarship programs, including the Scott Reiman Emerging Leader Scholarship, funded by Scott Reiman, a forum member. The scholarship provides funds for financial support to an exceptional University of Denver student.

Read more about the Forum and its new CEO in the Denver Business Journal.

DDFL raises $400k for its furry friends

Photo courtesy of Denver Dumb Friends League.

Several two-legged friends helped raise more than $400,000 to help their four-legged friends through the Denver Dumb Friends League “Have a Heart for Homeless Pets Telethon” on 9NEWS last month.

Supported by Scott Reiman and the Reiman Foundation, DDFL is the largest animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region. The organization provides shelter, care and training programs for homeless animals.

Last year, the Dumb Friends League saved more than 19,000 homeless pets through specialized medical care, foster care and behavior training. Funds raised from this year’s event will help the DDFL provide care to all animals who walk, pounce or gallop through its doors.

Donations can still be made online or by calling 303-751-5772.