$33,307 raised by 114 donors
67% complete
$50,000 Goal
Youth Celebrate Diversity is building a grassroots movement of students and educators addressing social problems, celebrating diversity and making schools inclusive and safe for everyone. Our vision is that one day, every teen in America will feel safe to achieve in school, no matter who they are.
"It was better than I could have ever imagined. I could talk hours on end for how much fun I had and how much more patience and understanding I have for diversity in schools and others. I would also have you know that this conference has inspired [my] high school to pursue a diversity club. I just can't explain how amazing the day was. THANK YOU! BRAVO AND WELL DONE!" - Student attendee
"This is event is so uplifting especially when you walk through the halls listening to the students talk about who they just heard and who they are going to see next. The discussions I've heard during the session warms my heart to see and hear our future talk about their life experiences in and out of school. High school students coming throughout the state to this annual event--it is a happening." - Donor
"I attended the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference and I can tell you it's probably more impressive than the high school conference playoffs. These young people were so energetic. If it isn't remarkable, don't do it. The conference was remarkable and you did it." - Teacher/faculty advisor
Youth Celebrate Diversity is dedicated to educating and empowering in order to advance equity for all.
1993: Students and a teacher in a Denver suburb noticed teens across Colorado were struggling with similar social issues, but many times did not have the resources, knowledge, or platform to effectively address these challenges. After creating the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference, word spread across the state, and within a few years the conference had an annual attendance of 90+ schools and youth organizations.
2014: A group of alumni from the Cherry Creek event formed Youth Celebrate Diversity as a non-profit organization to expand on its success and support teens working for change across the country.
2016: YCD began offering professional development for teachers, focused on how they can advance inclusion and social justice within their classrooms and buildings.
2017: YCD hired its first paid, full-time Executive Director, and supported students in creating the Mountain West Diversity Conference (Gypsum) for Colorado's Western Slope.
2018: YCD supported students in creating the New Mexico Diversity Conference for Youth (Albuquerque). Also, YCD was awarded the 2018 Colorado Governor's Service Award for Outstanding Non-Profit Organization.
2019: YCD forged a partnership with Colorado State University and local teens to create the Northern Colorado Diversity Conference (Fort Collins) to support students across northern Colorado and southern Wyoming working for positive social change.
2020: YCD worked with CHSAA to create the Colorado Summit for Inclusive Teen Athletics and Activities (Colorado Springs). Additionally, in response to COVID-19 and to make the work more accessible, the organization shifted its focus to supporting local student organizing, action, and virtual programming.
Organization name
Youth Celebrate Diversity
other names
YCD
2014
Tax id (EIN)
46-4967224
Category
Youth Development
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
7900 E. Union Avenue Suite 1100Jefferson County, CO, US
Arapahoe County, CO, US