FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                     Challenge Denver

1ThingDenver

Anti-Bullying

Anti-Luncheon

11.11.11

11 am-1pm

The Challenge Denver team has a vision to change the lives of thousands of students on a daily basis with its new campaign 1Thing Denver.  1Thing Denver is a measurable call to action for adults and students alike throughout our school and larger communities to do one good thing each day that will unite individuals and strengthen communities. 

 

“1Thing Denver reminds people that, young or old, powerful or not, we can all make a difference,” said Betsy Leighton, executive director of Challenge Denver.  “The way to stop bullying for any of us at any age is to feel connected to one another.  1Thing Denver is about making these connections everyday.”

 

In five years, Challenge Denver has served more than 15,000 students and adults in 22 elementary, middle and high schools with the nationally renowned anti-bullying program Challenge Day.  Challenge Days are empowering and emotional, asking students to strip down their facades and talk openly and honestly with their peers.  The experience both creates bonds and redefines bullying as something every one of us can affect.  After a Challenge Day, both truancy and expulsion rates go down, and school environments become friendlier for everyone.

 

“Challenge Day changed my life, and redefined my high school career,” said Cody McNeill, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver who has experienced several Challenge Days.  “I learn something new about myself and others every time I participate.  This program has profoundly impacted me as a student and a member of my greater community.”

 

On Friday, 1Thing Denver will launch with the Anti-bullying, Anti-luncheon.  Held at West High School on a Denver Public Schools closure day, hundreds of students, teachers and parents are expected to attend to celebrate and encourage all Denver residents to do one good thing each day.  Hip-hop dancers, cheerleaders, drum line members, former Nuggets players and more will join the celebration, demonstrating the range of personalities and social interests who are affected by bullying.

 

About Challenge Denver and 1Thing Denver

Challenge Denver was formed August 2006, in affiliation with Challenge Day, to work with middle and high school students by breaking down barriers of oppression, depression and isolation. Challenge Denver inspires and re-engages Denver Public School (DPS) middle and high school students to their school communities by providing them with the experience of Challenge Day along with consistent follow-up programming and support.

 

Challenge Denver’s vision to engage and inspire youth while helping them feel safe, connected and empowered to be successful in school is as relevant as ever. With DPS graduation rates at less than 52%, it is clear that we must create a continuum of care that engages students in meaningful relationships with their teachers, their peers and themselves.

 

1Thing Denver is a measurable call to action for all students and teachers and adults throughout our school and larger communities to do one good thing each day, a thing that will connect them to something bigger than themselves, to someone else and/or to the larger community. 1Thing Denver reminds people that we don’t have to be Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King to make a difference in our world and that all of us can contribute. 

 

For more information, visit www.challengedenver.org.