Achievements & Awards

Project PAVE Named 2009 "Small Nonprofit Organization of the Year"

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce honored Project PAVE as "Small Nonprofit Organization of the Year" at the annual Business Awards Luncheon in April 2009. The awards salute small, emerging, non-profit and minority-owned businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the Denver metro community. Since the first Small Business of the Year was recognized in 1982, four additional awards have been created to honor the success of Denver small business in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 500 business leaders. "This award speaks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, board, volunteers, and supporters," said Mike Johnson, executive director. "It also honors the community and clients we serve. This tells us we are doing something right."

Project PAVE & Inclusiveness

In 2006, Project PAVE became one of just twelve grantee agencies chosen to participate in the Denver Foundation's Expanding Nonprofit Inclusiveness Initiative (ENII). Organization leadership continues to be instrumental in ongoing sector-wide inclusiveness efforts and internal organization initiatives.  It is the view of Project PAVE leadership that for these inclusiveness initiatives to be fully realized and wholly authentic, its principles must be fully integrated and woven into the fabric of the organization. Project PAVE's model for program expansion is rooted in inclusiveness, with the specific needs and backgrounds of each school community serving as the foundation for Project PAVE activities.  Through this process, Project PAVE has increased program visibility and access in the Latino community through its bilingual programs and outreach. All school-based counselors are bilingual, and staff also consists of a bilingual violence prevention educator and bicultural/bilingual office and program assistant.  Through funding from Tony Grampsas Youth Services, staff and board received continued inclusiveness training in summer of 2009 with Assets for Colorado Youth.  Currently staff is working with consultant Denise Materre to further its focus on working with underserved communities.

Visit www.nonprofitinclusiveness.org for more information.

Bullying Prevention Initiative

Project PAVE was fortunate to be an integral part of the Colorado Trust’s Bullying Prevention Initiative (BPI) from 2005 to 2008. As part of this coordinated statewide effort, Project PAVE staff helped two partner schools (in Denver and Aurora) customize and implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention program in all aspects of each school. A true effort of collaboration, our participation in the BPI enabled schools to improve their overall behavioral climate, develop positive discipline policies and procedures, train staff on handling bullying behavior in the classroom, and encourage students in their efforts to support each other by reducing bullying. For more information, including detailed analysis of the results of the BPI, visit the Colorado Trust’s webpage on Bullying Prevention.