December 2025 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
As the year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the quieter moments that often go unseen — a young person stepping into a new version of themselves, a family finally feeling supported, a therapist meeting a client exactly where they are, a staff member offering a steady encouragement at just the right time. These moments stitch together the real story of Colorado Dream Foundation, and they remind me how deeply community shapes possibility.
This season, your generosity has been felt in ways big and small. Our record-breaking Colorado Gives Day and the pure joy of Dreamers Winter Wonderland were visible celebrations of something much deeper: the belief that every young person deserves to feel seen, supported, and capable of shaping their future.
Thank you for standing with us and with our youth. Your partnership continues to move this work forward — not just through programs, but through the sense of belonging and hope we create together.
Warmly,
Kaye Taavialma, President & CEO
Mission Moment
A glimpse into what we do and why we do it.
During this giving season, we’ve been reflecting on what your support made possible. On Colorado Gives Day, our community came together to raise a record $124,690 for Colorado Dream Foundation. A few days later, we watched that generosity come to life at Dreamers Winter Wonderland, a Making Moments Count event hosted by Alvarado Restaurant Nation and held at their headquarters.
The space was transformed into the North Pole, and our youth arrived buzzing with excitement. They stopped by Claus’ Café for pizza and snacks, then moved down Dreamers Gift Lane, carefully choosing presents for the people they care about. For most of the youth, it was their first time being able to pick out gifts on their own. There was cookie decorating, time with the Grinch, and plenty of laughter as they compared what they picked and who they were shopping for.
Seeing their delight in both giving and receiving was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Your support doesn’t just fund programs. It creates moments of joy, belonging, and possibility for our youth all year long.
We are grateful to Alvarado Restaurant Nation for making this unforgettable night possible for our youth.
Dreamers of the Month
A glimpse into what we do and why we do it.
Whatever it Takes: Evie Abrego (4th Grade)
Evie consistently arrives at the program ready to participate and shows kindness toward her peers. She takes initiative without needing reminders, keeping her space tidy and stepping in to help whenever needed. Her contagious smile and positive energy brighten the room, and her kindness is evident to everyone she interacts with—peers, staff, and visitors alike. Evie communicates clearly when she will be absent, demonstrating responsibility and respect for the program. Thanks to her outstanding performance and engagement, she has earned the opportunity to join two field trips (her pictured at one above). Additionally, she brought a new Dreamer into the program and helped them feel included and supported.
A Seat at the Table: Melisa Sadaoui (12th Grade)
Melisa, a 16-year-old senior at College View High School is no stranger to putting herself out there, trying new things and meeting new people. She embodies a curiosity that is both rare and contagious. We are inspired by Melisa because she is full of imagination. Her knack for problem solving, creativity, and understanding different perspectives is everything we hope for our youth to take with them into their post-secondary journey. It is refreshing to witness a young adult being so immersed with their surroundings and eager to experience the opportunities Colorado Dream Foundation offers youth- to explore diverse post-secondary pathways. We love her excitement at being offered a seat at the table- to ask questions and explore possibilities. Melisa's many questions, whether at college tours, with guest speakers, or while connecting with her peers are always inquisitive and fun!
Updates
Afterschool Highlights
Despite having only three weeks of programming in December, we packed in a full agenda for our youth. As the semester came to a close, students had the opportunity to showcase the culmination of their projects. Our 11th graders delivered inspiring TED‑Talk–style presentations to friends, family, and partner organizations.
At the end of November, our youth program team reflected on the semester’s progress and drafted quality improvement plans to strengthen our practice. December marked the first month of putting those plans into action. Some of the changes included:
Grade 12: redesigned advising to be more personalized and to encourage optimistic thinking.
Grades 10–11: added visual aids to support greater autonomy.
Grades 3–8: introduced new opportunities for youth to take responsibility for tasks and activities, fostering leadership and accountability.
I look forward to sharing the impact of these improvements in the coming month.
Finally, a reminder: youth programs will take winter recess beginning Friday, December 19, and will resume on Tuesday, January 6. We wish you a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year!
Beyond Dreams Therapy
As we close out 2025, we’re proud to share the incredible progress made within our Clinical Program. Since July 1, our team of interns and therapists has delivered nearly 1,600 therapy sessions, supporting clients of all ages, many of them are youth ages 8–18, as they navigate some of life’s hardest moments. Week after week, our clients show up with courage, leaning into their growth, healing, and the possibility of something beautiful unfolding in their lives. Their commitment inspires us daily.
Today, we work alongside 171 active clients, and for the first time since our launch in 2021, every clinician on our team is at full capacity. This milestone reflects both the tremendous need for accessible mental health care and the deep trust our community places in us. Our waitlist continues to grow, and we remain committed to ensuring timely access. Our goal is for clients to wait no more than two to three months before beginning care - a standard we are working hard to uphold.
Our partnerships with schools, community providers, and families strengthen our impact and help ensure that youth across Denver have access to high-quality, affordable mental health support. Because of this shared commitment, we can continue to show up for our community with compassion, with excellence, and with the unwavering belief that growth, connection, and healing are possible for every client who walks through our doors.
Dream Team Profiles of the Month
Cain Cox, Lead Instructor
As Lead Instructor, Cain designs and leads long-form lessons that invite youth to think creatively, build skills, and see projects through from idea to completion. His favorite part of the work is watching lessons he has carefully planned come to life in the classroom and seeing youth connect with the material in their own way.
Cain is an alum of the program, which deeply shapes how he shows up with youth. He brings an open, creative mindset and a strong arts background that he uses in both lesson planning and classroom work. Cain has completed internships with local artists across Denver and trained alongside other instructors in the program. He thrives in a design environment, planning and drafting projects and lessons that blend creativity, structure, and real-world relevance.
Cain focuses on meeting youth where they are and coming from a place of understanding. He works to reflect the guidance he received as a Dreamer and to stand as an extra pillar of support as youth move through their own growth and discovery.
Outside of the classroom, Cain enjoys drawing, working in video, and collecting records. One of his favorite movies is Pretty in Pink.
Erin Fernandez, Director of Post Secondary Success
As the Director of Post-Secondary Success, Erin leads work that helps youth recognize their strengths, set goals, and move toward life after high school with confidence. Her favorite part of the role is building relationships with students and families and walking alongside them through big transitions and decisions.
Erin holds a B.A. Certificate in Global and Intercultural Communication from the University of Colorado Denver and is currently completing her B.A. in Communication there, with an expected graduation in fall 2025. She brings strong emotional intelligence, creativity, and a talent for building meaningful, long-term community partnerships. Erin is especially motivated by co-designing programs with youth, using their ideas and perspectives to shape supports that truly fit their needs.
In her work with youth and families, Erin prioritizes trust and vulnerability, creating space for people to feel seen, heard, and acknowledged. She supports youth in identifying their strengths, clarifying their goals, and staying accountable to the steps needed to get there. She hopes youth experience our programs as spaces of belonging and curiosity, where they can explore who they are and what they want next.
Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, going to live music, baking cookies, taking the occasional dance class, and watching a good rom-com.
Partner Spotlight
Colorado Dream Foundation was awarded the Building Belonging Through Culture, Choice and Connection grant from The Colorado Health Foundation. This investment helps us deepen our work with youth so they can build strong roots, make meaningful choices, and feel a true sense of belonging. We’re so grateful for this partnership.
The Colorado Health Foundation is bringing health in reach for all Coloradans by engaging closely with communities across the state through investing, policy advocacy, learning and capacity building.
