 Funded by Bank of America, the extension of the Civic Center WORKS program provides youth ages 16 – 24 with job training and skill-building through seasonal summer employment.
 Thanks to the generous support of Bank of America, Civic Center Conservancy has expanded Civic Center WORKS, a workforce development program, to provide teens and young adults ages 16 to 24 with summer employment opportunities and training. This expansion includes collaboration with Urban Peak and the Youth Employment Academy to employ youth in event operations positions as well as Youth on Record to support the production of live entertainment during Civic Center EATS events throughout the summer.
“This is an exciting collective social impact partnership with Bank of America, Urban Peak, Youth Employment Academy and Youth on Record to meet the needs of the park while also providing job skills and training opportunities to community members,” said Eric Lazzari, executive director of Civic Center Conservancy. “Civic Center’s WORKS program is a key part of ensuring that Civic Center Park is an active and thriving place for all.”
Civic Center WORKS launched in April 2022 in partnership with Denver Parks and Recreation and Bayaud Enterprises Denver Day Works Program to keep the park active, clean and thriving. Civic Center WORKS is a supplemental maintenance and workforce development program that supports individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The expansion of Civic Center WORKS connects teens and young adults with seasonal positions to support weekly Civic Center EATS events throughout the summer.
“With support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Summer Youth Employment initiative, we are very pleased to once more contribute to local partnerships like this summer’s youth employment program coordinated by the Civic Center Conservancy, Urban Peak, Youth Employment Academy and Youth on Record,” said Raju Patel, President, Bank of America Colorado. “Programs like this help young adults from all backgrounds gain early work experience that will put them on a path to economic stability and success.”
Urban Peak provides a full convergence of services solely focused on one of the most vulnerable populations – teens and young adults who are experiencing homelessness. This partnership will support Urban Peak’s Job Readiness Training by providing unhoused youth with positions working with the event operations team with Aramark to assist with the set-up, custodial, and tear-down of Civic Center EATS.
The Youth Employment Academy, established by Denver Housing Authority, helps young adults break the cycle of generational poverty in Denver communities by gaining personal and economic stability through education, arts and technology, and employment training. Program participants will also work in the event operations area supporting Civic Center EATS.
Youth on Record empowers Colorado’s underserved youth to achieve their academic, artistic and personal best by employing local, professional artists as their educators. This collaboration allows Youth on Record participants to have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the creative industries. Under the guidance of Youth on Record industry professionals, youth book talent, support live sound production, perform and train in day-of management for Civic Center EATS.
In addition to employment, participants receive job skills, training and access to other resources like financial literacy programs and mentorship. Additionally, the program is exploring opportunities for participants to enter a pipeline for permanent employment.
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About Civic Center Conservancy
Civic Center Conservancy is an independent nonprofit dedicated to keeping Denver’s Civic Center Park active and thriving for all. The Conservancy attracts people to the park, supports the park’s upkeep and ensures it meets the needs of anyone who gathers there for today and for the future. Learn more about our work, support our mission and explore our calendar of events at www.civiccenterpark.org.
