INSPIRED IMPACT is an ongoing blog series that gives voice to purpose-driven brands and passionate business leaders and entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their communities and industries.
Andrea Viarrial-Murphy is the Director of Visibility & Operations for Youth On Record. Follow @YouthonRecord and learn more about Youth On Record at www.youthonrecord.org.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
At Youth on Record, we are committed to ensuring that the youth we serve graduate from high school and are ready to enter the workforce, and transition to college or enter advanced technical training and careers. Our programs empower 1,000 teens in some of Denver’s most vulnerable communities to make life choices that positively impact their future by teaching them to develop the coping tools, inspiration, and wherewithal to succeed in today’s world and to become leaders of tomorrow.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
We believe that all young people, including those who are at-risk and written-off, have the ability to turn their lives around.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
Our programs are designed, in part, to create positive educational and job training opportunities, both at school and outside of school, through engaging, transformative music education that prepares teens for college and creative careers.
Our strategy combines providing 1.) engaging, in-school coursework, 2.) out-of-school-time (OST) opportunities for teens, and 3.) advanced job skills training at our state-of-the-art music facility. Our for-credit courses – which are the inroad to Youth on Record’s OST programming– are designed to motivate young people to attend class and graduate on-time. Students who appear to be at-risk of dropping out of school and who are engaging in destructive behaviors are identified by their school teachers and administrators, and are strongly encouraged to enroll in YOR programming as part of their Individual Education Plans.
Our 2016 School Partners include: Collegiate High School, Lincoln Respect Academy, Florence Crittenton, CEC Middle College, Manual High School, Colorado High School Charter, William Smith, Denver School of Science and Technology Green Valley Ranch, Academy of Urban Learning, P.R.E.P Academy, and Hi Tec Early College.
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE THIS IMPACT?
For me personally, I have always had a passion for our young people, specifically those ages 16-21. I have also had a passion for music. These two things go hand in hand at Youth on Record. Our young people are the next generation who will have the chance to impact our world, so it’s up to us to inspire, mentor, connect and guide this next generation.
WHAT IS (OR HAS BEEN) YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE?
Funding and connecting with corporate sponsors/donors.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Look for an organization that touches, moves and inspires you. Take a look at how you can support them outside of a financial gift. Engage your employees into the organizations you give to and let your network know who you support and why.
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
Check out on of our YOR Intros, this is the first way to get involved with us. To make a donation, click here.