YSI Mission
The Youth Services Initiative inspires youth and families from underrepresented communities to make healthy, caring and responsible choices through recreation, health and well-being opportunities as well as life skill development.
About
Boulder Parks and Recreation’s Youth Service Initiative (YSI) changes lives and builds community among Boulder’s economically less fortunate. Each year, YSI serves about 150 young people whose circumstance would otherwise prevent them from experiencing many of the recreational and educational activities and options their peers enjoy. YSI also enables underserved community members to get exposed to art, good nutrition, the benefits of academic achievement and higher education, a healthy culture, and support system.
Programs
YSI collaborates with Boulder Housing Partners (BHP) to bring after school programs to youth residing in BHP selected housing sites. Our Youth Services Initiative provides staff, equipment, and snacks while BHP provides community center space and access to families.
Program activities range from swimming field trips to cooking with the kids. Program activities are created based on each program's diverse interests, and implemented by trained staff.
YSI/BHP puts a strong importance on building rapport with the families and creating core memories for the participants of the program.
If you reside in the designated housing sites and are interested in attending program, please contact Alma at GarciaA@bouldercolorado.gov.
The mission of the Getting Fit program is to facilitate the positive development of teen youth participants, by connecting them to opportunities and resources that will empower them to make positive choices for healthy lifestyle and leisure pursuits. We are a tight-knit group comprised of teens who reside in affordable housing or manufactured sites.
Getting Fit is what it sounds like, an opportunity to be healthy and push yourself physically. Since we have reliable transportation, we expose our teens to a variety of opportunities, such as: fishing, canoeing, rock climbing, sports, hiking, tennis and much more!
If you reside in the designated manufactured housing sites and are interested in attending program, please contact Kristen at Drakek@bouldercolorado.gov.
Rec on Wheelz (ROW) is a drop-in based program where we bring fun to the participants. Based out of four manufactured housing sites, Rec on Wheelz focuses on recreational games that are not only fun for the youth to participate in but gives them the opportunity to exercise after school. ROW performs in a bicultural and bilingual setting so that all participants feel comfortable and included.
If you reside in the designated manufactured housing sites and are interested in attending program, please contact Corina at GarciaC@bouldercolorado.gov.
Staff and Contact Information
Hola soy Alma! I've been working with YSI for 10 years and love building a safe space for participants to create good memories. My favorite things to do are camping, eating good food, and spending time with my family. If you have any YSI related questions let me know! Hablo español!
“I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.”― Tupac Shakur
I truly believe in the power of exposure , positive engagement and athletics as a tool to help individuals reach any goal . I have been with YSI for over a year and this experience has helped me be a better coach, father, friend and overall person.
Being from the Bronx, and living in many different places I have had exposure to varying cultures and socioeconomic status which have helped me tremendously in my role as a recreation coordinator.
I went to school for Business Marketing but 3 years ago I started working with the city of boulder as a front desk staff. I quickly fell in love with Recreation, mentoring and more of a community facing career. Last year I got promoted to my current position with YSI and we have made great strides in the Healthy Together program. I have used my coaching/ thletic background to implement new areas and make improvements to the existing programs .
Corina started working with the City Of Boulder in 2005 as a recreation leader in the initiation of YSI. Corina is currently the Coordinator for the Rec On Wheels (ROW) program where she has recruited 100 participants who she offers craft, exercise and fitness along with life skills development. She has contributed in leadership, equity, and inclusion throughout her entire career with the department.
Before YSI, Corina was a family and youth advocate for the mental health partners where she developed her skills for working with families. She has consistently adapted to new situations and delivered leadership for all of our major events and specialty trips across her 15 years of service. For example, camping trips, annual holiday parties, ski trips, parent meetings, kick off events and home visits.
In her free time, she spends her time with her daughters and grandkids as well as baking, going to church, planning big party events and listening to music.
