Last year Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives took their ACE program ambassadors to Monaco Lanes to indulge in a day of excitement and sportsmanship to reward their efforts and achievements earned during our after school program.
These children are students enrolled at our partnering school, Wyatt Academy. The event was chaperoned by Reverend Leon Kelly Jr. Executive Director and Mr. Daloyd Reynolds, Program Director of Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives.
Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives is known in the community for their annual Christmas party. The highlight of this event is when Reverend Leon Kelly Jr. gives away brand new bicycles to children in the neighborhood that attend Wyatt Academy. Hundreds of inner-city, low-income families come out and participate in fun games, holiday activities and gift giveaways that demonstrate Reverend Leon Kelly’s generosity. Come and join us next year because the Open Door holiday party is definitely “The Feel Good Event” of the entire holiday season.
Annually Reverend Leon Kelly Jr. hosts an Inner city kids shopping spree event held at the Stapleton Walmart in Quebec Square. For the past four years, Reverend Kelly has hosted this event in collaboration with both the Denver Police and Sheriff’s Departments. Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives selects 25 children from their after-school programs to participate in the shopping spree. These children have proven to be responsible, respectful, and consistent with displaying role model behavior both in and out of school.
Reverend Kelly’s intention is to show the inner city kids that everyday heroes do exist and are constantly helping the community by doing their job. By having Denver Police and Denver Sheriff Department personnel interact with their children in a fun and generous environment, we have found that it is also a wonderful way to help them to understand that law enforcement is there to help and protect them and their community 24 hours a day, 7days a week.
Open Door youth Gang Alternatives takes pride in providing a positive influence delivered with compassion that will continue to help keep inner city kids focused on education and their future while keeping them out of gangs and off the streets.