The TEENS, Inc. Story
In 1997, Kim Gershon founded TEENS, Inc.
to provide youth services for the Town of Nederland.
Three years later, with a dedicated board of directors and committed group of teens, TEENS, Inc. raised one million dollars for a new facility. On January 2, 2000, the Teen Center opened a 6800 square foot building in Nederland, CO near Barker Reservoir.
The Teen Center has provided a safe place for youth and families ever since. In the following decades, TEENS, Inc. has grown into much more than a teen center: three schools, two summer youth employments, and a variety of programs across our community all operate under the TEENS, Inc. banner. But we’ve never strayed from our vision to be a dynamic innovator of positive youth development.
We’ve been doing this for 25 years,
and we hope to for 25 more!
Throughout the 90s, Nederland Youth Services ran Teen Centers in different locations throughout town, including a small space under the current Mountain People’s Co-Op and in the old elementary school. But Nederland needed a dedicated teen center.
OUR IMPACT
17
hours weekly the teen center is open for free drop-in, providing a safe and supportive place for Nederland-area youth.
28
families had access to childcare and Early Childhood Education (ECE) for youth aged 2.5-7.
41
parents attended our Mountain Strong Families parenting workshops.
100%
of students who graduated from Chinook West completed at least three applications to post-graduation programs
(e.g. colleges, trade school, or wilderness leadership schools.)
128
youth were employed through TeamWorks, Teen Youth Corps, Peer Supervisors, & Youth Leadership Academy.
22%
self-assessed improvement in life skills among teens after going on a multi-day outdoor leadership retreat.
25
students graduated last year from our 2 high schools.
300
pounds of free food distributed to teens each month.
During the last program year, TEENS, Inc. directly served more than 450 teens, 175 elementary students, 60 parents and 40 preschoolers through the following programs:
-
TEENS, Inc. operates two alternative schools: Chinook West high school for up to 30 youth, providing an alternative school for those at risk of dropping out in Nederland, and Lookout Academy, which currently serves 70 incarcerated youth ages 14–21 in Golden. It also operates New Explorers Learning Center, a preschool offering 30 childcare slots for children ages 2½ - 7.
-
Three employment programs provide youth transferable job skills: Teen Youth Corps employs up to 10 youth to work on summer community projects; TeamWorks employs 36 youth from Denver and 36 from the rural areas to work 35–40 hours a week on paid summer conservation projects; and Peer Supervisors hires 5 youth to work at the drop-in teen center.
-
Outdoor Leadership & Recreation offers afterschool rock climbing camps and four multi-day leadership retreats to build resilience and healthy risk taking skills, and a weekday drop-in Teen Center offers a safe place for teens to hang out 17 hours/week with extended hours during the summer months. TEENS, Inc. also runs Peak to Peak Soccer, a soccer league for area 5- to 13-year-olds.
-
TEENS, Inc. serves all area youth and children at local schools through its Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Prevention and Restorative Practices initiatives to shift community attitudes on drugs, alcohol and punishment.
The Nederland Youth Opportunities Board was founded in 2022. This group of 5 - 7 students is excused one day / month from school to meet for a full day in an advisory capacity to the town Board of Trustees.
WHO MAKES IT HAPPEN
TEENS, Inc. couldn’t exist without an amazing community of supporters, volunteers, and staff. Click on the links below to get to know more about the human beings dedicated to completing the TEENS, Inc. mission.
OUR TEAM
OUR CORE VALUES:
YOUTH VOICES
Youth voices, perspectives, and contributions are necessary, valued and respected. We believe in youth and work with them to find expression of their own voice in their current and future endeavors. At TEENS, Inc. youth are included in governance, program development and implementation.
BELIEF IN POSSIBILITIES
We have an unending belief that with support, guidance and encouragement people can persevere and change the course of their lives for the better, despite potentially challenging and difficult circumstances.
RELATIONSHIPS
We understand that the work we do is founded on the relationships that we form and we believe youth need a variety of strong adult relationships in their lives. We value and care for each other, uphold high expectations and set firm boundaries.
HONESTY & INTEGRITY
In an effort to continuously improve both personally and as an organization, we are committed to speaking our truth and being true to ourselves. Whether it is with co-workers, youth or any other stakeholder, we understand that honest communication and follow through is essential to upholding personal and organizational integrity.
WE KNOW YOUTH ARE POWERFUL.
TEENS, Inc. Documents
We invite you to read our 2023 Annual Report, where we assess our progress as an organization and detail our impact.
View our most recent Audit and 990, using the buttons below:
Thriving youth,
Thriving Community!
CONTACT
INFO
MAILING ADDRESS
TEENS, Inc.
PO Box 1070
Nederland, Co 80466
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
151 East Street
Nederland, Co 80466
Phone: (303) 258-3821
You may learn more about how you can support TEENS, Inc. by visiting our Ways to Give page.
For More information about TEENS, Inc, including financial info, visit our Colorado Gives page.
Winner: BEST NON-PROFIT