The Metropolitan Football Stadium District Funding may be used for a variety of youth activities programs. One category the Douglas County Youth Initiative and Douglas County Youth Commission are exploring is Vehicles/Buildings. Proposals submitted that fit into this category can be found below.
Project Name: Castle Rock Police Department – Explorer Post / Youth Police Academy
Funding Amount Requested: $60,156.00
Response to Application Questions
1. Describe the agency/organization applying for this funding.
This funding would directly enhance two existing Castle Rock Police Department (CRPD) Youth Services initiatives: the Explorer Post and the Youth Police Academy (YPA).
2. Describe the need for this funding. What is the problem/opportunity this program/project would address?
This onetime funding would address our transportation challenges that currently affect both the Explorer Post and Youth Police Academy. – See attached Word Document
3. What are the goals of the project? How many Douglas County youth will be impacted and what specific impacts or benefits will they receive?
The goals of these two Youth Service programs are to provide safe non-school based environments for participants to learn aspects of public service, while gaining valuable life skills, education, public speaking.
4. How would this effort promote access to programs and activities for youth who are underserved in the Douglas County community?
The Explorer Post participates in the Police Department’s annual Heroes and Helpers shopping event at Walmart during Christmas time, in which families going through financial hardships.
5. How will the effort be promoted to Douglas County youth?
If awarded the funding to purchase a 2023 Ford Transit 15 person Passenger Van XL type vehicle, we would personalize it with a vehicle wrap, promoting Youth Services, One by One Policing, the Explorer Post
6. How will this project be sustainable and continue to support Douglas County youth after this one-time funding source? What are the plans for the program long term?
SUSTAINABILITY: The 2023 Ford Transit 15 person Passenger Van XL type vehicle would be insured, with maintenance through the Town of Castle Rock fleet department and these expenses would be budgeted annually additionally.
Project Name: 8 person vehicle
Funding Amount Requested: $40,000.00
Response to Application Questions
1. Describe the agency/organization applying for this funding.
Douglas County 4-H is a county partner who teaches youth life skills through experiential learning. We do this through projects, contests, leadership development, and mentorship with a trusted adult.
2. Describe the need for this funding. What is the problem/opportunity this program/project would address?
We have no vehicle to transport youth to our programs around the county and state. Transportation is a huge barrier for youth to attend who come from working families. Receiving this award would allow us to transport youth safely to events.
3. What are the goals of the project? How many Douglas County youth will be impacted and what specific impacts or benefits will they receive?
We want to increase participation in our well know camps that hone leadership and life skills. We anticipate we will be able to transport 259 youth to our various activities with this resource and increase the benefits of 4-H to more youth.
4. How would this effort promote access to programs and activities for youth who are underserved in the Douglas County community?
This would solve the large barrier of transportation in Douglas County. Many underserved youth come from working families who can not take time off during our programs to transport their kids or could not afford the costs to get them there.
5. How will the effort be promoted to Douglas County youth?
We will use our 4-H Blast Newsletter and outward facing social media platforms to advertise the availability of transportation for camps, contests, and in county programming.
6. How will this project be sustainable and continue to support Douglas County youth after this one-time funding source? What are the plans for the program long term?
CSU motor pool will be our vendor. By doing this, we will pay $0.4/mile/month to cover insurance, maintenance, registration. Checking with other offices, we know this cost is less $3000/year which we can fit into our budget or fundraise for this cost.
Project Name: Event Trailer
Funding Amount Requested: $30,000.00
Response to Application Questions
1. Describe the agency/organization applying for this funding.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach and Public Education unit is applying for this funding to reach youth in our community and build better relationships with a new youth activities event trailer.
2. Describe the need for this funding. What is the problem/opportunity this program/project would address?
Having an Event Trailer for youth events will help build trust and foster positive relationships with our community. It is essential to show our youth that cops are here to help. A great way to do this is to serve food and provide fun activities.
3. What are the goals of the project? How many Douglas County youth will be impacted and what specific impacts or benefits will they receive?
This trailer will be at all our community events to include many schools and Special Olympic events. Last year, 2022, the sheriff’s office went to about 66 events with over 15,000 people attending. We are expecting to have more events/children.
4. How would this effort promote access to programs and activities for youth who are underserved in the Douglas County community?
The Sheriff’s Office can take the event trailer to any location in the County, including our lower-income areas, schools, and Law Enforcement Torch Run/Special Olympic Unified events. Everyone is invited to participate in these events.
5. How will the effort be promoted to Douglas County youth?
The Sheriff’s Office will promote events through social media, next-door contacts, Recreation centers, and school resource officers. We also partner with the Highlands Ranch Community Association and Highlands Ranch Metro District for events.
6. How will this project be sustainable and continue to support Douglas County youth after this one-time funding source? What are the plans for the program long term?
The Youth Event Trailer and equipment are a one-time purchase that will be maintained by the sheriff’s Office. The funding for food and supplies will be purchased through fundraising and community partnerships for years to come.