The Denver Youth Employment Program

  • The Denver Youth Employment Program (DYEP) provides youth access to workforce development, career exposure, and opportunities to further their individual passions and goals through foundational work experience opportunities with local organizations, businesses and other high growth industries. Youth receive support from the FACE DYEP Job Coaches and through mentorship and coaching from local leaders, business owners, and community members.  

    DYEP typically consists of a 120-hour work experience with various employers representing a diverse array of opportunities across the City of Denver. Youth are required to complete a Job Readiness Training (JRT) prior placement and beginning their experience. DYEP is meant as an opportunity for youth to explore and be supported through their first work experience to ensure they have the skills to pay the bills. Youth are supported throughout their work experience to leverage financial literacy practices and soft skills learned in their JRT during their experience. 

  • Eligibility

    • Youth must be ages 14-21
    • Youth must be currently enrolled in school, high school, or postsecondary
    • Youth must be a resident of Denver OR attend school in Denver
    • Youth must be eligible to work in the US
    • An individual may not be placed with an employer where a member of the youth’s immediate family is in a decision-making position (supervisor, manager, owner, etc.).
    • Youth must meet one of the low-income elements:
      • Whose total family annual income does not exceed 70% of the Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL)
      • Individual or family is currently receiving public assistance (SNAP, TANF, LEAP)
      • Individual or family member receives free or reduced lunch
      • A current My Brother’s Keeper Summer of Success participant
      • Currently enrolled at a Title I school
      • Lives in a priority neighborhood and can verify address - Searchable Denver Neighborhood Map - East Colfax, Elyria Swansea, Globeville, Montbello, Gateway, Parkfield, Green Valley Ranch, Northeast Park Hill, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax, Westwood, Barnum, Barnum West, Athmar Park, Ruby Hill, Mar Lee, Harvey Park, College View, North Park Hill, Clayton, Whittier, and Cole.

        • How to Apply

          **For your security, please do not send documents containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) including ID's, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, etc. through email.**

        • What to Expect

          Simple Process Map

          1. Complete the online application.
          2. After May 17th, a DYEP representative will review your application for eligibility.
          3. If eligible, a DYEP representative will reach out to you to discuss placement options and refer you to DYEP employer partners.
          4. If selected, DYEP employer partner(s) will reach out to you to schedule an interview.
          5. If hired, a DYEP representative will reach out to you to complete program onboarding, inclusive of a job readiness training.
          6. Once onboarded, you will complete your work experience option as scheduled with the employer partner. Youth in the program get paid on a bi-weekly pay schedule during participation.
          7. Once your work experience is completed, you will complete a brief post-program survey.

        • Financial Literacy Resources

          Financial Literacy Steps

          Learning to successfully manage your money is a really important part of your employment experience this summer. Click here to learn more about your payment options and how to make the most of your paychecks.

        • Alternative Summer Resources

        • Host Youth at Your Company!

          The application for hosting youth in 2022 is now closed, please reach out to DYEP@dpsk12.org if you have any questions or would like to be on the list next year.

        • What to Expect

               Simple Process Map

        • What people are saying:

          ”Advice I would give to future participants: Enjoy every second of the program! Not many students are doing what you’re doing right now at such a young age. Have fun, and ask a lot of questions.”

          — DYEP Participant

          “All of our [DYEP] youth continued working with us past their work experience and [DYEP] allowed us to invest in their success.”

          — Metropolitan State University, DYEP Employer

          “Our Public investments should be the vehicles to drive public good…our families and our communities will have access to the tools that will help them achieve economic mobility and build generational wealth. And our neighborhoods will be the beneficiaries of these investments.”

          — Mayor Michael B. Hancock, 3rd Inaugural Address